How To Buy A Golf Cart For A Reasonable Amount: Golf Cart Buyer’s Guide

Buying a golf cart for a golf course or a mode of transportation is an important decision. This requires serious consideration that you can’t get suggestions from your family and friends unless they own one. 

Some will say to buy a gas golf cart whereas others will say to go for an electric one. But the real question is which would be best for your money? With several customizations and models available in the market, it’s quite challenging to consider which will suit your needs.

But to make this decision simpler for you, I have compiled this golf cart buyer guide where you can learn how to buy a golf cart for a reasonable amount.

How To Buy A Golf Cart For A Reasonable Amount: Things You Should Know

Purchasing a golf cart requires certain considerations to make sure that you are not overpaying and getting the right deal. Below, I have shared a list of things to look for when buying a golf cart.

1 – Gas Vs Electric Golf Carts

The golf cart market is estimated at around $2359.9 million which is expected to expand more over time. This gives us the idea that whether you buy an electric or a gas golf cart, it surely has a potential value.

But as a matter of fact, both of them have their pros and cons. For instance, gas golf carts provide more efficient performance and power which is a good factor while climbing a steep hill. On the other hand, electric golf carts do not emit toxic gas but they offer a limited range and require more time to charge.

Another thing that you should consider before opting for one is the maintenance cost. Gas golf carts will cost you more to maintain compared to electric golf carts. Fuel is the main element that contributes towards the maintenance cost. Not only that, oil & filter changes and the replacement of other parts are some extra costs you have to cover because they age after a certain time.

But, the case is different if you choose an electric golf cart. They only need general cleaning, and battery replacement which is cost-effective. I would recommend you to assess your driving habits and budget in mind while making this decision.

If you are already driving an electric vehicle, I guess deciding between gas vs electric golf carts wouldn’t be a problem.

If you’re interested to know how long do golf batteries last and how to make them long-lasting, read this article!

2 – Review Its History If You’re Buying A Used One

Purchasing a new golf cart is always a good decision, but if you’re short on a budget make sure you’re not getting a golf cart that’s on the verge of becoming useless. 

First, start to identify the age or manufacturing year of the golf cart so that you can analyze how many miles it’s been driven and how well the owner has maintained it. The first two digits of its serial number will be the date of manufacturing. For example, if the serial number starts with 1789, then the golf cart was made in 2017. 

However, if you are planning to buy an electric golf cart, you can check the battery age by viewing its data code. In addition, inspect the other elements that I have mentioned below:

• Check for the tires if they are rushed off or need a replacement
• Check for the golf cart body and inspect any damages or dents
• Make sure there aren’t any corrosion or leaks on the battery; you may need to replace them in the future if they have any
• Look out for other accessories and see if they are in working condition like headlights, brakes, etc.

After identifying these elements, I would recommend you take a test drive. If you are satisfied with the condition, go for it. Taking a test drive will help you how much repairing it needs, and what should be the estimated value of it. Do not give any offer before you take these certain steps that I mentioned. 

3 – Insurance Requirements

Once you have finalized your decision to purchase a golf cart, make sure you are fully aware of your state’s insurance policies. However, in several states, having an insurance policy is not a requirement.

But to protect yourself from liability or in case of having an accident, it’s a wise move to have insurance to cover the damages. 

Golf Cart Buyer’s Guide: Tips On Buying A New Golf Cart

There are several things to look at when buying a golf cart to make sure you’re getting the right value for your money. I have shared several tips below for you to get the maximum out of this golf cart buying guide. 

1 – Set A Realistic Budget

Golf cart comes in different shapes, offer multiple features, and have multiple price tags. On average, a new model golf cart can cost you around $5000 to $20,000. The surprising thing is that this cost doesn’t cover after-market customizations that you may need. 

So, it’s essential to set a realistic budget for your golf cart purchase that fulfills your needs. In addition, the more loaded a golf cart you get, the higher the cost of maintenance would be for you to manage. Other factors such as insurance, repairs, and the cost of charging/fuel also impact a lot on your budget in the long run.

This is the point where you should decide whether you want to go for a new golf cart or a used model. The used model costs less and gives you an affordable option to enjoy the beautiful view while driving a golf cart. 

2 – Research On Your Dealership 

When you’re buying a golf cart for the first time, make sure you spend some time looking for the dealership options. Nowadays, it is common even for authorized dealers to sell a stolen vehicle intentionally or unintentionally. 

I would recommend you to look for the reviews online from the other people before you visit a dealership. Secondly, it would be great to buy a golf cart from someone you personally know. That way, you will not get ripped off. 

3 – Identify Whether You Want Performance Or Comfort

Do you know what makes golf cart drivers different from one another? Their personal preferences for customizing their vehicles!

Decide whether you want to go for the performance or looking for comfort. In some cases, you can get a mix match of both. Personally, I own an EzGo golf cart which is an electric model and carries four passengers. 

Even though I own an electric golf cart, I can still go 19.5 mph which is suitable for me. But if want a comfortable option you can explore several other models. In the end, it’s just a matter of personal preference and your budget that filters recommended models for you. 

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4 – Look Out For Cargo Space

If you’re a regular golf player, you may need extra space to carry your bags or even a friend with you. In this scenario, considering a golf cart that doesn’t offer enough space wouldn’t be a problem.

But if you are a person who likes to cruise in your golf cart, pick up kids from school, and even go to a grocery store in a golf cart. Then you need to buy a golf cart that offers decent rider capacity. 

5 – Check If It Complies With Your Local Law

As I said before, several states don’t require legal documents to drive a golf cart, not even a driving license. But if you live in a state such as Miami, Florida, or New York, I recommend you buy a golf cart that complies with your local rules and regulations. 

For example, if you buy a golf cart that doesn’t come up with proper accessories such as headlights, brake lights, and windshield, it won’t be eligible to be driven on the road. You may face road fines if you drive or in other cases, spend some extra money on equipping these accessories.

You May Also Like Reading: Are Golf Carts Street Legal?

6 – It Must Have A Warranty: If not don’t buy it

One of the most important things you should know while reading this golf cart buying guide is to make sure your new golf cart comes with a warranty. It’s a general vehicle maintenance standard that golf carts have.

If your golf cart doesn’t come with a warranty, it’s likely to be a used one or something is fishy here. In such case, I recommend buying from somewhere else that offers a warranty.

Conclusion

So, how to buy a golf cart? I hope I have explained this well to you. Buying a golf cart requires proper knowledge and a realistic budget so that you spend your time exploring options that are worth buying. 

The above golf cart buying guide will help you make an informed decision. Buy from a reputable dealership and make sure your golf cart has a warranty card.