[bopat]

Moving to The Villages in a few weeks, thinking about getting a Golf Cart. We'd like something that can handle 4 people when family and friends come to visit. We like the ones where 2 seats face back and 2 face forward, that seems to be a good layout and still manageable. We heard the ones with 4 seats facing forward might be tight turning into the tunnels.

If the cart doesn't have the rear facing seats, is that something we can bolt on in the garage and just have laying around for when we need it? Or is it permanently welded?

What about other factors that would make us want or not want a particular cart? We thought about a locking glovebox but learned they're not that secure. And when we rented a cart half the time we left the keys in the ignition while we shopped and dined, and nobody took it, so apparently that's not an issue either.

[dewilson58]

Permanent.

Do not get the attachment with the floor that folds up.........no good.

Make sure the rear suspension has been beefed up.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by bopat

Moving to The Villages in a few weeks, thinking about getting a Golf Cart. We'd like something that can handle 4 people when family and friends come to visit. We like the ones where 2 seats face back and 2 face forward, that seems to be a good layout and still manageable. We heard the ones with 4 seats facing forward might be tight turning into the tunnels.

If the cart doesn't have the rear facing seats, is that something we can bolt on in the garage and just have laying around for when we need it? Or is it permanently welded?

What about other factors that would make us want or not want a particular cart? We thought about a locking glovebox but learned they're not that secure. And when we rented a cart half the time we left the keys in the ignition while we shopped and dined, and nobody took it, so apparently that's not an issue either.

We have a 2 front 2 rear cart, we are trading it in for a 4 front cart.
I’ve never seen one where the 2 rear seats are removable.

The 2 rear facing seats are not that comfortable - even for my 20 something kids. I would not put my 60 year old sister in law in it.
The 4 front also have a lower center of gravity.

What ever you do, get the most comfortable, upgraded seats you can afford.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Ride in a rear facing seat for too long and you can feel seasick

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by bopat

Moving to The Villages in a few weeks, thinking about getting a Golf Cart. We'd like something that can handle 4 people when family and friends come to visit. We like the ones where 2 seats face back and 2 face forward, that seems to be a good layout and still manageable. We heard the ones with 4 seats facing forward might be tight turning into the tunnels.

If the cart doesn't have the rear facing seats, is that something we can bolt on in the garage and just have laying around for when we need it? Or is it permanently welded?

What about other factors that would make us want or not want a particular cart? We thought about a locking glovebox but learned they're not that secure. And when we rented a cart half the time we left the keys in the ignition while we shopped and dined, and nobody took it, so apparently that's not an issue either.

Check the header here, "Golf Carts and Cars". Quite a few for sale and in general you'll pay less for a used cart from a private party than from a dealer.

Don't know about bolting rear seats on when you need them. My guess is that would be make-and-model dependent. A dealer could give you more info. on that.

Oh--and don't take the honesty of the people here for granted. I've had sunglasses stolen from our cart. Some months back a cart (or carts?) had the windshield stolen near Spanish Springs. And carts have been known to disappear: read not long back about a cart that was left outside overnight and was stolen from a driveway. Theft is a crime of opportunity, so don't leave too much temptation (keys in ignition, sunglasses on the dash, etc.) laying around.

Oh--and a locking glovebox? Can't hurt. As Dad always used to say, "locks are for keeping honest people honest". Sure an habitual thief could probably pry a locked glovebox open in a few seconds and abscond with what is in there, but why tempt others?

[villagetinker]

OP, we have a 2017 Yamaha golf cart with aftermarket rear facing seats. These foldup when we are golfing, and the floor folds up also. I added additional brake lights as the normal brake lights are partially blocked with the floor up. We have the upgraded suspension, however you need to be careful with weight distribution, if you put too much weight in the back, the steering can get very sloppy. This setup has worked very well, the cart is only around 4 inches longer than a standard model.
Yes the parts bolt on, but it would be several hours to unbolt and reinstall so I do not consider this an option.
Talking to your guests in the back seat can be difficult but I suspect the same would be true even in a 4 seater cart. Finally 4 seater carts are much longer than 2 seater and cannot be parked perpendicular to the curb, they need to be parked parallel to the curb like a car.

[VApeople]

Why not wait and decide if you really want a golf cart?

We have been here 7 years and do not have a golf cart. We can get anywhere we want in our cars. When we go to the Squares, there is a lot of parking in the many parking lots.

[ckcapaul]

Not to start a battery vs Gas thread (we have gas) but EZ Go makes a 4 seat (all forward) That is only 9" longer than a standard cart. Similar length as a cart with 2 forward and 2 rear facing seats. You can still park it perpendicular to the curb.

[rjm1cc]

Have cart with back seat facing back. Use rear seat infrequently for people. Keep folded down and use it for carrying stuff. Have build a wooden "fence" around it that I can lift off.
The advantage of the front facing seat is easier to have a conversation.

[bsloan1960]

One option is to get a 2 seater to use 95% of the time, then rent a 4 seater for a week for guests. Or once you become friendly with your neighbors trade your 2 seater for their 4 seater for a week

[Chi-Town]

I have a Yamaha rear facing 4 seater from The Villages Golf Cars. Rear of roof is raised for backseat headroom and has beefed up suspension. Underneath the rear seat is storage. Very happy with it.

[Villages Kahuna]

Don’t go to the expense of buying a four-seater. They’re more expensive, heavier, and about 2MPH slower than standard two-seaters.

You may find that visitors are far less frequent than you’re imagining, and for all the time they’re not here, you’re dragging all that size and weight around behind you. A much better and more economical solution is to rent them a golf cart when they’re visiting. The Villages Golf Carts has a huge fleet of rental carts parked behind their Lake Sumter store for that precise purpose.

[kidnerkim]

I would just rent one when you need it. Either 4 seater or additional cart. Guys can play pool while ladies go to pool!

[hosegooseman]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

OP, we have a 2017 Yamaha golf cart with aftermarket rear facing seats. These foldup when we are golfing, and the floor folds up also. I added additional brake lights as the normal brake lights are partially blocked with the floor up. We have the upgraded suspension, however you need to be careful with weight distribution, if you put too much weight in the back, the steering can get very sloppy. This setup has worked very well, the cart is only around 4 inches longer than a standard model.
Yes the parts bolt on, but it would be several hours to unbolt and reinstall so I do not consider this an option.
Talking to your guests in the back seat can be difficult but I suspect the same would be true even in a 4 seater cart. Finally 4 seater carts are much longer than 2 seater and cannot be parked perpendicular to the curb, they need to be parked parallel to the curb like a car.

I have parked perpendicular many times a 4 seater all front facing cart next to a 4 seater 2 rear facing one. About the same length with no issues.

[hosegooseman]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Why not wait and decide if you really want a golf cart?

We have been here 7 years and do not have a golf cart. We can get anywhere we want in our cars. When we go to the Squares, there is a lot of parking in the many parking lots.

Of course you can go anywhere in your car. But driving a golf cart is much more than going from point A to B.

The open air feeling, the views and sights can’t be replicated with out a golf cart. Specially if you have driven a motorcycle.