04 Club Car Precedent...how fast?

[erict]

Originally Posted by Stevec3201

That's a great price Are you getting those locally? I would have had to drive 2 hours (one way) to score a deal like that Ended up getting Trojans for $190 ea. ( 7 min drive). I never asked for the US Battery price, I had my mind set on Trojan

A local battery store Trojans are $224ea

[Stevec3201]

Originally Posted by erict

A local battery store Trojans are $224ea

I'd be buying US Batts too then

[erict]

Originally Posted by Stevec3201

I'd be buying US Batts too then

I will be getting them in the spring since the cart will be stored at the end of the month.

[Grinds6]

Here are the pics of the cart that he has sent me. Not pictured is the golf club cover canopy, and extra set of tires & rims. I have since asked for a picture of the battery area and am waiting for a reply. It is 4.5 hours away from me so I won't be able to actually drive it until I drive down to buy it. He told me over the phone that his kids just drove it this past weekend all weekend on a single charge (taken with a grain of salt). Just not sure if its worth the drive.

precedent 1.jpg precedent 2.jpg precedent 3.jpg precedent 4.jpg

[Stevec3201]

It's a basic Precedent alright Do you have any way of finding out what carts are selling for in similar condition in your area? It appears to have 8" wheels with hubcaps??? I can't really tell from the small pics.

Where I live it would go for about $1500 +/- a few bucks. That is, if it works and the batts are at least usable.

9 hour drive roundtrip for a cart I don't know what to tell ya. Are you gonna fix it up?

[SaltLifeCC]

Originally Posted by Stevec3201

If it's an '04 and it has '08 batteries, he/someone put batteries in it in '08. That means they lasted about 4 years and he probably knows it needs new batteries soon.

Stevec, that's not necessarily what it means it all. My 06 had 08 batteries in it - does that mean the originals only lasted 2 years? No, actually, somewhere along 07 or so, I think, the batteries were recalled and replaced with new batteries. I know that's how mine ended up with 08 batteries and that could very well be how this 04 got 08 batts as well.

Also, a lot of how long your batteries will last has a lot to do with how they were broken in and how well you take care of them along the way. I've never broken in a set of batteries but I understand the process is posted here somewhere. I've also read here that most people don't bother to break batteries in properly and suffer the consequences later down the road.

All that said, it is always prudent to do your due dilligence with batteries when buying a used cart. If that isn't possible, make sure the person you are buying from will stand behind their claims for a period of time that allows you to check them out properly. If the 08 batteries checkout okay, there is no reason to assume they are going to die tomorrow. I bought my cart from what I'd term as a jack-leg dealer. Someone who buys a half dozen or so used carts at a time, modifies them per customer requirement, and resells them. I was more ignorant than I am now about the batteries, etc. at that time. With help from this site, I was able to determine that I had a bad battery in the pack. It would charge up fully but then discharge rapidly afterwards. I called the guy and he happily replaced it with another 08 battery and all has been fine since.

[Grinds6]

Im not sure what I want to do to it yet. I just have my mind set on wanting a Precedent. Dealers around this area want around $2800 for similar models. This is just a private sale not a dealer. There is also one similar to the one I posted the pictures of 30 miles or so further away and he is at $1600 with 08 batteries as well. Its also the standard cart no add ons what so ever.

[SaltLifeCC]

Cheaper and more fun to do it yourself and make it your own Grinds. If I had bought mine already done like I have it now, it would have cost me 4k give or take. I will say that the guy I bought mine from is now selling 07's, completely stock, for $1875, but I bet they still have 08 batteries in them. Prices are really regional, though. There are so many golf courses in my region, there are a lot of used carts to choose from.

Bottom line, don't go strictly by the year stamped on the batteries. Even if they were '10 batteries, I'd still check them out before buying. At minimum, I'd get the guy to charge it up so that it's fully charged when you get there. Bring a meter with you. Check the pack for the proper voltage. Check each battery for proper voltage. Ask him to let you ride it around for a few minutes, go back and check it all again. Proper voltages are posted in the stickies here. There's more that can be done to fully check batteries, but that may be the most you can do on-site. If you don't have a meter, buy one - you'll want it once you buy a cart anyway. Or at least borrow one.

Mine would charge up and show proper voltages on the pack and batteries individually. But I could take it for a spin, and that one bad battery had already dropped a volt or so and therefore the pack did as well. I just didn't know enough to check that before I bought it. Thankfully, the guy made it right for me.

[Stevec3201]

Grinds has to drive 4.5 hours one way. I would not waste my time unless I was prepared to buy that cart based on the batteries being close to dead.

Yes Salt, I made an assumption. However, it's probaby correct and based on the distance required to pickup that cart, I would go with my assumption. If the batteries are 3 1/2 year old gems (which I doubt), then he/she gets a bonus

Even if the guy selling it gives a warranty, he is a 9 hour drive (round trip) away.

I'm sorry, but many people will say anything to sell something

[SaltLifeCC]

I hear what you are saying but I wouldn't make any assumptions either way, good or bad. Check it yourself. In my opinion, rather than going prepared to buy regardless, I'd be prepared to suck it up and make it a wasted trip if I found anything other than what the seller claims. Unless he is willing to deal on price based on what you find.

Anytime, I go to buy something like that, I've done all the checking I can over the phone or online before I'll take the time and spend the gas money to go get it. So, my mind is made up to buy it, but only under the conditions that it is what I expected. I'm always prepared to walk away if something isn't right.

Agree on the warranty, though. Hard to use that if a round trip would buy a new battery or two anyway. All the more reason to be prepared to check things out as best you can. "caveat emptor (let the buyer beware)" Learned that in real estate school and even more through the school of hard knocks.