How To Choose The Best Golf Cart

Golf carts are no longer just a way to get around a golf course. Golf carts are becoming mini cars now, they have advanced quite a bit in the past few years. With more brands, models, and features to choose from these days we are going to help you to find the best cart to suite your needs. Keep reading and leave a comment if you have any questions along the way!

Should I Buy A New or Used Golf Cart?

Whether you buy a new or used golf cart depends on your preferences and what your budget is. Just like when you go to buy a car there are benefits and disadvantages to buying both new and used golf carts.

Used golf carts will always be the cheapest golf carts and whether or not that is a good or bad thing will come down to the person who you are buying it from. Used golf carts could have mechanical issues that you weren’t aware of that may cost thousands to fix in the near future. If you go with a new golf cart you know there won’t be any issues with it. While it may cost more some dealers do offer excellent finance rates to give you an affordable monthly payment. The last thing is many dealers now advertise their golf carts as a brand new golf cart even though it is an older golf cart that has only been refurbished.

The best thing to do when buying is to spend some time researching what you’re getting and asking the seller a lot of questions. Make sure that the cart comes with a warranty and they will still be there to go back to if you ever have any issues. And be prepared to spend some time finding the right cart for your needs.

What You Should Know When Buying a Used Golf Cart

When you’re buying a used golf cart the biggest thing to make sure of is that it is in good condition and that it has been taken care of throughout it’s life.

Pay attention to the history of the golf cart. Ask to see service records to make sure that the golf cart has been maintained before you buy the golf cart.  If you are buying a gas golf cart ask when the last time the oil was changed in it. If you are buying an electric golf cart check the age of the batteries and check the water levels to make sure they aren’t dry.

If you happen to know someone that knows a lot about golf carts, take them with you to look at the golf cart. Take a test drive with them. They’ll be able to let you know if you’re getting something worth the money or not.

Watch our for things like leaks, noises, or other oddities during the test drive. Remember, you’re buying this golf cart as is. Most used carts don’t come with any warranties.

What to Know When You Buy a New Cart

When you’re buying a new golf cart, it’s good to go around and visit your local golf cart dealers. While you are shopping compare what each of the dealers have to offer with their carts and what the prices are.

You should also do some research about the golf cart dealership you’re thinking about buying from. Look at reviews online, ask your friends or neighbors about the company. This will ensure that you are going to a reputable dealer that won’t rip you off.

The other most important thing to look at when buying a new golf cart is the factory warranty that it comes with and the finance rates offered with it. Your new golf cart should come with a warranty and special financing rates to help save you money. If it doesn’t come with either, you might want to shop somewhere else.

A warranty protects you if something happens to your golf cart because these cart’s are man made so they could potentially have an issue. There’s nothing worse than spending more money to repair a brand new golf cart after you just got it.

Should I Get a Gas or Electric Golf Cart?

Most people think that if you buy an electric golf cart you will have to spend more money to keep it running due to batteries being expensive. While the batteries can be expensive, both the gas and electric golf carts cost about the same to own.

Why?

It’s because you have to pay for gas to keep it running, regular oil changes, filter changes, and replacement belts. The cost of this over 5 years comes up to be about the same as a set of golf cart batteries.

So choosing between the two doesn’t come down to cost. Instead, it comes down to your personal preference.

Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons that come with choosing between electric and gas golf carts.

Pros of Gas Golf Carts

Gas powered golf carts have more consistent power than electric carts. They also have better-pulling power, especially up hills, so if you live in a hilly area a gas golf cart may work better for you. Also with a gas golf cart you never have to plug it in to charge it back up. If you run out of gas you simply grab your gas can and refill it!

Because gas golf carts do have more power than most electric golf carts it makes them great for work applications as well. If you are getting your golf cart for pulling a trailer, doing yard work, or using it around a farm, a gas golf cart is most likely the way to go

Pros of Electric Golf Carts

The batteries in electric golf carts usually last over five years. This means you don’t have to do a lot of maintenance to keep your cart running extremely well. As long as you’re taking care of your batteries and maintaining them properly, then you won’t have to worry about anything else.

They also make a lot less noise than gas golf carts, and they don’t produce any gas odors while you are driving it. These carts produce no pollution and are environmentally friendly.

Cons of a Gas Golf Carts

You have to do regular maintenance on a gas golf cart. Just like your car you will need to get regular oil changes and tune up’s to keep it running properly.

One of the biggest cons that comes with a gas golf cart is the noise that they make and smell that they produce while driving it. Some people don’t mind it at all while others may hate it.

Cons of Electric Golf Carts

You have to charge electric golf carts before you drive them, and this can take a while( usually around 12 hours depending on how dead it was). If you do not have a charge meter then it can be difficult to tell how charged your batteries are. If your cart runs out of charge while you’re driving it, you either have to push your cart home or wait for someone to tow it.

And again, electric golf carts are slower than gas golf carts. They don’t do as well on hills or rough terrains.

Buying the Best Golf Cart

There isn’t one specific golf cart you have to buy. Rather, when buying the best cart for your needs, consider things like your budget, the type of cart you want to drive, and your personal preference. As long as you ask detailed questions about your cart, you can get a good deal on a used or new cart.

Do you want to buy a new or used cart? Take a look at some of these options.