[zcaveman]

Anyone here have one of the new 2008 EZGO carts? I am thinking about trading my 2002 Club Cart in and was looking at the new EZGO and I am interested if anyone has any experience with one of them.

I forgot to add I am looking for electric. The lady of the house does not like the gas carts.

[Casino]

Zman
Yes we just bought one...

We bought a gas one...and so far very pleased.

[Villages Kahuna]

I own a 2007 model here and a 2000 model up in Michigan--both electrics. When I visited my dealer in Spanish Springs shopping center a few weeks ago, he was raving about the new models and bemoaning his inability to get enough of them to meet demand.

What's fantastic about the new model is it's new 48-volt AC-converted drive train. Don't try to understand all that gobbledegook. All you need to understand is that he new drive train will drive you UP steep hills at the maximum speed of the cart (about 20 mph)! The cart also brakes itself using the motor, not drum brakes or disc brakes. (It has a brake pedal, but all that does is slow the cart using the electric motor.) Another big change is the suspension--they've used automotive A-frame in front and trailing arms in the rear. The new suspension makes for a much more car-like ride. They've begun to advertise "the longest range of any electric cart". When I asked about that, they're saying their new 2008 electrics have a 60-65 mile range.

Back to the uphill speed. I took one out and went over to the golf cart bridge over 441. After watching for a lull in traffic, I floored it uphill over the bridge. Yep, they go full speed up hills...at least it felt like a full 20 mph to me! Interestingly, you have to "accelerate" going down hills to slow down. If you simply take your foot off the accelerator, the cart stops...quickly! The new drive train takes a little getting used to, but it is a fantastic machine. By now, I'm sure the supply chain has filled in, as well.

[zcaveman]

Thanks for the replies. I did research the carts on the internet and have made a visit and got the brochures and sales sheets. I wanted to hear some first hand experience and I got it.

I found a great ad in the Sunday paper for $1000 in free accessories.

Now I have to convince myself to get rid of the Club Car cart. It was my first cart and it is hard to part with.

Kahuna - where is your golf cart dealer in Spanish Springs? Also, I am wondering if there is a setting so that the cart doesn't stop when you take your foot off of the accelerator. When I first got my IC Club Car cart, it did that and I had to learn to rejudge the stopping range. When I got the cart checked out one day, the service tech changed a setting and it starting coasting when you took your foot off of the accelerator. A question that I will have to add to my list of questions.

[Villages Kahuna]

The dealer I used--who I like a whole lot, by the way--is right next door to the Ace Hardware, on almost a straight line behind the Perkins on 441. You can drive up to the back of the place and they'll clean your upholstery with compressed air, fill your tires and provide a pleasant greeting--all free. Good guys.

As far as braking adjustments--can't help there. But I didn't find it too hard to get used to.

[sschuler1]

The few people that we spoke with about buying a cart (one was a dealer) had all convinced us that the gas carts were the way to go. Told us that the electric carts would lose power not only as your charge wore down, but also as they got older and needed to replace the battery. We were also told that the batteries are very expensive and make the gas carts more affordable because the batteries need to be replaced every couple of years in the electric models. However, since I have been reading posts on this website it sounds like almost everyone has an electric cart. Maybe we talked to the wrong people????

[JohnN]

About how much $$$ does one of these new ~puppies~ run???

[Lucko]

You can get a brand new Yamaha Drive from TNT golf carts in Quincy, Illinois for $4799 plus accessories -- free delivery to your house in the villages and no sales tax -- Great cart, great deal !!!!!!!!!!

[zcaveman]

The price list I got from EZGO two weeks ago has $7495 for gas and $7295 for electric.

[Casino]

Zman,

I paid $6800. just about 2 weeks ago....and like I said I have every option available.

I bet you can get the salesman to come down.....

[zcaveman]

Thanks. I also have a trade-in for when I decide.

[Villages Kahuna]

Specifically regarding the E-Z-GO electrics...
[br]

• The new 2008 models are being advertised as having a range of 60-65 miles. This is greater than the Columbia Par Car which until now has had the greatest range.

[br]

• A new set of six batteries for a 36-volt E-Z-GO (the older models) costs about $350 and needed to be replaced every 3-5 years. I have an E-Z-GO up in Michigan that is still running just fine on 7-year old batteries.

[br]

• Presumably the replacement cost of the eight smaller batteries in the 48-volt system will approximate the cost of replacing the six larger batteries in the 36-volt system.

[br]

• At approximately 50-60 miles per gallon with a gas cart, with gas at $4 a gallon, an average Villages golf cart owner will spend more on gas in 3 years than a set of replacement batteries cost. (60 miles per week/60 miles per gallon=1 gallon per week X 52 X $4 = $208 per year X 3 years = $624)

[br]

• The 2008 E-Z-GO carts employ a 48 volt regenerative system that converts DC power into AC to run the motor. It actually charges the batteries as you go down hills or brake the vehicle, presumably resulting in the significantly increased range of the new models.

[br]
Personally, I don't think the choice of gas versus electric is a "cost thing". It's probably a "smell and noise thing" more than anything else. Try them both and see which one you find more enjoyable.

[chacam]

We run our battery cart at less than 3 cents per mile. Do that with a gas cart. Approx 200 to 300 miles a month with all the range we need. We will surely look at the EZGO when it comes time for another cart. We will save enough over a period of time to get new batteries.

[Russ_Boston]

Lucko - I think the thread is about EZ GO AC drive carts not Yamaha - hence the price discrepency.

Joann - The thread is about the new EZ GO electrics not gas.

Just thought I'd play topic cop for a few minutes.

[zcaveman]

Russ - I added the line about electric after Joann replied. I should have been more specific in my original post. \\My apology.

Z