Here in the United States, we have a deep love for golf carts, which isn’t shared by our European friends across the pond.
In America, â…” of golfers ride in golf carts when playing golf, where it seems 90% of Europeans prefer walking around the course.
Whatever floats your boat, I guess!
Constantly renting carts every weekend can add up, and diehard golfers will often look into buying their own to cut down costs in the long run.
This is an increasing trend, and how the golf cart market is trending reflects this.
In 2022, the market size was around $1.800,000,000 (Billion), and it’s projected by 2030 this will increase to $2.870,000,000.
So, at least you know you’re not alone in wanting your own personal golf cart.
But how much are they? What’s the difference between buying used or new? A gas or electric golf cart?
Well, don’t worry. We have done the hard work for you; all the information you need is below.
Quick Menu
The Price Of A New Golf Cart
New golf carts will cost you between $7000-$13,500 for a basic golf cart, or up to $18,000 if you install some extras.
Stock golf carts are the basic models, with no added seats, storage, wheels, GPS, or whatever else golfers may want on their cart.
They do their job, which is driving you, your golf buddies, and your golf bags around the golf course as you’re on the hunt for birdies… or a few beers.
Sure, the extras would be nice, but they can add up quickly if you’re on a budget.
The Benefits Of Buying A New Golf Cart
Warranty – New carts come with a warranty, saving you a lot of money if something goes wrong in the short term.
No Previous Owners – Since it’s brand new, you will be the first to drive it, so there is no need to worry about how it was driven or if it was taken care of before.
Everything Is New – New carts mean new parts. So you don’t have to worry about something breaking after just getting it, and if it does happen, you’ll be covered under warranty anyway.
The Downsides Of Buying A New Golf Cart
Expensive – Buying straight from the showroom floor is going to do some damage to your bank account. Obviously, it’s not an issue if you have it to spend.
Depreciation – Like with all new vehicles, the price will drop once you roll it off the lot.
The Price Of A Used Golf Cart
Used golf carts have more of a range but will set you back between $3000-$10,000.
The reason they have more of a range is because there are more factors that will affect their price.
Factors that affect the price:
Golf Cart Condition
Carts that are in really good shape and have been regularly maintained will sell for more than a rusted, beat-down old golf cart that was forgotten about.
How Old/New It Is
When you’re buying a pre-owned golf cart of the latest models, the price will not be much lower. You will still save money, of course.
But the price of a 10-year-old golf cart will be on the lower end of the price range no matter how well it is looked after.
Buying From A Private Seller/Dealer
Buying used golf carts from private sellers will be your cheapest option of getting a cart.
If the same golf cart were being sold by a registered dealer, it would probably be $1000-$2000 more expensive.
The reason for this is because of the risk factor and lack of warranty from private sellers. So you have to know what you’re looking at.
Checkout the below post if you need help knowing what to look for:
What To Look For When Buying A Used Golf Cart
More Sellers Available
At the risk of turning this into an economics class, the more of something there is, the cheaper it will be.
Fewer people are selling the latest versions of golf carts than people are selling old golf carts.
From dealerships to the Ned Flanders of your neighborhood, you won’t be short of people trying to get the sale by being competitive on price.
The Benefits Of Buying A Used Golf Cart
Cheaper – The price is the only benefit of buying a used golf cart. It will allow some golfers who cannot afford a golf cart to join in the fun.
Obviously, there can be downsides, but you will read about that in the next section.
The Downsides Of Buying A Used Golf Cart
Can Be Risky – Everyone knows that used vehicles can be a blessing or a curse. The chance of being burned financially from buying used is very likely in your lifetime.
You don’t know who the previous owner was, why it was being sold, or how it was driven.
This is why knowing what you’re doing before you buy is important.
No Warranty From Private Sellers – The main issue with buying from private sellers is that you don’t get a warranty. If you inspect the vehicle, test drive it, and hand over the money, when something goes wrong, it’s on you.
This is one of the biggest reasons golfers prefer buying used golf carts from reputable dealerships.
Should You Buy New Or Used Golf Carts?
There is no clear-cut winner, and ultimately, it comes down to how much money you have to spend.
You could buy one cheaply and keep a little extra cash aside should anything go wrong and you must fix it.
You could also spend all your money to get a new golf cart with a warranty.
So before you spend all your hard-earned cash, sit down and chat with your bank account (AKA your partner) and see what you can realistically spend.
The Price Of A Customized Golf Cart
Unlike the new and used golf carts, it’s impossible to give you a price range as there is no limit.
Adding extras to your used or new golf cart can drive up the golf carts cost.
Some golfers may even prefer to buy an old golf cart for cheap and spend the money to add speakers, light bar kits, custom paint jobs, more speed, body kits, lift kits, wheels, and seats.
For example, you could buy a $4,000 cart and customize it completely by spending $8,000, which will work out the same price as a new golf cart without the additional features.
It all depends.
A whole new set of wheels could cost $200+, a new body kit with installation $600-$1,000, or new custom leather seats $500.
When it comes to custom carts, there are no limits.
Is There A Difference In Price For Gas Or Electric Golf Carts?
Yes, in both the buying price and the price of future maintenance.
Electric golf carts are the cheaper of the two, and because they are battery powered will run cheaper over their lifetime.
Gas golf carts are more expensive and must be serviced regularly like any other gas-powered vehicle.
Eventually, gas carts will be phased out, with around 80% of the market today being electric carts.
Does The Price Change Depending On The Number Of Seats?
Yes, the more seats on the golf cart you’re buying, the more expensive it will be.
Additional seats require more materials to be used, bigger frames, and motors to keep the cart moving.
Below is a rough estimate, as it depends on the cart being modified. Factors like the cart’s size, age, and condition all come into play.
Golf Cart A (2 Seater) – $10,000
Golf Cart B (4 Seater) – $12,000
Golf Cart C (6 Seater) – $15,000
What Are The Most Expensive Golf Carts In The World?
When it comes to expensive golf carts, only one of the major golf cart brands consistently produces some of the largest price tags on the market.
This brand is called Garia and has produced multiple carts costing more than $50,000, and they even teamed up with Mercedes for one of them.
Their top 3 carts price-wise are below:
Garia Mercedes-Benz Style Golf Cart – $73,000+
Garia Mansory Currus – $62,500+
Garia Edition Soleil De Minuit – $52,000+
For images of these carts and more, check them out here.
Enjoyed this post on golf cart prices? Check out a couple of our other cart-related posts below: