Golf carts have grown in popularity in recent years. They are now for more than just riding around a golf course. Many people choose to purchase used golf carts instead of new ones, but how much do they cost?
Used golf carts cost around $2,000 to $5,000, depending on various factors. Age plays a huge role in the price tag, with older models costing less. Customization also affects how much you’ll pay. Your location and who you purchase your golf cart from also affect the price.
In this complete guide, we’ll look at how much a used golf cart costs. We’ll also talk about the factors that go into how much a cart should be worth.
The Cost of Used Golf Carts
Many people choose to buy a used golf cart rather than purchase a new one because it’s a more affordable solution.
It’s also a great way to get a golf cart that has been upgraded with new features and aftermarket customization, so you don’t have to do all the work.
The power source of the cart can also affect your bottom line. Carts that run on gasoline cost more than an electric golf cart. You can expect to pay 10% to 15% more for a gas cart.
You should expect to pay between a couple of thousand dollars up to the higher price of $5,000 for a used golf cart. This price may seem a bit steep, but that’s a lot better than paying four to ten thousand for a new cart.
You can have the same upgrades on an old golf cart, such as upgraded tires, a heater, a music system, or a DVD player, for the same price that you’d pay for a bottom-line stock golf cart.
What Factors Affect the Cost of a Used Golf Cart?
Many factors affect the cost of a used golf cart. You should consider each of these criteria when deciding whether the price you’re considering is a fair cost.
Age
The age of a golf cart will play the most significant role in the cost of your used golf cart. The older a golf cart is, the less you will pay.
But cheaper isn’t always better. Older model golf carts often have more wear and tear, which means they’ll be in worse shape.
Parts start to fail after extended use. So you could end up with a cheap golf cart. But end up with a bunch of large repair bills that drive your bottom line up, between parts and labor.
When shopping for a used golf cart, you need to know the cart’s model, make, and serial number. These identifiers will help you understand how old the cart is and assist with finding parts.
In addition to the cart’s age, you’ll also want to know the hours or cycles. This number is similar to a vehicle having miles. The more miles, the less likely you’ll want to purchase the vehicle.
Customization
If you want to have all the goodies with your golf cart, it’s important to remember that these extra features will cost you.
But if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your golf cart, some features would make your time riding the course more comfortable.
Heaters
Many people pay extra for the luxury of having a heater, which makes it more tolerable to get your weekly 18-holes during cold winter days. It also keeps you warm if you’re using your cart for other activities.
If you’re purchasing a used golf cart, the seller may tax on a small sum for the feature. You could choose to buy a cart without a heater and add one yourself. Depending on the type you buy, you could spend anywhere from $50 up to a few hundred.
Tires
Another common upgrade for golf carts is the tires. Regular golf-cart tires are often swapped out for higher-quality models with better treads, larger rims, and a better brand.
Some golf carts can be made street legal, widening their use for jobs other than golf. You may want to customize your cart with the appropriate tires and suspension. This feature could cost up to hundreds of dollars.
Custom Work
If a cart has other customizations such as a custom paint job, you may have to pay for the extensive artwork. So expect to see a higher price tag on a fancy cart than a plain one.
One way to avoid paying extra for a custom paint job is to use decals or stickers to give your plain golf cart a custom look. You can get stencils online for less than $50 (depending on design and company pricing). Expect to spend more if you’ll have these professionally applied.
Entertainment
The final customization that can affect your bottom line would be a sound system. Some people install DVD players or Bluetooth-enabled radios.
If this is an important feature, you can buy a used golf cart with one already installed. Or you can purchase one to install on your own. A good quality Bluetooth radio/DVD combo can be acquired for around $100. Speakers are another expense.
Of course, you could always go with the cheaper option and purchase a good Bluetooth speaker like this Ampcaddy Golf Bluetooth Speaker to mount into your golf court to stream music or calls through your phone. Look for one that’s waterproof if you plan to leave it in your cart full time. Speakers can range from $30 to $100.
Location
Where you live or buy your cart will also affect the price of your purchase. If you’re trying to purchase a golf cart in warm regions, remember that they are often used more.
Due to the extended mileage, it’s common to see some cheap carts. But remember, the costs of repairs can add up to a large sum, reducing the money you saved from buying a used golf cart.
But you may pay a higher price in warmer locations due to supply and demand. Avoid shopping for a used cart during warmer months, as the price always goes higher because more people need it.
Carts in cold-weather regions are often used less, so they can be in better shape due to less mileage. But, colder weather can cause adverse effects to the vehicle if not properly winterized.
You should always check out a used golf cart thoroughly before buying to ensure nothing has been damaged. Used golf carts may go for less in areas where there are limited use times due to cold weather.
Maintenance
All vehicles require regular maintenance, so they have an extended life. What type of golf cart you buy will determine the amount of money you may spend on maintenance. If you’re on a limited budget, you’d want to buy a golf card that requires less maintenance.
Electric golf carts have fewer parts than gasoline golf carts. It’s more affordable to maintain an electric golf cart’s 500 pieces than it is to keep up with more than 2,000 separate parts found in a gas-powered cart.
However, batteries for an electric golf cart can be expensive. You want to be sure the cart you buy has a battery that’s in good condition. Otherwise, you could spend anywhere from a few hundred up to two thousand dollars on a battery pack.
Wear and Tear
Keeping your golf cart regularly maintained helps get more extended use out of your vehicle and lowers the need for repairs.
But many pieces will wear out after a certain amount of time, regardless of your maintenance schedule. When an electric golf cart has so many pieces, it can get expensive, keeping up with all the different parts that generally wear out.
But electric carts also wear down over time, like gasoline carts. The parts for electric buggies can be more expensive than gas-powered parts.
Accessories
There are many accessories you can get added to your golf cart. You could expect to pay for these with a used golf cart, as you would if you bought your cart new from a dealer. If a buyer has installed these extra accessories themselves, they may expect a higher price for their cart.
Examples of extra accessories that may be added to a golf cart include:
- Covers
- Mirrors (side and rear view)
- Lights
- Rocker panels
- Steering equipment
- Fender flares
- Life kits
- Bluetooth capabilities
- Heaters
- Extra storage
- Coolers
- Cup holders
- Rims
- Blinkers
- Tags (if your cart is allowed to be road legal)
- Custom seats
- Boosted engine
- Number of seats (golf carts can hold two, four, or six people)
Where to Shop for Used Golf Carts?
When shopping for a used golf cart, there are plenty of places to check. There are usually plenty of options available in most locations, year-round. Let’s look at some of the best places to shop for a used golf cart.
Golf Courses
The first place to check for used golf carts is to check golf courses. Many courses routinely upgrade their carts, which means you could luck up on a good deal.
The great thing about buying from a course is most of them take good care of their carts. Although the cart may have a lot of hours on the motor from frequent use, they do regular maintenance.
Most courses use electric golf carts because they’re easier to keep maintained, and they are a cheaper option when bought brand new compared to a gas golf cart.
Social Media
Sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace make it easy to connect with sellers who want to get rid of their current toys.
Often, you may even be able to negotiate a trade if you have something of value you are willing to exchange for your cart in place of money.
You should always use caution when shopping from strangers. Always test the cart before you agree to buy. If possible, have someone with experience look it over for any signs of problems or damage.
Be sure you get a receipt or bill of sale, especially for carts you plan to register for highway use. Having proof of purchase saves you time if problems arise regarding ownership.
It’s also a good idea to ask if there is a record of maintenance so you can be sure the golf cart you’re buying has been used correctly.
Manufacturers
Many times, dealers will have used inventory that they offer for sale or lease. Purchasing from a dealer gives you the option to get financing so you can pay a monthly payment instead of having to buy your golf cart outright with the entire sum of money upfront.
Buying from a dealer also helps you ensure the cart you get is in good condition. Most dealers do any repairs or maintenance before they sell an item. And many have warranties, so if something breaks, you won’t need to shell out a whole paycheck to repair the problem.
Some common golf cart brands to consider are:
- Yamaha
- Club Car
- EZ-GO
Tips for Shopping for a Used Golf Cart
When shopping for a used golf cart, it can be easy to get confused about making sure you’re getting a good deal. We’ve put together a few shopping tips to help make your experience easier.
Get Details
When looking at golf carts, try to narrow your search to sellers that can provide you with specifics about the cart for sale.
You want to know what model your cart is, how much it’s been used, and any parts that have been replaced.
If a seller acts suspicious about providing any of these details, you may want to pass on the offer, as it could be that the golf cart hasn’t been adequately maintained. Or it may have been used more than the seller is letting on.
Negotiate
Many people make the mistake of agreeing to a price without attempting to negotiate. When dealing with individual sellers, it never hurts to negotiate with the dealer over a lower price.
Most sellers expect a counteroffer, so they set their prices higher than they actually expect to get. While you don’t want to come back with an offensive number below the asking price, it doesn’t hurt to try getting the number down a bit.
Do a thorough examination and point out areas you think might bring the cost down. Are the tires low on the tread? Is the interior torn? Maybe there are scratches on the paint or a dented hood. Most items are not perfect if they are used. Make sure you’re paying what the cart is worth.
Research
It can be tempting to jump on an offer when you see something that fits your exact needs. But before you sign any deals, you should do your research to find common issues about the model.
You should also see the going rate for similar items compared to what the seller is asking. If the price is too high, you can negotiate a lower price by pointing out that it’s marked higher than others. There may be a reason, but it may just be a difficult seller.
Know the average costs so you don’t end up overpaying. Also, be wary of items listed for much lower than other models, which could point to a problem the seller doesn’t want to disclose. Cheaper isn’t always better.
Refurbished or Used
Many people stumble on the terms refurbished and used. While these words are synonyms, they often have different meanings in terms of selling.
When you purchase a used golf cart, you are typically buying from an individual seller who used their cart for personal use. Most of the time, the buyer only has one item for sale.
Once you buy a used golf cart from an individual seller, it’s usually a final deal. If there are problems with the cart, you will have to eat the costs for repairs.
A dealer or manufacturer usually sells a refurbished golf cart. Refurbished golf carts are used carts that came from a previous owner through a trade or purchase. They can also come from a course fleet.
Although refurbished golf carts are used, they are, typically, of good quality. Most dealers will do repairs and maintenance to make your cart close to new again. But many times, the work is cosmetic and may hide underlying causes that could be severe problems.
Most refurbished carts do not have a warranty, so the repairs are out of your pocket if something gets damaged. The only way to ensure your golf cart is protected under contract is to buy from a dealer, and it usually has to be a new model. Some dealers may offer a short term warranty for an additional cost.
In Closing
Golf carts are a fun and easy way to get around, whether it’s on the golf course, through the woods, or just for a stroll around your neighborhood. Buying a used golf cart helps you save money and get a better deal on a cart that already has some extra features. It also lets you save money, so you have enough left over to add these additional features on your own.