Golf Cart, Gas vs Electric

[SPYDERLK]

very interesting topic, i have been thinking about getting one myself, used and i would never go very far or use it very often, usuall thake the GT but would prfere something quite, don't most of them come with small wheels tho? and what is approx cost of a used one in decnt condition.

Small wheels will probably do on flat and well kept areas. The optional setup with oversized balloon tire knobbys has much better all around traction and ability to roll over obstacles. Also a higher top speed and still enuf grunt to climb a 25degree slope and a low enuf CG to go cross slope. A refurbished 2 seater one with custom color paint, canopy, lights, cargo carrier, big tires, test qualified batteries and charger is about $3k. An excellent vehicle to use on light work or as a support runabout for a team. A great convenience. Youll use it more than you think.
larry

 

[wushaw]

I have a 1998 36v EZ-GO that I use around the place, I don't have miles to drive so electric was my choice, it's nice and quiet and does what I need it to do.

If you do happen to go with an elect EZ-GO don't put too big of tires on it, the rear drive drums can't handle it and you will loose dust caps on the fts.

 

[Ductape]

A few years ago i had a gas powered ParCar. It was great..... gave all the kids rides, ran to the store, etc. I added some lighting and a stereo /cd. The fun really began when i loosened up the governor a bit...... that sucker flew !! Fortunately (or, unfortunately?), a friend also had a gas cart....... and we would get in a little trouble racing each other up and down the street (he had an older EZGO). I would toy with him and stay neck and neck with him.... then mat it and easily leave him in the dust. Only way he could beat me was to reach into my cart while we were racing side by side..... and turn my key off ! Dirty pool !!!!


I say buy the gas cart (and loosen up the governor!!!)!

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

I say buy the gas cart (and loosen up the governor!!!)!

I got in serious trouble from the DW about ten years ago. I came home with 4 golf course surplus ParCars that I bought for $800.00 each. One of them was just rebuilt with about $600.00 in new parts in it.

All were 2 stroke oil injected gassers. The golf courses around here are fairly hilly, so electric carts are rare. If these ones were electric, I wouldn't have bought them.

I cosmetically refurbished 2 of them with new metallic paint, wheel covers and canopies, then sold them for $2000.00 each. Made my money back on the initial purchase. Kept the other two and made one into a gator knockoff.

I removed the rear fibreglass bodywork and mounted a dump box that I had fabbed. I added a canopy to the other one and re-painted it commercial white and added our farm logos. This other one went to horse shows.

They were very reliable due to their simplicity, even though they were well used. It didn't take long before my wife decided they were a great thing to have around. They weren't very good in the snow though! Otherwise, being air-cooled 2 strokes, they ran great in the winter.

Naturally, the governors were removed from all of them, but in order to keep from cooking those 8 hp 250cc powerhouses, I disabled the oil injection and pre-mixed the gas/oil at 50:1. They could spin the inside rear wheel doing a donut and throw gravel about 20 feet.

One of them got pretty gutless, so after doing an extensive 2 stroke tuneup (new plug, some carb cleaner) without any improvement, I removed the muffler to see if there was a restriction. The thing went like he!! So, I cut the muffler in half. It was plugged with rust, I gutted it and brazed it back together, re-installed it. Fixed.

 

[Ductape]

Heywood is right.......... i should also have mentioned that i discombobulated the oil injection and pre-mixed my gas. You might think its a pain in the butt, but when you are cruising down the road @ 45mph with the tunes cranking.... you'll have frogotten all about it !

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

...but when you are cruising down the road @ 45mph with the tunes cranking....

OK Ductape, where did you hide the nitrous oxide bottle?

 

[Dennisfly]

Jinman - I probably should have posted in the ATV section. I went there and did a search and there is some golf cart discusssion.

JimBrown - Yours is a beauty. I like the look of the lift kit, wheels, and tires.

I did a quick talley of the thread, and so far I count 5 for gas and 4 for electric. Maybe it's like the discussion of different color tractors! I guess either would work fine for my situation. Maybe I'll just take my time and when a clean one with a good price comes along, I'll buy it whether gas or electric.

I enjoy the discussion. Thanks for the input.

 

[pappy19]

My son-in-law has a 1998 Yamaha gas cart and has had it for a couple of years. Runs good and the kids like it. He fills the tank about twice a year. He has had to change out the starter and had a tank leak. I bought a 2005 Yamaha electric, used golf course lease outfit. I picked a clean one with good voltage for $3000. I changed out the wheels/tires to a fancy low profile version and this thing is great. Some of the courses I go to don't allow gas rigs, so I decided on electric from the getgo. No muss no fuss, just get in and go. I am told that one can go 38 hours on a full charge. That's along ways for me, so as long as I keep it charged and watered, it should last for 5 years. I vote for electric.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Lectric...
No starting/choking/sputtering/noise. I already have not less than 10 gasoline motors to change oil in.

 

[txdon]

I have an electric that I use almost every day on our 120 acres.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/atvs-utility-vehicles/23583d1085624767-vote-fun-buggy-ii-stay-433736-clubcar.jpg
After all the noise of my gas engines it is a delight to travel in quietness and no exhaust. I was surprised of the power and can go up down my pond dams without any problem. I also think I see more wildlife when I traveling the trails silently. If the batteries are very low it takes overnight to charge and then it is good for another 12 hours (half a week for me). I have never had to push it, I installed a gage to tell the battery charge left. This Club car has an aluminum frame - very important with all the batteries.
I just like the idea of a motor that does not have to start.