Save Money by Purchasing a Used Golf Cart

Cost savings counts in the current economy even when you are shopping for golf carts. Perhaps you need to use the golf cart as a utility cart but you do not have a lot of reserve cash to make the purchase. Country clubs and private golf clubs are prime searching ground for used carts, since they upgrade their fleet of carts every three or four years.

Private golf courses primarily sell golf carts "as-is." They inspect the carts for any kind of major damage, but often will not do refurbishing or cleaning just to sell their fleets. This work is a part of their regular maintenance.

One of the drawbacks of as-is sales is the fact that there are no warranties. You must understand that you are agreeing to do all repairs and upgrades yourself.

Make sure that you test-drive the cart before paying for it. Add weight to it and drive it up a hill to see how well the motor runs. Look at the body of the cart for signs of rust or to see if there have been any replacement parts.

Unlike country club purchases, buying directly from a golf cart dealer will ensure you have a cart that has been refurbished with presentable upholstery and cleaning. Dealers also offer 30- to 60-day warranties in case you need a different feature on your cart.

You should remember not to ever settle for the first golf cart that you run across. There is always the possibility of a better deal. Make sure you talk to several dealers or visit several country clubs to find the best deal for your budget.

After you purchase your golf cart, maintenance is extremely important. Gas-powered carts require more ongoing maintenance than electric-powered carts. You will have to change spark plugs, air filters and oil regularly. In electric carts, you will need to check the water level in the battery regularly and replace the battery every two years.

A good estimate for used golf carts is about $2,000, compared to the price of a brand new one at about $4,000. Gas golf carts are going to require you to deal with a dealer, since country clubs mostly use electric carts. You should feel safe asking the right questions and comfortable enough to compare prices before you buy.