E-Z-GO UTV's

texbaylea · Nov 14, 2004

E-Z-GO UTV\'s

My wife and I are having knee problems so are looking at a UTV to get around our place. The Gators and others like them have no left foot room due to the wheel well. The E-Z-GO UTV's look like they will have more foot room, certainly their golf carts work OK for us.

Does anyone have any experience with E-Z-GO, particularly the gas ones? Comments?

jinman · Nov 14, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

Vernon, I looked at the E-Z-Go Workhorse models and was almost ready to buy one before I looked at the Kawasaki Mule and realized how much more flexible the Mule was. I felt like the 11hp E-Z-Go was underpowered for anything but flat terrain and the 18 hp model was almost as much as the Mule. Both Workhorses had drivetrains suited best for the golf course rather than rough, wet, or muddy conditions. The thing I disliked the most was that when you let off the gas and came to a stop, the engine stopped. When you pressed the accelerator, the engine had to start and then you were off and running. That seemed okay, but how long can a starter motor take that kind of "abuse." It just seemed like they were trying to make a gasoline engine work like an electric golfcart. Also, in the Workhorse 480 you can only seat two, whereas the Mule will seat three across on it's bench seat (if you aren't too broad at the 'beam').

I'll see you at TX-Don's bridge dedication in a couple of weeks and you'll be welcome to test drive the 4WD 3010 Mule. Unless you have really steep terrain, you could get the two-wheel drive Mule 3000 and be only slightly more than the E-z-Go Workhorse. For that you get a water-cooled engine and a transmission that is protected against all the elements in any set of wet and dry conditions. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

bczoom · Nov 15, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

My Dad has an EZ-Go and a Ranger.
The EZ-Go is used around the yard and for visits down the road. I've driven it and it seems fine for small projects but I concur with jinman that they're not made for rough conditions.

They do shut off when you let off the pedal. My Dad's is probably close to 10 years old and he's never had any problems with the starter or engine. I would think it would be possible to change it so it doesn't shut down but don't know for sure.

texbaylea · Nov 15, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

JimI

Thanks, we will talk to you at TxDon's. We are not in a hurry and want to find something reasonable for our situation. Only slightly hilly, well packed sand, wont be going mudding except by accident.
I think that we will be also looking at good used units.

I looked briefly at the Mule but had the same problem of no place to put my left foot and keep my knee extended.

Vernon

Jimbrown · Nov 15, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

I do not have an EZ Go but I do have a Club Car cart that we use around the place to go to the barn and open gates ect. Also drive it to vist neighbors. It has a small rack on the back that can be used as a platform to carry stuff or folded up to carry two people. The advantage over MUles ect is that it will carry 4 people or as we do the dog. It is not a Mule but does OK for carrying people and small items back and forth to the barn. It is not fast and not powerful but has gone everywhere I was brave enough to drive it. I am sure it is almost identical to an EZ GO. The starter is not a problem as they do not use starters similar to other machines they use a starter generator that always turns with the engine. It is simply a DC motor that turns the engine if you apply power to it and then generates DC after the engine starts My guess is it will out last the engine. They do not idel but I do not see that as a problem. You just mash the pedal to go and let off to stop. They are very quiet much more so than most ATV. For anything heavy I use the BX. PIC attached.

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Nov 15, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

I have an EZ-GO ST 350 with the big off road tires & elec/dump bed. It's done all we've asked it to do.........there's a special spring for the torque converter available thru Everythingoffroad.com that will give it even more low end hill pulling power. There's a dealer in PA (Keyes) that has the best prices I've seen.........I wish I'd have known about before I got ours........Could have saved about 15% over what I paid for mine. All in all we really like ours.........had it about 3 years now with no problems..........Tom

jinman · Nov 15, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

( I looked briefly at the Mule but had the same problem of no place to put my left foot and keep my knee extended.
)

I think I understand what you mean now. The wheelwell on the Mule and many others does protrude into the platform area. I set my left foot up on mine sometimes, but if you have a knee that needs to be extended, that wheelwell is going to be right in your way. Of course, you can sit in the middle of the bench seat and that gives you a little more room.

JimBrown's Club Car looks ideal for hauling passengers and light cargo around. Many UTVs can be outfitted with seats in the rear bed, but you still have to climb up into the bed or add steps before you can get into the seats.

The point about the starter-generator is a good one. I'm sure it's more heavy duty than the average starter. I just couldn't get used to it on a gasoline engine. Maybe with time. . . .

I really don't have anything against the EZ-Go models except they seem to be a little expensive compared to some others. If you could get a good discount like Tom mentioned. They just might be ideal. My NH dealer was going to sell me a ST350 for $6,000, but he wanted $7,400 for the ST480. I thought that was a little expensive for a 2WD UTV.

Vernon, I think TX-Don has a Club Car, so you'll get a good side-by-side comparison. If you are looking for basic transportation and leg room, that just might be the best package for you.

keeney · Nov 15, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

Golf carts get started nearly a hundred times per round of golf (maybe more, depending on the skill of the golfers involved), for one or two rounds per day for their whole service life. I would be sure that EZ-Go has this part of their machine design fairly well perfected.

I would think that it would be a very convenient feature if you are making a lot of stops.

- Rick

texbaylea · Nov 15, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

JimI

It will be a good chance for my wife and I to get a feel of what to look for. Its not that we cannot bend or knees but if we sit with them bent like that for very long it is extremely painful when we stand.

I am 6'-6" with a size 15 shoe which complicates matters.

The motor/generator E-Z-GO uses should have a long life and does not bother me. I can also understand why a bunch of idling golf carts around a tee would not be desirable.

See you in 3 weeks.

Vernon

jinman · Nov 15, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

( Golf carts get started nearly a hundred times per round of golf (maybe more, depending on the skill of the golfers involved), )

Okay, I 3-putt alot, but I never start the cart between putts. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

...over a hundred times? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Wow! If I was behind you would you let me play through? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Bird · Nov 16, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

Jim, if you really think about it, I'll bet even very good players, two to a cart, will start it 100 times in a round of golf.

jinman · Nov 16, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

( Jim, if you really think about it, I'll bet even very good players, two to a cart, will start it 100 times in a round of golf. )

Yeah, Bird. I figured two players with three shouts each on average in the fairway and that works out to easily 100 starts. I just couldn't help giving Keeney a hard time about it, though. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Now the type of golf I play, I always have a problem getting the cart down those narrow paths beside the windmill anyhow. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Nov 16, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

( 

Now the type of golf I play, I always have a problem getting the cart down those narrow paths beside the windmill anyhow. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif ) That's why you need the lift kit & the big tires !! Duhhh...........Tom

Bird · Nov 16, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

At least with that kind of golf, Jim, I only lost about half as many balls as I do now. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

LandscapeMan · Nov 16, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

I love my EZ-GO ST-350 Workhorse. Granted it is not the best rough terrain vehicle. I use mine for landscape work and running around on my 5 acres. They are very well designed and stone cold reliable. Lucky if you can use more than a tank of gas in a year. The 2 cly 350 cc Robin engines is the quietest, smoothest most fuel efficent that I have come across. You won't win any drag races. But you shold have a very dependable, capable vehicle that will perform for a very very long time with if basic matenance is done. The fit and finish are first class.
Charlie

keeney · Nov 18, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

"Yeah, Bird. I figured two players with three shouts each on average in the fairway and that works out to easily 100 starts. I just couldn't help giving Keeney a hard time about it, though. "

Some of my putts have required moving the cart, but there are also lots of non-stroke cart starts and stops to account for:

A few starts picking up your clubs and your partners clubs from the parking lot and returning them.

Two starts to go to the driving range and back.

Two more to get to the practice green and back.

If your partner is a new driver, several re-positioning starts accompanied by "Oh, is this in the way of your shot?".

Add in a dozen stops for beer.

A start at the turn for food.

Matching number of stops to return beer.

A couple of starts to go back and find the left-behind clubs on the previous hole.

Some more starts for stupid golf cart tricks.

A few more starts trying to get the cart un-stuck at the completion of stupid golf-cart tricks.

A couple of starts when you buzz over to ogle the course's new tractors.

Add a few "extra" holes worth of stops if you play twighlight golf and the course owner lets you play as long as you want after you finish the first 18.

One more to put the cart away at the end of the day.

texbaylea · Nov 18, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

Charlie

Those are the words I was hoping to hear. There are no steep grades or rough areas on our 20 acres so we just need to be able to move ourselves and a few tools. Certainly we won't be racing around or mudding by intent.

I will start looking for a deal and maybe a good used E-Z-GO UV.

Vernon

LandscapeMan · Nov 18, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

Vernon,
I bought mine used, Ebay. It was mint. I paid $3400.
It came with the golf cart style turf tires. Last year I purchased new tires and wheels from EZ-GO. The larger all terrain type that the new ones come with. I also changed out the centrifical clutch ( OEM EZ-GO) for the lower gearing to match the larger diameter tires. I also mounted a winch. It comes stock with front and rear recievers.
The dump body works great. The payload is rated at 500 lb.
But I do 600>700 lb. on a regular basis. I think you will be very happy if you decide to go EZ-GO.
Charlie

rlk · Nov 21, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

Vernon, I have a Workhorse 480 that I bought new in April 2002. It has been great - never had a problem with it.

I use it to get around the pond and to move building materials where my truck can't go. I have a 5 x 8 utility trailer that it pulls with no problem, even when loaded with lumber (not a full load). I have had forty pressure treated 2 x 4's on the trailer and the E-Z-Go pulled the trailer with no problem.

I'm located in Central North Carolina, in the heart of golf country. There is an E-Z-Go distributer about 20 miles away. He would not sell to me but told me of a small dealer he sells to. I contacted the dealer and we agreed on $6500. This included the top and windshield.

I'll admit it is a real pain to change the oil and oil filter as they are very hard to get to.

Based on my experiences I don't think you can go wrong with the E-Z-Go.

Bob

texbaylea · Nov 22, 2004

Re: E-Z-GO UTV\'s

Bob and others.

Thanks for the replies and info. It looks like a ST350 is probably a good fit for what we want. Now I just have to find the right deal. We are not in a hurry. I will be working with the tractor this winter reclearing trails and opening up more areas. Spring might be a good time and might find a deal on a trade-in.

Vernon