We just got a house on Galveston Island (Jamaica Beach). We definitely want to purchase a golf cart for getting around. Any tips on what to look for?

Gas or electric?

Any reputable places to buy?

Any help is appreciated!


** EDIT: Apologies for making it seem like we bought the house. My mother in law bought it but we'll be there more than her most likely.

I've had both, last was electric, RK on here now owns it and my current build is a gas.

It really depends on what you're wanting to do with it. I think I prefer the gas because I never have to worry about running out of juice. The locally if it's got gas then it's good.

There's plenty of reputable places to buy in Houston, just depends on what you're wanting to spend. $2k would be the bare minimum I would say, and skys the limit from there. If you do decide to go electric, suggest 48v, sort of the new standard.

EZGO or Club Car? Lifted? Stereo? Rear seat? Extended top?

Thanks.

Definitely not looking for anything fancy but also don't want it to be trashy looking either. It will be used to run down to the beach or get around in the local neighborhood. Nothing long distance.

I've got a 2009 ez-go RXV. It has the AC electric motor (not the usual DC motor that comes in the TXT)

It's be a great cart and the kids love riding on it.

Here are my comments:
-if using on a beach (or wherever) think about maintenance. Electric would be much easier.
-YouTube how to test golf cart batteries. A new set will cost $600-900+. If you are buying a newer golf cart with shattty batteries, know what your next expense will probably end up being.
-I have been told to avoid the Yamaha brand. Apparantly, when it comes to repairs, their parts are pretty pricey. That's probably why most golf courses use ezgo or ClubCar.
-learn how to check water levels in the batteries. Check them often.
-make sure you get a smart charger when buying the cart from the previous owner.

For your application I'd suggest going with electric. Check the battery dates, everyone selling an electric golf cart just changed out their batteries. Agree on 48v and plan on spending more than $2k for something decent.

As far as brands go I actually like Yamaha the most but mine are gas (2005 and a 2012). They are rock solid and are very light on maintenance (I change the oil in each once a year. They run on 1 qt of full synthetic oil without a filter). I use mine around the neighborhood and for golf. Have no idea how a gas drive cart would hold up in a beach environment, thus the recommendation for electric since they are relatively simple. I had a Club Car before my first Yamaha and it was a piece of crap. I think it all depends on who had it previously /how they used it if you go used.

One thing I would recommend is taking whatever cart you're looking at for a lengthy test ride (at least 10-15 minutes). After buying my club car I found that the clutch sticks once it heats up, of course the guy I bought it from failed to mention it and my test drive up and down the street didn't give it enough time to materialize.

Congrats on the beach house

If you don't care about lift and stereo, and you want electric, then $2500-$3000 is a good quality cart with good batteries. Little more for gas. Usually. Deals can be found or if you're willing to do some work to the cart, you can build a pretty awesome cart for much less than you can buy an equivalent.

CKD builds some awesome used carts, can't even tell they're not new by the condition of everything, but they're pretty expensive. Owner is a great guy though, helped me out with selling me some parts I needed during my build. He also told me if he had a personal cart it would be gas. Take that for what its worth. To me gas vs electric is simply a preference, like Ford vs Chevy. Unless there is a very specific intended use.

Tomball Golf Carts is also a good place.

A friend of mine owns Barlow's Golf, its a driving range but he also sells carts. NW side of Houston near Cypress.

Yes Club Car has aluminum frame, which is nice, but the rest of the cart isn't. So, you'll still end up with rust on parts. However, as a poster said above, EZGO and Club Car are the 2 most popular and have the most parts available, including aftermarket.

Also, I know the batteries were talked about, but if you do find a cart you like but they say batteries are dead, you must assume that the cart doesn't run. Several other things could be bad, solenoid, controller, motor, etc. If the cart is electric and lifted you need to make sure all the battery cables have been upgraded to 2 gauge.....they will get amazingly hot otherwise and probably melt. I bought my set off eBay for $100 for my last cart.

I second Buggies Gone WIld as being a great place for info.

Appreciate the info! This will help get me looking in the right direction.

Looking forward to it.

About 5 years ago we got a 6 seater EZ Go gas for Port A. Jacked up a little and the back seat flips down for storage. I like the gas angle better than batteries, but 9 times out of 10 you would have the night to recharge for the next day when you get down. Uncle has a club car at his golf course that is electric and he swears by it.

Even keeping it clean by washing and spraying corrosion control after every use, you still see the wear and tear. Just a product of the environment so keep that in mind when buying. We didn't have a windshield and just now bought one to add. Blowing sand is a beeotch.

I am an electric fan all the way. I would normally suggest ez-go but for the beach I would say Club car for the aluminum frame.

We have a cabin between Seadrift and POC. When I gave up my golf course membership several years ago, I lifted our Club Car and took it down for use there, as our neighborhood/city is not golf cart friendly.

Some things to consider:

A club car has an aluminum body (mentioned here before). So that means a support system for batteries if you go that way, that won't rust and drop them on the ground when you hit a bump someday.

Every bolt on (i.e. back seat with footrest, etc.) that is steel will start visible rust in a few months to a year. Potentially lots of it, unless you wash it once/week. Then it will rust slightly less.

Avoid 48 volt, 4 battery arrangements. Convert to 48 volt, 6 battery arrangement. If you go battery. If you go battery, Club Car, get the program installed for a speed upgrade. Starts will seem the same, but once you hit was "was" top speed, it just keeps going. Fast. 20+ mph in a lifted cart can be fun, but a little hairy sometimes, especially if kids drive. That speed setting is calculated for "standard" size tires/rims. Speed grows exponentially with the larger tire/wheel set up.

New gas sucks. If it sits for several months, up to a year, treat the gas. It still may not work though.

Bigger rims, with low profile tires look cool. Standard, wide rims with "balloon" (standard large) tires look cooler getting you home from out of the sand, especially if you have to dump air to get better traction.

Aluminum rims do resist rust, but they all eventually oxidize and they are much (or used to be) more expensive. I went with black steel, and chrome caps (which come with aluminum). I can buy two more new sets for the price the aluminum ones were when I bought the rims.

Corrosion X (regular) all of the electrical components that are exposed. Connections, etc.

Corrosion X (heavy duty/green can) all leaf springs, control arms, etc. Will look funky at first, but long term will last and look better. (goes for boat trailers with conventional springs too)

Wipe the seats with Clorox wipes right before putting up for a while. GREATLY reduces moldy spots by the time you return.

Old Sarge - what is the program to improve the speed? Is this a new speed controller? I have a lifted club car and would love to have a higher top speed. Thanks

I did not do my speed upgrade. The shop that converted my 4 battery/48 volt to a 6 battery did it. It is a "program" that is purchased, and has a decal on the dash bar to warn the driver that the cart is programmed for speed.

I guess a tech that knows how, can. The decal is for liability reasons, I am sure.

That won't be a "normal" cart for sure, once programmed.

We clocked ours going 20+ on a 20 or so degree incline. Of course with programmed carts, that will govern the downhill. For pretty good reason. I am sure.

FTR: We have some Yamaha lifted gas carts for work in the plant, that came from a TAR. They, indeed, do suck. gas or electric.. Loosest sheet I have ever seen. two folk on back, and it is a challenge.

PS: My Club Car lifted with the same equipment, but with batteries, drives like a champ with the extras and no HD suspension for just people on the back.

If I knew how to post pics, I would. Or if someone could for me, I would email them for reference.

I'm currently able to hit 24 mph in mine. It was going 27 but I decided to de-tune it a bit because 1 I didn't want to blow the engine, and 2, I agree with OldSarge.....it gets pretty hairy

6, 8v batteries for 48v. 6, 6v batteries for 36v.

People are also converting the batteries to lithium ones out of hybrid cars, supposed to be faster and hold a charge much much longer.

PM me. We're friends with a local who could help you out.

I have a 2009 RXV in great shape that I'm going to have to sell. We live in a really small town and use it a lot to putt around everywhere. We love it, but recently bought some property so I'm going to have to upgrade to a Mule or Ranger. Let me know if you have any interest.

Edit: Just because we putt around doesn't mean it won't go fast. It will get up to 24/25 mph.

u definitely want a gas Club Car thats lifted. We live on Bolivar and can drive them on the beach. Not sure you can do that in Galveston. If its just for putting around neighbor streets, you dont need anything special.

I bought a used club car executive/elite from another OB poster a couple of years ago. I bet this cart is 8-10 years old now. In terrific shape. It has a lift and I put larger tires and rims w tire slime bc we take it around cactus and mesquite. We use it at the ranch, to run around the neighborhood, and the rare chance i still get to shoot sporting clays.

That little buggy will flat out run. If you keep your batteries cycles it will run all day as long as you're not driving full speed all day long. Would highly recommend Club Car. Folks at Aggieland Golfcarts here in BCS are terrific.

Not sure what your budget is but these are pretty cool:

https://www.roxoroffroad.com

This is what you want:


ETA link
https://m.hammacher.com/product/default.aspx?seoproducttitle=golf-cart-hovercraft

PM sent

Hey guys,

When looking into buying an older golf cart are there any things in particular I should look for? Thanks!

First, welcome to the west end - great place. We have been there since 2011. That's when I purchased my 6 seater EZ GO

I bought my used from Rick's Beach Rentals just west of Jamaica Beach (I like buying local). I think he is actually a dealer now.

I use Mike's Gold Cart repair in Sea Isle and know he would be a good resource to ask about what last and what you should buy.

There is a new place I just noticed last weekend at Sea Isle - I think it is called Southern Tide (just before you get to Sea Isle).

Reach out to me if you have any questions.

Appreciate it. So is yours electric or gas? Have you had any regrets?

electric = no issues and always fully charged when I get back to the island.

I see the gas carts flying by and very loud. Not what I go to the island for (my time down there is a bit more relaxed - slow and quite, get there when I do)

Been thinking about adding an alum roof to hold kayak and SUP but hard to spend the $ when it fits in the back of the truck

My suggestion would be check out the places I mentioned and they will take care of you if something goes wrong

Do you leave it plugged in?

How long do you leave it at a time?

Appreciate the answers!

Midwesterners use Fluid Film underneath cars as a barrier to protect from the the winter salt. A $10 can would likely last 2-4 years for a golf cart. https://www.amazon.com/Lubricant-Corrosion-Inhibitor-11-75-oz/dp/B00PWZ0XNM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3/143-8073286-0665241?ie=UTF8&qid=1532629206&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=fluid+film&dpPl=1&dpID=41oZECc1BnL&ref=plSrch

Hi, I know this is an old post, but hoping someone might jump on and read this. I am looking for a golf cart for my parents who recently bought a place down in Port A. I came across this listing and wondered if this seemed like a good deal and would be sufficient for driving around on the beach and occasionally going into town. Thanks for any help!

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1029947617986559/?referralSurface=messenger_lightspeed_banner&referralCode=messenger_banner

Seems like a decent cart. Need to find out what batteries they bought to replace the old ones. How responsive is the throttle? How good are the brakes? How good is the suspension?

Check Aggieland Golf Cars used cart inventory. Great folks, easy to work with and are honest. I bought my cart from them.

Is the cart going to stay at the beach house all the time? If so, may want to look for a cart dealer down there to buy from. This way you aren't hauling it down there. And have a relationship for when it needs service.

Hey 1 shoeless TF. Allen Cole here. Hope you're doing well!!