Is Club Car or E-Z-Go the Better Golf Cart Brand?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Golf carts are growing in popularity for more than traversing golf courses. More people are taking these cars on public streets as alternative forms of transportation. In fact, all but six states allow golf carts and other low-speed vehicles (LSVs) on public roads. With more individuals and organizations purchasing golf carts for short-range travel, popular brands Club Car and E-Z-Go have stepped up to meet the burgeoning demand.

A brief history of E-Z-Go and Club Car

E-Z-Go and Club Car are U.S.-based premium golf cart and utility task vehicle (UTV) manufacturers. Brothers Billy and Beverly Dolan founded E-Z-Go in June 1954. In the beginning, they operated their business out of their garage in Augusta, Georgia.

Beverly had been in the military, so they designed E-Z-Go’s first models to use surplus 24-volt motors for Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress wing flaps. The B-17 is a four-engine heavy bomber most notable for its operation during World War II. These motors could run on a 36-volt battery pack. After a while, the two brothers transferred production to a machine shop in Grovetown, Georgia.

In 1960, Royal Little, founder of Textron, purchased E-Z-Go from Billy and Beverly. Though the brothers had originally remained with the company on the board of directors, Billy eventually left with a few employees and purchased Club Car with investors’ help. He moved the Houston-based Club Car to Augusta, where he and Beverly had started E-Z-Go.

E-Z-Go golf cart pros and cons

RELATED: Are Electric Golf Carts Really Better Than Gas Golf Carts?

“Electric and gas-powered golf carts have become standard equipment in our lifestyles,” Golf Court Resource explains. These vehicles aren’t exclusive to golfers anymore — people use golf carts for camping, hunting, running errands, hauling materials, cruising neighborhoods, and more. For example, Club Car sells a Cafe Express Mobile Merchandising model that’s essentially a miniature food truck.

E-Z-Go and Club Car models come with an electric or gas powertrain and standard and optional packages. For example, E-Z-Go’s Freedom RXV model offers three packages for various uses: the Party Package, the Family Package, and the Neighborhood Package. Per the E-Z-Go website, the RXV retails for $11,034 to $13,168 — nearly as much as a decent used car.

E-Z-Go models also have sturdy steel frames instead of aluminum. Steel is safer for people who “have a lead foot” or drive on fairly uneven surfaces, Golf Court Resource explains. However, their steel frames make E-Z-Go golf carts unsuitable for owners living on the coast or in high-humidity locales because the metal could rust.

When purchasing an E-Z-Go cart, ask the dealer to spray the frame with rust-preventative paint. It will cost extra, but a steel frame will provide more protection for riders. This is why few automakers produce vehicle frames using aluminum.

Club Car golf cart benefits and drawbacks

RELATED: The Fastest Golf Cart Broke a Guinness World Record Going Over 100 MPH

Ingersoll Rand Incorporated owns Club Car, so it’s no surprise the company constructs its golf carts with aircraft-quality aluminum. This means its carts are perfect for those living in a marine climate or humid environment. Aluminum also makes Club Car models notably lighter than the E-Z-Go carts. “When a frame deteriorates, you might as well turn your cart into an expensive planter,” Golf Court Resource jokes.

Another benefit: Club Car golf carts have tighter turn radiuses than E-Z-Go models, making them nimbler on the green (their original intended use). One more plus: Club Car builds strong engines, so owners usually keep their models for around 20 years before buying another, Golf Court Resource reports. Other than that, both brands are equally strong contenders.

Though the steel-versus-aluminum issue might be a deal-breaker for either brand, both offer plenty of luxurious features to make a golf cart uniquely yours.

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3 Reasons the 2021 Subaru Forester Beats the Mazda CX-5

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Subaru Forester and the Mazda CX-5 are highly sought-after new SUVs. The Subaru had a slight edge over the Mazda automobile in most categories, but the Forester fell behind in reliability. Which of these SUVs was most recommended by Consumer Reports?

2021 Subaru Forester & Mazda CX-5: road test

Is the Subaru Forester car better than the Mazda CX-5? | Zhe Ji/Getty Images

The 2021 Subaru Forester had a leg up over the Mazda CX-5 for a few reasons. Consumer Reports gave the Forester a 90 on the road test, while the CX-5 only scored a 78. What makes the Forester stand out so much?

For starters, the Forester has been on a gradual incline over the past few years. The interior is roomy and comfortable, the fuel economy is noteworthy, and the standard safety equipment is plentiful.

Overall, the 2.5L four-cylinder engine gets 182 hp. 28 miles per gallon makes it quite the economic SUV. “The Forester is adept at absorbing road imperfections, making it one of the better riding SUVs in the category,” Consumer Reports says.

79% of Forester owners say they would purchase the same car again.

CR notes that the 2021 CX-5 improved this year with ride comfort, interior quality, and noise isolation within the cabin. The 187-hp 2.5L four-cylinder has a six-speed transmission. The SUV gets around 24 miles per gallon overall.

The Mazda SUV is easy to drive and responsive, with an improved smooth ride even over the 2020 version. 73% of CX-5 owners say they would purchase the same car again.

Mazda CX-5 & Subaru Forester: safety and ratings

RELATED: Is the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Better Than the Subaru Crosstrek?

Overall, the Forester scored an 89 overall. A 90 on the road test, plus four out of five stars for both the predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the SUV “good” in each category. This includes side, rear, driver, and passenger crash ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all of the crash ratings five stars, except for the four-door rollover rating. This received a score of four out of five.

The standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detections, and lane-keeping assist. Blindspot warning is an option, as is rear cross-traffic warning.

The CX-5 came in with a score of 83 overall. A 78 on the road test and a five out of five for predicted reliability. The predicted owner satisfaction scored four out of five.

The IIHS gave the same “good” score for each category. The NHTSA gave ratings of five stars, except the similar four-wheel and two-wheel drive rollover categories.

The standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detections, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning.

Consumer Reports reliability scores

RELATED: What Is the Best Year for the Mazda CX-5?

The Forester has overall improved reliability. Since 2018, Subaru has been working hard to make a more dependable SUV. For Mazda, the reliability has been steadily increasing since its first year in 2013.

This is where the Mazda CX-5 sneaks ahead a bit. With a score of five out of five, it is clear the brand has been working hard on making and keeping a reliable SUV. The Forester has been improving but does not have the same longevity that the Mazda CX-5 does.

When deciding on one SUV over the other, it depends on what the driver wants to do with it. Occasional off-roading adventures on the weekend? Subaru has you covered. Groceries, children, road trips? Either one will work, but the CX-5 is likely more comfortable for families.

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Angry Denny Hamlin Goes Ballistic at Dover in Profanity-Laced Radio Communication Directed at Bubba Wallace & Co.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Denny Hamlin understood his partnership with Michael Jordan to start a new race team for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season included its own set of responsibilities and challenges. The 23XI Racing Team and driver Bubba Wallace have undoubtedly endured their share of struggles through the first half of the season, not managing a top-15 finish before Sunday’s race at Dover.

While Wallace earned an 11th place finish, his best of the season, Hamlin was none too pleased with the No. 23 team during the race and let his crew know about it over the radio in a profanity-laced message. All of it should make for a very interesting week at team headquarters.    

Denny Hamlin not happy with Bubba Wallace at Talladega

RELATED: Denny Hamlin Shows No Mercy to Bubba Wallace in Ruthless Remark Just Before Start of Daytona 500

Since Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan announced the formation of the 23XI Racing Team late last year, Hamlin has maintained his top priority would be piloting the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Through 13 starts, driving clearly appears to be Hamlin’s focus, with nine top-5 finishes. Despite that overall success, victories have been elusive, and the three-time Daytona 500 winner has been frustrated more than a few times for his inability to get to victory lane.

At Talladega, Hamlin’s owner side came through when he expressed his frustration with Wallace, who had one of the fastest cars on the track but appeared to have no interest in working with any of his Toyota teammates. 

“The same thing happened at Daytona,” Hamlin said over his radio, referring to Wallace’s willingness to fly solo on another superspeedway where the formula for success typically includes multiple cars working together.

Hamlin addresses 23XI Racing Team struggles

RELATED: Denny Hamlin Bizarrely Calls out NASCAR Journalist Who Was Defending His 23XI Racing Driver Bubba Wallace

Despite Hamlin’s frustration with Wallace at Talladega, he was also happy for his driver, who won the first stage of his career. Those mixed results encapsulate the season for Wallace and the No. 23 team. Hamlin revealed as much during an interview with Fox’s Bob Pockrass.

“You’ve got to just optimize your day. That’s something that team has not really done a great job throughout the year is finish where you’re running. They’ve run inside the top 10 in three races and had a car capable of contending for a top 5, and mistakes take them out of it. I think they’ve really got to work on their execution. Bubba has to continue to evolve as a driver. Put the work in and concentrate on how he can do his job to the best of his ability. Use all of the tools that are at his disposal.”

If Wallace and the team do that, Hamlin said he believes the team can meet the expectations set at the start of the year. 

“For them to be 30 points out of the playoffs and finishing where they’re finishing, that should be a big wake-up call to say just do our jobs. Everyone does their jobs to the best of their ability, they’ll be fine and they’ll continue to get better each week. The barrier has been kind of set where we’re at in the spring. I talked about earlier in the year — we want to be running better in the summer than they were in the spring. Better in the fall than where they were in the summer. This is a building process that we’re putting together.”

Goes ballistic on Wallace & Co. at Dover

RELATED: Bubba Wallace Upsets Denny Hamlin and Other Drivers This Week in a Very Different Setting

With just over 80 laps to go at the Monster Mile in Dover, Hamlin and a large group of cars opted to pit while another group, including Wallace, remained out. When the pit stops ended, Hamlin found himself in ninth position right behind Wallace. The Fox cameras focused on the racing between the No. 11 and 23 cars with a view from the rear bumper of Wallace’s car peering back at Hamlin chasing.

Despite the fresher tires, Hamlin had trouble passing and, on several occasions, inched up to Wallace’s rear bumper, only to fade back. Up in the broadcast booth, Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer talked about the situation.  

“When I saw Denny Hamlin get to the rear bumper of Bubba Wallace I thought that was going to get Bubba pretty loose going into turn one,” Gordon said.

“You’re not going to wreck your own car,” Bowyer interjected.

“I know he’s not going to wreck him but I thought he was at least going to get him loose, maybe move him out of the way,” Gordon replied.

Inside the No. 11 car, Hamlin was fuming about the situation and pinned the blame on Wallace’s crew chief Mike Wheeler.

“”F***! Wheels. God damn it!” Hamlin said over his radio.

Despite yet another chapter of frustration for Hamlin, he eventually passed Wallace, finished seventh, and was left to wonder, once again, what might have been.

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Do Pickup Trucks Have a Higher Resale Value Than SUV and Crossover Models?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Pickup trucks are a specific breed of vehicle. Especially in today’s newest models, trucks blend brute strength and utility with luxurious options and ever-improving ride comfort. But do pickup trucks have a better resale value than SUV and crossover models?

RAM 1500 on display | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Do pickup trucks have good resale value?

pickup truck resale value chart in terms of five-year depreciation percentage by iSeeCars
iSeeCars pickup truck resale value data | iSeeCars

According to a recent study by iSeeCars, there are several pickup truck models that boast high resale value. However, there are SUV models with high resale value as well. In fact, the vehicle with the lowest rate of depreciation of all is the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. The Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota 4Runner aren’t too far behind.

So do pickup trucks have good resale value? Overall, yes. Pickup trucks tend to hold their value better than the average SUV.

Pickup trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, and GMC Canyon hold their value well. In terms of five year depreciation rates, these trucks offer some of the best resale value for owners looking to sell after five years of ownership. They have depreciation rates of 32.4%, 37.0%, and 41.2%, respectively.

What is the average depreciation rate of an SUV or crossover model?

SUV resale value chart in terms of five-year depreciation
SUV resale value chart | iSeeCars

The average five-year depreciation rate for an SUV is 50.8% according to iSeeCars. So this is higher than the average five-year depreciation rate of a pickup truck (44.1%). However, that doesn’t mean that SUV and crossover models have low resale value overall as a segment.

Nor does it necessarily mean that buying a pickup truck sets you up for surefire success in terms of depreciation either. Like other segments of automotive vehicles, there are going to be models with lower depreciation as well as high percentages. It’s important to do research on prospective SUVs or pickup trucks by make and model rather than generalizing resale value for an entire segment.

That said, all of the pickup trucks in the top 10 for pickup truck resale value have lower depreciation rates than the average depreciation over five years for SUV or crossover models. Pickup truck resale value is strong. Certainly stronger than the average resale value for an SUV or crossover model.

Buying a pickup truck vs. buying an SUV

a silver Toyota Highlander on display at an auto show
2020 Toyota Highlander | Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For buyers choosing between a pickup truck or an SUV, this data can prove helpful. Especially if the buyer places a lot of stock in how much a vehicle will depreciate after the purchase. If resale value is at the top of the priority list, then it might be worth it to skip the SUV and crossover models for a pickup truck in stead.

However, there are compelling reasons to choose an SUV instead of a pickup truck. For one, SUV drivers have a covered cargo area. Though it may not be as large or as brawny as a pickup truck, the stuff stored back there isn’t exposed to the elements.

In addition, SUV and crossover models like the Toyota Highlander or Kia Telluride offer the option of third row seating. Any family that needs that third row option will definitely need to opt out of a pickup truck model and spring for the SUV and crossover segment instead. Sometimes lower depreciation rates are overlooked for other aspects that buyers place more importance upon.

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