Golf cart, upgrade or new

Been seeing lots of new brands of golf carts in OZ.   I think the market to refurbish / rebuilt the old ones is drawing to a close.  Was a time that the golf cart rebuilders did a huge biz.  They would paint, do new upholstery, high speed motors, batteries, and wheels tires and sell them to the public.    

Now you can buy a new cart for under $8000 with the lithium ion batteries.   These brands are all Chineze parts but assembled in the USA.    I've sure seen allot of folks down in OZ that replace their carts when batteries are shot rather than replace the batteries.     The new litium batteries are good for over ten years.  

I just had this same scenario last year here in MN......and decided to replace my lead acid batteries.   My last batteries lasted for about ten years as we dont use the cart too much here in MN.   I figure if I get ten years out of the batteries that's about the end of my needs.    I spent about $1200 on the batteries and some needed cables.  

One thing about batteries.......is that the lead / acid batties last allot longer here in MN vs AZ.   In OZ the high temps shorten battery life to about 2 to 3 years.     We have two carts in OZ.  

One is a newer EZ Go that I purchased with a Lithium battery. Its now about 4 or 5 years old and I have not had an issue.  No maintenance.....no corrosion issues.   When we get back after 6 months....the battery is the same as when we left.  

Our other golf cart was rebuilt about 12 years ago by a cart converter - as described above.    I just replaced the batteries for a third time.   We put in a Lithium Ion conversion which is guaranteed for ten years.....and they are said to last longer.   We are sold on LI-ion for the desert (hot) climate.   I paid about $3300 to do the conversion - complete.    I did consider a new cart.....but the price difference was too much for my frugal ways.    

These carts are driven about 4 hours each day.....on nearly a daily basis.   So they do get some use.....and who wants problems or maintainance issues?    Also, I had a lead acid battery ruin some of my garage floor here in MN.   Argh!!

Staining is one thing.....but the acid ate into my concrete at my shed.  Made a mess out of the floor in that area.     Now I keep a plastic Menards tarp under the cart in case the acid oozes out with a weather change.       

I will say that our conversion to the li-ion in our "old" cart is working super well.....as are numerous other conversions with folks I know.   Ends battery terminal corrosion and any kind of maintenance whatsoever.   Have not heard anyone that grumbles about the conversions.  

Kinda wondering why I put lead acid back into my old EZ Go at the deertopia.   But if the cart lasts another 5 years or so......I will likely be done with it.   It's over 20 years old now....but still gives a quiet ride to the deer stands when we use it.    Not too often in recent years.