[keithwand]

We came to FL with 2 cars in 2004 and found we only needed 1 so we sold 1.
Then we decided to get a new 2005 Thunderbird convertible. We sold that in 2012 with 3,000 miles!
So the answer is we get along wonderfully with 1 car and 1 golf cart.

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by billethkid

I keep looking at our lifestyle and often reach the conclusion we could with minor bumps here and there go down to one car plus our golf cart of course.

It is not like it saves a lot of money to do so, insurance and infrequent fill up and service.....but gaining the extra space in the garage would be a plus.

Have you done it?
Would you do it again?
Why not do it?

1. We did it when we first moved here ... sold both cars then bot one that we would both use

2. No

3. After about a year of scheduling who got to use the one car, my wonderful wife informed me it wasn't working and she wanted a MINI Cooper. She was very persuasive so now we're back to two cars.

[rubicon]

The pivotal issues here are parking space and preference.

We have plenty of space for two cars and have a golf cart garage.

I dislike using my golf cart and only use it once every week or two. My wife and I prefer to walk the executive courses. If I play a champion course on the north side I rent one of their carts because I don't like going down Morse in a cart. However I have gone down Morse in it.

I do not desire to give up our second car because I rely on it for almost everything including driving to the golf course (executive)

[baustgen]

No problem in TV. Slight problem when we go up North for the summer.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by baustgen

No problem in TV. Slight problem when we go up North for the summer.

The GPS units in my two cars were disenabled for northward travel

[raynan]

We downsized to one car and bought a golf cart. No problems and more room in garage.
We would do it again. When you first move here you use the car more getting out and about and furnishing and decorating your home. After that, we use car maybe once a week or to go on a vacation.

[LeeM]

Originally Posted by vorage

We've had one car for many years, but both of us love driving the golf cart and that is our preferred mode of transportation. The car is primarily back-up for bad weather, trips outside TV and those times when we both need to be somewhere at the same time.
We usually group multiple errands when we need the car and will often hit Home Depot and Kohls, etc, rewarding ourselves with lunch at a restaurant that we can't visit with our cart. After awhile that habit seemed to eliminate the need to jump in the car and go somewhere at the drop of the hat.
An evaluation of your trips outside The Villages might help you decide whether you can let go of your second car or whether you really do need to keep it. For instance, if you often play golf outside TV and your spouse needs to get to Ocala at the same time - or from one end of TV to the other- it might be a valid reason to keep two cars. If its just a matter of developing new habits, then downsizing to one car is quite doable.

Is the Kohls outside the Villages? I did not see it when I visited.

[Steve9930]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Since we basically use our golf cart for golf, transportation to a neighborhood party, or occasionally to go to the store, giving up the 2nd car is very difficult for us to do psychologically. I imagine if a household uses their golf cart a lot it would not be a problem.

My wife and I did it 5 years ago. One car, one Golf Cart and we live in StoneCrest. I fill up the car about once every three weeks. If your in The Villages it should be a snap.

[Dandydon]

Piece of cake, went from 2 cars since 1968 to 1 in September 2013 since moving to TV from Peabody MA. Bought a new golf cart in September and already have over 1700 miles on it. It's nice when you get 39 MPH in the golf cart, compared to 18 MPH in a GMC Terrain and get to the TV destinations about the same time. Just bought a 2nd cart and the only time taking the Terrain is going outside TV or when it rains.

[Rollie]

Last year we went from 2 cars and 1 cart to 1 car and 2 carts. Much easier to fit in the garage. The car will sit for weeks at a time.

Rollie

[slipcovers]

I am a new member and hope to purchase a home in TV. As a snowbird, I am planning to be able to fly down and use a golf car to get around. I have investigated ZIP cars and the closest is Orlando. I have email them to suggest TV would be a perfect location for this type of service. You pay by the hour or by day when one needs a car or pickup. Hope someone starts a franchise as this would be great. ANYONE OUT THERE INTERESTED??

[Shortie]

We sold our second car before we moved down in June of 2013. We bought a golf cart in July 2013. We use our golf cart 95% of the time. We only use the car when we drive to Sam's, Kohl's, Target etc. or off campus.

[slipcovers]

You can google ZIP Cars to get the details but, basically, you open an account online and are given a card, like a credit card, and it will open and start the car. Cars are left at designated spots and you just go and drive away. You may be charged for the day or by the hour. When you are finished, return to same spot. Very simple. It would be very easy to take a plane to Orlando, shuttle to TV and use golf cart to get around. Of course, I would love a car also but it would be very expensive to keep a car in TV idle for several months. And, it may not even start when not being used. Best solution for snowbirds. I also have friends in TV.

[sailor47]

Originally Posted by wendyquat

We got rid of a great big old truck and only miss it when we buy something too big to fit in the car! Sure is nice having the extra garage space, not that you ever have enough SPACE!

Hey a solution to your truck being gone. We always had a car and a pick up in out working life. Always had things to do around the house tow boats etc.

When we moved here we decided to get rid of the truck and go to one car and the golf cart. But I still like to have the advantage of a truck so we bought one of those Harbor Freight trailers. For less than $275. we put sides and rigged a cover. It's a 4'x8' bed. Will haul what a truck will haul but not as much weight. They are cheap but it has been reliable. We were snow birds and had to go Back to Cincinnati every year. That trailer hauled all our junk and tools for the six months that we were back up north. I think it made about 12 one way trips near 900 miles. We still have it for all the little projects I like to do here. Always have been a diyer. My neighbor just made a kayak trailer from one. All a little off topic but I thought you might be yearning for a truck like solution.

Tom

[sailor47]

I forgot to mention it folds up.