Is a lifted cart that is right for me impossible to find?

USMC Cart

I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to read my thread, I am sure that your time is as valuable as mine.

I am having a hard time finding a golf cart that not only will suit me and my family's needs but is affordable. Here are the details, I am married with two little boys. My oldest son has Autism (8 years old) and loves the outdoors. My youngest son is 6 yrs old and loves to do anything and everything that dad likes to do. I am getting ready to deploy in two months (for the 3rd time) and would like to spend some quality time with my family before I leave. Both me and my youngest son have quads and we love riding but I have never been able to take my oldest son out with us because of the noise from the engine. Here is where the lifted golf cart comes into play. I figured that if I were to buy an electric golf cart that is lifted and has a rear seat, I can take my family out on the OHV trails that we have here in NC. I have not been able to find a lifted golf cart for less than $2k. My budget is actually more like $1,000.00, am I searching for something that I will not find?
Any suggestions on where to look?

Semper Fi

BGW

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chuddly

yeah thats a pretty tall order for that price to find a lifted cart with a rear seat for that price. really a stock cart is gonna be around your $1000 budget and then expect to spend about $800-$1000 on lift and wheels and tires and a seat. probly most carts that you are wanting are going to be in the $2500-$3000 range.

Now im not saying it cant be done BUT it takes time and you have to be willing to do the work your self. I have right at $1000 cash in my cart (its an '84 G1). I paid $600 for the cart, $400 for wheels and tires, i built my own lift, i painted it but i used some paint my shop had laying around. so its not impossible but probly beyond the normal guys ability to do quickly

BLACK DEATH

Man, $1000 is gonna be hard to find or build for that budget in my opinion. You may find a cart for around $500 and be able to use it the way it is even if it has issues and then spend the money for lift & wheels/tires to be around $1000. They are out there but they sell quick or to me are not worth it.

cplayer5

Just keep looking, I was in the same position as you are (literally, my oldest son is 13 and Autistic) I finally found on on craigslist.com for $1500.00 and jumped on it. When I went to look at the cart, I found that it was a 98 G16, 4" lift, flip-flop rear seat, roof, headlights/taillights, 2 piece windshield, trail tires and ran great. I know it seems that you will never find one that you want for the price you're willing to spend, but there out there. Good luck.

StoveBolt

Keep in mind, new batteries are probably $600

USMC Cart

Thank You all for the info, looks like finding a cart that will suit my needs will prove to be more of a challenge than I expected! I guess that my biggest battle will be with "time" (I leave in 2 months). I cant help but think "Its a golf cart" -really! I don't mean to insult some of you die hard golf cart enthusiasts, just didn't know that they were going to be so expensive!

Is there any good websites besides craigslist that I should check out?

cplayer5- How did you Son like riding around on the golf cart? Is he high functioning? Can he drive it around?

Semper Fi

StoveBolt

They are expensive, I like to buy gas ones 4 or 5 years old here in Michigan and from Mi courses. Nice clean ones are usually 24 $2500 here and lucky to find them. The dealers here buy used ones from ezgo and ship them up from FL. Carts 4 or 5 years old that the bodies have been replaced once and beat up again, also used year around and still want that much for them.

Then factory lift $275 w/shipping, tires and wheels $650 w/shipping. Adds up.

Thanks for serving. (old army dog here 57/60)

vponder

Just a thought, maybe you could find one to rent for a couple of months, then make plans with your sons on want they would like to see when you get back on a cart. Good Luck Be safe Vince

kgsc

USMC, where are you in NC ? South or North ? and how lifted do you want ? and what do you REALLY need ? We will help you out if we can.

USMC Cart

vponder- That is a good idea, I didnt know that Golf Carts were available to rent for personal use. Would they have lifted golf carts?

-Let me add just a little bit more drama into the mix, I have a piece of shrapnel in my spine (L3/L4) and it causes me quite a bit of pain when I am out riding my quad with my son. I suck it up and deal with the pain because I know how much he enjoys riding with dad. I keep refering to lifted golf carts and I posted this thread in this section because I am looking for a cart that has a smoother ride (if possible). Also the OHV trails out here are made for quads and off road vehicles so I am not sure that a stock Golf Cart will make it.