Golf Cart as an Alternative

[RobertN]

For the prices of "Gator type" Utilities, and some of the mentioned glof cart prices, why not look at and old lawn tractor with a little trailer? Or, what about an older 2wd Toyota or Ford, whatever make, standard cab shortbed "Ranch truck"?

Sure be cheaper than all those utilities. And, a little mini truck aint all that much bigger...

 

[8NTX]

Well Mark, did you get one?

Just wanted to put my 2 cents into this old thread. I bought a 1998 EZ-Go electric cart a couple of years ago. Paid $1250 for it on ebay. Ended up putting new batteries in at a cost of $300. Except for occassional replacement of battery cables, it's been a great vehicle - no problems. I have one pretty steep climb up from the lake - no problem even when it's loaded. It's not lifted, no knobby tires. Look around because there are bargains out there. And some good websites if you want to customize it.

 

[Poncho]

Mark...

We're in about the same boat. I've considered golf carts but am now looking at some of the UTV out there. Right now I'm considering the Polaris 2WD unit.. reasonable price, poly dump bed, good ground clearance, gas etc. We also will be using it to drive it on the neighborhood roads which is sugar fine sand. I have a friend who bought his daughter the electric golf cart and he has had to pull her out of the sand a bunch of times. I love the electics on the course (I never get sun after 18 as I play from the shade mostly /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif), but around our house and neighborhood we're going to go with gas.

 

[Mark4510]

I am still looking around. In a perfect world I would feel comfortable spending more to get an ATV with a spray rig. I could knock the weeds down in spring,pull a small trailer, etc. Even though it would not be as quiet as an electric cart I could use it for many other things.

Since I dont think I can get a good ATV for sub $1,200 I continue to look for a used golf cart and if I could find one for about $1,100 that was in good shape I would probably jump at it. I have been to some local auctions and golf courses but they seem to get closer to $1,400+. I am not in a rush and maybe I can get a better deal this fall. In the meantime the walk up the hill to the horses keeps me from getting to big to get in the front door.

But you know that when I do get one.... the Green and Yellow paint is coming out /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks.....Mark

 

[Joe1]

Mark:

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA uses golf carts with GT utility trailers attached to do grounds maintenance. It's pretty hilly, and they seem to handle the hills without a problem. This is a well known Agricultural University and they have tractors and other vehicles, but use the Electric Carts on the pavement and around the campus classrooms. Electric motors have maximum torque at "0" RPM. You should be able to pull a small cart with ease. They also don't have traction problems on golf course greens which are frequently hilly.

Batteries should last around 3 years, and no one ever complained that they are too quiet or too non-polluting.

Starting a gasoline engine and running it for a few minutes as you know is not good for it; creates a lot of condensation in the oil, etc. An electric vehicle wouldn't have that problem, and you should be able to get a fair amount of range out of one before needing a recharge.

 

[Mark4510]

I have finally found a place that seems to have a lot of EZ Go golf carts that are a newer model. This place has an electric model (not street legal) with a top, windshield and small bed in the back for a little under $1800. It seems like the newer models have a little better electronics so I think I am leaning that way.

Joe1,
I was in your neck of the woods last weekend and will be headed through there again this weekend. What a great place to live.

Mark

 

[SnowRidge]

I used to frequent an isolated boatyard in Florida. To get to it, you had to drive through a golf course, and then about a mile on a really rough dirt road through some cow pastures, if you didn't come by boat.

The golf course snack bar kept a couple of electric golf carts at the boat yard for the convenience of the boaters (to get their business). The carts were beaters, as the rough road really battered them, but they worked real well for the purpose, and I never heard of anyone getting stranded by one.

The folks that ticked off one of the bulls, now that was another matter. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

From my experience, I feel that a used electric golf cart would work fine, as long as the slopes on the property were within reason.

 

[Mark4510]

I was on a ranch that had some hills this last weekend and they had half a dozen of the carts and they seemed to do well. I am going to try to see if I can take a spin in one on a hill before I buy but I think it should be ok.

I have chased a cow down the fence and I can promise this....you would have to have one fast golf cart to outrun a cranky bull. And I dont recall any air bags on a golf cart in case that bull did catch you. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[txdon]

Mark, Our Golf Cart , (Club Car, glorified ATV, Fun Buggy, Big Red) is working out just fine. It goes through waist high grasses and up the steepest part of my dam. I love the quietness. I now believe it would have worked just fine without the 4" lift kit and bigger tires, but I liked the way it looked. I wish I would have taken a picture last weekend with the rear bed full of vegetables from our garden.

 

[higgy]

Have you looked at the GEM car? It has been bought out by Chrisler at thiw point. I have used them a few times, they are well biult. I think they are built in Fargo ND, or were anyway. Gem Car

Take a look, it might work for you. In some states you can deduct the full cost of the gem from your taxes over one or two years as it is an electric car, I do not know about where you are.

Dane

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="red"> (I have chased a cow down the fence and I can promise this....you would have to have one fast golf cart to outrun a cranky bull. And I don't recall any air bags on a golf cart in case that bull did catch you. </font>

You bet. I happened to know the (almost) victims in this case. They didn't know exactly how they set off the bull, but they got real lucky. An equally cranky gent from Newfoundland happened to be a couple of hundred yards behind them in his truck and saw what was about to happen.

He got behind the bull and nudged it before it could ram the golf cart. By the time the bull figured out what was happening, both the golf cart and the Newfie and his truck managed to cross the cattle guard into the boat yard and safety.

It was several days before anyone ventured out in the golf cart again. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[professor]

I bought the 10 hp CX gGator and love it. It starts easily and has plenty of power. I feel that some are comparing this machine with the large Gators (apples to oranges). I paid $4200 for it brand new. I have a four acre lot with one acre in orchard and it is just perfect for my needs. It also fits between the fender wells of my Ford 150 and since I show antique tractors I carry the CX to ride around the grounds. It is quiet and easy to handle. My wife also loves it. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[hockeyhead]

Even though I do not own one I know of 2 horse boarding operations and 1 real farm that use their golf cart for a lot of chores, and all 3 owners love them.

 

[Mark4510]

TXDON, Big Red is exactly what I would like to end up with but I bet its out of my current price range. I will probably start out at a more basic level and go from there.

I actually saw one of those GEMS that had a list price of about $5,000 but was on sale for about $2,200. I thought that was a good deal but when I went back they were no longer offering them. If I could get one at that price and write off the full amount as an electric vehicle I would look into it but I guess I would need to do some more research on DMV fees etc.

The Gators are certainly beefier but I think I am just looking for something to make a quick run between the barn, house, mailbox and pasture so I think an electric vehicle is the way to go.