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.