What You Should Know Before Buying a Used Golf Cart

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Golf carts have come a long way since their inception in the early 1950s. Once used only to shuttle golfers and their bags to the next hole, they have become commonplace for other uses. Take a look around any residential community or campground, and you’re sure to see plenty of golf carts roaming the streets. They have become a widely accepted form of local transportation, and you don’t even need to play golf.

So if you’re thinking of ditching the car keys and getting a golf cart, keep these things in mind before making a purchase.

Things to consider before buying a used golf cart

Today, golf carts come in all shapes and sizes. You can buy a brand-new model right off the sales floor or get one that’s used or refurbished. When buying a pre-owned model, check out a few things before taking the plunge, Golf Cart Resource reports.

First, check the batteries. Electric models run on a 36 or 48-volt operating system. You will need four to six batteries to run efficiently. If the batteries aren’t holding a charge, the cart might not make it through the entire course without needing to be recharged. The batteries also affect the rate of acceleration. Most models can go up to 20 mph on a full charge. Batteries in poor condition will need to be replaced, costing approximately $150 for each. This could add a considerable amount of money to upfront costs if all the batteries need replacement.

Second, check the charger‘s condition before purchasing a used cart. A properly working unit will send a charge to batteries as their energy depletes. If the charger is malfunctioning, you will experience constant power issues that can become frustrating in a hurry. Also, look at the controller, which operates the golf cart’s level of speed.

It’s also not a bad idea to have a reputable dealer check out the model you want before making a purchase. An expert can quickly identify any potential problems that could cost you in the long run.

You might be looking for a golf cart to ride in your gated community. Maybe you want to skip walking and cruise to the local shopping center or clubhouse. Whatever the intended purpose, the golf cart must be street legal if you’ll be driving on public roadways.

The model must have headlights, taillights, and turn signals. It also needs a windshield, seat belts for all passengers, and a valid state-issued license plate.

If you ignore those regulations, you could get a traffic citation. So if you plan to use your golf cart for routine transportation, make sure it’s street-legal to avoid trouble.

How much does a used model cost?

Used golf carts range between $2,000 and $5,000. Major manufacturers include E-Z-go, Club Car, Yamaha, Columbia ParCar, Tomberlin, and even Harley-Davidson.

Even though these carts are popular off the green, that doesn’t mean golfers aren’t still using them. Courses nationwide purchase large fleets every year to keep their inventory running efficiently.

For a good deal, look at former fleet carts used by courses. Even though these models will have heavy use, courses generally keep them in good working condition. Golf courses want to extend the life of their carts. They hire staff to perform routine maintenance, charge the batteries, and do regular repairs to keep their units running efficiently.

Classified ads and golf course bulletin boards are good resources when looking for used models. There are also plenty of dealers and online marketplaces offering carts for sale.

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

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There Are a Whole Bunch of Trucks You Shouldn’t Buy If You Have Little Kids

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s such a dire warning: don’t buy these pickups if you have little kids. And yet if you have little people in your life that you want to protect, you want to know everything you can about car safety. What are good pickup trucks for kids? Well, not for kids, since kids can’t drive, but trucks that are safe and easy to put a car seat or two into. 

A baby in a car seat | Dayna Smith for the Washington Post via Getty Images

The importance of correctly installing car seats cannot be overstated. For a car seat to protect kids in a car accident, it has to be installed correctly. Different car seats have different rules for installation, so if you’ve never read an owner’s manual before, this is the time you want to do it. Even in good pickup trucks for kids, car seats need to be correctly installed.

If you’ve ever been in the backseat of a vehicle trying to figure out the madness that is car seat straps/belts/latches, you’ll know how easy it is to become confused. You really don’t want to be confused. You need to know which part of the truck is going to hold your precious cargo’s seat in place in the event of an accident, and which is some other hardware that is for some reason in a place where car seat anchors should be. 

(Also, if you’ve ever attempted to jam a car seat buckle onto a latch and it just won’t click, you already know why good child seat anchors make the whole process easier, and therefore safer.) 

Let’s look at some pickup trucks that you really don’t want to buy if you’ll be putting car seats into them.

Don’t buy the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

A black 2021 Chevy Silverado sitting on a grassy bank next to a river.
2021 Chevy Silverado | Chevrolet

The 2021 Chevy Silverado isn’t a great choice if you have kids in car seats. It only gets a marginal for its child seat anchors. (As a side note, these ratings also apply to the 2019 and 2020 models. If you’re interested in other model years, check those out before you buy.)

The Silverado could have gotten a good rating for child seat anchors, but perhaps that’s asking too much. But it also could have received an acceptable rating, and it didn’t. No, the IIHS found that the child seat anchors in the Silverado are too deep in the seat, hard to find, and can be confused with other hardware. In some cases they weren’t there at all. 

Don’t buy the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500

A black 2021 GMC Sierra against a white background.
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 | GMC

Are the child seat anchors in the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 easy to use? No they are not. The IIHS says that its ratings apply to 2019-2021 models, so if you had your heart set on a late model Sierra, you’re out of luck. The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 received a marginal for its child seat anchors.

Like the Silverado, the Sierra’s child seat anchors are hard to find, could be confused with other hardware, and are too deep in the seat. The rear middle seat doesn’t have any, so if you have three kids, you’ll have to choose your least favorite to sit there. Basically it would be a nightmare to attempt to put car seats into the back of a Sierra. 

Don’t buy the 2021 Toyota Tundra

A father talks to his son who is sitting in the bed of a blue 2021 Toyota Tundra.
2021 Toyota Tundra | Toyota

You’re noticing a pattern by now, right? The 2021 Toyota Tundra does not have good child seat anchors. It doesn’t have acceptable child seat anchors. It has marginal child seat anchors. Perhaps marginal is better than poor, but poor child seat anchors would probably be made out of gummy worms, and then they’d at least be delicious. 

Like the Silverado and the Sierra 1500, the Toyota Tundra’s child seat anchors essentially require night vision goggles and a scythe. Don’t buy the Tundra if you want to put car seats into it.

Don’t buy the 2021 Dodge Ram 1500

A black 2021 Dodge Ram on a gravel road.
2021 Dodge Ram | Dodge

It’s tempting to overlook the child seat anchors in the 2021 Dodge Ram since it’s a Top Safety Pick, but don’t. The child seat anchors in the Ram are marginal, and like its truck siblings, the Ram doesn’t make it easy to use them. They have all the problems that the Silverado, Sierra and Tundra have.

Are there any good pickup trucks for kids?

So you’ve read about all these trucks and you’re thinking: Maybe I just shouldn’t drive anymore. There aren’t any good pickup trucks for kids. Don’t despair. The IIHS does rate some trucks as having acceptable car seat latches, though none have good child seat anchors. 

If you do buy a pickup truck (or any vehicle, really), take the time to make sure that you’re using the child seat anchors the right way. Read the car seat manual to make sure you’re installing it correctly. You can also call your local police department to see if they’ll inspect your installation, or find a car seat check event. These are sometimes held by various safety or child-centered organizations. It’s worth the investment in time, money and research to make sure your kids are as safe as possible.

RELATED: The Ford F150 Dominates the Chevy Silverado 1500 in Safety Systems

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This 770-Hp 2021 Ford F-150 Is One of the Most Powerful Pickup Trucks Around

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In the not-so-distant past, the old Ford SVT Lightning was considered a ridiculously fast pickup truck. These days, even though the PaxPower 2021 Ford F-150 with 770-hp is one of the most powerful pickup trucks, it is still not that uncommon. 

2021 Alpha F-150 | PaxPower

What is the most powerful pickup truck on the market? 

The Ram TRX 1500 still reigns supreme as the most powerful pickup truck from the factory with 702 hp. However, the standard 2021 Ford F-150 or even the 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid comes with so much power stock that building them into a 700-hp beast is not all that hard to do. Because of this, more aftermarket builders are building these crazy-fast trucks. 

The PaxPower 2021 Alpha Ford F-150 is a 770-hp beast that puts most other muscle trucks to shame. According to CarScoops, PaxPower has officially announced its modified 2021 F-150 is available and ready to deliver. 

The PaxPower 2021 Ford F-150 is one of the most powerful pickup trucks

upclose shot of the PaxPower 2021 Alpha F-150 suspension setup
2021 Alpha F-150 suspension | PaxPower

There is obviously a serious engine mod to make the PaxPower Alpha F-150 this beefy, but that isn’t all they did. The PaxPower 2021 Alpha F-150 features loads of mods. The front end has fitted wider, long-travel, upper and lower control arms from Ford and Fox shocks with internal-bypass technology from the F-150 Raptor.

This aftermarket tuner also added progressive-rate front springs and installed a custom sway bar setup. The suspension mods also give it a 3.5-inch lift and a 4-inch wider track than a normal one. All of these upgrades add up to make a much more stable and crispy handling pickup truck. 

The 2021 Alpha F-150 comes in all types of configurations

the 2021 Ford F-150 after getting the PaxPower treatment with hood scoop, graphics, and fresh wheels
2021 Alpha F-150 | PaxPower

Depending on which 2021 Ford F-150 configuration customers go with, PaxPower has different versions of the Alpha F-150 to meet every need. 

F-150 customers who bought the standard 5.0-liter V8 can get the 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger which automatically flies past the Ram TRX with a screaming 770 hp. This is the same supercharger that the folks at Hennessy and Shelby use in their F-150 creations. Although prices are still up in the air for the main version, PaxPower is actively working on performance packages for the EcoBoost, PowerStroke, and PowerBoost Hybrid models for when the ECU gets successfully cracked.

The Alpha isn’t just faster; it actually looks cool, too

PaxPower isn’t interested in building sleeper 2021 Ford F-150s. So along with the massive performance upgrades, like the suspension and supercharger, the Alpha F-150 also gets cool visual styling upgrades. 

The 2021 Alpha F-150 looks extra tough thanks to its flared wheel arches and custom-made hood scoop. As pictured, the Alpha F-150 can wear a variety of different 17-inch wheels for customers to choose from. There is also a rear spoiler and rad graphics packages. These hopped-up 2021 Ford F-150s also come with a full-size spare wearing the same aggressive 35-inch tire as the other four. 

So far, the only available pricing is for the suspension and exterior package. Getting PaxPower to dress up and stabilize your 2021 Ford F-150 costs $17,950. These upgrades are said to work with basically any configuration F-150.

Although we don’t yet have pricing for the supercharger, just know that the standard V8 F-150 can be made to rip apart a Ram TRX with just a little help from PaxPower. 

RELATED: The 2021 Ford F-150 Gets 3 New Genius Features Adding to Its GOAT Status

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What Does the FAA Do?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Half a century after Orville Wright took his historic 12-second flight, the seeds of the FAA were planted. Today, the Federal Aviation Administration registers aircraft, develops air traffic rules, and investigates accidents. But that’s not all this government agency does.

Early origins of the FAA

Ever since the Wright brothers made their first successful, albeit short, motorized flight over Kitty Hawk, imaginative aviators have been building better, more practical aircraft. And as air traffic increased, the need for national safety standards and flying rules became apparent.

On August 23, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aviation Act into law to create the agency that oversees air traffic throughout U.S. airspace.

Although an independent aviation agency was suggested to Congress in 1957, it took a pair of major air disasters to spur legislation that created a single agency wielding control over civilian, military, and commercial aircraft in U.S. airspace, Michigan Law Review reports.

In 1967, the FAA merged with the Department of Transportation. Tasked with the safety and security of civil aviation, the agency issues and enforces a range of minimum standards regarding aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, and operation.

In addition to aircraft safety regulation, the FAA also performs numerous tasks on behalf of aviators.

The FAA abroad and in space

Another crucial function of the agency is the promotion of global aviation safety. The FAA certifies foreign aircraft repair facilities and the mechanics who work on them. It also offers technical training and exchanges aeronautical data with foreign authorities. And the FAA negotiates bilateral airworthiness agreements with nations worldwide.

Licensing of commercial space launch facilities is within the purview of the FAA, which also oversees private payloads on expendable launch vehicles. Whenever Elon Musk wants to launch a SpaceX rocket, he, like anyone else, must obtain the green light from a special branch of the FAA.

After several one-time, one-rocket approvals and a few spectacular crashes, the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) authorized Musk to dispatch a trio of test flights from the SpaceX launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas, this past April. One stipulation of approval called for an FAA inspector to be on the launch site at all times, TechCrunch reported.

Established in 1984, the AST has been under the aegis of the FAA since 1995. The agency’s sole space-related wing’s duties include protecting public health and safety and looking out for U.S. property, security, and foreign policy interests. The space-oriented branch of the FAA promotes and facilitates commercial space launches, orbits, and reentry by private sector entrepreneurs, including Musk, SpaceX’s CEO.

When appropriate, the FAA-overseen AST recommends amendment of federal treaties, statutes, procedures, and regulations. Additionally, the agency promotes expansion of American space transportation infrastructure.

Airspace management, accident investigation, and other programs

The FAA’s main objective is to safeguard navigable airspace, and it achieves this goal via several routes:

  • Air route traffic control centers
  • Airport navigation towers
  • Assigned airspace
  • Flight service stations
  • Standardized air traffic rules

When an aircraft accident occurs, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) ultimately answers to the FAA. Information collection, risk analysis, and data sharing among agencies is the Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention policy.

As a public service, the FAA provides preliminary incident and accident notices for the past 10 days. Categorized by aircraft type, data provided may be subject to change upon further investigation. The FAA also oversees:

  • Aircraft registration
  • Recording of title documents
  • Registration of aircraft parts
  • Aviation insurance
  • Aeronautical charts
  • Airway and airport services information

Herding cats

With tens of thousands of aircraft sharing space, the FAA provides invaluable oversight to prevent airborne chaos while keeping passengers and crew safe.

RELATED: 3 Planes Under $25,000 For Beginner Pilots

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