Still on the hunt

[jackel440]

Ok I am still on the hunt for a cart.I went last night to buy and pick up an electric yamaha,and sure enough they sold it out from under me after telling me it would be held for me.(They were gonna wait 3hrs for me to get off work)
This is like the 3rd dang time this has happened to me.Oh well..
Anyways I decided to call a guy who sells carts on the net,and see what he has.
He has 12 yamaha gas carts for sale.96-04 models with tops.He told me they are "G14" models.I am new and still learning about these carts.He is asking $1575 for these carts.
From what I have researched around here this seems like a good buy.Everyone else seems to start at $2K and go up from there.
They are white and the pic he sent me of one looks pretty decent.
He also has a rear seat installed for $400.
I figure I can get the seat later.I know I want to lift it later when money allows.I plan to use this to drive at the campground and around my farm.
Are theses yammys good for lifting?and what kind of maintnance issues will i probably be looking at in the future?Any sort of things to look out for if I decide to go get one from this guy?
any thing i can gain from your guys experiance shure would be grateful.
thanks

[Mike Mac]

Welcome Jackel, I will say that any of the 3 brands will do, but don't ask me if I really believe that. I prefer a Yamaha!! A g16 might be preferable to the 14 (more of them). But they are all good. I think G16 came out in 96, and an 04 maybe a G21 or so. Get after maintenance real hard when you first get it, and after that you will hardly ever touch it, cept for oil change maybe. I went through mine pretty thorough when first getting it, haven't touched it with a wrench in 18 months and over 2000 mi. except for oil and grease clutches!!

Look for one that runs good.
Check oil before you drive it, make sure oil is not low and make sure its not smoking when driving it.
Check for holes in aluminum clutch faces (sheaves).
Listen for unusual noises.
Drive all 12 if you have to-get a feel for them.
Also quick check for bent frame or wheels closer to body on one side than the other.

Good luck, Mike

[bigstik40]

I bought a 97 - G16 last summer from a "fresh off lease" seller . At the time, I knew absolutely nothing about golf cars. Here's what I had to do because I didn't check close enough. My primary clutch rollers had large flats worn into them & I had to replace those. ($60 just for the rollers, I did the work myself). If possible, it is fairly easy to check rollers by removing the clutch cover. After using the cart for a while, I decided to change differential oil by removing the cover. Seemed strange that it was bone dry! Replaced the cover with sealer and proceeded to refill it. Oil ran out almost as fast as I was putting it in. Seems like users (golfers) found a few rocks with the differential (really low clearance here on an unlifted, regular tire cart) and punched a couple cracks into the diff. bottom. (Praying that J-B weld is good stuff) !!!!checking that the differential has oil would be a good idea. Also look at the bottom of the diff. for any evidence of damage. Also, I never noticed that the factory installed skid plate at the rear was missing (I didn't know it even had one). I'd take a look for that also. These are some of the actual mistakes I made when selecting my cart. (I had my choice of ten carts, and I picked this one) !!!! Hope this helps and good luck - the price sounds good if all is well. (mine was more than their ask $$) - Ray

P.S. - Mike Mac has a good point to check the clearance between tires and frame at the rear. I just noticed that my mud flap on one side is torn up because the frame is pushed in on that side. I am beginning to think my cart was used as a bumper car !!! I make a good case for do what I say and don't do what I do.

[Mike Mac]

Good points Stik!

Maybe ask for a few day warranty.

[jackel440]

Thanks so much for the great information on what to look for.
I will definatly be tearing into it and doing a major maintnance overall on the kart.I agree on going over it with a fine tooth comb.
I am glad you guys brought up checking the back end for being shoved in.I never even really thought of that.
I would've never thought about looking for a skid plate on a kart.I think I will make a check list to go through when I go check them out.Looks like it will be another week before I can get to the guys place.Which works out as he is supposed to be getting 20 more karts in next week.
If there is any other things I should check post them up

[jackel440]

Is there big differences between the g14,g16,and g21 and whatever else models are out there?They all seem to look the same on the outside.Just trying to figure out what all I am looking at.

[LURCH]

Jackel440 where are you located?

[jackel440]

Originally Posted by LURCH

Jackel440 where are you located?

I am in north central indiana.Just north of Kokomo
Oh and I love your Challenger in your sig.

[Mike Mac]

For yr and differences, check out "yamaha time line" Sticky at top.
G14's are probably the most rare, I think they only made them 1 year. So don't buy one, more expensive to get certain parts for it.
Members on here say to get the newest one you can afford, possibly less wear on them.

The 16's had an A-arm/coil over shock sus. system, the next generation had a strut type front sus. All body styles looked pretty much the same during these years.

[jackel440]

So maybe I should see if he has any g16 in the mix.I know he is supposed to be getting more in next week.so the g14 is hard to find parts for?I don't want something that I wont be able to service or fix later down the road for sure.