In this article I’m going to cover the best brands to look for, where to find used golf carts and do price research, buying at auction and what to expect to pay, how to check over a used golf cart, choosing gas vs electric, and pricing on some new models for the sake of getting your bearings on new vs used.
Which Brand is the Best Used Golf Cart?
It is somewhat important to consider what model and brand of cart you are looking to buy as some are more reliable than others and some are near impossible to get parts for.
In most cases, while they do incur a premium, locally made carts are the way to go. Yamaha certainly makes good carts although parts for older models can be harder to find and not everyone likes working on them. The same goes for the Chinese made golf carts, they are cheap new, and even cheaper used, but they are impossible to get parts for usually, and, with older models, it’s not unusual that the manufacturers have long closed.
The two brands most industry experts recommend are Club Car and E-Z-GO Golf Carts (not to be mistaken with EZGO or EZ Go which are Chinese made clones).
Where to find used golf carts for sale and check market prices?
Popular places to research prices online and find used golf carts include
- ATV Trader – https://www.atvtrader.com/Used-Golf-Carts/atvs-for-sale
- eBay – https://www.ebay.com/b/Golf-Carts/181476/bn_16581809
- Golf Cart Resource – https://golfcartresource.com/golf-carts-for-sale/listings/
As for prices, at dealers and in the marketplace such as Craigslist or eBay, used models range greatly depending on age and model, but as a rule of thumb for a good brand, in top condition, prices start from around $4000 for anything later than 2010.
How much do used golf carts sell for at auction?
At an auction, used golf carts and ATV prices will depend on the brand, age, and estimated costs to repair any damage. Usually, you can expect to pay around 50-80% less than you would for a comparable model in good condition at a dealer. Remember, that a dealer will usually replace batteries, test everything, and give you a warranty, auctions do not. For some people, the dealer is the way to go.
Places like Copart and IAA, they sell insurance damage claims which can be a great place to find extraordinary bargains if you are handy with repairs, alternatively, you can often find golf carts as part of larger sales including estate sales, business closures, bankruptcy sales, and of course, golf clubs themselves turn over their fleets every so often.
Places to find Golf Carts and ATVs for sale at auction
- Copart – www.copart.com
- IAA – www.iaai.com
- Check auctioneers in your area and keep an eye on our Golf Cart and ATV category for sale notices
Recent auction sale examples with the sale price
| Make / Model | Year | Damage | Bid | Sale Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clubcar 351CC | 2012 | Water/flood | $1,450 USD | Apr 7, 2020 |
| Clubcar 351CC | 2012 | Water/flood | $825 USD | Nov 22, 2017 |
| Clubcar Carry ALL | 2010 | Minor Dent/scratches | $1,100 USD | Sep 30, 2020 |
| Clubcar Carry ALL | 2017 | Rollover | $725 USD | Apr 8, 2020 |
| Clubcar Cart | 2010 | Minor Dent/scratches | $1,200 USD | Jan 31, 2020 |
| Clubcar Club Car | 2017 | Normal Wear | $950 USD | Oct 12, 2020 |
| Clubcar Club Car | 2020 | Water/flood | $7,000 USD | Sep 30, 2020 |
| Clubcar Club Car | 2012 | Water/flood | $1,600 USD | Sep 23, 2020 |
| Clubcar Club Car | 2011 | Water/flood | $1,550 USD | Aug 19, 2020 |
| Ezgo Golf Cart | 2012 | Rollover | $3,000 USD | Oct 14, 2020 |
| Ezgo Golf Cart | 2010 | Burn | $325 USD | Oct 14, 2020 |
| Ezgo Golfcart | 2014 | Water/flood | $1,450 USD | Oct 14, 2020 |
| Ezgo Golfcart | 2017 | Water/flood | $4,350 USD | Oct 14, 2020 |
| Ezgo Golfcart | 2011 | Water/flood | $1,300 USD | Oct 7, 2020 |
| Ezgo Golf Cart | 2017 | Water/flood | $3,050 USD | Sep 30, 2020 |
| Ezgo Golf Cart | 2020 | Side | $3,100 USD | Sep 22, 2020 |
Used Golf Cart/ATV checklist
While fairly simple, there are some big-ticket expenses to watch out for with used carts. For electric carts, that’s the batteries and for gas carts its engine condition.
With either type, there is general body condition, plus issues related to normal wear and tear including tires, seat condition, suspension bushings on models with independent suspension, and electrical issues such as faulty solenoids, etc.
Generally, if the cart has any age and its unknown as to whether the batteries have recently been replaced, then you should factor that in as a forward cost which could be anywhere from $800-1800. This is impossible to know when buying from an auction so it would pay to factor that in regardless when setting a bidding budget.
If you can visit the auction, and you should, there are several things you can check
- Condition of seats and plastics (often look good in pics but not in reality)
- Tire condition – separation is an issue on older tires along with general wear
- Wood rotting on seatbacks (usually only really old carts)
- Accident damage be that from flood, theft or accident
If its a gas cart
- Check the oil for color and smell, overheated engines will have a really burnt smell to the oil
- Check under the oil cap for sludge indicating ring blow-by
- Try to start the cart (take a jumper pack or ask the auction house if they have one for use) and remove the oil cap to check for excessive blow-by indicating worn rings
- Check for exhaust smoke of first start-up indicating leaky valve seals, if smoke continues after start-up then it may be worn rings
How much do new golf carts cost?
New local brand golf carts and ATVs can cost anywhere from $7000-15000 depending on model and accessories. To help with your bearings on weighing up whether to buy used, new, or at auction, here is a selection of the latest models for 2020/21 with new price estimates for E-Z-Go and Club Car.
Current E-Z-GO models – https://ezgo.txtsv.com/
Express S4 $8,949 Starting MSRP – Gas – 72V – ELiTE Lithium
Express S6 – $11,699 Starting MSRP – Gas – 72V – ELiTE Lithium
Express L6 – $11,699 Starting MSRP – Gas – 72V – ELiTE Lithium
Freedom RXV $7,899 Starting MSRP – 48V – Gas – ELiTE Lithium
Freedom TXT $7,399 Starting MSRP Gas – 48V
Valor $6,399 Starting MSRP – 48V – Gas
72-Volt Freedom $9,299 Starting MSRP – 72V
Current Club Car models – https://www.clubcar.com/
Onward – from $8000 to 14000 – numerous variants, gas and electric
Villager 2 – from $6,800
President Stretch – from $11499
Tempo from $7900 – available in gas, electric, and elec with lithium batteries
Should I choose a Gas or Electric Golf Cart/ATV
A topic for endless debate and in the end you have to buy what suits your tastes and needs. I’ll highlight some pros and cons.
- Pro – Electric is quiet and incredibly smooth also offering peace and quiet to neighbors/other players
- Con – electric requires access to a charging point and nightly charging
- Pro – electric has no emissions
- Con – towing required when the battery runs to low
- Pro – gas has long-range with some tank sizes offering weeks of use
- Con – gas engines are noisy and far less smooth running than electric
- Pro – if you run out of gas, just top up with no need to tow
- Con – gas engines, albeit small, do require maintenance
- Pro – electric carts are quite simple and require little or no maintenance other than battery care
- Con – battery replacement – usually every 2 years costing between $800-1800. Electric batteries require proper attention or their life span can shorten seriously.
In conclusion
I hope this article has introduced some options and provided some useful info in your search. Do keep an eye on our Golf Cart and ATV category for sale notices and happy bargain hunting.