Well, I just bought a 1985 G1 AM5 for a project cart for myself, and I bought a 1987 3 wheel Columbia ParCar for the kids in June that we just got running well. The Columbia is quiet enough with the occasional backfire. (Nowhere near as bad as it was before getting the carb welded.)
It comes down to personal preference as usual. I do think the Yamaha models have more ability for modification than the EZGOs and Club Cars of similar eras in the past, but that is based purely on visual inspection, not tearing one apart.
I do think you'd be very happy with a Yamaha.
