Hi Andy.
Welcome home!!!!!
If you decided on lithium, this is the information you will need and will keep you going!
1st choice should be a 210amp lithium. This will have you going from the deep south by Eastport to the deep North past Spanish Springs and back and have plenty left.
In saying that only a few manufacturers have it. Be patient and wait for it. If you must, then get a 180amp. Little less range but still gets you round trip like above just will be pretty deleted by the end of the night. Makes it hard for an additional run. Whatever happens, don't let anyone sell you a 105amp. You will be on your tippy toes trying to make said trip.
Now, next up. 4 forward versus 2 plus 2(backwards)
We have a 2 plus 2 210amp lithium cart. Absolutely amazing! We are buying a 2nd cart that will be 4 forward.
Why? Well, we have a lot of visitors. As much as they can sit backwards in somewhat comfort, it is uncomfortable for longer trips. It also makes it harder to have good communication between the front and back seats.
Everyone can fight it, but there is nothing like a 4 forward lithium cart. It is the new wave. On the south side, they are everywhere and getting more popular. Super comfortable, quiet, great pick up especially going up the hills and literally no maintenance. I have put 2300 miles on mine since March and it runs like a dream.
Few disadvantages of 4 forward.
1. Length. Need to park in car space most of the time. Rarely can you go in a space forward like the other carts. Your tail will stick out. There a few exceptions but you want to be about 115 inches from front to back or less. There is no "rule" but you will probably get clipped if you hang out to far.
2. A bit more "effort" to turn the cart, especially into tighter tunnels.
3. Somewhat awkward if you use it for golf. Bag is an attachment off the back and then you will be even longer.
Here is the fun part. Shopping! There are great choices inside and outside of the Villages. Just compare, test drive and feel which one you like. Budget is super important, so know how much you want to spend and it will dictate the purchase. Also, do NOT buy used. People don't know this, but warranties are non transferable. So a 5 or 8 year lithium battery warranty only holds to the original purchaser.
Finally, here are the brands you can shop for in the categories listed above.
There is a cost/quality component so you can see large swings in price. Sometimes there is a reason and sometimes they charge more just because. You will see what I mean when you test drive them and shop.
4 forward Lithium 210 include:
Tomberlin Emerge or Engage (New model with heat and ac) - high quality, made locally in Leesburg, full of features that most carts don't have and you will love how it handles. Once of the top priced carts as well but worth every penny. Also looks different than other carts.
Bintelli Beyond - great cart, made in the USA, reasonably priced. They will make the cart a 210 by connecting 2 105s. That works!!!
CustomDrive c4. 4 forward will be coming out in August/September so you need to pre order them. They will give you a deal on the rental until your cart is delivered. Sold by Village Discount Cars. Funny enough, they are the Tomberlin dealer as well. Absolutely packed with features and their C2 version is comfortable and the cart handles well.
Star Sirrius- good ride, comfortable and they recently upgraded their tech package. One of the more pricey carts but they are sold here at the Village Golf Car Store if that is important to you.
Evolution Ranger D5 - need to wait for a 210 as they are back ordered so you might have to get a 165/180. That was discussed above. Comfortable ride, full of features and the best priced 210amp if you can find it. Made in China if that matters to you. Does to some bottoming oit of the 2 front passengers are "heavier". Quality not there like Tomberlin or Bintelli but you will save thousands! You are starting to see an uptick in the Villages of the Evolution Randger D5, especially down here in the South end.
Goat Rides Golf Cart - lots of features and priced in the Mid to high teens. Can not attest to ride quality, but they seem to have good reviews. Need to order it from them and then they have it delivered.
Atlas has one coming out if it hasn't already. I got an Atlas 2 plus 2 for my friend with a 210 and he loves it.
Lithium 160-180 batteries
Again ,Evolution Ranger D5 is in this category as mentioned above
Ez Go Liberty - close to 20k. Not alot of features and a bit uncomfortable for taller drivers. Pedal is really close to the right foot so you seem highly cocked back when your foot is on the pedal. Figure you need to be about 5'8 or less to be comfortable. Also sold in the Villages if that matters to you.
Bintelli Nexus- great new model with alot of features including fans and roof speakers. They come with 72v 165amp which they claim has comparable range to a 48v 210amp lithium. I can not confirm nor deny that claim.
Denago Rover XL - sharp looking golf cart. I have seen 2 now in the Villages and stopped each person for feedback. They love it. Said it is super comfortable and has good range to round trip the Villages from South to North and back. Well priced as well. They are naturally lifted so you will not be able to go under the 2 low bridges up north closer to Spanish Springs.
Kandi - good looking cart at a reasonable price. Wasn't a fan of the seats but I'm a bit more picky. Looks sharp though and has decent range
Icon Epic. Same as Bintelli, they will double up your lithium batteries to get them to be like a 210. But they are naturally, more like a 160 to 105 depending on the cart. Found them to be more "pricey" for the amount or lack of features.
Gorilla Rides- nice cart with lots of features but range is about 40ish miles with 4 passengers. I was skeptical. Lol
That should really cover you. I tried to give you as much information for your initial investigation as I could. From here, I would go test drive them yourself and see what you personally like and what your budget allows. It takes time to go from 1 place to another, talk to a new sales rep and then test drive. I promise you, it is worth it. You will not have buyers remorse if you just take the time to do your own homework and take all the factors into consideration. Make it fun. I had a blast.
Now I am on the whole enclosed type golf cart research for my wife. Going though that exercise of researching and testing. She is not a fan of extreme elements so this will be great for her. Too hot, too cold, too wet, No Problem. LOL.
Good luck. Reach out to me if you need any help or would like to bounce questions off of me.
Have a blessed day.
Thanks
Serge
|