[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by alwann

I agree that neither is completely "green," but as someone who will be renting a golf cart this winter, which is better? Is it really just a matter of personal preference? I called one cart rental agent who said he doesn't rent electric carts any more -- because people have too much trouble with them. What's that all about? Is pumping gas easier than plugging in the power cord?

The short answer is yes, but for folks who rent them, not own them.
For someone who owns the cart, I doubt there is an issue. But for renters, I can easily see them forgetting to charge the cart and the owner being inconvenienced by having to fetch them from the side of the road. Gas could be filled up before you rent and you can travel quite a bit further than electric on a tank of gas. A weekly rental could easily cover 100 or more miles, meaning a tank of gas would suffice for a gas cart, but the batteries on an electric cart would definitely need a charge during that period.
If it were a monthly rental, then the batteries would require some minor maintenance - checking the water levels. Again, if it were your cart, this little maintenance item is trivial. But if you were renting your cart out, it's easy to imagine the renter won't do the required maintenance. So your electric cart (batteries) could get damaged.
I am not making a case for electric or gas when you buy a cart, but pointing out why I think the folks who rent carts often rent gas carts.

[GMONEY]

good place to by golf carts, used and rebuilt all the way, get them custom built and painted..

http://www.customcartshop.com/index.html

[golferling]

The Villages is way too big for an electric cart, especially if you golf.
You CANNOT golf 18 holes after riding to most golf courses, then ride home, and then ride to one of the town squares. Your battery will be low..in cold weather in the winter, it will be very very low. We got a cart from a business on 441 whose first name starts with the word, "DISCOUNT"....NEVER go there..it is a major ripoff, and they will not even do proper warranty work.
Electric carts are only good for 3 years, and the third year means over 600 bucks for a new set of batteries. We got rid of the electric. Bought a Yamaha gas from the VIllages Golf Carts. Salespeope very informed, service exceptional. I golf 3 times a week, go all over in my cart, never have to worry about pushing it up the driveway...get gas about every 10 days. Our weather is nice enough here I wouldnot pay extra for doors..they only get in the way...this is Fla...enjoy the fresh air..in the summer, those golf carts with doors are nothing but hot boxes. A nice Yamaha gas with a good sunbrella enclosure will keep you smiling....70 percent of all Villagers own gas carts, and the majority own Yamahas...they are GREAT!