Buying a Used Gas Golf Cart
Like buying anything else, there are pros and cons to buying a used gas golf cart. This article will help guide you to determine if the gas golf cart you are looking at is a worthwhile purchase.
In today’s world, gas golf carts are a bit hard to find. When looking at a gas golf cart, it is great to determine the make and year that best suits you. For more assistance on this, feel free to check out our golf cart reviews and our free guide to purchasing a golf cart. Once you have determined the right gas golf cart for you, it’s time to see what the market has to offer. Now, there is a difference between refurbished\reconditioned golf carts and used golf carts. A refurbished golf cart means it was used on a golf course for 3 to 5 years and is now being resold. Therefore, as a refurbished unit, the seller usually checks the whole unit out and replaces specific parts. A used golf cart typically means it is being sold in as-is condition.
Inspect the Engine
The first thing to look at on a gas golf cart is the engine. The engine itself will tell a story of its condition. It should be free of oil and burn marks and overall look clean. The dirtier an engine, the more use it has likely seen. We can verify an engine’s running condition by doing a compression check. Most gas engines should have a compression of around 150 psi. Other components such as fuel lines and air filters should be relatively new and free of debris. Once again, the dirtier these components, the more likely the unit has not been properly cared for. It is also important to look at the belts. The belts should look fresh and have a flat surface facing you. If it has a cup or u-shaped like feel to it, then It will need to be replaced. Also, the smaller belt that attaches to the starter should be nice and tight. The larger belt that attaches to the clutch will normally be loose.
Inspect the Wiring
If additional accessories are installed like headlights, brake lights, and turn signals, then you should inspect the wiring. A lot of these accessories are installed after the fact meaning that wires can be poorly tied into the unit and can lead to future problems– not to mention that it will be harder to fix in the future if there is an issue. However, there is not a gas golf cart manufacturer that installs these accessories at the manufacture level, so buyer beware when inspecting wiring on a gas golf cart.
Take the Gas Golf Cart on a Test Drive
You can tell a lot by a gas golf cart through a test drive. The older unit the louder it will more likely be. Do a simple test on the alignment of the vehicle by driving straight and removing your hands from the steering wheel to see if the vehicle pulls to the left or right. If it does, then you know the unit will need work done on the front suspension. Try to listen for squeaking noises during your drive as well as this can indicate improper adjustment on the belts or other various queues. Also, track the speed of the unit. If the unit goes under 20 MPH, then you should be good to go. If it goes faster than 20 MPH, then usually it means an adjustment or modification has been made to the unit. The faster and older a gas golf cart is, the more issues the unit will have down the road due to increased wear and tear.
Gas Carts can be a great purchase depending on your scenario and daily use. Be diligent about inspecting the unit and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Are you looking to purchase an used Electric Golf Cart instead? Check out our article on things to look for when buying a used Electric Golf Cart
