In America, the golf cart market is projected to grow to $1627.6 million by 2026. More people are purchasing and using golf carts as a means to get around town. They are affordable and are useable in more areas than you might think!
Golf carts are a relaxing way to travel. People like to use them for low-speed, low-stress, enjoyable journeys. As long as you follow the local regulations, they are easy and safe vehicles to operate.
Here are some of the things you should think about before purchasing a golf cart of your own.
Are You Seeking a New or Used Golf Cart For Sale?
Don’t feel you always have to buy new to get the most out of your purchase. There are plenty of second-hand street legal golf carts available that are well maintained and still in top condition.
A new golf cart will, of course, come with all the latest available technology. This can not only make them easier to operate but is also a better option for the environment. However, a new golf cart will come with a higher price tag than a secondhand one.
A second-hand street legal golf cart will be cheaper and may also include upgrades if the previous owner made these changes. However, you will have to take a closer look at the service history before purchasing.
What Does Florida Law Say About Street Legal Golf Carts?
To keep your golf cart street legal in Florida, you will have to follow particular rules and keep up to date with regulations. Many of these are common sense and will protect you, pedestrians, and other users on the road.
First, the brakes on your golf cart must be up to standard. They must be strong and efficient so that they are capable of stopping within an appropriate distance of a person or another vehicle. Your steering wheel, tires, and mirrors must also meet safety standards.
Your street legal golf cart must also have red reflex reflectors. These allow you to be seen in low-visibility areas. Street legal golf carts can only be used on roads where the speed limit is 35MPH or lower.
You should also know that your street legal golf cart must be fully insured and registered before it is road safe. This helps to cover you if you are involved in an accident.
Street legal golf carts are also referred to as Low-Speed Vehicles. If you need to find out more about the regulations associated with street legal golf carts, you’ll find them listed as LSVs.
How is Your Golf Cart Powered?
Most street legal golf carts are powered by one of two sources: gas or electricity. Both have advantages and disadvantages attached to them. The one you go with will simply depend on your personal preference for your golf cart.
Environmentally, there is a clear move towards electric vehicles. They are more silent and much less polluting for the planet. Electric golf carts also typically don’t require as much maintenance as gas-powered ones.
However, you do have to charge them and keep extra batteries at hand. Electric golf carts also tend to be slightly less powerful than their gas-powered counterparts.
Gas-powered street legal golf carts are more powerful than electric vehicles. However, with greatly increasing gas prices, they are more expensive to operate.
Will the Street Legal Golf Cart Require a Lot of Maintenance?
A new street legal golf cart is all well and good. However, if you need to spend as much as you paid on maintenance, then it will quickly become a burden.
Before you decide to buy, you should find out if your golf cart has needed any previous maintenance. This could be anything from exterior repairs to engine issues. Knowing about these potential maintenance issues in advance will allow you to be prepared for them if they happen again.
Of course, if you’re buying a brand new golf cart, it won’t have any upkeep history. However, you should still ask the dealership that you’re buying your cart from if particular parts need to be upgraded in the future. Your dealership should be transparent with you about this and should keep you informed of any possible maintenance your golf cart will need in the future.
The cost of maintenance will vary depending on exactly what your cart needs. However, you should know that depending on the issue, repairs can get pretty expensive, so it is always best to be as prepared as you can.
Do You Have All the Info You Need About Your Golf Cart?
This is a very important component of buying a new or used golf cart. You want to make sure that you have access to all your vehicle information before purchasing, but what kind of things should you look for?
First and foremost, you should know the model of your golf cart. Knowing the year it was produced, and its driving history, will help you prepare for unexpected maintenance in the future.
It’s also a good idea to check up on the vehicle components, such as the tires. This will enable you to have the correct spares on hand once any wear and tear issues occur.
Browse the Best Street Legal Golf Carts
Golf carts are a great way to travel in Northwest Florida. They are designed for slower, less stressful commuting, and they are a great way to bear the Florida sun! Driving a street legal golf cart is also safe, as long as you stick to the government regulations and normal operation.
By asking yourself the above questions before purchasing a street legal golf cart, you’ll be better prepared to make the most informed choices. This means you will get the most out of your golf cart and have less upkeep with it while you use it. Plus, you’ll benefit from knowing everything there is to know about your vehicle.
To find the best street legal golf carts in Florida, check out what we have to offer. You can browse through the full range of golf carts, parts, and accessories to get an idea of exactly what you want. If you have any questions, simply reach out to the team.