[RickyLee]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I guess I meant certain items were likely deal breakers. Anyhow, we just checked out the evolution and put an order in for one. The height is fine. The one online was a lifted one. The dealer cuts 2 inches off of the poles so that the height isn’t too high the evolution also has self canceling signals. The Evolution also drove much nicer and was way easier to steer.

Please repost in a couple of years and tell us how you like your evolution. I hear all the pros and cons about the new carts, I'm curious how you feel in a couple of years.

[hosegooseman]

Originally Posted by frayedends

We have a newer loaded Yamaha but we are seriously considering selling it and going electric. Our friends have a Star, but they are very expensive.

We happened upon a Venom EV sales place that the business is actually currently in a storage building. We were looking for an Evolution dealership but it sent us to these guys. Very nice guys and a lot for the money on the carts. Apparently Chinese parts assembled in Wisconsin.

Wondering if anyone has experience with them? The only deal breaker we found so far is the turn signals aren't self canceling. The steering seemed a bit hard. Not sure if that's true of most 4 seaters, but I was concerned about turning into 90 degree tunnel turns without any power steering on it. We could likely sell our Yamaha and afford a loaded Venom with the money.

It also seems 205 aH batteries are hard to find these days so they are using 160. Someone mentioned Evolution doesn't have the 205 either right now. Evolution height is now listed at over 83". It's hard to find a dealer as the website wants all your info just to go look at one.

Check Custom Drives C2, C4’s. My friend has a C2, 210 battery standard. Not sure about self cancellation signals though.

On US27/441 next to Aldis.

[coleprice]

We have a STAR electric Golf Cart and love it. It has been very reliable and we have traveled over 75 miles on a full charge using its 8 batteries. I've grown used to manually turning off the turn signals, and don't find the steering hard to turn with fully inflated tires . . . Some people run their carts with lower tire pressures to make the ride smoother.

[Tyson]

Just bought a cart from JB golf carts from their Ocala location, they also are in Lady Lake ,but the owner Jarett is in Ocala and thee absolute best person to deal with. I shopped at Botero, Bradleys, Hidden Creek, Village Discount and GEM and the ABSOLUTE best people is the family owned JB. Fully loaded lithium 2025 $10,500 and its also street legal.

[RUCdaze]

Just stay with gas.

[Iford07]

Call Todd at The Golf Cart Company, Eustis FL 407. 557.2775 We just purchased a 4 seater Evolution EV Golf Cart from him.. This is our 2nd EV Evolution, we still have our 2 seater !! We LOVE these carts!! Todd is amazing and a Village resident

[Iford07]

We love our Evolution EV golf carts, YES CARTS !! we just purchased a 4 seat front facing Evolution from Todd at The Golf Cart Company, Eusitis, FL 407.557-2775. Todd is AWESOME and a Village resident We have had our 2 seater Evolution for 3 years now and decided to add a 4 seater for guests and outing with friends. Give Todd a call, you will be happy you did. Best Irene :-)

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by RUCdaze

Just stay with gas.

Yes by all means go with gas which smells better than electrons turning your motor. And have the convenience of waiting in line at a gas station. Plugging in an Electric golf cart every other day is so inconvenient (I hate that). And E golf carts have such fast initial acceleration that it scares me. And E carts have fewer moving parts so I don't get to see my serviceman as much as with the Gas Golf Cart. And I like their fancy showroom and GREAT coffee. And I like the LOUDER noise of the Gas Golf Cart so that I can torture my neighbor that I don't like. Yes, and Gas, gas is the best, go gas because the fuel and the exhaust smell like perfume.

[DemoB]

As an owner of a Venom EV 2 seater I have been all over The Villages no tunnel issues. I bought this in October with a 206ah battery, I get 60-75miles. (Like any EV Battery Size and Speed is the key)

After seeing the article yesterday I did some research and spoke with the Venom EV dealer in the villages.

Here is some detail:
Adventure EV is the local Venom golf cart dealer in The Villages. They offer a few different models of carts but their new Venom Stealth is a four seat forward model that measures 77 inches in height with a 160amp lithium battery.
I own their 2-seater course cart and it is even lower at 74 inches.

All of their carts fit under the tunnels in The Villages.
Batteries: Some of their 2024 four passenger carts have the 200amp lithium batteries. I hear that the reason for the shift to the 160amp batteries is due to the new tariffs, so the company switched to an American brand, Eco-battery with a longer warranty.
They are located at 4707 county road 156, Unit 402, Wildwood Fl 34785
If you want to check them out. (off hwy44 & Signature Road)

Or you can call their owner, Robert, at 407-538-0240, he's always happy to answer questions.

Before selecting Adventure EV dealer Venom EV cart, I visited all EV dealers including Evolution, Icon, Starr at their local dealers.

Any Lithium EV cart is a great choice. I just liked the Package accessories and looks of the Venom EV.

[RoseyRed]

:BigAppla use:

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by coleprice

We have a STAR electric Golf Cart and love it. It has been very reliable and we have traveled over 75 miles on a full charge using its 8 batteries. I've grown used to manually turning off the turn signals, and don't find the steering hard to turn with fully inflated tires . . . Some people run their carts with lower tire pressures to make the ride smoother.

For steering add a 'deadman steering knob'. Makes turns so much easier.

[PoolBrews]

Originally Posted by frayedends

We have a newer loaded Yamaha but we are seriously considering selling it and going electric. Our friends have a Star, but they are very expensive.

It also seems 205 aH batteries are hard to find these days so they are using 160. Someone mentioned Evolution doesn't have the 205 either right now. Evolution height is now listed at over 83". It's hard to find a dealer as the website wants all your info just to go look at one.

I have the Evolution D5 Ranger with the 205ah battery. My last two carts were Yamaha Drive 2. This is the best cart I have ever owned. Better ride, more features, and a LOT less money.

The height issue is easily remedied. You have two options:

1) You can go with smaller tires. Standard are 14" tires - you can go with 12" or 10"
2) You can lower the rear of the cart by simply cutting the rear supports and lowering the roof. This lowers the cart by as much as 2.5". (Rear is taller than front). The dealer can do this for you.

I did both of these on my cart. I have 12" (215/40r12) tires (dealer swapped at no charge), and I lowered my roof by 2.25". My cart is now nearly the same height as a Yamaha.

If you're going to lower the roof, do it before you get your rain enclosure installed.

I'm coming up on 4,000 miles, and love it!

[frayedends]

Our cart is in. We got it from Hidden Creek. We are part time. Doing a video walk around on Friday. We did have the roof lowered 2” at the rear. I won’t get to try it out until March 10 when I get back there. I will report back.

[jsa]

Originally Posted by frayedends

We have a newer loaded Yamaha but we are seriously considering selling it and going electric. Our friends have a Star, but they are very expensive.

We happened upon a Venom EV sales place that the business is actually currently in a storage building. We were looking for an Evolution dealership but it sent us to these guys. Very nice guys and a lot for the money on the carts. Apparently Chinese parts assembled in Wisconsin.

Wondering if anyone has experience with them? The only deal breaker we found so far is the turn signals aren't self canceling. The steering seemed a bit hard. Not sure if that's true of most 4 seaters, but I was concerned about turning into 90 degree tunnel turns without any power steering on it. We could likely sell our Yamaha and afford a loaded Venom with the money.

It also seems 205 aH batteries are hard to find these days so they are using 160. Someone mentioned Evolution doesn't have the 205 either right now. Evolution height is now listed at over 83". It's hard to find a dealer as the website wants all your info just to go look at one.

Re: Evolution and the 205 battery - try Botero carts in Ocala. We bought two carts with the 205s last Friday no problem. They will also lower the top 2" so they fit through all the tunnels. The turn signals are self canceling.

Hidden Creek Golf Carts tried telling steering us away from the 205 right now as well - which I suspect is more a function of what they have in inventory.

We are taking delivery in early April when we move in to our new home.

[PoolBrews]

Originally Posted by jsa

Re: Evolution and the 205 battery - try Botero carts in Ocala. We bought two carts with the 205s last Friday no problem. They will also lower the top 2" so they fit through all the tunnels. The turn signals are self canceling.

Hidden Creek Golf Carts tried telling steering us away from the 205 right now as well - which I suspect is more a function of what they have in inventory.

We are taking delivery in early April when we move in to our new home.

Just an FYI - lowering the roof in the rear 2" will let you make it through the tunnels, but it will be uncomfortably close on the two tunnels in the north end. Driving carefully, you'll clear by less than 1/4".

You'll most likely still scrape on the side once in while in those tunnels - especially Saddlebrook going south to north - the turn is too tight. Swapping out to smaller tires eliminates the worry, giving you a full 2+" of clearance.

Another benefit of smaller tires is increased range. For every 4" reduction in diameter you gain 10% range.