Golf Car Opinions
 

I have narrowed my search to Club Car and Yamaha gas cars. Would like opinions on both.

I am moving down in February 2012 in Sanibel and want to feel confident with my choice of manufacturer.

Thanks for your help

I can not address the Club Car because hubby was insistent on the Yamaha gas cart. As long as he let me order it in purple, I was happy! But seriously, I can tell you that it appears that most of the carts we see getting towed are the electric ones. He wanted gas because he understands gas vehicles and felt that the range in distance would be greater in a gas cart. I don't know how true that is now that there are 8 battery electric carts. Everyone recommended Yamaha when we asked about gas cart recommendations. We have had our gas one since August and it has been perfect..no issues, no problems...no surprises. It really does, in the final analysis to personal preference. You would be fine with either one. And congrats on the house!! You will love it here.

Electric Carts
 

In my four years here, I have yet to see an electric cart being towed. Of course, electric carts have problems. For the most part, people (renters) forget to plug them in when they come home. It is not the carts with the problem, it is the owners (or renters ) who have not been properly introduced to what's required. The Villages Cart Stores continue this misconception of electric failure
for whatever reason.

After a huge rain about 2 months ago we saw 6 electric carts being towed. I wonder why the difference between our seeing lots and you seeing none?

Sounds like you're insinuating rain & electric carts don't mix!How did you know the 6 carts you saw were electric ? Did you get out of your cart & check them out? I own an electric cart & wouldn't have a gas one if you paid for it & gave it to me!! We rented one for company & couldn't stand the noise ,smell & my throat was always dry from the fumes! IMHO

:wave: Over the last 2 & 1/2 years in our Golf scramble group, I have seen electric golf carts fail at least 6 times. I have never seen a gas fail. This is out of a group of 40 carts.

The cart you rented was probably not well maintained if it had this many issues. We have rented carts for our visitors that were obnoxious. We started with an electric cart and after 3 years of battery problems we went with gas. 10 years later we just recently purchased our second gas cart. We got used to the "noise", we never smell it except on a rare occasion when slowing in a tunnel, and our throats have never dried from the fumes (Because there are none). The choice of an electric or gas cart is a very personal one. For us, the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to a gas cart. I guess if one doesn't mind dealing with batteries (filling with water and cleaning the acid which invariably appears on the garage floor, forking over hundreds of $$ every few years for a set of new batteries....after you have pushed it home a few times) I say go for the electric cart.

I have a Club Car electric and a Yamaha gas. I did maint. for a living, so I keep on top of the electric as far as clean batteries and water in cells. That being said, I think for someone not up to this, gas is the way to go. Mainly check oil weekly and put gas in. Then once a year have serviced for filters and plug. Is the gas noisy? Yes Does it have a odor? yes, but only mildly. With the new electrics the range is very good, but you have to keep batteries watered and charged. You are going to get opinions both ways, and I think either will work for you. Club Car if electric and Yamaha if gas. The Yamaha engines are bullet proof. Buy what makes you happy and don't worry about what others think.

My intent is not to get into a pi$$ing match with the gas cart owners, but I would never own one. Say what you want, but they are noisy and polluting. I am trying to do my part going "green". And yes, I also recycle. My choice was simple..I test drove both before buying, and I did not want my grandkids on the back end breathing carbon monoxide fumes. There, I've said it!

I love my Club Car Precedent gas 4 seater. No problems at all. No slowing down going uphill.
Added plus, this cart is made in the USA! :eclipsee_gold_cup:

Both brands are excellent. Pros and cons to each but most of it really comes down to personal preference........kinda like Ford vs. Chevy with car manufacturers, for example.

I don't think you'd go wrong with either one.

Bill :)

Those being your choices I would go with Yamaha simply because you can drive it to the dealer if need be.

George

Good reason. I had a Club Cart but they did have at home service which had to be scheduled. When I switched to EZGO, it was pick up service from the dealer on 27/441. Now I go to the dealership in Palm Plaza and get it serviced while I wait.

Dick, I agree we should all be as "green" as is practicable, but you really can't legitimately say using an electric cart is particularly "green". You have to plug it in, and 54% of U.S electricity is produced by coal plants. A typical (500 megawatt) coal plant burns 1.4 million tons of coal each year. There are about 600 U.S. coal plants. Coal pollutes when it is mined, transported to the power plant, stored, and burned. And it has done a job on my Adirondacks over the past 100 years, damaging both plants and animals, damage that is still happening, albeit less so today. So I'm not a big fan of the electricity industry any more than you are of gas powered golf carts.

Thanks to all for your quick responses. Hopefully soon we can thank all of you in person.
I have been leaning towards the Yamaha gas vs club car. I believe the way "Carts and Clubs" build their Yamaha and their attention to details in the build make it more appealing.

Mike & Vera