If you had told me five years ago that my favorite vehicle would have no doors, a top speed of 19 mph, and cost less to run than my coffee habit, I would have laughed. Yet here we are.
The Moment I Decided
I live in a golf cart-friendly community in Florida. Every neighbor seemed to have one — zipping to the pool, the mailbox, the local Publix. I was the odd one out, firing up a full-size SUV just to grab milk. After calculating that I was spending roughly $15 a week on gas for trips under two miles, the math became impossible to ignore.
I bought a 2023 E-Z-Go Express S4 ELiTE. Sticker price: $12,400. Was it worth it? Let me walk you through it.
What Nobody Tells You
The good stuff:
The silence is genuinely delightful. Cruising at sunset with just the hum of tires on pavement feels almost meditative. My dog loves it more than the car — she perches on the back seat like she owns the neighborhood.
The operating cost is borderline absurd. I charge it once a week. My electricity bill went up maybe $8 a month. I used to spend that on gas every two days.
Community life transformed. You wave at everyone. You stop and chat. You notice gardens and porch renovations you'd never see from a car. It sounds cheesy, but the social aspect is real.
The not-so-good:
Rain is the enemy. Even with a weather enclosure, driving in a downpour is an adventure you didn't ask for. And yes, you will get caught in at least one unexpected storm per season.
Range anxiety exists, especially with lead-acid batteries. After three years of regular use, my original batteries started showing their age — range dropped from 40 miles to about 25. I upgraded to lithium last month ($2,100 installed) and the difference is night and day. Faster charging, no maintenance, consistent performance.
Winter use is limited. Below 40°F, battery performance drops noticeably. If you live somewhere with real winters, factor in 4-5 months of reduced utility.
The Bottom Line
At $12,400 plus roughly $2,000 in accessories (enclosure, mirrors, storage), I'm in for about $14,500. Over three years, fuel savings alone have recouped about $2,000. Maintenance has been maybe $300 total. Resale value on well-maintained electric carts remains strong — I could probably sell mine for $8,000-$9,000 today.
If you live in a community built for carts, the answer is an enthusiastic yes. If you just want one for occasional golf, a used model at $3,000-$5,000 makes more sense. Either way, once you go electric, the gas station feels like ancient history.
