[Laker14]

Originally Posted by sdeikenberry

Whether you go ICE or electric, having an enclosure is really nice. The complaint that it's hot in the summer isn't very valid. I've had Yahama gas carts for 7 years and both of them had enclosures. The second one has a Curtis sliding door enclosure and I love it. Immediately react to weather. I mounted a fan in it and that keeps air moving and me as cool as any other cart owner in the summer. I have a propane heater for the cold days and it keeps the cab warm. My comment on gas vrs elec is with gas I get 47 mph and gas stations are well within striking distance all over TV. I travel everywhere inside TV from north to south to golf in my cart preferentially over a auto and never worry about "will I make it or not."

Originally Posted by DaleDivine

WOW.. that's moving along pretty FAST in a golf cart.

might have meant mpg, not mph. Call me Captain Obvious.

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

We have been here 2 1/2 years, and really are not into golf - mainly medical reasons.

But, with inflation and potential gas prices soaring, we are debating buying something electric. Golf Cart, Atomic Car, Tesla. (in that order of most to least likely).

We live in McClure (across the street from Magnolia Plaza).

Our criteria is:

1. Be able to get around the villages (we plan to keep our ICE - Lexus - for road trips to Gainesville). This means maybe as far as Sumter Landing, but more likely Brownwood and where ever the new Square will be North of 44 someday. Shopping, mail and entertainment.

2. Bicycles and trikes would maybe work, if electric. But, we prefer to be able to sit together in something that we can smile and not get bugs smushed on our teeth.

3. We would prefer electric so we can charge them over night and drive them during the day. Gas is a distant possibility, but would require keeping a supply of gas in the garage, and I don't like that.

4. We do not like being rained on when going to the grocery store or postal station - LOL! so it needs to be enclosed - but cool'ish in the summer and warmish in the winter.

5. We understand with golf carts we are restricted to inside the bubble, but can we get pretty much anywhere inside the bubble only limited by battery range? And what is the "real" battery range of lead vs Lithium batteries.

I would appreciate hearing from those that have recently made this decision and what considerations you took into account. Options, dealers, used vs new, lead vs Lithium, maintenance, insurance, etc, etc, etc.

The Atomic Car would have an advantage of being street legal - but a disadvantage of being the second most expensive (just below Tesla):

Yamaha Lithium around $12K, Atomic Car around $18K, Tesla (used Model 3) $45K.

Tesla would have the advantage of point to point self driving - sort of and long road trip ready (we are not in a hurry and stopping every 250 to 300 miles to eat and pee doesn't bother us. If we get the Tesla, we will probably sell both ICE cars (Lexus and Jaguar).

I am leaning right now to keeping the Lexus for road trips (3 or 4 a month to Gainesville) and getting a new Yamaha Electric with Lithium Batteries - looks like new from Yamaha is about $12,000 sort of, but I am not sure of which options I would need to keep dry and safe. And I am not sure of the Yamaha range. I would expect we want at least 50 mile range. I hear the Sirius Star is getting around 80 miles and the EZGO is getting around 60 miles.

I appreciate all discussions, even about how wonderful and better ICE is, but, I can assure you we want Electric, so, if you want to point out ICE advantages, I will thank you but very likely to not go that way. Not 100% yet, but close.

On the other hand if you have a electric golf cart or are considering one, your experience and considerations would be greatly appreciated.

Atomic golf carts are great, all the features of an automobile. Drive one before you buy a Yamaha

[Pres1939]

I have a similar situation, but the economics provides the answer. There is almost no way one can justify buying any electric vehicle (except maybe a bike) that makes sense, versus just keeping and driving your Lexus. After all, you will still be paying insurance on the Lexus, if you add an electric vehicle. Plus, the cost of the EV, and it’s insurance will buy you a lot of gas for your Lexus. Add up the EV costs and divide by even $7/gallon and see how many gallons you get for your ICE. I am happy to drive my Chrysler 300C and pay for gas. I am safer wherever I go, too. Good luck!

Originally Posted by MartinSE

We have been here 2 1/2 years, and really are not into golf - mainly medical reasons.

But, with inflation and potential gas prices soaring, we are debating buying something electric. Golf Cart, Atomic Car, Tesla. (in that order of most to least likely).

We live in McClure (across the street from Magnolia Plaza).

Our criteria is:

1. Be able to get around the villages (we plan to keep our ICE - Lexus - for road trips to Gainesville). This means maybe as far as Sumter Landing, but more likely Brownwood and where ever the new Square will be North of 44 someday. Shopping, mail and entertainment.

2. Bicycles and trikes would maybe work, if electric. But, we prefer to be able to sit together in something that we can smile and not get bugs smushed on our teeth.

3. We would prefer electric so we can charge them over night and drive them during the day. Gas is a distant possibility, but would require keeping a supply of gas in the garage, and I don't like that.

4. We do not like being rained on when going to the grocery store or postal station - LOL! so it needs to be enclosed - but cool'ish in the summer and warmish in the winter.

5. We understand with golf carts we are restricted to inside the bubble, but can we get pretty much anywhere inside the bubble only limited by battery range? And what is the "real" battery range of lead vs Lithium batteries.

I would appreciate hearing from those that have recently made this decision and what considerations you took into account. Options, dealers, used vs new, lead vs Lithium, maintenance, insurance, etc, etc, etc.

The Atomic Car would have an advantage of being street legal - but a disadvantage of being the second most expensive (just below Tesla):

Yamaha Lithium around $12K, Atomic Car around $18K, Tesla (used Model 3) $45K.

Tesla would have the advantage of point to point self driving - sort of and long road trip ready (we are not in a hurry and stopping every 250 to 300 miles to eat and pee doesn't bother us. If we get the Tesla, we will probably sell both ICE cars (Lexus and Jaguar).

I am leaning right now to keeping the Lexus for road trips (3 or 4 a month to Gainesville) and getting a new Yamaha Electric with Lithium Batteries - looks like new from Yamaha is about $12,000 sort of, but I am not sure of which options I would need to keep dry and safe. And I am not sure of the Yamaha range. I would expect we want at least 50 mile range. I hear the Sirius Star is getting around 80 miles and the EZGO is getting around 60 miles.

I appreciate all discussions, even about how wonderful and better ICE is, but, I can assure you we want Electric, so, if you want to point out ICE advantages, I will thank you but very likely to not go that way. Not 100% yet, but close.

On the other hand if you have a electric golf cart or are considering one, your experience and considerations would be greatly appreciated.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Ohhhhhhhhhh! ICE = Internal Combustion Engine. Why not just say "gas." Far simpler than trying to be on-trend with climate-speak. Besides, for many people and in many industries, ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency."

ICE is a valuable acronym and due to the potential to save life or prevent injury, there should not be common confusion around the acronym. It should not be conflated in the interest of sounding cool, hip, trendy, modern, woke, whatever.

YMMV

[OhioBuckeye]

I’m surprised you don’t have a cart just to run short errands. You don’t have to play golf to have one, I played golf but I got one just so I didn’t put to many miles on my car. My first cart was a 2012 & in 2018 I bought another one. My 2012 had 26,000 on it & never had an issue with it. Both were Yamaha’s. That saved my car for a couple more yrs. & a lot of gas. Buy one even if you don’t play golf!

[GayleJenkins]

Ok… wow. Long post🥴. I’d walk if I were you.

[SusanStCatherine]

Try test driving and comparing different models. Consider renting what you would like to buy. We test drove the top two sellers of gas and electric golf carts. The Yamaha QuieTech and the E-Z-GO RXV Elite Lithium Ion. Having previously owned a BMW i3 EV, the E-Z-GO was our choice. No fumes at all, much quieter and smoother ride. Very little maintenance and no trips to gas station. We also decided we wouldn't be riding in our golf cart for more than 60 miles a day.

Our decision was not based on being green, but we did consider the Li-Ion batteries are being reused for stationary applications and new recycling processes.

We ordered the E-Z-GO from The Villages Golf Cars in Brownwood and customized with better seats, and the usual Villager upgrades - it was over $20k. Our salesperson said they have started using electric golf carts in the Lifestyle vist homes. He also said the loaner program was discontinued.

E-Z-GO, Yamaha, and Club Car are the top US manufacturers of electric golf carts.

If considering other brands (especially foreign brands) realize that quality control, sourcing parts, obtaining technical support, or finding trained service technicians for these golf carts can be difficult. If it matters to you, consider many use Chinese parts, even if assembled in the USA.

We drove one of these Chinese carts and actually liked it better than the E-Z-GO (quieter and peppier), but decided against it due to the quality type issues. It was less expensive, so there is that.

We were also in the market for a new car. We thought we wanted a plug-in hybrid allowing fair electric range with gas backup. But what we learned was that PEVs are only being sold by Hyundai in some states, the closest being Maryland. We considered the hybrid, but the $6000 above market value added made our decision for us. We're fixing up our old car. $5k is cheaper than $50k during these crazy times.

Good luck!

[jnieman]

Many years ago (back in the 70's gas crisis) I sold my very cool 327 Camaro V8 for a Pinto to save on gas. I have always regretted this.

[Redwood8300]

Atomic has several models. I've had a Zipper for 3 years and get about 80 miles per charge. Not running the A/C would probable get me more. I made mine street legal by having it inspected by the state and getting a license plate - easy process. Doing this means your insurance will be about what you pay for your car. Speaking about cars I also have a "22 Toyota RAV4 prime whivh gets a little over 50 miles per charge. Living in TV means you dont have to fill it up with gas as 50 miles will get you anywhere and back home. I I take a trip the engine runs and I can go about 600 miles between fill ups.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Many years ago (back in the 70's gas crisis) I sold my very cool 327 Camaro V8 for a Pinto to save on gas. I have always regretted this.

That is really funny!! Did your Camaro have a six-pack or dual quads?

We recall the gas crises in 73 and 79. They were pretty bad. I had to drive 20 miles to work and my wife would put both kids in the car and wait in a line for over an hour just to buy gas.

Did your experience losing your Camaro to reward yourself with a Pinto (pause typing until I stop laughing) teach you any lessons that have benefitted you during the rest of your life?

P.S. I still miss my 1968 Triumph TR250. Horrible cars in so many ways, but you couldn't help but love them.

[Tbutler]

There’s probably good reason why perhaps 90+ percent of the golf carts in The Villages are Yamaha gas. I came across an elderly couple two days ago (under a shade tree south of the new golf course on Meggison) with dead batteries- waiting to be towed home. Having said that – of course I have a 2021 Yamaha gas for sale :-).

Originally Posted by MartinSE

We have been here 2 1/2 years, and really are not into golf

- mainly medical reasons.

But, with inflation and potential gas prices soaring, we are debating buying something electric. Golf Cart, Atomic Car, Tesla. (in that order of most to least likely).

We live in McClure (across the street from Magnolia Plaza).

Our criteria is:

1. Be able to get around the villages (we plan to keep our ICE - Lexus - for road trips to Gainesville). This means maybe as far as Sumter Landing, but more likely Brownwood and where ever the new Square will be North of 44 someday. Shopping, mail and entertainment.

2. Bicycles and trikes would maybe work, if electric. But, we prefer to be able to sit together in something that we can smile and not get bugs smushed on our teeth.

3. We would prefer electric so we can charge them over night and drive them during the day. Gas is a distant possibility, but would require keeping a supply of gas in the garage, and I don't like that.

4. We do not like being rained on when going to the grocery store or postal station - LOL! so it needs to be enclosed - but cool'ish in the summer and warmish in the winter.

5. We understand with golf carts we are restricted to inside the bubble, but can we get pretty much anywhere inside the bubble only limited by battery range? And what is the "real" battery range of lead vs Lithium batteries.

I would appreciate hearing from those that have recently made this decision and what considerations you took into account. Options, dealers, used vs new, lead vs Lithium, maintenance, insurance, etc, etc, etc.

The Atomic Car would have an advantage of being street legal - but a disadvantage of being the second most expensive (just below Tesla):

Yamaha Lithium around $12K, Atomic Car around $18K, Tesla (used Model 3) $45K.

Tesla would have the advantage of point to point self driving - sort of and long road trip ready (we are not in a hurry and stopping every 250 to 300 miles to eat and pee doesn't bother us. If we get the Tesla, we will probably sell both ICE cars (Lexus and Jaguar).

I am leaning right now to keeping the Lexus for road trips (3 or 4 a month to Gainesville) and getting a new Yamaha Electric with Lithium Batteries - looks like new from Yamaha is about $12,000 sort of, but I am not sure of which options I would need to keep dry and safe. And I am not sure of the Yamaha range. I would expect we want at least 50 mile range. I hear the Sirius Star is getting around 80 miles and the EZGO is getting around 60 miles.

I appreciate all discussions, even about how wonderful and better ICE is, but, I can assure you we want Electric, so, if you want to point out ICE advantages, I will thank you but very likely to not go that way. Not 100% yet, but close.

On the other hand if you have a electric golf cart or are considering one, your experience and considerations would be greatly appreciated.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

I’m surprised you don’t have a cart just to run short errands. You don’t have to play golf to have one, I played golf but I got one just so I didn’t put to many miles on my car. My first cart was a 2012 & in 2018 I bought another one. My 2012 had 26,000 on it & never had an issue with it. Both were Yamaha’s. That saved my car for a couple more yrs. & a lot of gas. Buy one even if you don’t play golf!

Exactly, right running short errands and just going out together and exploring the villages. I am an amateur photographer, and there are a lot of places I would like to go on TV that are a long walk or a golf cart. I can’t park a car anywhere near them

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by SusanStCatherine

Try test driving and comparing different models. Consider renting what you would like to buy. We test drove the top two sellers of gas and electric golf carts. The Yamaha QuieTech and the E-Z-GO RXV Elite Lithium Ion. Having previously owned a BMW i3 EV, the E-Z-GO was our choice. No fumes at all, much quieter and smoother ride. Very little maintenance and no trips to gas station. We also decided we wouldn't be riding in our golf cart for more than 60 miles a day.

Our decision was not based on being green, but we did consider the Li-Ion batteries are being reused for stationary applications and new recycling processes.

We ordered the E-Z-GO from The Villages Golf Cars in Brownwood and customized with better seats, and the usual Villager upgrades - it was over $20k. Our salesperson said they have started using electric golf carts in the Lifestyle vist homes. He also said the loaner program was discontinued.

E-Z-GO, Yamaha, and Club Car are the top US manufacturers of electric golf carts.

If considering other brands (especially foreign brands) realize that quality control, sourcing parts, obtaining technical support, or finding trained service technicians for these golf carts can be difficult. If it matters to you, consider many use Chinese parts, even if assembled in the USA.

We drove one of these Chinese carts and actually liked it better than the E-Z-GO (quieter and peppier), but decided against it due to the quality type issues. It was less expensive, so there is that.

We were also in the market for a new car. We thought we wanted a plug-in hybrid allowing fair electric range with gas backup. But what we learned was that PEVs are only being sold by Hyundai in some states, the closest being Maryland. We considered the hybrid, but the $6000 above market value added made our decision for us. We're fixing up our old car. $5k is cheaper than $50k during these crazy times.

Good luck!

Excellent, thank you so much, you answer is right on point and helps.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by Pres1939

I have a similar situation, but the economics provides the answer. There is almost no way one can justify buying any electric vehicle (except maybe a bike) that makes sense, versus just keeping and driving your Lexus. After all, you will still be paying insurance on the Lexus, if you add an electric vehicle. Plus, the cost of the EV, and it’s insurance will buy you a lot of gas for your Lexus. Add up the EV costs and divide by even $7/gallon and see how many gallons you get for your ICE. I am happy to drive my Chrysler 300C and pay for gas. I am safer wherever I go, too. Good luck!

Thank you. Yes I agree cost is not the driving consideration. EV is competitive, but not in all cases.

One of the driving considerations for the Tesla is self driving. Every year I become more concerned about my ability to drive, and so we are certain we will be buying a Tesla, we are just not sure now is that time.

However, I have a problem driving a Jag or Lexus 1 mile to get the mail, it seems wrong, but I can’t walk a mile carrying some of the packages we get, and I don’t always know how heavy the packages are before opening the locker, and once open I can’t re-lock it and come back with a car. A bike with a basket would solve that unless it is raining. Lol.

This is a quality of life question for us. We can afford whatever we decide, but we don’t like spending more than we need to, just because we can afford something doesn’t mean we should.

Then to add to the conplications are health, it is healthier to walk or ride a bike.

So, we are just trying to gather other peoples thoughts and figure out which apply to us .

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by Catalina36

MartinSE, you are a RUDE person. When you post a question on TOTV you should be able to take whatever response you get. Your inappropriate response was totally uncalled for. You should have just ignored a response if you did not like what you read. Instead, you chose to lash out at someone. STAY OFF TOTV if you can't handle it.

Thank you for you comment, all three of them.