[EJW2024]

Hello! I’m thinking about moving to the Villages and purchasing a Yamaha gas cart. Where is the best place to get the best bang for the buck??

[Topspinmo]

IMO buying used best bang for buck. But, have know what you’re looking at. If buy new there big difference price based on options. IMO no golf cart worth 18K plus, but that’s me.

[villagetinker]

If you do a search you will find many replies indicating to buy OUTSIDE of the bubble, as I recall Carts and Clubs as well as the dealer in Webster are mentioned the most. If you are handy, you can buy a basic cart, and then add the accessories yourself.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

But, when you buy from someone in TV, you have somebody to fix it when something goes wrong. If you’re handy then I guess you can handle it, but if not then it’s nice to know you have someone to call. And, they let you have a loaner cart while yours is being repaired.

[Ignatz]

We bought from Sam at Villages Elite Carts on 44 in Freedom Plaza (basically next to the Brownwood Hotel).

Great price, nice options to choose from, very good rapport with customers, free annual service, one year of roadside assistance, etc.

The place in Ocala was our second choice. Not that it made a big difference in our decision, but I wasn't crazy about the mirrors in their carts. Too small and mounted inside the roof posts on the cart. Their optional external mirrors seemed kind of flimsy. I wasn't a fan of the distance to bring the cart to them or pay for them to come out to our home for service.

The place in Webster gets great comments from their customers, but they weren't open when we drove down there on a Saturday. We weren't able to go there on a weekday. They probably would have been a strong contender in our shopping.

We shopped the Villages Golf Cars as well, but we felt we got a better overall package deal with Elite.

[Packer Fan]

IF you must have a Yamaha Gas, I have one from Carts and Clubs. Cheaper and nicer than The villages Golf cart store. They come service it in your driveway, you don't NEED a loaner. However, at the moment it is really time to think about a Lithium cart. We just got an Evolution D5 and it is smoother and quiter than any Gas cart. We are keeping the Yamaha, but we may start fighting over the Lithium. No real range anxiety with the 160 AH battery.... like 60 miles.... Also lower priced. I am sure all the haters will come out now.

To be honest, the place in Webster has a good rep for Yamahas to if you want also.

[MorTech]

Ha! I haven't seen that before...An EV'er poo-pooing in a Gas'er thread...It's always the other way around

The place in Webster is probably it.

[frayedends]

A lot of people Poo Poo the Villages Golf Cars for price. But I did my research and apples to apples the places outside the Villages weren't much better. The accessories some of them used for upgrades weren't as good either.

I'm sorry I can't recall the 2 that I got quotes on. I think one had "country" in the name. Our cart was expensive at Villages but we are happy with it and they are super helpful to us as buyers. I only scheduled service once and they were great about it, with a loaner ready if I needed it.

So definitely compare prices but Villages isn't so bad.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

But, when you buy from someone in TV, you have somebody to fix it when something goes wrong. If you’re handy then I guess you can handle it, but if not then it’s nice to know you have someone to call. And, let you have a loaner cart while yours is being repaired.

I tend to agree. You can get a new Yamaha outside TV for about $2,000-2,500 less, but.......with TV golf carts you are paying for convenience. I drop mine off, get a loaner, and it doesn't matter if it takes 2 days to fix. Carts and Clubs will send out a technician, but he might have to order parts or needs to work on it in their shop, then bye-bye cart for a week. (Some will want to dispute that, but be forewarned I have a cart from TV carts and my wife from Carts and Clubs).

My other question is whether one can legally drive their cart to the place in Freedom Plaza. (That one is sure to get conflicting answers)

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

...
My other question is whether one can legally drive their cart to the place in Freedom Plaza. (That one is sure to get conflicting answers)

I don't see how that would be possible.
- There is a wall most of the way between that property and Villages property
- Where the wall ends there is 44, a sidewalk, and a small strip of grass
- Driving on 44 is not legal
- Driving on the sidewalk is not legal
- Driving on the small strip of grass would then require driving through a shrub bed to get to the parking lot

As in most (all?) places, the borders of the Villages are legally impassible to golf carts.

[mrf0151]

No matter where you purchase a new Yamaha golf cart, first make sure it is in fact a brand new, no hours on the hour meter cart.
Then make sure you are buying from an actual Yamaha Factory Store. This is important so you actually have a Yamaha warranty. These non-factory sales stores cannot give you a Yamaha warranty, only their in-house warranty. These non-factory stores CAN NOT get Yamaha parts.
Like anything we purchase in life as time goes by, we forget what we paid, but we will always appreciate great service and convenience.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by mrf0151

...
Like anything we purchase in life as time goes by, we forget what we paid, but we will always appreciate great service and convenience.

Wise words. Reminds me of one of my dad's old sayings: "Buy the best you can afford, it will be cheaper and more pleasure to use in the long run."

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by MorTech

Ha! I haven't seen that before...An EV'er poo-pooing in a Gas'er thread...It's always the other way around

The place in Webster is probably it.

You just haven't been paying attention...

[JMintzer]

These golf cart threads always seem to devolve into the same arguments as the "north vs south" arguments...

Just buy whatever you want. Who cares what anyone else thinks?

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Originally Posted by Packer Fan

IF you must have a Yamaha Gas, I have one from Carts and Clubs. Cheaper and nicer than The villages Golf cart store. They come service it in your driveway, you don't NEED a loaner. However, at the moment it is really time to think about a Lithium cart. We just got an Evolution D5 and it is smoother and quiter than any Gas cart. We are keeping the Yamaha, but we may start fighting over the Lithium. No real range anxiety with the 160 AH battery.... like 60 miles.... Also lower priced. I am sure all the haters will come out now.

To be honest, the place in Webster has a good rep for Yamahas to if you want also.

I’m having trouble thinking about what I’ll do ten or so years from now and the battery has run down. Contribute it to the trash heap because you know by then they will have newer technology? We put down a deposit for it but now I’m uneasy.