Golf carts are no longer just a form of transportation on golf courses. They are used in vacation towns as an easy way to get around, purchased by tour guides in big cities to lug tourists around, and driven around senior communities as a safer alternative to full-sized vehicles. If you are considering investing in a golf cart for the reasons above or otherwise, there are many things to consider. Read below to see the comparisons between the costs and benefits of investing in a golf cart.
Costs
Like with any big purchase, there are costs involved in buying and maintaining a golf cart. From the initial purchase to add-ons, these are the costs you should anticipate.
Initial Purchase Costs
Depending on if you want to purchase a new or used one, you can find a golf cart for any budget. New golf carts range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the size, make, and model. Used golf carts can be found for much lower, but may need some parts replaced and some upgrades done, adding to the initial costs.
When picking out a golf cart, consider what features you want from it and if you want to go basic or get something a little bit more modern. This will also affect the price as golf carts have evolved a lot in recent years regarding what they have to offer. Some still resemble classic models while others look more like four-wheelers and can be taken offroading.
Maintenance Costs
Once you own a golf cart, there will be maintenance costs involved in order to keep it in top shape. These costs are some of the most important because if you want to have your golf cart for a long time or you want to keep its resale value up, you will need to stay on top of them. It is important to look out for signs of golf cart battery failure or squeaky brakes as they will indicate that it is time to take the cart in for maintenance. If you buy your golf cart from a dealer, you may be able to negotiate a warranty so that if anything goes wrong in the first few years, you can get repairs for free. This will save you a lot of money and help you maintain a relationship with the dealer in case you want to upgrade your golf cart in the future.
Operating Costs
Although operating costs for a golf cart are relatively cheaper than with a full-sized vehicle, you will still have to think about things like fuel, electricity, and insurance. Just like any other mode of transportation, your golf cart will need to stay filled up with gas or charged up with electricity. When you purchase your golf cart, you will need to decide between a traditional engine and an electric one. Weight the pros and cons of each to see which format better fits your lifestyle.
You will also need to pay for insurance for your golf cart, especially if you are going to be driving it on main roads. This all depends on what kind of community you live in and what your main purpose is for the golf cart. Luckily, compared to regular cars, golf carts have pretty affordable insurance plans, ranging from $50 to $200 per year.
Benefits
Lifestyle and Convenience
Having a golf cart as a quick option to hop over to the grocery store or go down the street to a friend’s house can save you money and stress. Once you own a golf cart, you will realize how much fun it is to just hop right in and get to where you need to go. This is a great option for young drivers who may not be able to afford a car yet but still need an easy way to get to school or their local job.
Eco-Friendly
Because golf carts are much smaller than regular cars, they require less fuel, and if you choose an electric model, you will be doing something good for the environment by not using gasoline. This is a better option than making short trips in a gas-guzzling vehicle.
Recreational Use
Golf carts are now used for so many things apart from golfing. Owning a golf cart means that you can cruise around your neighborhood, take it around large properties, and even bring it camping so that you have a way to get from place to place without disconnecting a car from a camper or driving a big RV everywhere. You can just hook the golf cart up behind your other vehicle and bring it with you wherever you go.
If you have a lifestyle that would benefit from owning a golf cart, then consider these factors to decide whether or not the investment is worth it.