Lets talk Money if you will

Jbc3902

Ok I wanted to see what you guys have in your carts. More importantly I want to know just how bad I did in rebuilding mine. When I say bad I know I spent way more then I should have. I just wanted to get an idea how much I overspent. I'd also like to get some of yalls advice on what a cart like mine would be worth now. More then I put in it? Just what I put in it? or Less then I put in it?

I bought a $300 1998 DS
I spent $7300 when it was all said and done
I replaced every single thing on the cart except the front A arms, the steering wheel, the dash, the frame, and the axle.

I bought 100% new wiring, new 11+ hp motor, new 500 alltrax, voltage reducer. I put in 2g wiring, and 8 6v batteries. New body (all black) new roof 80 inch. 6 inch lift, tires wheels, disc brakes (hydraulic). New front and rear seat, front bumper, rear bumper, heavy lift springs. New shocks, roof supports, fender flares, floor mat. Scottys meter, light set for front and rear.

So my big question is if your rebuilding a cart from the ground up, what kind of money would you be expecting to spend. The main reason I'm asking is that 2 church friends now want me to build them a cart. They know what I spent and are not too worried about it costing that much. However I certainly do not want to build someone a cart and it cost them 4k more then it should have. I mean for my own cart o well, but for someone else I'd feel pretty terrible about it.

BGW

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AirJunky

I bought a built up cart for $4k. Had it shipped to me for $800. And have dumped another $500 or so into it (winch, rear seat, little things).
I didn't think there was any way in he11 I could build what I have for less than that, ie; 99 Txt with a 24 hp Honda, full "cage", Terra Toys IFS, etc.

nobuckbuild

keep in mind budget's on builds usually consist of guy's doing it one piece at at time just like the old johnny cash song, and yes we have all spent way to much on them it really becomes a matter of build what you want. know that when it comes time to sell your are going to lose money on the deal, hence the reason most custom builders you see out there only have one or two carts built , theyare willing to build a cart but you pay according to what you want, because thats where they can make money , I have dealt with many custom builders and they are usually only able to break even on carts they build and put out on the roadside yes some make a profit but it is rare to make more than a few hundred on rtr custom cart where as if they build it for someone they get the labor and the profit.

statjunk

As with anything custom it's rarely worth what you have in it. I'd say you could probably get between $4,500 and $5,500 for the cart. I don't think you'd sell for more than that unless you knew the buyer or found a person looking for exactly what you have.

I did a lot of price comparing before I bought my stock cart so the numbers above are for what I've seen priced around here but I don't know the final disposition of those carts. Just the asking price.


Tom

Jbc3902

I guess the way to spend less is buy a cart with some things already done so your getting them at discount. Then you fix up what you want and end up spending way less in the long run. Though I will say that isn't near as fun as watching a ups guy deliver half his truck to you in one visit. LOL

AirJunky

Worked for me. And believe me, watching the Uship guy show up at my house with my new cart, a Yamaha R1, a Suzuki LTR-450, & a giant pressure washer of some kind, all on 2 flat bed trailers.... it was definitely exciting.
And driving the cart around all weekend after that was pretty fun too.

I don't have nearly the sense of pride that I might have if I'd built it myself. But everytime someone asks if they can take a picture of it, or I get asked if I want to join some parade or car show, well..... I get over it.

pachanga90

Definitely do the homework on what options ,extras,etc..and like others have said,try to find a cart that at least has a start in the direction you are going(lift,motor-upgrades,etc..)Any custom is always going to cost more than you can buy it,especially once you figure labor in.I can do an all-day fabrication-job at work with under $50 in materials,The labor is a good chunk of the price-tag on bought-customs.Look around here on the site as well for parts and project-carts.Hope this helps.

lowrider

I worked a deal with my dealer at purchase time. He only charged me his cost, for add ons and installed them basically for free. So, I bought a basic lifted cart and added what I wanted after that. He says he will sell me batteries at his cost when I need them, but hopefully that wont be for a few years. Hope he is still in business then. He also sells trailers and I bought my trailer at his cost at the time of cart purchase. Definatly happy with my deal and the cart. This winter during his slow time, he is going to get my motor hop'ed up. They are good guys and are based out of Chapin, SC.

UpstateNYDS

'06 DS- $1200
All sports lift/wheels/tires- $1000
Rear seat kit- $275
PQ Purple model $225
Paint- left over from other jobs $0
Labor- fun winter project $0
Kids=

pachanga90

I'm with Upstate!!I spent the winter building mine from a $150 pile of junk with a good motor.
$75 TXT-Body
$50 swap-meet tires
$150 steel for lift,bumper,seat-brackets,dump-body,trailer-hitch
$50 seats
$300 misc.parts
Kids Having a Blast.....Priceless!!!