[octcr]

I have to ask after reading...just how concerned do we need to be as far as safety? Do you need row bars...just kidding...I have never bought a golf cart in my life so I am paying attention to all I read...what would be the top 5 most important things a person should look for when purchasing a golf cart? Also...how cold does it get in January...would you recommend to have the cart so it can be enclosed and a heater...
Thanks again.

[The Great Fumar]

Another place to try is Chadmark Ind. in Brooksville.........They rebuild Club Cars...For Hundreds of Dollars less than the local dealers.....The down side is they are 60 miles away . Club Cars are the most popular here as they are the only cart that has an aluminum frame therefore no rust...
I have only driven electric .......don't know about gas.....
This company puts 5 hp hi-speed motors in thems so they will run a full 20 mph (mine does 24) and the ride is what Club Cars are famous for............

Fumar.

[SteveZ]

Now this is a "fun" topic!

Bought a cart at Golf Cart Connection (after much checking elsewhere). The only thing "used" on the thing is the frame, and if that's not bent the frame should last well into the third millenia.

Although I got one off the floor (fabulous paint job!) my "demands" put them to the test: 1) I needed delivery within three hours; and 2) the additional options also had to be installed before delivery. They did it!

I'm very pleased with the cart I got ('souped-up' electric), and that's the main thing - are you pleased with yours? That includes the service, and these folk have been good so far.

It's good there is that much competition around TV for the golf cart business, and some deals will be a little better than others. Having threads like this help us all avoid the rip-off folk.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Barefoot - Report back on this thread in a couple of weeks to let us know how the range works out. It looks like the Par Car is the most 'car' like of the choices. I noticed on their web site that the windshield goes all the way down but does it fold to allow the top to be down like most golf cars? I couldn't see that in the brochure. Russ

Russ: My windshield does fold down. I will let you know in a couple of weeks what I think of the range. It was so exciting to drive it home yesterday; I went through three tunnels and over a bridge. ;D ;D This time last week I'd never driven a golf cart.

Re insurance, I was surprised to be informed by my Florida Home Insurance Company that they couldn't insure me without a Florida driver's license (even tho it is not street ready). They said Allstate is the only company that will insure me. So today, I'm off to Allstate!

[golfnut]

barefoot, glad to hear you found a cart, our friends have one like yours and they are very happy with it. Too bad we didn't get to meet you while we were there (we just got back to Michigan today for the month of November) we swung by your place several times but no sign of life. We'll be back in December and maybe we can get together then when things have settled down. Ed

[jjdees]

Russ, Do your bug screens fit all the different carts?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by golfnut

barefoot, glad to hear you found a cart, our friends have one like yours and they are very happy with it. Too bad we didn't get to meet you while we were there (we just got back to Michigan today for the month of November) we swung by your place several times but no sign of life. We'll be back in December and maybe we can get together then when things have settled down. Ed

I'm glad to hear your friends like their Par Car! We are, of course, questioning whether we made the right move! Got insured with Allstate today, nice people.

Sorry we didn't get to meet you when you were here; I kept expecting a drop by!! I'm sure we were out shopping, we've been doing that 20 hours a day, arrrrrg. Look forward to meeting you in December.

Barefoot

[Hyacinth Bucket]

We will need a golf cart soon. When we were in TV it seemed like half the carts we saw were for two people and the other half for four people. Are there any advantages over one or the other?

If we get an electric golf cart will we have the same range with a four seater as a two seater?

I read that the suggestion is to stay away from a resale golf cart - how long does a golf cart last, f it is well maintained?

Hyacinth Bucket

[Lucko]

Living in Duval, I decided on a gas Yamaha 08 Drive. I bought it from TNT in Quincy, IL. and they delivered it to my driveway free and no sales tax. Base price was $4799.00 plus options at a discount. They deliver a load of carts to TV every couple of months. Local dealers must service all Yamaha carts by franchise agreement, but doesn't seem to be a problem. Beware of mileage claims, as use, area, weight, maintenance etc. all vary. New brand name batteries maintained on a weekly basis are worth the $400 plus every 3 to 6 years and Club Car followed by Yamaha would be my choice for an electric cart. Yamaha gas seems to be the leader by far and Club Car comes in second. Most other brands have both very loyal followers and a mix of complaints. Older gas engines, when in need of a tune up, cause complaints about occassional odor, but they don't need a daily charge session. Electric are quieter, but have some milage range and speed issues. To play golf and hop up to the square, either will work. If you use it a lot and tour The Villages, gas is my recommendation. Shop local and internet and compare. (I researched for 8 months and saved over $1800.00)

[F16 1UB]

Originally Posted by Bubbalarry

Why not a Yamaha Drive 2007 or 08. I hear they are great golf carts both gas or electric.
That they are sealed units with steel vs. aluminum frames guaranteed not to rust or erode for 30+ years vs EZGO & Club Car which are much lighter and supposedly not as safe.

Difference is like a Chevy to a Lexus

I'll take a Z06 Chevy anyday over a Lexus. ;D

[punkpup]

When we were in TV last March our host loaned us a Yamaha gas powered Golf Cart. We had a ton of fun tooling around in it and never once during the week worried about fuel as she had tanked up before our arrival. I never thought much about the ride, it was a Golf Cart lol, but I was really bothered by the noise and exhaust fumes! Many of the folks with whom we socialized adamantly defended gas vs electric but it was clear their perspective was based on range and horror stories about being stranded. The weather during the day was fabulous but the evenings were cold so we had to "drop the flaps", what a pain! I'm just glad it never rained! Will be sure to get a heater for winter and a fan for summer.

On a lark dropped in to TV Golf Cart store for price quotes but since we've never bought a Golf Cart didn't really have a point of reference. Because we won't be moving to TV for a year or so I started doing some research. Here are some web sites I found.

http://www.parcar.com/news/after_spirit_of_phoenix.html
http://www.buyerzone.com/industrial/...rs_guide4.html
http://suncatchergolf.com/index.html
http://www.cruisecarinc.com
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-7342-1.html
http://www.worldgolf.com/newswire/br...-Golf-Car-Kits

And lastly because I got so annoyed with all those doggone flaps:
http://www.curtiscabs.com/CabsAndAcc...ID=7&name=div1

For fun:
http://www.buggiesunlimited.com

[Bubbalarry]

Originally Posted by punkpup

When we were in TV last March our host loaned us a Yamaha gas powered Golf Cart. We had a ton of fun tooling around in it and never once during the week worried about fuel as she had tanked up before our arrival. I never thought much about the ride, it was a Golf Cart lol, but I was really bothered by the noise and exhaust fumes! Many of the folks with whom we socialized adamantly defended gas vs electric but it was clear their perspective was based on range and horror stories about being stranded. The weather during the day was fabulous but the evenings were cold so we had to "drop the flaps", what a pain! I'm just glad it never rained! Will be sure to get a heater for winter and a fan for summer.

On a lark dropped in to TV Golf Cart store for price quotes but since we've never bought a Golf Cart didn't really have a point of reference. Because we won't be moving to TV for a year or so I started doing some research. Here are some web sites I found.

http://www.parcar.com/news/after_spirit_of_phoenix.html
http://www.buyerzone.com/industrial/...rs_guide4.html
http://suncatchergolf.com/index.html
http://www.cruisecarinc.com
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-7342-1.html
http://www.worldgolf.com/newswire/br...-Golf-Car-Kits

And lastly because I got so annoyed with all those doggone flaps:
http://www.curtiscabs.com/CabsAndAcc...ID=7&name=div1

For fun:
http://www.buggiesunlimited.com

Ya gotta love that Club Car enclosure by curtiscabs. Got to find out the cost of it. Perfect for use during the winter months.

[Bubbalarry]

Originally Posted by SteveZ

Now this is a "fun" topic!

Bought a cart at Golf Cart Connection (after much checking elsewhere). The only thing "used" on the thing is the frame, and if that's not bent the frame should last well into the third millenia.

Although I got one off the floor (fabulous paint job!) my "demands" put them to the test: 1) I needed delivery within three hours; and 2) the additional options also had to be installed before delivery. They did it!

I'm very pleased with the cart I got ('souped-up' electric), and that's the main thing - are you pleased with yours? That includes the service, and these folk have been good so far.

It's good there is that much competition around TV for the golf cart business, and some deals will be a little better than others. Having threads like this help us all avoid the rip-off folk.

You mentioned souped up electric, can you explain in more detail and the overall performance and costs? What size tires have you got on the cart, etc. I am considering golf cart Connecions as well when I get down to TV. Thanks

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Steve what were the additional options that you wanted.

Thanks.

HB

[golfnut]

Bubba, I agree the curtis enclosure is great, as I recall (but don't quote me) it runs around $1,600. As you can see from my avatar I have an enclosure (it's all vinyl) with doors that you can get from buggiesunlimited.com and I'm very happy with it.