GRM Answer for Golf Carts

So we recently moved to a smaller area on the West coast in FL (Dunedin), and they allow you to travel around in a golf cart on the smaller public roads (assuming you have all DOT required lights, signals, etc.). I noticed there is a permit you have to apply for, potentially insurance you have to get (?), but in pricing these things out they span from the retired links versions for ~$2-3k all the way to these customized, lifted, knobby-tired behemoths for $10k+.

I can't really swing new right now (b/c the recently moved part), can golf carts be found in need of repair (mechanical and/or cosmetic), and is there much involved? Part availability? They seem to be pretty simple machines that would give me a great opportunity to get my hands dirty (or electrocuted lol). Ideally I'd like to find one listed by a seller who purchased new and needs to get rid of the old, then fix it up to be something nice to take a group of 4 people from the house down to bars/restaurants.

So what say ye', any experience in this area?

Paging JG, paging JG.

Florida is FULL of used golf carts and used golf cart sales and repair places. I bought a pretty decent EZ-GO electric with a dump bed for $1400 with a charger when we moved to our current property. Part availability for major brands in a snap. You basically live in the used golf cart capital of the world now. Just between I-4 and Sebring on US27 there's like a dozen Golf Cart repair places and junkyards and whatnot.

Start hitting Craigslist and to googles for used golf cart sales and repair in your area. They're everywhere. $2k or less will totally get you stylin'

Screw that. Drop in a snowmobile engine (for the reverse gear) and troll supreme.

There is a shop near me that just does golf cart customization and repair. I have no idea how they can stay in business considering it snows eight months of the year.

I live in a golf cart community...though we haven't bought one yet. If you don't get one that's lifted on chromes people look down upon you. I'm holding out to get something that'll really get the HOA mad. I'm thinking a limo cart with crazy paint or something. Or perhaps if I could find a good GEM...

Does age of the cart really matter? I would imagine I could repaint an older one. Maybe even upgrade body panels to look newer.

Also, most of the cheaper ones still have the golf club holder in the back, but looks like there is a kit to convert that to a rear seat. Also a kit to add DOT required equipment. Is there a speed limiter in the golf course versions that gets "undone" for the road?

Looks like some come with chargers and some don't, is it better to buy together or separate?

Quick search of CL has them anywhere from $800 for an older, charger-less model to $2,400 for a ready-to-go version. I would love to find one for under a grand and tinker with it to get it in tip-top shape.

Age of the batteries really does matter. Town I'm from has around 10k golfcarts, but we don't get to drive them on the streets so I cant answer your add on package question there.

You can add a rear seat if you take off the golf club holders.

You might as well try to get one with a charger- price a charger by itself and see what the difference in price is. There are speed limiters installed on most from the factory, but it's usually set at about 25MPH. No idea how to remove it but I think it can be done.

Batteries.. last time I checked, there were 36V and 48V options. As you might imagine, the 36V ones were significantly slower.

Best of luck in your search!

I bet you could build a pretty darn cool looking 2/3 scale Locost from a golf cart donor ...

Speed limit for carts is 20mph. All the requirements are in the city manual, you can access it here: http://dunedin-fl.vts.hosting/index.aspx?page=533

Just curious... wouldn't a bicycle get you anywhere a golf kart would, but faster, for a whole lot less $?

ProDarwin wrote: Just curious... wouldn't a bicycle get you anywhere a golf kart would, but faster, for a whole lot less $?

Walking would be even cheaper yet, but that's kind of missing the whole point.

stuart in mn wrote: Speed limit for carts is 20mph. All the requirements are in the city manual, you can access it here: http://dunedin-fl.vts.hosting/index.aspx?page=533

I see nothing stating that the carts can't do wheelies, burnouts etc. within the speed limit

Welcome to Dunedin. We have a pretty damn nice town here.

Golf carts are a great way to get around town but they are only allowed in certain areas and on certain roads. Don't think you are able to drive them on 580 for example. Close to downtown is one zone and there is another near the Community Center on Michigan (and the Dunedin Stirling Links golf course). There are plenty of places close by that sell new and used carts and parts. Head North on Alt 19 and there are a few places in Palm Harbor.

If you find one outside of the area and don't have a way to transport, drop me a line. I've got a trailer you are welcome to borrow (plus a truck to pull it with if needed). I live on the very East end of Dunedin and have lived in the area my whole life if you need any recommendations for other stuff. If you like carbonated malt beverages there are plenty of great brew pubs here.

If you want to see what a real golf cart town is like, come on down (up?) to Peachtree City, GA. Over 100 miles of golf cart paths that are distinct from roads. Over 10,000 registered golf carts to a town of just under 50k, I think. And your kids can start driving them places alone when they get their learners permit at 15. Here's my old high school's golf cart parking lot.. (this was before they expanded it)

I'm just imagining a golf Cart with big flares and a snowmobile engine

stuart in mn wrote: Speed limit for carts is 20mph. All the requirements are in the city manual, you can access it here: http://dunedin-fl.vts.hosting/index.aspx?page=533

They said nothing about how quick you reach the limit.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZbAPIopWNxs

<img src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tj1Em9nmH-4" />

Get a used ClubCar of some sort with whatever options you want and run it. I work on all sorts of carts everyday. GEMs are the worst followed shortly by Columbia. Our personal shop cart is a used EZ-GO with a bed that does everything we ask of it, including towing in other dead carts. They never break and even if they do parts are readily available. Just keep the batteries watered and you shouldn't have any issues.

First thing that came to mind was a Honda Grom...

ptmeyer84 wrote: First thing that came to mind was a Honda Grom...

First thing that came to mind was two motorcycles lashed together pontoon-style.

First thing that came to my mind was a couple of modded HF Predator engines. powering a golf cart.

If golf carts are allowed, are Kei trucks allowed?

Do they have to be electric? I'd rather have a gas powered one... I think.