Help with golf cart prices

JAYHODSHON

This will be our first golf cart, 1989 club car, bought new by owner, nice shape top, windows, lights, bat. Bought 2001 "i know" he took me for a ride it ran today! No back seat which my wife wants im looking at bat & rear seat. He wanted $ 1,000.00 but since it might need bats. SOON. He would take $ 800.00 whats your thoughts on the price?? And thanks for your help!

BGW

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Stevegrmich

$800 plus $500/600 for bats . . now at $1400 . . back seat $330 . . now at $1700+ for a 1989 CC . . . . shop around . . . take your time . . . newer vehicles are available for the same $1700 with seat kit installed and decent batteries . . . friend just bought cherry 2006 CC for $2400 . . . just my opinion . . .

JAYHODSHON

Thanks, i thought i would end up putting alot more into it then it was worth! The next question would be, what should i pay "fair price" for a older cart with back seat etc. Any range? I would guess from what your saying this 1989 cart is worth maybe 400.00 as is! Thanks for come back jay

Stevegrmich

rhodeislandscott

I agree, I bought a mint 2005 Precedent with 2009 batteries off Craigslist for $1700. The deals are out there if you look for them. Also just ordered 6'' lift, new rims/tires and rear seat for $1100. All new. Shop around and take your time.

JAYHODSHON

I want to thank you guys! You have been a big help! Jay

Just Ducky

Jay, I'm going to jump on your thread because I think it is something that everyone wants to know. I recently found a cart mechanic and asked him the question, "Is there a book for cart prices?" and he said, there is, "Just like for cars." I have been searching Barnes and Nobles and the Internet but I have yet to locate the "book".

As with most of us I deal with a lot of unique items everyday and I really need to set a realistic price, so a "book" is a great help, but YOU have to determine if the qualities of what you're buying would match the "book" price being asked. Yeah, once there's a "book" everybody knows what things are worth.

You've seen the impossibly messed up vehicles some people toss together and call "custom" when they're really just a bad collection of a lot of mixed parts with "names". A typical scenario is; Oh, it has an Edlebrock cam and intake, Holley carbs, and Hooker headers. The rear end is pure Detroit with X:XX gearing. So what's it worth? Well put together by the typical backyard mechanic, not much. When assembled by a well known shop or engine blueprinting specialist, the sky is the limit.

This is what the dealers understand. Adding something with a "name" doesn't add to the value unless it was done by competent people.

Then we could hop over to a discussion of any antique on earth. But the key is always, Originality, Condition, and Market. Stevegrmich said it best when he pointed out that Market, which is the demand for an item, makes a big difference, but it doesn't override the other two legs of the tripod. If everything isn't all there, or something is suspect about a cart being bought "New" in 2001 when it was made in 1989, then you have to step back and ask if you should really deal with this person.

Don't let your need for a particular thing override your wallet. Especially now. I waited a little bit after finding a beautiful newer cart that sounded like a great deal, but it was going to stretch my budget to accomplish my final goal, so I bit my tongue and waited. Fortunately it didn't take long and I found a suitable cart for my project at a price I could really afford.

Is there a "book"?? I'm still looking, but if you treat a cart like everything else you will have to understand the ideas of trade, which include the three legs of the tripod above and the age component; New, Modern, Classic, and Antique that are recognized by most dealers in everything. When you are filthy rich those change a little because we can't buy something that is "priceless".

So, good luck to you, and as you look at a carts if you feel that someone is trying to take you for a ride don't let them. Insist on calling a spade a spade and point out the problems that you'll have to pay to repair/replace. If they won't budge on the price walk away. (Watch American Pickers and Pawn Stars on History Channel and you'll get the idea.)

ramblin-wreck

Totally agree with this. I believe it's much like a classic car......you will rarely (never) get out of it what you've put into it. Carts around here are like hot women....everyone wants one and those that have them don't know what they're worth or how to take care of them!

JAYHODSHON

The 800.00 cc ,well, i just phoned the guy "he is 88 years old" and nicely told him that i would have to put to much into his 1989 cc poss. Bats. "his are 10 years old" and a rear seat to have what we want. He said i hope you find what your looking for! One of the problems is he asked a local cart dealer what he should ask for it, the dealer said you could ask $ 1,000.00 we all know everyone a home owner sells it's one less the dealer sells! Thanks

SaltLifeCC

Don't know about where you live, but most places I look, or have looked, if you are patient, you can find one already like you want it at a decent price.

At the same time, a running cart in good condition, no matter how old (to a certain extent) is going to bottom out on price at some point. Then, for the seller, it becomes a matter of what it's worth to them to get rid of it vs. keep it. Sounds like he'd be better off putting new batts in it and adding a little to his selling price to help cover the cost.