Choosing which model.

bobwalter

Am looking at buying my first (and last) cart. I live in south Florida. I am not hooked on one brand or another but it appears that the carts for sale in my area are about six Club Car to one EZ GO. I like the DS styling and the aluminum frame. The cart will be used on the paved streets in our community. There are no hills. It will not be lifted and the few modifications will be for comfort, convenience and appearance. I am looking for moderate speed and enough power to carry four people occasionally. To be used for just local transportation (getting the mail, going to the pool, going to the store).

So now the questions.

Do I want an IQ model?
I think an early to mid 2000 model would be a good choice??
Is brand of batteries important for my type of use?
Can I expect more than five years out of the batteries?
Is 36 or 48 volt preferable?
Do I want a custom weather enclosure or do the universal over the top enclosures fit and look ok?
Am I wrong looking at Club Car and should I be looking at EZ GO instead?


I am sure I will have many more questions as I continue my search but this should get me started. Any comments and suggestions will be appreciated.

BGW

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Muddog

Bob, Hello and welcome to BGW.
Where are you. Post location, it makes it easier for us to help you.
Here's my opinion, others may differ.
You want a 48V cart. Look at all the threads about upgrading 36V to 48V.
When I look at a cart ,I consider the batteries are done ,unless they were bought within a year and the seller has transferrable warranty paperwork. Trojan seems to be one of top choices on BGW, but the brand doesn't matter if they weren't cared or. You don't how the batteries were treated.( Did they go dry, run dead)
I like solid state series Club Car Ds. They are the best built cart, hands down.
All aluminum frame, solid body and excellent electronic drive system. Parts and upgrades readily available. Good range. Easy to service and maintain.
Stay away from DS resistor carts(they have big coils behind the battery pack) you won't be happy with them. Not efficient,slooow.
Secondly would be the CC IQ cart, a great cart, but much more complicated electronics, not as easy to self repair. But can usually be done with help from our good friends at BGW. A good reliable cart. The speed are programmable, so if you just want to putter around all day ,with good range or if you want to get around ,they can be programed to nearly 20MPH. You have to spend $$$ to get that out of a DS.
Don't get me wrong, even though I'm a CC guy, EZGO makes a good cart, living on the coast and looking at lead acid batteries sittin there ,I'd rather they be sittin on aluminum. Yes, battery acid will destroy both aluminum and steel, it is easier to clean and protect aluminum from corrosion.
In the Lowcountry I see some good buys on EZGOs, they sell for less than CCs often.
Maybe some of the EZGO guys will chime in and tell you what to look for.
Once again, Bob welcome to BGW and I hope I answered some of your questions.
Muddog

bobwalter

Mud dog,
Thanks for the reply and the information. I am in Sebastian, Fl, about 5miles from the coast. Salty air..... Guess a Club Car with aluminum frame would be the way to go. You mention solid state and non resistor carts. Not quite sure how to identify. I am trying to stay 2000 or newer. Would that get me in the solid state and non resistor category? I am also seeing a few IQ carts. Is the regen system good or bad/ desirable or not? Not looking to modify/lift at all. Grandma and Grandpa just want to cruise the neighborhood. May put a canopy for rainy days and a rear seat for occasional passengers.

kernal

I agree with everything muddog said. Series carts are simple, reliable tough old birds. Besides the serial no., you can tell a series cart (CC or EZGO) by the direction control. It will be a mechanical lever below the seat cushion by your right knee as you sit in the drivers position. Sepex carts, IQ in CC speak and PDS in EZGO speak have an electronic rocker switch for direction control. Series carts will run about 14-15mph and are expensive to speed up. Sepex carts will also run ~15mph but can be set to run 18-20 mph cheaply (relatively).

Neither company makes series carts anymore. EZGO stopped about 2008 or 2009. Not sure about CC but I know they still did in 2003.

Do I want an IQ model? Sure, It's a good system

I think an early to mid 2000 model would be a good choice?? I would look for newer. Won't be anymore expensive. After a couple of years its all about condition and accessories not model year.

Is brand of batteries important for my type of use? Premium batteries will give greater range per charge and longer life generally speaking all else being equal.


Maintenance is the key. Ignore them at your peril.

Can I expect more than five years out of the batteries? Certainly possible depending on your use and maintenance.

Is 36 or 48 volt preferable? All EZGO golf carts left the factory 36v up until 2010. This is probably sufficient for your use. CC's have been 48v for a long time. A 48v cart will handle the weight of rear seat and passengers better.
Neither CC or EZGO make 36v carts anymore. I would go 48v.

Do I want a custom weather enclosure or do the universal over the top enclosures fit and look ok? Custom enclosures are better. Better fit, materials and ease of use. Also more expensive and semi permanent. If they are already on the cart they don't add much to the price. Original installer takes the big hit.

Am I wrong looking at Club Car and should I be looking at EZ GO instead? I think in your case I would favor the CC.

The big thing with electric carts is the batteries. Unless the batteries can be proven to be new, assume they are toast and add in the cost of new ones in your area to the price of a used cart. In my area "2 years old batteries" is code for used up.

Watch out for carts with 4 12v batteries. I would pass on these. 6 8v batteries is the way to go. More range per charge and longer service life.