The Ultimate Guide to Buying a New Golf Cart

Buying a new golf cart is an exciting step toward upgrading your outdoor living.

To make the best choice, it helps to understand the different carts available, their features, and what to look for when you're ready to buy.

This guide offers a clear path to selecting a golf cart that fits your life perfectly, whether you'll be driving it around the neighborhood, using it for recreation, or managing a large property.

Keep reading to learn everything you need for a confident purchase.

Key Takeaways

Know Your Purpose: Decide how you will use your cart, for neighborhood drives, utility work, or fun. This choice will guide all other decisions.
Electric is the Modern Choice: Quiet, low-maintenance, and with zero emissions, electric carts are ideal for community and recreational use. Our luxury electric carts feature powerful lithium batteries [1] for a premium ride.
Always Test Drive: A thorough inspection and a test drive are essential. This lets you feel the cart's comfort and handling to ensure it meets your standards before you buy.

How to Buy a New Golf Cart

Knowing how to buy a new golf cart doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of preparation, the process can be straightforward and even enjoyable.

Start by identifying what you need, how many seats you’ll use, the type of terrain you’ll drive on, and any features that matter most to you, like storage or battery type. It also helps to think ahead about how your needs might change over time.

Whether you’re shopping for short neighborhood trips or longer rides on varied terrain, understanding your priorities will make it easier to choose a model that fits your lifestyle and budget.

What to Look for in New Golf Carts

When you start looking, understanding what to look for in new golf carts is essential to make sure you get a quality vehicle that will be reliable and enjoyable to own.

Here are some of the most important things to check when looking at a new golf cart:

Motor and Controller Quality: The motor is the powerhouse of your electric golf cart, and a good controller provides smooth, responsive acceleration. We use strong, efficient motors in our carts to deliver dependable power.
Battery System: The battery is vital for an electric cart's range and lifespan. Our golf carts come with modern lithium batteries, which last longer, charge faster, and are lighter than older lead-acid batteries.
Frame Construction: A solid, rust-proof frame is key to your golf cart's durability. Look for frames made from quality materials like aluminum or specially coated steel that can handle weather and regular use.
Suspension and Ride Comfort: A good suspension system gives you a smooth ride, even on bumpy ground. Notice the suspension type and always take a test drive to feel how it handles.
Safety Features: Modern golf carts should have basic safety features. This includes good brakes, headlights, taillights, turn signals, and seatbelts to keep you and your passengers safe.

New Golf Cart Buyer's Checklist

To make your buying process easier, we've created a handy checklist to walk you through the important points to consider and inspect before you commit.

Use this simple list to make sure you've covered all the important details before you buy:

Your Needs:

Main use (neighborhood, recreation, work)
Number of seats (4, 6, or 8)
Desired extras (custom wheels, premium seats, sound system)

Budget:

Set your total budget, including any custom add-ons.

Inspection:

Look at the overall quality and finish.
Check the tires and make sure they are properly inflated.
Test all lights, signals, and the horn.
Check the seats for comfort and durable material.

Test Drive:

Feel how the cart accelerates and brakes.
Listen for any strange sounds.
Check the steering and how it handles turns.
See how tight of a turn it can make.

Warranty and Support:

Ask about the warranty for the cart and the battery.
Find out what kind of support is available after your purchase.

Choosing the Right New Golf Cart

Picking the perfect golf cart means finding one that matches your lifestyle. It's more than just a way to get around; it's a vehicle for your daily activities and fun. That's why we provide a range of luxury electric golf carts that you can customize, from the number of seats to the color.

Think about how you see yourself using your cart.

If you plan to have family and friends join you, a spacious 6-seater golf cart would be a great choice for creating those shared memories.

If you want a stylish cart for cruising your community, a 4-seater with custom seats and a unique paint job might be the right fit.

Questions to Ask When Buying a Golf Cart

Having a list of questions ready can greatly improve your buying experience. It helps you get all the information you need to make a smart choice.

Here are some key questions we suggest asking before you make a purchase:

What is the golf cart's expected range on a full charge?
How long does it take to fully charge the lithium battery?
What kind of maintenance does this electric golf cart require?
What does the warranty cover and for how long?
Are there ways to customize the color, seats, and wheels?
What safety features are included?
Do you offer a delivery service?

Average Price for a New Golf Cart

The price of a new golf cart can differ a lot based on its size, features, and how much it's customized. A new, high-quality electric golf cart can cost anywhere from around $8,000 to over $15,000.

Simpler models are on the lower end, while luxury models with more seats, powerful lithium batteries, and custom features are at the higher end.

At Backyard Escapism, we focus on luxury electric golf carts built for comfort, performance, and style. Our prices reflect the high quality and advanced features of our vehicles, and we aim to provide great value.

Investing in one of our golf carts means you get a top-tier ownership experience, with durable parts, low maintenance, and a vehicle that enhances your outdoor living.

Electric vs. Gas Golf Cart Guide

When choosing between an electric and a gas-powered golf cart, there are clear differences to weigh. Gas carts can travel farther and refuel quickly, but they are also louder, create exhaust, and need more maintenance like oil changes.

Here’s a look at why electric is preferable:

Quiet Ride: Electric golf carts are almost silent, letting you enjoy your surroundings without the noise of a gas engine.
Eco-Friendly: With no emissions, electric golf carts are a greener choice for the environment and your community. [2]
Lower Running Costs: Electricity usually costs less than gas. With fewer moving parts, electric carts often have lower maintenance costs over time.
Smooth Driving: Electric motors deliver instant power for smooth and quick acceleration, which makes driving more pleasant.
Modern Technology: Our electric carts have advanced lithium batteries that give you great range, a long life, and are much lighter than old lead-acid batteries.

Understanding New Golf Cart Warranties

A warranty is an important part of buying a new golf cart. It gives you confidence and protects you from costs related to manufacturing issues. Most new golf carts include a manufacturer's warranty that covers major parts for a set time.

It is good to know what the warranty covers. A standard warranty usually covers the frame, motor, controller, and other important mechanical parts. Things that wear out with normal use, like tires and brake pads, are usually not covered.

We always suggest you read the warranty information and ask anything you are unsure about.

Key Features in New Golf Carts

Today's golf carts offer a wide variety of features made to improve comfort, ease of use, and performance. When choosing your new cart, think about which features matter most to you.

Here are some of the top features you will find in our premium electric golf carts:

Lithium Batteries: For more range, faster charging, and no regular maintenance, a modern lithium golf cart is the superior choice for a hassle-free experience.
Custom Finishes: Many color and finish options to make your golf cart your own.
Premium Seating: Comfortable and stylish seats for a high-end feel.
LED Lighting: Bright and energy-saving headlights and taillights for better visibility and safety.
Onboard Chargers: Easy-to-use chargers that make it simple to keep your battery full.
Digital Displays: Modern dashboards that show speed, battery level, and other key information.
USB Charging Ports: To keep your phones and other devices charged while you drive.
Custom Wheels and Tires: A choice of nice wheels and strong tires to match your style and the ground you'll drive on.

How to Inspect a New Golf Cart

A complete inspection is a must before you finalize the purchase of your new golf cart. This helps you confirm the vehicle's quality and make sure everything is in excellent shape.

Use this simple guide to inspect your potential new golf cart from top to bottom:

Exterior:

Walk around the cart and look at the body for any scratches or marks in the paint.
Check that all the body panels line up properly.

Tires and Wheels:

Look at the tires to see if they have enough air and are the right kind for where you'll be driving.
Check the wheels for any damage.

Lights and Electrical:

Turn on the headlights, taillights, and turn signals to make sure they work.
Test any other electronics, like a radio or USB ports.

Seats and Interior:

Sit in the seats to feel how comfortable and supportive they are.
Look over the seat material for any issues.

Brakes and Acceleration:

On your test drive, feel how well the brakes work and how smoothly the cart speeds up.

Steering and Suspension:

While driving, notice how easy it is to steer and how the cart goes over bumps. This will tell you about the suspension quality.

FAQ

How can I make my new golf cart street legal for neighborhood use?

Making your new ride road-ready is a common goal, and it's easiest to start with a model built for that purpose.

Our selection of street-legal golf carts includes the necessary safety features, but you must still check your local laws for specific registration requirements.

Usually, this means adding safety parts and accessories like headlights, brake lights, and mirrors.

Many modern electric golf carts come with these features already. Unlike a simple gas golf cart from a course, a street-legal electric cart often needs to be registered. This ensures your electric golf model is ready to provide the best golf experience on the road.

What is the actual maintenance involved with an electric golf cart versus gas carts?

The difference in the electric vs gas debate is huge for upkeep. A gas golf cart requires regular work like oil changes and engine checks. For many gas carts, this is a constant task. In contrast, the maintenance for electric golf carts is much simpler.

The main job is caring for the battery, and our lithium batteries offer a very long battery life. This is why many people who are buying a golf cart find an electric golf model to be the best golf cart for easy ownership.

Can I use a standard golf cart for heavy duty work around my property?

A standard electric golf cart is great for smooth surfaces, but for true heavy duty work, you might need a specialized vehicle. Our electric golf carts offer plenty of power, but constant hauling is best for a model with a heavy duty suspension.

You do not need to switch to gas golf carts for power; many powerful electric golf models are designed for tougher jobs. The best golf cart for you is one that matches the work, so consider this in your golf cart buying process.

How much does bad weather really affect my electric golf cart’s battery life?

Weather can affect the battery life on all electric carts. In very cold weather, you may notice a slight decrease in range because batteries work best in moderate temperatures. It is best to park your golf cart in the shade to protect the battery in the heat.

A quality electric golf cart is built to handle different conditions. The carts offer reliable performance year-round, so you can always enjoy your electric golf experience and get the best golf cart performance.

What are the most popular parts and accessories for a new golf cart owner?

Choosing parts and accessories is an exciting part of the golf cart buying journey. After you test drive your new electric golf cart, many owners add a sound system and custom wheels. For practicality, a rear-seat kit that folds into a cargo bed is a fantastic choice for any golf cart.

Your Guide to Buying a New Golf Cart

Choosing a new golf cart is an exciting step that can bring more enjoyment to your outdoor life. By thinking about your needs, knowing the key features to look for, and doing a careful inspection, you can choose a vehicle that will be a pleasure to own for years. We are focused on offering a top-quality selection of electric golf carts and helping our customers find the one that is perfect for them.

Are you ready to find your new golf cart? You can explore our collection of luxury electric golf carts at Backyard Escapism and begin your journey to a better outdoor lifestyle today. Visit us at Backyard Escapism.

References

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/how-lithium-ion-batteries-work
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity-benefits

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