Lifted cart or 2wd Utility ATV

vartz04

I know you guys are going to have a bais but maybe you can help me out here because I have been going back and forth for 2 weeks on which I should buy.

I can find a bunch of 250-400cc 2wd utility atv's for between $1000-1800 decent shape just get on and ride.

I also can find a few stock gas golf carts for around $800-1200. But to do what id need to do they would need at least tires but id like to do a lift as well.

Here is what I would do with it (basically the same as what I did with my 3 wheeler but that didn't quite fit the bill)

Hunting - use it for scouting, hauling stands out to the woods, filling feeders ect.

Recreation - this would be a majority of its use, Riding offroad trails (pretty mild but some hills/mud) My girlfriend likes to ride along, I had a padded seat bag on the back rack of the 3 wheeler and she had no problem riding there it just made the thing a little hard to turn since it was so light in the front.

Work - yard work type stuff at my parents (where it would be stored until october when I am buying my own house) plowing snow, hauling junk around the yard with a small trailer.

I have a 4x8 trailer that needs about $100 put into it to get it road worthy to transport the thing just would need to get plates, unless it was easy to get in the bed of my pickup which is a short bed (6.5' with a tool box) I know a quad will fit back there.

So what would you guys do?

BGW

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AirJunky

I'm pretty sure I'd have a UTV if it was legal to drive all the places I want to go.... on road & off. But ATVs & UTVs are only legal in marked ORV areas around here. And I can drive a golf cart pretty much anywhere..... on roads under 35 mph & off road.

But I want to see ATV/UTV speeds wherever.... 25 - 30 mph. And in order to see those speeds in a cart, it has to be modified pretty heavily, ie; bigger engine, gears, clutching, tires, etc. And then to be safe in a cart that does that fast, you need seat belts, better brakes, etc.

To get all that in a cart for under $2k is pretty tough if you ask me. If your willing to search, maybe do some traveling & jump on a deal when you find it, then it is possible occasionally. We usually only hear about them & not many of us actually land one. I'm into mine almost $5k..... and knowing that a real UTV like a Rhino or Ranger could be double that price.... I felt like I was doin OK.

Good luck in your search.

slonomo

If you want your vehicle to wear that many hats, I'd say a golf cart with a lift and decent tires will fit the bill. The only down side is that golf carts aren't really all that quick or fast. Low power to weight ratio's prevent golf carts from being abused at the golf courses and allow them to be more durable and economical. With that said, a mildly modified golf cart will do everything you need to do, just not at speeds more than 20mph without serious modifications.

Go for the cart man!

vartz04

Yeah I guess with some 20-22" tires a gas golf cart with a welded rear dif would be what I need. And safer for carrying a passenger. The speed thing bothers me a little but without spending $8k on a UTV i don't think ill get exactly what i want any way

0517murphy

you can try what I did, found a 90 cc ,less engine at auction for $20.00 .find reasonable used vanguard around $300-$350 buy new clutch/belt . flea market atv wheels and tires $65.00 spacer $85.00 or less ,also made cage and box $200.00, do the work yourself and have a cart that will do 35mph with tons of torg. rough total invested in mine $1200. not for looks just off road, just have to have patience

thecurti

I got rid of my 700 Polaris, because I was using my golf cart to haul and pull more around the house than I did the 4 wheeler.
Besides the Golf cart has Cup Holders

on_the_fly

I sold my ATV and now I'm golf cart only too. I can say from my experience, and I do a lot of hunting and stuff. If the price range you listed is all you have. Myself I would buy the ATV, a cart will do everything you need but not without a lot of modifacation, which means either your pockets must be deeper or you have the ability to fab some yourself to help save, but either way you buy the ATV and you'll be good to go. You buy the stock cart and right off the bat you need lift and tires (800.oo and up) then you'll find you changed your gear ratio and need more power on the hills off road, then your looking at motor upgrade. There's another 1000.oo. You said haulling stuff so a box for the back there's another 3 to 400.oo, would be best if you want a cart find one that most or all of it is done already or buy the ATV now and a cart later then you'll have both and can mod cart little by little. That's just my honest opinion

dubs27

I have had a couple lifted golf carts, and loved them but my brother just purchased a used trail wagon like the ones that sit in front of tractor supply he paid $1200 for it and that thing is very impressing compared to any lightly moded golf cart it has a 9hp subaru motor, that is very stout runs around 22-25mph without the govenor pulls trailers full of people around the camp without much of a problem the only down fall its kinda ugly but for the money he loves it

vartz04

how did he get one of those for $1200??? I can't find those things used anywhere but they have them on sale at menards (same thing dif name) for $2400 all the time. and yeah im loooking for the initial investment to be less than $2k. if i could find a $800 cart, put a $200 lift on it, get wheel spacers for $120, and tires for $240 im at $1360. the motor mods can come later.

I loved my 3 wheeler it just was no good for riding 2 up and didn't have reverse. I can get a big red with reverse for like $1200 in great shape all day long here It just takes some messing around to put a plow on one of those and thats really what my main reason for wanting an atv/cart is.

AirJunky

The Trail wagon is an interesting idea. I've never seen one personally, but a quick search on CL & they come in 2 wd & 4 wd, seating for two with a bed, came with a Honda 390 cc or a Subaru 265 cc engine. Price range from $1700 - $5000, most of them in the $3k - $4k range. So if your getting it for $1200, it might be a steal or been well used?
Parts & support may be interesting to get a hold of. And it may not be a big concern either. The Honda is a pretty common engine on all kinds of equipment. And that Subaru might be the same one in the EZGos.