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Old 10-06-2013, 07:23 PM   #1
sjfishon
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Default opinion on gem carts;;;;

I am thinking of buying a Gem cart, its a 2002 2 seater, mint condition, 6 new batteries, zip in side doors,72 volt, says it runs over 30.mph. all options, 2,800.00. I now have a 02 Yamaha g16 gas, its ok but want something nicer, am I taking a chance on this, or should I stay with the standard golf cart brands??? thanks
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Old 10-06-2013, 07:54 PM   #2
LURCH
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Default Re: opinion on gem carts;;;;

I done a lot of checking a couple of years ago on several of the GEM's and those years are very problematic. Please do your homework because they are very expensive to get worked on and parts are pretty high also. This is just my 2 cents.

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Old 10-06-2013, 09:26 PM   #3
flharleycop
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Default Re: opinion on gem carts;;;;

Quote:
Originally Posted by sjfishon View Post
I am thinking of buying a Gem cart, its a 2002 2 seater, mint condition, 6 new batteries, zip in side doors,72 volt, says it runs over 30.mph. all options, 2,800.00. I now have a 02 Yamaha g16 gas, its ok but want something nicer, am I taking a chance on this, or should I stay with the standard golf cart brands??? thanks
Where i worked had one, the car was nice but the turning radius was terrible, you could turn an F250 in a tighter circle so it was a pain to drive. Not fun like a golf cart, also the batteries are gel type and really expensive. We got 25 MPH out of it with two guys but the run time was not so good. I would say about 20 miles that is it then your holding up traffic.
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Old 10-07-2013, 01:24 AM   #4
JIMRICE
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Default Re: opinion on gem carts;;;;

The gem cars prior to 2004 have noisy trans axles due to the straight cut gears. In 2004 they went to beveled gear set making them extremely quiet. Not sure what causes this but prior to 2004 they have had seal and cv joint issues with the Dana trans axle. The other issue you get into with ones built prior to 2005 is the rear swing arm is not split, so when you crest a hill it tends to pick the front drive wheel off the ground. you can split the swing making into independent suspension. Other then that they fly. I had a 2 seater for a year and done some customizing to it. If you want to put wheels and tires on them 23" tall is all the taller they can be. I run 15" american racing wheels came off honda civic. The rear fender design looks like an after thought. I put a backseat on mine and if you do the same you will need to remount the fenders to the seat. They look cool as a convertible, 4 bolts is all that holds the top on and believe me the winshield will cook and it is hard to get air in the cabin unless you are running top speed. Mine runs 40 mph but the seat belt has to be on to do it. Not sure what year they started that but mine will go 19 without seat belts but up 20 40 when I buckle them. I borrowed the software from a buddy that works in the fork truck industries. If you getting it at a good price they are worth it. You can put 9 8 volt batteries in them or now guys are moving towards lithium ion. the on board charger will charge all types but has to be reprogrammed. Ill post you pictures of mine tommorow.

Last edited by JIMRICE; 10-07-2013 at 01:26 AM.. Reason: add more
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Old 10-07-2013, 01:45 AM   #5
JIMRICE
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Default Re: opinion on gem carts;;;;

I done a lot of checking a couple of years ago on several of the GEM's and those years are very problematic. Please do your homework because they are very expensive to get worked on and parts are pretty high also. This is just my 2 cents.

LURCH!!!!!
Yesterday 06:23 PM

As for the parts being expensive. If you go thru Gem to get parts they are expensive. Ive got a crossover part list and it makes the parts comparable to golf cart parts. The great thing about a gem car is that gem used speed sensor from club car, the controller is a GE similar to the Club car early IQ carts and what was used in the yami g19 and g22. Most of the drivetrain parts can be bought thru Napa. The most expensive piece would be the charger (1000), but you can use 12v bank chargers that noco makes for less then half the price. The throttle peddle is a feed peddle for a wire welder. Mileage wise Ive got 38 miles out of full charge and still had 23% left. If you are only getting 20 miles out of a charge then I would suspect your charger is either set wrong or the calibration is off. Concerning the calibration of the battery meter you will want to turn the main disconnect switch under the seat about once a month. Doing that resets the GE controller and the charger and you will see that the batteries show 100% (it was an issue with the Zivan chargers) Hope all this helps and good luck with it. I looked at it this way " I couldnt buy and build a 40mph cart with built in charger and onboard diagnostics for $2000" and I can tell you 40 mph is still not maxed out 52mph wasn't either but batteries don't last long at 52.
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Old 10-07-2013, 11:21 AM   #6
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Default Re: opinion on gem carts;;;;

thanks for all the replies, I am still thinking about it, JIMRICE;;you said you put a back seat on, I will to, are the rear springs strong enough, a lot of my driving will have 2 adults in back seat. and the mention of gear noise, I know that would bother me, is it real loud???? about the cv joint issues, many times in past with cars, if the cv,s get dry. just go to auto zone,there is a needle you can plug into your grease gun. put grease in the boots,touch the hole with silicone, I have completely stopped the problem this way;;;;;;the people who want to replace the joints don't want you to know this,,,,
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Old 10-11-2013, 05:13 PM   #7
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Default Re: opinion on gem carts;;;;

I called on the gem today, the man that has it says he is the 2nd owner, has had it 3 years with little use, he said he put 6 new batteries a year and a half ago. I am wondering, he put farm and fleet marine in, says it runs perfect and charges ok, will the farm and fleet bats be ok in years to come, I ges my main concern about getting this instead of a golf cart, is fixing it,, he says he has 2 of them, one inFlorida, one here in Illinois, he has had no trouble at all, and says it runs 30pluss, sounds like a fun car. any opinions are very welcome,,,,,,, thanks all;;;;;;;;;;:
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Old 10-11-2013, 06:50 PM   #8
LURCH
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Default Re: opinion on gem carts;;;;

The GEM's are front wheel drive if I'm not mistaken so the rear seat noise should not be that bad. You would need to ask the sparkie guys to find out more about the batteries but I know they did come with gel from the factory and are very expensive like 1200.00 to 1600.00. Things like if you wanted to put a lift kit they are like 1800.00 or something craze like that, I almost bought 2 or 3 at different times but everybody has their own opinion's.
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Old 10-12-2013, 10:20 AM   #9
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Default Re: opinion on gem carts;;;;

the 2 things stopping me is, I have called gem many times, no answer;;;;;;;;I want to check the serial num. for recalls. and will the farm and fleet bats, they are sealed marine, be ok with the onboard charger???he said they were 60$each ,has 6, put in over a year ago.i spose if it was not ok it would show by now??????????if I can ever get through to gem and get my questions answered, I will prob go look at it;; thanks all''
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Old 10-21-2013, 09:01 PM   #10
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Default Re: opinion on gem carts;;;;

I have a friend who has a 1999 Gem car. I finally found a local certified mechanic, you might trying to do the same thing.
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