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Purchasing a golf cart can be a significant investment. Whether you are purchasing a golf cart as an enthusiast or for personal transportation, there are many challenges and pitfalls that plague buyers. With a wide range of options, trying to figure out the best choice can be overwhelming. Making an informed decision is very important. Looking at prices and finding a better option after you’ve already made the purchase is a terrible feeling. With this buyer’s guide, we hope to give you confidence in your purchase and avoid any feeling like buyer’s remorse.
Understanding Your Needs
The first thing that you need to figure out is what you’re looking for in a golf cart and what you need. You can determine your needs by answering questions like:
- What will you be using the cart for? Will you be exclusively on a golf course or will you take the cart on the streets as well? Will the cart be used for utility like moving supplies or getting around a large property?
- How many seats do you need? Two-seater golf carts have more storage space when compared to four or six-seater carts, how many people will the cart move?
- What kind of terrain will the cart experience? Rougher terrain may call for an offroad golf cart, but a golf court won’t challenge the suspension at all.
- Last but not least, what is your budget? The most important factor whenever you are looking to purchase anything is budget. If you’re willing to compromise, golf carts can be found for as little as hundreds of dollars, but the premium you pay for a high-end golf cart is not a waste of money.
Your budget is what matters the most, you can find cheaper and cheaper options if you are willing to let go of the features and comforts that a high-end golf cart offers, but these options make a difference in the long run. After years and years of living with a golf cart, having that extra bit of comfort in the seats or the suspension can be the difference between thinking fondly of your purchase and regretting it.
Used VS New
New Golf Carts
Advantages of New Golf Carts
- Warranty: Warranty is not something you can just ignore and not care for. Warranties prove a company is willing to stand behind its product, giving you more confidence in your purchase.
- Features: A brand-new cart comes with new features that will not be present on an older model.
- Reliable Performance: With a new golf cart you don’t need to worry about any performance problems. A new cart is guaranteed to satisfy you for a while before you need to worry about running into problems.
Disadvantages of New Golf Carts
- Cost: A new cart is always going to cost more than a used cart. You need to determine if the new cart is worth the extra cost, or not.
- Depreciation: Like all vehicles, new golf carts depreciate in value over time.
Used Golf Carts
Advantages of Used Golf Carts
- Lower Cost: The main reason for buying a used cart is the lower cost.
- Less Depreciation: Most depreciation occurs within the first few years, so used carts retain their value better.
- Immediate Availability: You can often find a used golf cart available immediately, without the wait time associated with ordering a new one.
Disadvantages of Used Golf Carts
- No Warranty: Used carts usually don’t come with a warranty. Many warranties are not transferable between owners and if they are they may have very specific conditions.
- Potential for Repairs: There may be hidden problems that may seem normal to the untrained eye. Keep in mind that a second-hand item is being sold for a reason, the most common reason is that the item isn’t working properly.
- Limited Customization Used carts may not have the exact features that you want, and they cannot be tailored to your exact needs.
Buying used is a compromise, but this doesn’t mean a used cart can’t satisfy your needs.
A used golf cart is more likely to run into problems but that will not be a problem for you, we offer a golf cart mobile repair service in Austin, TX, so if any problems occur on the go you can rest easy and contact the best golf cart dealer near you.
Electric vs Gas Golf Carts
Electric Golf Carts
Advantages of Electric Golf Carts
- Environmentally Friendly: A factor that cannot be dismissed is the environmental factor. Electric golf carts are better for the environment in the long run, which is a soothing thought to have as you cruise in silence.
- Quiet Operation: Electric golf carts are quiet, very quiet. The engines usually don’t make much of a noise and if they do it isn’t a disturbing loud noise.
- Low Maintenance: With an electric golf cart you will be doing no such thing related to engine maintenance. The only thing you need to worry about is battery health.
Disadvantages of Electric Golf Carts
- Limited Range: The same issue that plagues other electric vehicles also plagues golf carts. The limited range of a golf cart may limit you. If you plan to use the golf cart for your daily commute you may run into some problems.
- Battery Replacement: The batteries will eventually need to be replaced. This will not be an issue for at least a few years but eventually, you will need to replace these batteries which will probably come at a cost.
- Charging Time: Charging a golf cart takes time as the batteries will need to slowly fill up in order to prevent damage.
Gas Golf Carts
Advantages of Gas Golf Carts
- Greater Range: Gas-powered golf carts have a much longer range.
- Powerful Performance: They generally have more power, which is better suited for utility, heavy loads, or offroad applications.
- Quick Refueling: Refueling a gas cart takes just a few minutes compared to hours of charging an electric cart.
Disadvantages of Gas Golf Carts
- Environmental Impact: Gas carts produce more emissions than electric golf carts.
- Noise: They are noisier than electric carts, and this may cause small problems if you are driving for extended amounts of time.
- Higher Maintenance: Gas engines require regular maintenance, including oil changes and filter replacements and such.
Key Features to Consider
Battery Type
In electric golf carts, it is important to pay attention to the battery type. The type of battery can have a significant impact on battery life, replacement, and more.
- Lead-Acid Batteries: These are the most common type of batteries used in vehicles. Lead-acid batteries are cheaper but they have a shorter lifespan.
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: These batteries are lighter, charge faster, and have a longer lifespan than lead-acid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive, however, this is quite misleading, the lifespan of a lithium-ion battery is almost as twice as long as a lead-acid battery, therefore over the lifespan of two lead-acid batteries the lithium-ion battery is more cost-effective.
Power
Depending on what your use case is the amount of power the cart engine produces may matter to you. A gas golf cart usually has 10-15 horsepower while an electric cart is closer to 5 or 6.
Suspension System
If you want more comfort or if you’re looking for a golf cart capable of offroading the suspension matters a lot.
Customizations and Accessories
Golf carts usually don’t come with many extra options, which is why owners will place their own accessories onto their golf carts. If you plan to purchase new from the top golf cart dealer in Austin, TX, Golf Carts Of ATX, we offer you a high-quality soundbar as an extra. Options like this are quite common on second-hand carts as well, so if you plan on buying second-hand you want to keep an eye out for any extras the previous owner has installed.
Maintenance and Upkeep
After purchasing your golf cart, you will need to maintain it. Purchasing a vehicle is a commitment to that vehicle, you will need to care for it and take care of it for many years, therefore the ease of repair and maintenance matters a lot.
Battery Care: Whether you decide to go with an electric or gas golf cart, they will both have batteries. You need to constantly check for any signs of corrosion on the battery leads, and fix any issues immediately.
Tire Maintenance: Regularly check the tires for any damage, and check the tire pressure every once in a while.
Brake Inspection: Brakes get damaged due to wear and tear over time. You will need to change the brakes as soon as any signs of damage like slow brake response, show up.
Overall Cleaning: Wash the exterior regularly and keep the interior clean. You need to protect the interior from harsh weather as well.
Legal Considerations
It is important to check the laws and regulations of your state on golf carts before making any decisions. For example, every state has a different law on how a golf cart can be made street-legal or if it can even be street-legal. Some states may have different laws on ownership certifications which you will need to research about.
Where to Buy
Golf Cart Dealer
A golf cart dealer is your best bet if you are looking to purchase new. Golf cart dealers are trustable and they offer a wide variety of options that will suit your needs. A golf cart dealer may also provide a trusted warranty.
Online Marketplaces
Online marketplaces are a great way of finding good deals on used products. Some of these marketplaces offer buyer protection systems that protect you from scams and frauds.
Avoiding Buyer’s Remorse with Golf Carts Of ATX
Buying a golf cart is an investment and requires careful consideration. Whether you opt for new or used our experts here at Golf Carts Of ATX are at your service. Contact us for a consultation if you need any guidance. We are the top golf cart dealer in Austin, TX. With our many years of experience and satisfied customer base, we guarantee your satisfaction with your purchase. Having a trusted source behind your purchase gives you that much-needed extra boost in confidence. We offer a wide variety of options that will surely meet your needs. If you are located in Austin, TX we also offer you our golf cart mobile repair service, in case of any emergencies. Whatever you decide, Golf Carts Of ATX is here at your service. Contact us today.
