[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by Mortal1

So you do not want gas even though it's more efficient and the electrical power needed to charge the cart batteries comes from coal, nuke, water, natural gas and oil? Thus the cost of charging your electrical cart will go up with the price of fossil fuels.

Not sure I understand the logic or common sense. But best of luck with the "I'm protecting the environment" point of view.

Every time there is a subject of electric powered vehicles you seem to want to jump on the bandwagon with your ridiculous claims that somehow having a vehicle that is not powered by fossil fuels is going to destroy the planet… You are aware that the electricity that goes into an electric vehicle is coming from the same power source as the electricity that goes into your house but power is your lights, refrigerator, stove, etc????? Stop being so ignorant

[MorTech]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

Thanks, good info!

The TV Golf cart store at Magnolia told me they tested the Yamaha and only got 27 miles, the EZGO and Star matched your numbers. Others have said the Yamaha electric not not the one to go to right now, so it seems to be out of the running. Price wise I am leaning towards EZGO - still not sure of Lead vs Lithium.

The Club Car Onward lithium is good for about 27 miles...Maybe TV Golf cars meant the Club Car(?). Yamaha states their new lithium cart is good for 38 miles which makes sense at 105ah:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_Ps6nlxBEg

Here is the new Evolution D3 lithium that Villages Discount golf cart might be selling soon...About $17K:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbWYrxBbvsY

The EZGO Elite lithium has a 8 year battery warranty...watering lead batteries monthly kinda sucks.

Florida electricity is Nuke and Marcellus NatGas now...I think all the coal plants are shut down.

[cj1040]

We hate the smell and noise of gas cars. A golf friend was low on gas by the time we got to the golf course and had to ride with someone while we played,, then go on a hunt for g a s.
Star cars have very stiff steering and the dash board amenities are not as nice. We ordered a lithium EZ Go from village golf cars in brownwood.
QUOTE=MartinSE;2070520]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.[/QUOTE]

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by kathy1516

You can afford Tesla but are worried about gas prices???!!! Now that is funny!

Worried may be an over statement. I think I said we can afford it, but just because we can afford something doesn't mean we SHOULD buy it.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

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.

We switched from electric to gas to ensure long-range travel. I'm not one who is convinced that strip mining earth minerals to produce products manufactured in other countries that will need fossil fuels to be recharged is a good idea.

Go with gas. You don't have to keep gas in the garage unless you have a lawn mower for your yard. Carts have fairly reliable gas gauges, plus there are several "AAA"-type cart rescue services. Be prepared to wait a long time for a new cart. You may want to check out local golf cart dealers. You won't have the convenience of cart repair at the Villages Cart Store, but there are also many reputable service companies that will come to your home to service your cart.

[golfnut]

Sounds like you need to call the grandkids to see what they think...

Originally Posted by MartinSE

Worried may be an over statement. I think I said we can afford it, but just because we can afford something doesn't mean we SHOULD buy it. We are trying to preserve as much of our estate as possible for our grandkids. We do not need much to be happy. So, we moderate our purchases.

Which is more than I feel I really needed to explain to strangers on the internet, but it seems my interests and priorities are of some concern to others here.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by golfnut

Sounds like you need to call the grandkids to see what they think...

This is why I didn't want to go there.

[Southwest737]

Originally Posted by Mortal1

So you do not want gas even though it's more efficient and the electrical power needed to charge the cart batteries comes from coal, nuke, water, natural gas and oil? Thus the cost of charging your electrical cart will go up with the price of fossil fuels.

Not sure I understand the logic or common sense. But best of luck with the "I'm protecting the environment" point of view.

Where did you acquire this misinformation? EV are more efficient than ICEV. By a mile. Don’t believe me though, google it. And many days our Electric Ezgo is being charged for free from our solar roof photovoltaic system. EV are more reliable with less maintenance. Our 6 year old EZGO has never been in for maintenance because there is none. Original lithium ion batteries are still powering the cart all over TV on a single charge. I have towed several of my buddies gas powered carts when they break down. Go ⚡️

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

@MartinSE I have an Atomic (lithium), actually my 2nd one, long story .... 3+yrs old with about 15,000 miles on it and am as happy as can be with it. Not positive if the current models have lithium since I don't see it listed on their site, only AGM. Maybe it's an aftermarket option which I personally don't like due to the probably 5-600 lb difference in weight unless they add ballast to keep the COG the same. I do agree with what you said about "People can't help themselves in making assumptions, putting words in other people mouths" as that is very common here.

Regarding Atomic or Crown, My only concern as well was always "how long are they (in my case Atomic) going to be around" but I just sucked that up and didn't let it bother me HOWEVER with the loss of Jim and since all their carts are brought in from China and with what is going on in the world these days sadly, I'd be a bit more concerned. That being said, if you go for electric, fron ANYONE ONLY GET LITHIUM. Don't accept anything else no matter what they tell you.

Edit: I don't play golf.

In terms of playing golf, after about one round, the opening and closing of doors is not an issue. I find the Atomic to be so much more comfortable
In spite of the China concerns, I think the Atomic has so many benefits over Yamaha they will be around and grow

[Luggage]

Or you can just get any new car either cheap Toyota for 20,000 and save the same money but I have the safety of a real steel cage around you with airbags and economy three times better than the Jag

[irishwonone]

Originally Posted by BigSteph

There will be an opinion for every aspect, from every person,... so, here is mine;

You already have a car. The Tesla is just another car. Unless you want to leave gas all the way, keep the one you have.

I like the Atomic cars and others like it. The only fear I have is having limited support down the road. My understanding is the original guy who owned Atomic Kool Kartz passed away. Luckily, an employee/or former partner bought the business from the widow and is carrying on.

The Atomic (and like electric enclosed carts) already have a bunch of features. Since you don't golf, I cannot think of anything you would need to add to the Atomic.

The Yamaha or other battery golf carts have a base build. In the Villages, you can get a "lifestyle" build, which includes cloth sides, better seats and the etc. This will increase that base you suggested to a much higher level.

There will be other stuff you will likely want as well and you end up with a 15 - 20k cart real quick.

There is also the option for hard-side enclosures for the Yamaha and like golf carts. These are nice but have their drawbacks as well (one being, even with door open they can be hotter in the summer -- the positive side of the same argument is you will be drier, quicker, with these).

The engines (as you said ICE) are pretty well developed and will probably outlive most buyers. The battery vehicles are super nice, but do have a sunset on their power and recharge cycles. Some battery carts are offering 5 and 7 year warranties. Of course, like Tires and other moving vehicle warranties, I am sure they are pro-rated.

I have 2 cars and a Yamaha ICE cart. If I got rid of one of the cars, I might be tempted to buy the Atomic with Lithium. As I said, though, I would have to gamble on the life of the battery and the life of the company supporting them. Even considering this, I would still be tempted.

Go to Magnolia and test drive what they have. Go to Atomic across from Brownwood. Go to Crown(or whatever it is) near Russell Stovers on 44. Check them all out.

Let us know when you make your decision -- I am already curious.

Very well written. Hard enclosures on the Yamaha are attractive, quiet, simple to use during bad weather and add some benefit. Yet they have a few downsides as you mentioned. Overall width of cart increase with doors open, if your over 6’ tall or are a pretty good size individual they feel very cramped. Finally as you stated it’s almost impossible to keep the the doors closed during the Summer season in Florida. If your a petite, short, or slightly built they probably work wonderfully.

[72eagleman]

Get yourself a Toyota Prius. Will get the same or better miles than a gas golf cart and you can take it anywhere you want to go except on the golf trails.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by 72eagleman

Get yourself a Toyota Prius. Will get the same or better miles than a gas golf cart and you can take it anywhere you want to go except on the golf trails.

One of the places I want to be able to go is multi-modal paths. That is why bicycles and golf carts are on the list. The Villages have put a LOT of ponds and lakes around the golf course. Those are full of birds, alligators, and scenic layouts. I am a photographer and most of those are not accessible except by walking, bike, or golf cart. It is often a mile or more walk from the closest place you can park a car.

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

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

Good explanation MartinSE! I’m not saying don’t get an electric cart but as big as TV is getting it was nothing for me to go 20 miles away then back another 20 miles is 40 miles. & an electric cart might not get you home. There were days I would drive my cart 50 miles. There’s Pro’s & Con’s on both of them.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

This is why I didn't want to go there.

the beauty of TOTV is that while you may have just asked about golf carts, (or driveways, or roof color), eventually you will find a life coach to assist you with all of the other things you've got all wrong about your life.