Looking for used golf cart advice - Page 2 - Talk of The Villages Florida
Originally Posted by tophcfa
For what it’s worth, here are my two cents of advice. First and most importantly, you already have done the most important thing by identifying what you want. I applaud your decision as you selected both the best manufacturer and power source available.
As far as Yamaha EFI carts go, they started making EFI carts in . From to the EFI carts are NOT quiet techs. From to now, all EFI’s are quiet techs. I own a EFI and it’s a great cart, but that being said the EFI quiet techs are way better. Contrary to popular belief, the quiet techs aren’t far superior because they run almost as quiet as an electric cart (that’s a bonus), but because they have rear independent suspension. That is an absolutely great feature, since every bump you hit doesn’t feel like it’s going up your spine. The comfort of the quiet techs ride is industry leading.
There is currently a supply shortage for new Yamaha EFI quiet techs (typically long wait times), so the demand for used Yamaha EFI’s is very high. IMHO that has resulted in used cart prices that are not a good value. At your stated price cap, I would suspect you would be limiting yourself to a or older EFI, so you wouldn’t get the independent rear suspension.
I had an order in at a Yamaha dealer up north for a stripped down new EFI quiet tech PTV, which I planned to trick out myself and trailer down to the Villages. Unfortunately, they told me not to expect the cart to be available until next summer. Lucky for me, because of a post I read on TOTV, I called Outdoor Villages Power in Webster, FL and inquired about buying a new EFI quiet tech PTV from them. They had three or four carts available in inventory and one of them was in a color I was hoping for. I jumped on it and gave them a deposit to hold the cart for me. Before taxes I was able to get the brand new cart for $10.5K. The cart is fairly basic, but the PTV model has the high speed gears necessary for the Villages and the price includes upgrading to the ultra premium light package with LED head and tail lights, turn signals, a horn, as well as side view mirrors with blinkers on the outside and turn signal indicators for the driver to see on the mirrors. The price of the cart included a 2% discount for paying with either cash or a bank check and includes free delivery of the cart and a free oil change and full going over of the cart (they will come to our house to do the service) after thirty hours of operation. So I got a brand new EFI quiet tech with the rear independent suspension, before taxes, for only $500 above your price cap. Over time I will be sinking much more money into the cart by adding multiple accessories myself from online places like buggies unlimited, but will still save lots of money. The two biggest expenses in front of me will be quality aftermarket bucket seats and a soft sided roll up enclosure. The first things I will be getting for the cart will be a non tinted folding windshield (much easier to see at night), seat belts, a sand bottle kit, a floor mat, and a kill switch (the cart comes with a unique personalized ignition/keys). Later on I will add stuff like a cooler, overhead and dash storage, a hardwired gps speedometer/odometer, an overhead led dome light, and a water bottle cage for my Bluetooth speaker.
Just remember, like it or not, electric is getting jammed down our throats and going forward it’s going to become increasingly difficult to get a new EFI powered cart, and used EFI carts will be at a premium. That’s why I decided to get a brand new one now. I plan to take good care of it, change the oil frequently, use only ethanol free gas, and not let guests use it (my old EFI will be for that). I now have the best cart available, brand new, which should easily last 15 - 20 years, at which point I will be a friggin dinosaur. Can’t wait to take delivery of the new cart when we get to the Villages after Christmas. : )
Hope that helps and good luck!
Originally Posted by KennyP
Ill jump in here as someone who repairs them every day.
At 10k, your in a good price range which means you can get something from almost new, to shouldnt be driven.
Yamaha great brand, good one to pick. to , if you went used..rearend is the issue. Parts are getting hard to find. If I good tech is looking at it or maintaining it, it will last a long time with no issue. Wrong tech looking at the problem areas can lead to having a paper weight.
- Yamaha CARBURETED - is a excellent cart. Clutches are its short comings, but once those fail and the newer ones are installed , its a cart to never get rid of.
and up EFI Quiet Tech....well.... its got some issues, but i understand the quiet part and the suspension part. Great pluses. I know....some people will reply and say " we have had our QT for years and never an issue, we have it serviced once a year" Thats great...try working on them everyday. As a repair person, somethings we can prevent an issue, but we cant prevent a bad part from failing. Its frustrating when there is nothing we can do to prevent an issue. And open your wallet, the cart is not cheap to fix.
Just thought id give a different prespective
FAQ | Fat Boys Golf Carts in Covington, Georgia
Where can I find Manuals for my golf cart?
What year is my E-Z-Go golf cart?
Here is a great resource from the E-Z-GO website that helps determine the year of the cart.
For more information, please visit Shenzhen Bak Power Battery.
What year is my Club Car golf cart?
Starting in the 's Club Car vehicles have a serial number plaque at the lower edge of the dashboard. Our serial number convention is 12 characters and indicates the model, the model year and the production week the vehicle was produced. For example: PQ-.
PQ = Precedent Electric 06= Model Year 04=Fourth production week
NOTE: If you cannot find a serial number plaque contact Club Car at 1-800-CLUB CAR with the serial number from the trans-axle, electric motor or gas engine or give us a call and we can determine the year for you by using the serial number.
What year is my Yamaha golf cart?
Here is a great resource from the Yamaha website that will help you determine the year make and model of your cart, as well as, help you in finding the serial number.
What make a golf cart "street legal" for Covington, GA?
There are several requirements that will make a golf cart "street legal" for Covington, GA, they include a windshield, brake lights, head and tail lights, turn signals, rear view mirror, and a horn. Note: many private communities require golf carts to be street legal for safety reasons, even when they are only operated on private streets. Also, the cart has to be registered with the DMV. Other requirements could be required. Fat Boy's Golf Carts will be happy to assist you with making your golf cart "street legal" and answer any questions you may have.
*Each city is different so check with your local DMV.
Can i get other accessories added to my golf cart?
Yes. Fat Boy's Golf Carts can install stereos and many other accessories. Some available accessories include stereos, lift kits, flip rear seats, golf cart bag holders, custom painted bodies, colored interior, cargo boxes, chrome wheels, etc. We also offer battery and controller upgrades, as well as, motor upgrades.
Do you take trade-ins?
Yes. We must see the cart in person to give an accurate quote.
What can I use to clean my windshield?
Never use ammonia or alcohol-based cleaners on acrylic! You can normally find cleaners that are safe for acrylic/plastic either at an auto parts or hardware store.
What is the best way to clean golf cart seats?
WD-40 or Lacquer Thinner
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Golf Cart Wholesale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Can I wax my golf cart?
Yes. I t is a great idea to wax the finish of your golf cart at least once a year. A good carnauba wax works well.
What type of gas is used in golf carts?
Regular unleaded gas for 4 cycle engines and 40:1 ratio gas/oil for 2 cycle engines.
What type of oil is used in golf carts?
10w30; 1.5 quarts; Do Not Overfill!!!
What kinds of Batteries are used in golf carts?
Golf carts use Deep Cycle batteries. Deep cycle batteries can be discharged almost completely and recharge several times without any major damage. A regular car battery cannot withstand this severe cycling without having its life significantly shortened.
How often should I charge my batteries?
For chargers with a manual timer usually 6-8 hours after 18 holes of golf or 4-6 hours after 9 holes. As a rule of thumb: double the charge time of estimated use. For example: If the cart was used for 3 hours charge for 6 hours. If you have an automatic charger just plug it in. It will shut off when the batteries are fully charged. To get the longest life from your batteries, do not run them completely down before charging. You should ensure that your cart is in the neutral position and the key is turn off when charging your batteries.
Is it important to use distilled water in my batteries?
It is best to use distilled water in your batteries to avoid adding minerals that are found in other types of water. Do not use well water!
How often should I have my golf cart serviced?
It depends on how much use is being put on the vehicle. You should have the golf cart serviced once per year. More specifically, we recommend having your cat serviced by a trained technician every 75 hours of use.
What kind of work should I be doing myself?
These things need to be done on a monthly basis:
Electric Cart:
- Wash the battery tops, battery compartment, the underside of the vehicle and clean with baking soda/water solution.
- Keep battery water filled to the proper level with distilled water.
- Check the tire pressure and adjust if necessary.
Gas Cart:
Are you interested in learning more about 4 Seater Electric Golf Cart? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!