[SUNreporter]

Would you pay $10,000 for an electric car that seats 2, has a maximum speed of 35 mph, and goes 40 miles on a charge?

[Talk Host]

NO!

[chuckster]

Seems to me villagers already pay more than that for special edition carts (bmw, escalade, etc) and GEM cars. We all know they can be upped to 35 mph. But the question is would I buy and the answer is no unless range can at least be doubled. Hope this expanded answer helps.

[handieman]

Nope

Handie :joke:

[Russ_Boston]

55-70 mph and 125 mile range - then let's talk.

[redwitch]

Nope.

[Barefoot]

Absolutely not.

[gfmucci]

All of these "no's" are particularly amusing since most everyone in The Villages who owns electric already spent $6,000 to $8,000 on carts that only do 20 mph and get less than 15 miles on a charge. I guess these answers mean that $2,000 to $3,000 more to double the range and nearly double the speed isn't worth it.

[nONIE]

Sounds high! whats the big advantage?

[SUNreporter]

The big advantage of an electric car as opposed to a souped-up golf cart, GEM, or Bombardier -- as I see it -- is safety. The electric car I'm looking at has doors with roll-up windows, larger tires, and seat belts. Another plus: you don't have to worry about zippers, sliding doors, etc. to keep the weather out. The electric car also looks more comfortable.

[SUNreporter]

Here are the stats on the $10,000 electric car: 4-passenger, 4-door, with seat belts, 12" tires, has Hydraulic Disc and Drum Brakes, AM/FM CD Player, 1 Year Bumper to Bumper Warranty, Maximum speed: 30 mph, Range: 60 miles, Recharging time: 4 hrs., dual independent suspension w/shocks,headlights, tailights, turn signals. Street legal. Still wouldn't buy one? To me, the only drawback is the maximum speed, but are there any roads IN The Villages posted above 35?

[redwitch]

GF, not all of us own golf carts. I don't and I won't unless I can find one in decent condition for under $2,000. Spending $4,000-10,000 for something that is nice to have but not truly necessary just goes against my grain even if I could afford it right now.

There is no question that if the electric car had better speed, I'd go for it, provided recharging stations would be available. For now, I'd rather consider a hybrid.

[JohnN]

I agree with gfmucci,
sounded like a golf cart that you described, LOL

I'd consider it for TV use

[Sidney Lanier]

After much research, we bought the first model year of the second generation of Toyota Prius (2004) and were so pleased with it that we just traded it for the identical 2008 car. In 2004 they were so relatively rare that Prius drivers would wave or flash their lights at each other, just for fun. Now they're much more common, and understandably so. About a dozen Prius owners bought, thanks to our great experience with this fine car.

This being our orientation, if we had a need for a second car strictly for local driving, I think we'd consider this electric car proposed by SUNReporter. That it is a 4-passenger, rather than the 2-seater originally proposed, is certainly a plus. However, I too would prefer to see a little more speed (e.g., to drive to Ocala the speed limits reach 55 mph) and range (e.g., to make Orlando a comfortable run).

[Russ_Boston]

Let's remember why TVers also buy golf carts - to GOLF! Don't think this vehicle would be allowed on Cane Garden.