Why do so many more people today buy electric golf cars instead of gas-powered ones?
In l994 when Club Car produced the first-ever electric 48 volt golf car, it was the beginning of the end of gas golf car dominance. Once users discovered they now had the power, speed and range they wanted with electric, they were no longer willing to put up with the noise, smell and higher repair bills associated with gas golf cars. (Gas golf cars have about 30 times more moving parts in them than electrics do.)

What are the key questions to ask when buying a golf car?
Presuming you are buying from a dealer rather than a neighbor down the street, is the dealer backed by the manufacturer of the golf car I am buying? Factory authorized dealers are best trained to service and fix your car, and have access to factory parts designed for your car. On new cars, you will also get a factory-backed warranty. (Club Cars come with the longest FREE warranties in the industry, covering four years on the most costly golf car parts.)

What is the power, speed, range and value of the car I’m buying? Has the dealer altered an element of design of the golf car that may void the factory warranty? (Several local dealers do just that, and they don’t warn their customers in advance.)

If you are buying a used car, what is the overall condition, the age of the batteries and how much use has the car had? With a Club Car this information comes from an on-board computer that tabulates total energy use from the day it was installed.

What is Star?

We are pleased to announce the arrival of the latest addition to our golf car family - Star. Star is an import that has been sold in the US for 3 years, but is new to Southern Arizona. It is powered by Trojan 36 or 48Volt battery systems, which drive their 4.0 or 5.5 HP motors.

For those on a tight budget, Star is a great value. Included in their long list of standard features are retractable seat belts and turn signals, things you would pay extra for on other golf cars. Available in your choice of seven standard colors. Two Year Factory Warranty.

Star, exceptional value, great car, reasonable price.

How hard can it be to fix a simple golf car?
Not simple at all. Ask the El Conquistador golfer who was told by a non-authorized dealer that he needed new wiring and batteries when the problem was in the computer. The non-dealer had neither the training, parts nor equipment to diagnose and fix the problem properly.

Or listen to what happened to the SaddleBrooke resident whose six-year old golf car was periodically cutting out. A non-dealer with little experience said the golf car needed a new controller. It didn’t. The real culprit was a loose cable to the motor. Getting the proper diagnosis from the authorized dealer saved the owner over $700.

Is a rebuild a good buy?
It can be, but make sure what is being called a rebuild, really is. A clean frame, painted body, nice seats and new batteries hardly constitute a rebuild. The fact is, only the original vehicle manufacturer, which controls new parts prices, can afford to produce a true rebuild. Under its 12-step Gold Standard Program, Club Car turns a young golf course rental car into a like-new, safe, reliable rebuild. Over 100 used parts are replaced with new ones. Another 25 parts are inspected for wear or damage and replaced as necessary.

One dealer says he’ll put a bigger motor in the new golf car I want to get more speed out of it. Is this a good idea?
Make sure the motor in your new golf car is the one the manufacturer designed for it to have. Aware that the cars they represent are anemic in the power department, some dealers swap the original equipment motor for an aftermarket one. This presents three problems. One, you aren’t getting what you paid for. Two, you end up with a system of incompatible parts which will let you down sooner or later. Three, the dealer may be voiding your factory new car warranty. Buying a golf car is not as simple as it seems. Check things out before you buy and get it right the first time. Don’t be the one who later laments "if only I had done my homework.”

Does a golf car have to be licensed?
In Arizona, only if it is being used on public streets. Then it has to be street-legal. This means it must have headlights, tail lights, brake lights, rearview mirror and horn. Otherwise it needs a state title only. Note, many private communities require golf cars to be street legal for safety reasons, even when they are only operated on private streets.

How fast can a golf car go?
If you buy a LSV (low speed vehicle) created under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #500, the maximum speed allowed by law is 25mph. Otherwise the speed cap is 20mph. LSVs (the electric version in Arizona is called the Neighborhood Electric Vehicle or NEV) must be not only street legal, but also have additional safety equipment: seat belts, turn signals, a side mirror as well as a center mirror, reflectors around the roof, an AS5 plexiglas or better windshield and a l7- digit VIN # created according to federal law.

How long do electric batteries last?
It depends on how they are used, and how well they are cared for. Charge them regularly, keep them clean, keep them filled with distilled water and use them regularly, and they should last for five years if you get the best quality.

What golf car battery represents the best quality?
Hands down, it’s the Trojan 875 (8 volts) and Trojan 1275 (12 volts) from Trojan Battery Company.

What about snowbirds who go away for the summer?
No problem, if they have a Club Car. The savvy R&D people at Club Car designed the 48 Volt Club Car DS, and later the Precedent too, with an on-board computer that turns the charger on when owners are away. It’s not a trickle charge. It’s a full charge when the computer determines that the voltage output in the car has fallen below the optimal range. (Computers can’t fill the batteries with water, however; so you have to rely on a friend or neighbor for that.)

How often does an electric golf car need to be charged?
We tell our customers to charge their cars overnight so they are ready to go the next morning. The charger will shut off automatically. If you are lucky enough to own a 48Volt Club Car, then an on-board computer will do all the work. The computer is the brains of the charging system and makes sure the batteries are never overcharged; it will even charge the car for you if you take a vacation. 

Is it true that you don’t have to charge batteries as often during the summer?
Even if you’re a snowbird and the golf car sits in the garage idly during the summer, it is critical that the batteries are regularly charged. Hot summer weather causes deep-cycling golf car batteries to discharge at a much quicker rate than in cold climates. For example, a healthy fully charged set of batteries will lose half their capacity in just 9 weeks if sitting in 85 degree temps. Imagine what happens in Tucson garages that reach l00 degrees and higher.