2nd time around: pre-owned golf cars and remodeled favorites offer savings, variety for clubs.

In July of last year, Yamaha Golf-Car Company officially launched its Certified Pre-Owned Program, a refurbishment program that allows used golf cars to experience a second life. The program, now duplicated across the industry, is something club managers should look into in order to provide a source of savings in this tight economy. And at first glance--or even a second or third--it's hard to tell the difference between the preowned and a new model.

"We have heard from many customers that in the existing business climate, there is a real need for a low cost alternative to leasing brand new golf cars," said Bill Szarowicz, vice president of sales for Yamaha. "Many courses are looking for a more affordable way to offer new looking golf cars to their patrons."

A similar program has been initiated this year through Club Car in Augusta, GA. While they already served the consumer market through their highly popular Gold Standard refurbishment program, the REserve program targets the private club fleet market. "We've had a great response to the REserve program since we launched in January of this year," explained Mike Read, communications manager for Club Car, "Because unlike the Gold Standard vehicles, the REserve program serves club fleets specifically." Through both programs, the Club Car vehicles are put through an extensive multi-point inspection process--and put back to work. The entire process is actually completed in an intensive 12-stage metamorphosis. In this regard, the term 'remanufactured' golf car actually makes more sense.

The list of modifications performed on Yamaha's preowned vehicles--available in 36-volt and 48-volt electric and gas models--covers the entire vehicle from roof to tires, in fact, the vehicle ends up receiving a variety of new parts, including:

* New fuel hoses, fuel filter, and air filter;

* New primary clutch, secondary clutch, drive belt, and starter belt;

* New front and rear body panels with safety labels;

* Complete brake system inspection and new brake shoes if needed;

* Complete engine tune-up with oil change, new spark plugs, valve adjustments, and compression check;

* New suntop and mounting hardware;

* New bag straps and sweater basket;

* New tires and rims;

* Complete electrical system check.

According to Chris Wall, marketing manager for Yamaha, leasing a pre-owned vehicle as opposed to a new golf car can end up saving a club around $20 per month. Multiply that dollar amount by the number of cars in your fleet, and you can better understand the potential savings.

"Through the REserve program, a club can expect a 20 to 25 percent annual savings as opposed to leasing a fleet of new vehicles," Club Car's Read added. "This really gives a club the chance to obtain the quality and reputation of one of our vehicles at a more affordable price."

Custom Vehicles

While affordability has become a bigger issue in the vehicle market today, so has the demand for highly versatile vehicles--particularly on the utility side--to meet a wide range of specific tasks.

To that end, EZ-Go has introduced a new line of turf utility trucks for use on golf courses and in other grounds maintenance applications. The EZ-Go MPT--which stands for "multi-purpose truck"--is offered in both gasoline and electric models.

"The MPT line replaces the Workhouse vehicle brand," said Ron Skenes, communications manager for EZ-Go. "We improved the engine and felt as if we had made enough changes to justify rebranding the entire utility vehicle line."

The MPT features a rugged trucklike front cowl mounted on a redesigned and strengthened frame. The widened front axle is just one improved physical feature of the MPT, along with a durable, rotomolded crosslink polyurethane cargo bed, available on the MPT 1200 and 1000, a gasoline model and 48-volt electric, respectively.

"It's got the truck look to it," Skenes explained. "We designed in the slots for two-by-fours, installed ross threaded inserts for tiedowns, and just tried to make this vehicle more versatile for superintendents."

Most notable on the MPT is its use of the new E-Shield corrosion protection process. E-Shield protects the frame of the MPT vehicles from the inside-out by using sealed steel frame tubing base-coated with an epoxy primer. The primer is then covered by a triglycidyl isocyanurate resin as the final layer.

"With E-Shield, we are sealing the ends of the steel tubing, and that locks out any kind of corrosion or course fertilizers from getting up inside the frame," Skenes said.

The MPTs also pack some power under the hood, especially in the gasoline models, the MPT 1200 and 800G. The 1200 boasts an 11 hp, four cycle, 350cc twin cylinder engine capable of a top speed of 13.5 mpg. With a hauling capacity of 1,200 lbs., the MPT 1200 can make short work of a variety of rugged tasks.

Featuring the same regenerative braking technology that is a cornerstone of EZ-Go's golf car line, the electric MPT 1000 operates on a 48-volt powertrain with eight sixvolt batteries for applications that require quiet operation. Other technological components of the MPT 1000 are EZ-Go's Precision Drive System with anti-rollaway protection and computer-controlled diagnostics.

In addition to the MPT line, EZ-Go has created the first vehicle designed specifically for sporting clay shooters: the EZ-Go Clays Car.

"Through our work with the National Sporting Clays Association based in San Antonio, TX, we found out that a lot of people are modifying golf cars for skeet shooting," Skenes explained. "So back in 2001 we took a prototype to their annual sporting clays tournament, and got a ton of feedback based on that experience."

Capable of seating up to four people, the Clays Car comes with a variety of specialty features that make it more than just a generic people-mover. Coming standard with such amenities as a water cooler and ice chest with mounting bracket, rear-mounted swivel gun rack with base, taillights/brakelights, turn signals, a fan, and specialty seat colors in oyster, tan, black, or brown, the Clays Car also comes in such stylish optional exterior colors as Champagne and Hunter Green.

"The Clays Car even has a seat in the back that you can flip over and turn the unit into a flatbed," he said. "We're always looking for new ideas."

Maximum Golf

In the standard golf car line from Yamaha, the new G-Max 48-volt and gas models are being produced at the company's new 210,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Newnan, GA.

"G-Max stands for 'golf to the maximum,'" said Chris Wall. "We take toughness very seriously and we test our golf cars to the maximum."

The G-Max vehicles feature the latest technological innovations through improved durability and performance. The exteriors of all G-Max vehicles are coated in an 18-point paint process that includes full-immersion phosphate cleaning and coating. The controlled powder paint process protects the cars against corrosion. The current color choices include Ivory, Burgundy, Hunter Green, and the new Candy Apple Red and Brilliant Blue.

Under the hood, the G-Max 4-stroke gas-powered vehicle utilizes a low-emission, overhead valve 357cc engine--the largest engine in the industry for a standard golf car--that produces 11.4hp. Conversely, the 48-volt model is powered by a battery that has a high output capacity and charge hold.

In order to maximize efficiency and battery life, Yamaha golf car vehicles utilize a diagnostic tool called the Genius system which alerts technicians to any problems with the vehicle. Additionally, the Genius system controls the regenerative braking technology featured on the 48-volt, moderating the car's downhill speed.

New to the gas version of the G-Max cars is the use of the Tru-Trak Precision Steering and Suspension system. Adapted from Yamaha's ATV vehicles, the suspension system uses automotive-style struts and a self-adjusting rack and pinion steering set-up for a smooth, responsive ride--much like a real car. The G-Max cars also feature an array of specialty features, such as an Ergo-Shade suntop, club and ball washer, two-gallon beverage cooler, personal ice chest, sand shaker (for replacing divots), and fleet decals.

Whether it's something new or something old made new again, there are more choices than ever when it comes to picking out the right combination of vehicles for your club. At the same time, the list of available options and accessories allows you to create a vehicle that best suits your unique needs. Extending the life of your fleet--in whatever way you can--is the best strategy at cost savings in this economy. And many manufacturers are making that easier than ever.

CM