Buying a Golf Cart

[Sebscst]

Wife’s wanting to buy a “newish” golf cart. We have driven plenty of them on vacations but other than that don’t know much about them. Thinking of a gas power slightly lifted 4 passenger that is street legal. Anything to look out for? Is electric an option. I don’t want a slow cart with no power and we will be taking it off-road. Any insight?

[nota]

gas models will do 30 with the gov rigged

el can go fast but requires costly parts swaps Li battery is trick but costs

like most other stuff get one DONE used is far cheaper then buying bits

https://www.buggiesgonewild.com/ is a mostly golf cart site

[berettafan]

Bought an ezgo gas from a guy who had picked it up used from a golf course. added slightly bigger wheels/tires, rear seat and gun racks along with a front basked. It's gas and i would not bother owning electric (charging considerations and batteries to replace every few years at great cost).

I have about $4k in mine. Usually see late model rehabs (bigger tires, lift) for around $8k.

[Seahawk]

There is so much stuff out there...they hot rod the f out of those things.

Good luck!

https://sidebysidereviews.com/golf-car-review/

[porsche tech]

My only experience with golf carts is on the golf course (but that’s considerable) my only tip would be the gas carts are noisy compared to electric…some so much so that it’s difficult to hold a conversation. Some gas ones may be better than others but you should try before you buy.

[cabmandone]

IIRC when I was doing my search the consensus seemed to be EZ-GO and Yamaha for gassers.

I bought one for my parents like the one berettafan posted.

[Sebscst]

Just started shopping them and can’t believe the prices I could easily buy a 944 and some hit turbo money.

[cabmandone]

Oh yeah! The pimped rides aren't cheap! I've seen them around here for 10-15K depending on how pimped they are. You go full on lift, big tires and wheels, premium body kit, premium sound system and a tweaked engine... and things can get out of hand pretty fast.

There's a darn good reason my golf cart reads "Polaris Ranger 900 XP EPS" on the side.

[pavulon]

Seems like the nihilist “Unpimp ze ride” VW commercial guys could rightly have an issue with the modifieds.

[wdfifteen]

The carts we use here are both stock electric. They are almost never on pavement, but not exactly bushwhacking here on the farm. I think we have maybe $5k in the two of them, including $1600 worth of new batteries.

[berettafan]

btw, if you mean truly off-road then skip the cart and go with a UTV. anything rougher than a decent lawn requires going very, very slow in a golf cart.

[Sebscst]

By off-road I meant groomed trails or rock and dirt driveways not wanting a true off-roader.

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Oh yeah! The pimped rides aren't cheap! I've seen them around here for 10-15K depending on how pimped they are. You go full on lift, big tires and wheels, premium body kit, premium sound system and a tweaked engine... and things can get out of hand pretty fast.

There's a darn good reason my golf cart reads "Polaris Ranger 900 XP EPS" on the side.

Who are you calling a Pimp?



This is my 48v street legal 4 passenger ACG H3. 15 inch wheels, Top speed 25 mph. I would consider what the local laws are where you live.

Technically in California carts driven on the roads are required to be registered and insured. If you’re just driving it in a gated community you may not have that requirement. I have not been able to find out exactly what the registration requirements are with gas carts in California. I have heard they need to be visually inspected at the DMV which would be a real pain if you have to put it on a trailer and take it to a DMV for inspection every two years. My cart is electric so I am exempt from that smog check.

I primarily use my car to drive around the marina go out to dinner run small errands. My range is about 20 miles. If I opt for the lithium upgrade (for $2,000 the range could be bumped up to 40-50 miles per charge.)

Gas carts can usually sit for extended periods of times with no maintenance. Electric carts especially if they’re using lead acid batteries will need to be constantly plugged in so that the batteries be maintained in the off months. Electric carts will need to be maintained every month by having the water levels in the batteries checked. Batteries that go dry or allow the state of charge to go below 75% may require a new battery pack at about $1000.

If You check Classifieds in communities that have golf carts for example around marinas, golf courses and retirement communities you may find a deal. My neighbor bought a used Yamaha gas cart for $200 and spent about three or four grand completely tweaking it out and it is impressive!

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Sebscst

By off-road I meant groomed trails or rock and dirt driveways not wanting a true off-roader.

You don’t need anything special. A stock cart will do fine. We carry heavier loads than they were designed for over pastures and cow paths in our stock carts all the time. “Lifted” is just for show.

[cabmandone]

Rn,
It ain't "pimped" till ya got spinners!

Your ride is more "tricked" than "pimped"... there's a difference!

[Dpmulvan]

This is my rig use it for patrolling and yard work. Paid $1300 at an auction a coat of raptor bed liner, lift, wheels, led bar and power clutch kit. All in $2000.

[peppy]

We picked up this 2018 Club Car for $6500. It is a 48v electric. I was told the gas carts can over heat the engine on long runs.

I was told golf would relax me BS!!

[Dpmulvan]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

You don’t need anything special. A stock cart will do fine. We carry heavier loads than they were designed for over pastures and cow paths in our stock carts all the time. “Lifted” is just for show.

For the most part your right. Lifted carts also tilt the motor back from stock which can cause carb float issues/ flooding. Lifted carts also handle like crap. I need a lift to get across some streams on the property.

[LWJ]

My cousin bought one for his disabled wife. We mowed trails all over the farm. It is a BIG hit! It is an electric EZGO. Small lift and knobby tires. Shockingly capable and silly fun.

[RNajarian]

If you are considering going electric, educate yourself on the lithium battery upgrade, increased range, decreased weight, faster charging than lead acid batteries.