By George Chappell
If you have made the decision to buy used golf carts, you now have to determine if you prefer a gas-powered to an electric cart. There are benefits to both and knowing all the facts about the benefits and drawbacks will help you make an educated decision. Gas and electric used golf carts look the same, for the most part.
The positive aspects of gas carts is that they have a bit more power than their electric counterparts and therefore, do better if the golf course you normally golf has a landscape with lots of hills. Gas carts tend to last longer and are quite durable; there is not a lot that can go wrong with them. Gas carts are cheaper, for the same reason gas-powered cars are cheaper than electric.
In some states, such as California, gas golf carts are banned in various areas of the state because they produce more pollution than the electric carts, which is the first negative aspect to the gas-powered cart, you may not be able to purchase one, depending where you live.
It tend to be noisy, but it clearly depends on the brand you buy. Older gas-powered carts tend to smell from the fumes of the gas itself, but the newer models perform much cleaner. The gas-powered requires both gas and oil and like a car can start leaking after awhile, so it can be messy specifically in older used carts.
The electric carts are exceptionally quiet, good for the environment, do not leak, and are clean to run. However, there are negatives as well, for instance, they do not do well on hills because they lack the power of the gas-powered. They run best on flat surfaces. They do not go as fast as the gas powered carts, but this is probably not a huge factor since no one is racing on a golf course. Electric golf carts, new or used are more expensive because they are a newer technology and better for the environment, which is a huge selling factor for dealers. One charge is sufficient for at least two rounds of golf, so the electric carts hold their charge fairly well.
If you are looking into used golf carts, chances are money is an issue, so a gas-powered may be your best option because you will get a lot better of a cart than an electric cart. However, it is wise to know exactly what your budget is and then decide which cart you truly can afford. You might be surprised and end up able to afford the electric model, unless the gas cart is truly, what you want. Regardless if, you choose gas or electric, always purchase from a reputable dealer.
