OT: Buying a used golf cart
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I've been around carts a good bit, bought a few and am partial to the Club Car brand. Courses that have the money tend to lean that way, if not check out EZ Go's. Look for one coming off of a lease that had a maintenance contract w/ the lease because dealers send their service guys out to do routine maint on them, if not it doesn't get done regularly by the golf course mechanic because he doesn't have time and the sock and sweater sales staff in the pro shop don't have a clue. Leases are done in yearly increments, usually 3 years sometimes more or less. BUT, a cart on a lease in S. FL gets a whole hell of a lot more use than a cart leased for the same time period than a cart from Chicago, 365 days out of the year in FL vs 7-8 months maybe in IL. Hour meter is usually under the seat, check it. Gas ones run forever, especially the old Club Cars w/ Kawasakis in them. They use Subaru now, a lot less known brand but not bad, just harder to get parts for than a Kawa except from dealers. Those little engines work hard, keep the oil changed religiously (easy to do yourself). Air intake is inside engine compartment under seat, lots of dust kicked up in there from front tires, change air filter often too. Accessories galore on the net now, i.e. seats to replace the golf bag rack, rims, tires, lift kits, gun racks, radios, windshields, dump beds, easy to install all of the above yourself, good luck.
To answer your original questions.
Most lease carts are electric because they require less maintainance by the courses and most leases are 3 years which is about the time the batteries need replacing. A three year old electric cart will cost you $2000 - $2500 with a gas at least $500 more. A lift will cost about $500 new and a back seat will be about the same. New, a gas cart is about $1000-$1500 more than an electric. I used to buy 1-2 dozen lease carts every year and sell them but haven't bought any in a couple of years but these figures are a good starting point.
Most lease carts are electric because they require less maintainance by the courses and most leases are 3 years which is about the time the batteries need replacing. A three year old electric cart will cost you $2000 - $2500 with a gas at least $500 more. A lift will cost about $500 new and a back seat will be about the same. New, a gas cart is about $1000-$1500 more than an electric. I used to buy 1-2 dozen lease carts every year and sell them but haven't bought any in a couple of years but these figures are a good starting point.
Working for a golf car manufacturer I can say I'd buy a Club Car, gas powered and not worry about the batteries with unlimited range
I've never owned anything but a club car.
They're much more comfortable (ergonomically designed I guess) but I'm 6'2" and the gas pedal on the ez go's is somewhere short of ideal.... The frame is aluminum so they hold up very well. My current one is a 2005, changed batteries 3 years ago and it runs great. I have it serviced once a year for hundred or so. I don't know much about the difference in a gas engine, probably a lot more to maintain. If you're just tooling around the neighborhood.... batteries should be good. Go with a 48 volt system.
They're much more comfortable (ergonomically designed I guess) but I'm 6'2" and the gas pedal on the ez go's is somewhere short of ideal.... The frame is aluminum so they hold up very well. My current one is a 2005, changed batteries 3 years ago and it runs great. I have it serviced once a year for hundred or so. I don't know much about the difference in a gas engine, probably a lot more to maintain. If you're just tooling around the neighborhood.... batteries should be good. Go with a 48 volt system.
Check with GTO Golf Carts, Mathiston, MS 662.263.4884. Don't know if he is fair or how he is priced, but he he has been moving a ton of carts through that facility for at least 10/12 years.
Club Car Kawasaki vs Subaru
Subaru engine is fuel injected instead of a carburetor, has higher torque and hp than the FE350 Kawasaki.. Fuel mileage is substantially better but the change occurred in July of this year. Top speed of either from the factory is in the 12.5-14 mph range but with slight modifications 18-19 is easily achieved. Club Car has an aluminum frame so you never have to worry about rust or corrosion. Only golf car now manufactured is the Precedent model as the older DS model was stopped about 2 years ago. Plenty of used ones on the market either model. I believe Jakes is the predominate player in the lift kit but others can be found.
Subaru engine is fuel injected instead of a carburetor, has higher torque and hp than the FE350 Kawasaki.. Fuel mileage is substantially better but the change occurred in July of this year. Top speed of either from the factory is in the 12.5-14 mph range but with slight modifications 18-19 is easily achieved. Club Car has an aluminum frame so you never have to worry about rust or corrosion. Only golf car now manufactured is the Precedent model as the older DS model was stopped about 2 years ago. Plenty of used ones on the market either model. I believe Jakes is the predominate player in the lift kit but others can be found.
Helped a friend buy one a couple of months ago and did a bit of research that might be helpful. Big 3 are club car, yamaha and e z go.
Club car has heavier aluminum construction thus no rust issues. They also will cost a bit more. Yamaha came in second in my review based on customer evaluation reviews etc.
Selected a lease turn in model. Yamaha due to cost and reliability.
My friend wanted electric because it is quieter than gas and thus cheaper.. Went with six batteries over 4 because more is really better. Thought about getting new batteries for $700 but current batteries are great for running around neighborhood or playing a round or two of golf. Probably need new batteries in a couple of years. Cart garage kept so this extends life cycle.
Bought cart with a rear seat, windshield and roof. Added larger tires and wheels but no lift kit, plus head and tail lights, a battery charger gauge and new bag rack that connects behind the rear seat that is removeable. Purchased in Jackson for $3,200. Looks really nice and totally no issues so far and she is pleased. Feel free to pm any questions.
Club car has heavier aluminum construction thus no rust issues. They also will cost a bit more. Yamaha came in second in my review based on customer evaluation reviews etc.
Selected a lease turn in model. Yamaha due to cost and reliability.
My friend wanted electric because it is quieter than gas and thus cheaper.. Went with six batteries over 4 because more is really better. Thought about getting new batteries for $700 but current batteries are great for running around neighborhood or playing a round or two of golf. Probably need new batteries in a couple of years. Cart garage kept so this extends life cycle.
Bought cart with a rear seat, windshield and roof. Added larger tires and wheels but no lift kit, plus head and tail lights, a battery charger gauge and new bag rack that connects behind the rear seat that is removeable. Purchased in Jackson for $3,200. Looks really nice and totally no issues so far and she is pleased. Feel free to pm any questions.
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