[asilver]

Yamaha, Club Car, and EZGO (the "Big 3") are mentioned often on TOTV. But I am interested in Par Car but have no real knowledge about them. I do see a fair number of them in the squares. Par Car has a small lot on 441 while Yamaha, for example, has large showrooms in TV, which I assume adds to their popularity. From any Par Car owners out there, or anyone who has direct knowledge about the product, how does it stack up over the long run? Is it reliable? How is the service from Columbia Par Car? If you compare apples-to-apples feature-wise, is the price comparable?

[Jim 9922]

First, let me clarify; we run a 1992 gas Club Car and a 2010 Electric EzGo and are well satified with both. We have been in TV since 1996 and watched the reputation of Par Car grow very positively. However a couple of things to consider:
A couple of years ago when Par Car went to the oversize wheels they were scraping the ceilings of some of the older tunnels (especially near Lopez). Solution was to drive in the middle and avoid the sides. I don't know if they have since lowered the the cart roof, but I would ask. Also, it is my understanding that Par Car only sells repair parts through the local retailer so independent repair people are paying higher prices and do not stock inventories as they do for other makes. As a result several of the "good" independent repair people will not work on Par Cars. Most cart repairs are relatively simple and can be completed in 30 minutes on your driveway. No- can-do with Par Car. There are several recent threads on TOV on the good and bad of the local dealer's repair service.
Keep in mind that many of the so called features are nothing more than gimmicks in an attempt to justify a higher price and some may even backfire. My neighbor paid extra for sliding bucket seats (which were never moved anyway), thought they were great until his granddaughter came to visit and found out that there was no comfortable or reasonably safe place for her to sit with 2 grandparents.
Whatever you pick, enjoy your new cart!!

[Shimpy]

They look top heavy to me, waiting to roll over on a curve. They are electric only which turned me off.

[rtime]

We have a Par Car and really like it. They do sit a little higher and in the tunnels on the North end you do have to stay in the middle.

I've never felt like the cart would turn over on the corners but I don't take them at full speed. I've noticed that some to the people that take them at full speed are usually on my side of the path.

Parts are an issue as far as availability. The other cart people can't stock the parts which usually requires you to get the part and have them install it. Most of the issues you might have can be addressed by most cart service companies.

The only thing I don't like about the cart is the ride. It has the old style leaf spring in the front and sometimes can be a rough ride. The independent front ends on Yamaha and E-Z Go has a much nicer ride.

We are new to the villages and sometimes put as much as 40 miles a day on the cart and I've never seed it below 1/2 on the meter.

The only reason I might buy one of the other cart is because the dealers are right here and you can take it to them.

[asilver]

Keep the opinions coming. I want to hear from everyone. But I'd like to answer of few of the concerns. First of all, I should have stated from the beginning that my personal choice is electric, but only carts that have the 8 6-volt battery configuration. I know that Par Car and Yamaha offer that choice, I'm not sure about EXGO and Club Car. I also refuse to have a "street-legal" model. Yamaha qualifies and so does Par Car (they have both). As for the extra height with the big wheels, Par Car has model with regular size wheels. Please, let me hear more opinions from owners.

[GChelp]

My job is golf car repair and have been doing it for many years. My best suggestion is to stick with the big 3. You will not go wrong. You have all kinds of hassles when you go with an off beat brand. I repair Par cars and they just don't hold up in the long run as compared to the other name brands.
You can have any cart with 8 six volt batteries so don't let that stop you, although some brands it has to be converted.
Par cars are expensive to repair and don't hold up well.

[Jim Straz]

Originally Posted by asilver

Keep the opinions coming. I want to hear from everyone. But I'd like to answer of few of the concerns. First of all, I should have stated from the beginning that my personal choice is electric, but only carts that have the 8 6-volt battery configuration. I know that Par Car and Yamaha offer that choice, I'm not sure about EXGO and Club Car. I also refuse to have a "street-legal" model. Yamaha qualifies and so does Par Car (they have both). As for the extra height with the big wheels, Par Car has model with regular size wheels. Please, let me hear more opinions from owners.

EZ-GO has an upgrade to 6 x 8 Trojan 875's for $490, and gives you range of 50 plus miles, plus it has an AC engine so you go faster up hill than the gas. 0% finance for 24 months, and exceptional service. EZ-GO parts are half the cost of Yamaha.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by asilver

Keep the opinions coming. I want to hear from everyone. But I'd like to answer of few of the concerns. First of all, I should have stated from the beginning that my personal choice is electric, but only carts that have the 8 6-volt battery configuration. I know that Par Car and Yamaha offer that choice, I'm not sure about EXGO and Club Car. I also refuse to have a "street-legal" model. Yamaha qualifies and so does Par Car (they have both). As for the extra height with the big wheels, Par Car has model with regular size wheels. Please, let me hear more opinions from owners.

I bought a Par Car in 2007 and absolutely love it. I wanted something dependable, since my husband has not yet retired. On board charger, easy-fill water. Seats are very comfortable. So far it's batting 100%. It seems to go forever on a charge.