Talk of The Villages Florida - Golf Cart considerations

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dadspet (Post 2070578)

We have had an Club Car electric since 2007 and had minimal issues with it. Our preference is electric since its quite, smooth, no smell. We executive golf and its gets us just about where ever we want to go but to be honest we aren't ones to drive our cart everyplace and about 45 minutes one direction is plenty of golf cart riding for us. We have no desire to go from one end of the villages to the other, my Acura SUV or Jag XKE V12 has a lot better ride (I threw that in since I saw you had a Jag also). Last few years we wanted to upgrade carts and EzGo Lithium was top on our list since they by far seem to have the best Lithium cart (8 Yr warranty on batteries and best range). Club car can't match the EzGo Lithium range and 5 yr warranty and Yamaha is the gas car choice but not an electric choice. The issue is the price of Lithium and recently Ive been doing a lot of price checking on ExGo Lithium with Sleekline cab and you will be in the $21,000+ range for new. Since I can almost buy a new small car for this price we settled for a EzGo electric with lead batteries with the thinking Lithium could go down not up since all car manufactures are moving rapidly into lithium electric cars and technology will improve millage and the price my not come down but doubt if it will go up (Believe it or not I've been wrong once or twice before but can't remember the exact reason). So far very happy with the EzGo and Sleekline cab (my wife especially likes the cab and we actually get good use out of it ). We didn't go for any of the Closed car door type of carts since they just don't seem like a good choice for us if you golf. I also have a feeling that car manufactures and the car buying public are even more serious on electric cars with the current Russia situation and gas about to go thru the ceiling.

The XKE is a. really nice car! And, thanks for your answer. I also have been thinking may lead batteries now, and convert to lithium when they come down.

I expect we would get bored after about 30 minutes driving so, I agree with you there. I guess I was thinking 30 minutes would give us about a 10 mile radius to drive around in. Lead acid should handle that with no issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdFNJ (Post 2070581)

@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. :)

Thank you! I didn't know about the issue with the founder passing. That is certainly a consideration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VApeople (Post 2070586)

We have been here six years and do not own a golf cart. We are avid golfers and we walk the executive courses.

Thanks!!!

We have considered the same, to walk the courses for the exercise. If all goes well, we will be healthy enough next year to give that a try. Even if we do get a cart, I think we would still walk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorTech (Post 2070590)

For twice the price of an EZGO Elite, you can get a Hyundai Ioniq 5.
A Toyota Prius Prime would probably be ideal...25 miles electric range before gas engine kicks in.

The Yamaha lithium is good for about 40 miles of range...EZGO Elite lithium about 60 miles...Star Sirius lithium about 80.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2070601)

Where in the OP's post did they even come close to an "I'm protecting the environment" point of view??? :ohdear:

Thanks, I replied the same, and was probably a bit more harsh than I should have been.

He probably has been in a lot of "discussions" with tree huggers (like me) that have gone on about saving the world and climate change and all the other stuff. And so , just replied with the standard reply.

That is all fine, but saving the world is a long term project, and probably will still be being worked on after I am long gone. So, I do what I can and what is practical and leave the rest of my grandkids.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2070621)

Yamaha Quiet-Tech

That is a very well respected option. I know, and it may well be that is where we will end up, but we WANT an electric.

Thank you

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinSE (Post 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.

There is going to be another square NORTH of 44?

Why would you need to keep a supply of gas in your garage? We have a gas cart and never felt the need to have gas on hand. We drive our cart from our home in St Cats all the way to Spanish Springs weekly and hubby golfs all over in his weekly league. We top off maybe twice a month with gas. You literally have days to gas up if you are even at 1/4 tank.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dotneko (Post 2070624)

My bad, I am a native Floridian, and you would think I could keep north and south straight here - LOL! I meant south - the "new" areas.

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."

if you want electric, get electric. My first cart, and still my "go-to" cart is a Yamaha Quiet-tech...I use the cart almost exclusively in TV. I live centrally, near SeaBreeze, so my longest commutes in the cart are to Lopez, which is about 45 minutes. Southern Oaks about the same. In addition to visiting all of the Championship courses, I play pickle all over. I put about 100 hours on the cart every 6 months, and put about 5-6 gallons in it every month or so. Certainly, there is no need to keep gas in the garage.
Having said that, I always wanted an electric cart for shorter hops, and for company, and when DW is with me so we can converse. Yes the Quiet-Tech is quiet for a gas cart, but the electric is quieter. I bought a used one from my buddy who bought an Evolution Lithium-Ion cart (which he loves by the way, you might check them out also), and I was going to put a Li-Ion conversion in, but decided to go one more turn with the lead acid while they shake out some more issues I felt are unsolved with the conversions. However, were I buying a new electric I'd definitely go with the Li-Ion.
My reason for buying the Yamaha 3 years ago was the limited range of the electrics, and the relatively long charge times, however with the Li-Ions, that is no longer an issue.
I leave you with two suggestions:
1. at least test drive a Yamaha Quiet-tech before you decide against it.
2. And this is the most important one: Do not skimp on the seats. I did in my Yamaha, and that is one thing I will be replacing. I have what are pretty much the stock seats, and after a long commute to Lopez, and a 4 hour round of golf, and long commute back, my butt is pretty sore. I wish I'd spent the extra $1500 or $2000 for a good set of seats.

Good Luck, have fun.

We have had electric for 14 years without ever having a distance problem. Upgraded last summer to EZGo Elite with lithium. We love the doors - came in handy this week in a sudden downpour. I believe it has a 60+ mile range. I often go over 40 and the gauge shows just under half. I have ridden in the QuietTechs and they are definitely quieter but not enough for me. The golf cart lifestyle has been one of the most pleasant "surprises" as that was not our reason for moving here.

Not to mention that the Lithium batteries are NOT recyclable and when their usage is done, they will be discarded into the land polluting the earth even more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinSE (Post 2070530)

This is why I really didn't want to go down that path. People can't help themselves in making assumptions, putting words in other people mouths.

I NEVER said this decision was about saving the environment. Not one line in my post says that, but you couldn't stop yourself from giving me that motivation. I have stated what we want to do, we have our reasons, You want to do something else Good, I am glad you have those options.

Thank you for your post. it was completely not helpful.

Get gas. If you run out, they can bring you gas. They can’t bring you electricity

A Prius Hybrid is another alternative. The price is reasonable, the car is reliable and we get over 50 miles per gallon.