We used ours daily. Convenient, great gas mileage and a pleasant way to get around.

I probably overspent when I got my Star EV Sirius 2+2, 210 Ah Li battery Lifestyle + RFS, but it's fun. It's a toy! When the weather is nice, it's fun to run around in. If my destination is <30 minutes, good weather, and I don't need to carry a bunch of stuff, I may take the cart, and if my destination is <15 minutes, I'll likely take the cart. My first week after taking delivery I ran just over 100 miles (20mph). If taking a cart means I have to go way out of my way (bridges/tunnels over roads carts not allowed on) compared to using a car, I'll drive the car!! Golf cart commuting is a Villages thing, we did fine before carts.

In the three years we’ve owned our home we have never had our car with us. Groome Transportation to the home then golf cart to get around for the several weeks of our stay. It does get a little cool at times but Love it.

Edna’s on the Green refers to it being next to the pitch and putt course, not what’s on the ground (gravel) under the tables and chairs. 😆

Ohiobuckeye
 

I can’t tell you the hrs. we had a 2012 Yamaha cart. I drove it problem free for almost 6 yrs. & had 25,600 miles on it. It was a gas cart & we traded it in, in 2018 for a Quiet Tech. Then unfortunately we moved to Texas & sold it in a 1/2 hr. on TOTV. Sorry I didn’t give you the information you wanted! Hope this helps somewhat!

We are in our 2 golf carts every day - we are at 4800 and 4500 hrs in a little less than 2 years for the 2 carts - that's a lot, but there is no place in the Villages where we don't take the carts.

We bought a new Yamaha quiet drive 2 cart 2.5 years ago and have 10,000 miles on it. No problems, just a bunch of oil changes, some warranty work, and 3 or 4 belts

Yes, America is a great nation.

The Thrill Has Waned
 

In the beginning we loved sporting about in our cart playing golf, going to the squares and just out and about stuff. After about 6 or 7 years we no longer golf and now just use the cart for getting the mail or a quick beer run. We have been here for 12 years and experienced many changes as golf carts have morphed into mini cars, electric carts and faster souped-up carts costing way more than our trusty Yamaha EFI. Just glad we never invested a small fortune in a golf cart. Not bashing anyone’s choices just amazed at all the advancements and choices folks have these days. I say to the OP get a cart if you are new to TV. I think you will feel left out if you live in the new areas. Go forth and enjoy!

My experience
 

We bought new in 2018 and have 1,100 hours on ours. (Approx 19,000 miles). About 220 hours per year

Running around in a golf cart is THE reason I bought at The Villages. I’m only there on weekends, and I’ve already put 150 hours on my cart.

I second the suggestion that you rent a golf cart for a few weeks. This will help you decide for yourself how much time you will spend in the golf cart. The cart won’t be fancy or be the fastest one out there. However, it will also give you an appreciation for upgrades that are possible when buying a cart. In fact, you can use the time to talk with folks about what you see in their cart. Whatever you do, don’t ask this forum which is better, gas or electric. You will have 24 pages of comments detailing why the other side is full of BS with very few shedding much light. Good luck.

Have one since 2018 gas. In the beginning I had all intentions of riding all over TV but after the first year that wore off. I use for golf and an occasional trip to Brownwood or Magnolia plaza but a car is much easier and, IMO, safer.

We fell into the golf cart community mentality and regret it. Hardly ever use it and less than a year later we have a used gas Yamaha I want to get out of our garage

must be talking miles, not hours. If you drove a golf cart 40 hours per week, it would be 2080 hours! Plus golf carts only count time when the engine is physically running, so times at stop signs etc. does not register time. To get 4800 hours or 4500 hours on a single cart what be almost living in the golf cart.

If I can go by golf cart I go by golf cart. I enjoy the driving slower than a car because you can enjoy the sights, sounds, beauty, fragrances, etc. Some people don’t like to because they fear the traffic.

Here are ideas of distances and time for me:
Golf Cart Travel:
Walmart on 441 - 8.9 miles, 36 minutes
Walmart on 466 - 8.7 miles, 30 minutes
Walmart at Colony - 1.5 miles, 6 minutes
Winn Dixie at LSL - 3.3 miles, 12 minutes
Spanish Springs Town Square - 6.5 miles, 23 minutes
LSL Town Square - 3.7 miles, 13 minutes
Brownwood Town Square - 6.7 miles, 24 minutes
Edna’s - 10.1 miles, 35 minutes
Randy’s - 13.22 miles, 44 minutes
Fenney Grill - 13.8 miles, 50 minutes
Fenney Grill to Mulberry Grove Rec Ctr - 22.4 miles, 1 hr, 27 minutes
Dabney @ Chandler Dr/CR-470 to Mulberry
Grove Rec Ctr - 27.1 miles, 1 hr, 38 minutes
Fenney Grill to Brownwood- 7.2 miles, 26 minutes
Dabney - Chandler Dr/CR-470 - 11.9 miles, 37 minutes
Cane Garden CC via O’Dell - 3.96 miles via Morse/Bonita - 3.92 miles

Carpe Diem!

Had mine since Oct 2022 and have only logged in 526 miles. Only put gas in 2x at about $14 each time. Insurance is $200. I don't golf and I just drive it about once a week, once in a while 2x, sometimes 0. But it's fun as heck and glad I got one.

I would say look on TOTV but make sure you check the dealers & see what they have & compare the prices!

An electric cart should be considered because they have the advantages of being cheaper to operate per mile and they are more reliable due to fewer parts in the engine. And if more people would buy one there would be more charging stations around so drivers could get more range. Also, the driver and passengers of a gas cart have to put up with the NOISE because they have minimal mufflers and NO catalytic converters. People walking by have to put up with the SMELL and pollution in their lungs.
..........Unfortunately, most people don't bother to think through the advantages and disadvantages.

More reliable? I don't see how. My gas cart is 10 years old, has 2000 hours and 37,000 miles with no issues. The Yamaha engines are bullet proof and I have never heard of anyone having an engine issue. I do know people who have had electric motor failures in their electric golf carts. My electric cart has had no issues either but is much younger. Time will tell. More charging stations? There aren't any charging stations around here nor is there a need for any. Recharge at night and when your batteries get weak then replace them. You can only gain about 5 miles of range per hour of charging so charging away from home is totally impractical. Regarding noise, my gas cart is pretty quiet. Most of the noise is tire and wind noise. Regarding cost, if you actually looked at the numbers you would find the cost per mile is pretty close. The fuel cost and maintenance is higher for gas carts but battery replacement costs equal it all out. Regarding what most people think about, you have no clue. People make decisions based on what is best for them and it is the height of hubris to suggest that you know better.

That is interesting and it is really nice that a golf cart works so well for you. I don't have my own golf cart, but several years ago I would ride with a friend for a trip about 2 miles there and back. I remember difficulty having a conversation with the noise from the engine. I also remember it seemed like the suspension amplified the bumps and vibration. I remember when we got out after 2 miles that my legs felt a little weak from the vibration. That did go away quickly. After a while I decided to take my car instead.
.......I guess that I am saying this because it is interesting that 2 different people can have such a difference in the golf cart experience. More power to you!

Until you need to charge on the road

I am not sure what golf cart you ride in, but i have great conversations in my 2 seater and 4 seater gas golf cart

If there’s one thing you can’t accuse Villagers of, it’s thinking through the advantages and disadvantages.

I agree about the safety. I think that a golf cart is DESIGNED for the golf course. (Gee that's not rocket science) I think that the center of gravity is too high for street use and many people get the extra large wheels, which makes the center of gravity higher. Then some people cheat and jack up the governor for greater speed, (there is virtually NO enforcement by Police) The suspensions are NOT made for this greater speed and high center of gravity. When drivers take the corners too fast, they have the wheels lift up and can lose control.

That's interesting. Good to know that there are some dissenting opinions.

I did NOT suggest that I know better. I stated that people can look into the advantages and disadvantages (and decide for themselves). Gas golf carts are very popular NOW in the villages. That could change in the future as battery technology is improved and more charging stations are developed. Anytime anyone suggests CHANGE, there will be naysayers. Tesla is pretty successful........how is that explained? ..........Anyway, I contend that E golf carts are cheaper to operate per mile. I also said that the electrical engine has fewer parts than a piston engine.........that can NOT be debated. And I could have said that the E-golf cart engine moves in a circle as opposed to the piston engine that SLAPS around going up and down. Then must be converted to rotary motion for the wheels. AND I don't understand why NOISE is highlighted because that CAN'T be debated. The E-cart is OBVIOUSLY quieter.
............I can understand why many people choose gas carts if they need to drive LONG DISTANCE with the current battery technology and charging stations. I just see advantages for E-carts for shorter distances and I see future advancement in E-vehicles. The more E-vehicles in use the greater the independence for the US.

This says ALL I need to know about your multiple and myriad musings on the topic in this thread.

Not an unreasonable flow of logic that it likely pertains to many of the thoughts and opinions espoused on other more (ahem) controversial topics.

So you don't even own a golf cart, yet you continually tell others which type of cart to purchase? Unbelievable...

As to your "weak legs", your friend probably had an older cart. The newer Yamahas are much quieter, have a much better suspension where the bumps are most certainly NOT amplified...

And out of curiosity, is your car an EV, or is it GAS, which, as you know, is DESTROYING the environment?

Wow! Great chart. I think I will work on one for my own location.

What are the specs of the cart and how much do you want for it?

So, you don't own any golf cart, yet you choose to lecture others. I think I got it now. If you reread my post, you will see that I actually own a gas golf cart and an electric golf cart so you lecturing me is silly. Regarding independence for the US, that is a myth. Much of the world's battery production and materials for battery production comes from China. Do you realize that the "pistons slap around" in your gas car?

I'm pretty sure we all know the answer to your question.

My thoughts exactly. She doesn't own or like a cart but wants to give advice on cart ownership. Her comments are laughable, uninformed, and out of touch with reality.

We love our cart and use it all we can. Love the fresh air and slower pace.
As far as safety goes, I don't feel it's anymore risky than a car.
Lets face it, there's no shortage of ****ty drivers here. Pick your pioson

Walmart on 441 for me by car:
Come down Paradise, past the "back road golf-cart-only gate" to the Boone gate. Wait behind a guy going straight til the light turns green. Take a right, and get stuck at the next light for 3 minutes. Then get stuck at the NEXT light for 3 minutes. Then get stuck in traffic, and stuck two lights later for three minutes until finally I can get into their parking lot. Total time: around 15 minutes. Total distance: 2 miles. Traffic Frustration Factor: 10/10

Walmart on 441 for me by golf cart:
Come down Paradise, take a right to, and go through, the "back road golf-cart-only gate." Take a right onto the side road and go to the end. Quick right and left at BJ's, then left and right at the end of that block. Go through the next three parking lots, then right onto the golf cart path behind Aldi's. Number of traffic lights: 0. Time stuck in traffic: maybe 2 minutes total. Total time: 10 minutes. Total distance: 2 miles. Traffic Frustration Factor: 3/10

Spanish Springs Town Square by car:
Out the Boone Gate, sit in left lane until light turns green. Continue waiting for the idiot coming toward you who came from the left turn only lane but you KNEW he was gonna go straight because Flori-Duh. Hopefully the light isn't red again, and you can take that left onto 441. Then right onto Main Street and try to find a parking space. Total time: 8 minutes. Total distance: 1.6 miles

Spanish Springs Town Square by golf cart:
Pass the Boone Gate all the way to the end of Paradise, get on the cart path and veer right to cross over 441 on the golf cart bridge. Park. Total time: 6 minutes. Total distance: 1.2 miles

Life is so much more joyful by golf cart. Instead of observing the world as I drive through it, I participate in it.

I don't even see that goofs posts until someone quotes him. He has stated in the past that sitting by the computer and posting here is all he does.

I'm just regularly stunned by how completely head-in-the-clouds lacking of any common sense and how wholly devoid of logical progression analysis some people can be.

The utter sheltered naiveté combined with lack of self-awareness leaves me gobsmacked on regular occasion.

Not blocking him allows me to enjoy this sense of stunned wonder over and over again. The gift that keeps on giving.

Correct.

I haven't blocked him either, but I don't always read his posts. Sometimes they are copy & pastes of previous rants, so I just skim over them.

But sometimes, they are astounding.

& many times the responses are priceless. Thank you to those who respond with such humor!

A word of caution...

Continued comments about seemingly "protected" posters will get you "vacationed"...

Ask me how I know...:D

A person does NOT have to OWN something to have an opinion on it. I don't own a German Shepard but I can have an opinion about one. I don't have to put a diamond pin in my nose to have an opinion about it. Of course, I realize that gas automobiles, trucks, and golf carts have pistons. That is why E-vehicles like a Tesla can out-accelerate gas vehicles and cost MUCH less to operate and have FEWER parts. When E-vehicle price's come down due to competition, they will be FAR superior to gas piston based vehicles.
.....regarding US independence. Battery technology at this present point in time may have some dependence on China, but battery technology will change and improve in the future and may be totally made in the US from US materials. And I was referring to Middle East effects on the price of oil.

I don't care about your opinion. You have demonstrated little knowledge of most areas that you serially post about. So, which EV do you own and which manufacturer of solar panels are on your roof?

Well, I will tell you something. You said that you checked on my past post about what I have said. I would NEVER do that to another TOTV poster. I could care less what ANY OTHER poster has written in the past about ANYTHING. And if anyone does check on what I have written, they will see that I don't INSULT other posters. But, I have gotten several insults from 2 different posters in just the last few previous pages.
......I post when I have an opinion. This is an opinion forum. Most people are NOT experts about their opinions, although some are. I like to LEARN from them and also what other's opinions are. So, I am NOT going to get into playing an insult GAME - no one can win that game.