Table of Content
- What are Western Golf Carts?
- How Can You Tell What Year a Western Golf Cart is?
- Who Makes Western Golf Carts?
- Do They Still Make Western Golf Carts?
- What are the Western Golf Cart Models?
- How Do I Value My Western Golf Cart?
- Western Golf Carts for Sale?
- Where Can I Pick up Western Golf Cart Parts?
- Conclusion
There are lots of brands to consider when you’re looking for a golf cart. The used golf cart market is particularly varied, given the number of brands that have come and gone over the years. One such brand is Western, which was long regarded as one of the best in the business.
But what happened to Western, and can you still buy Western golf carts?
Here, we explain what you need to know before buying a Western golf cart and help you identify used Western golf carts that you can invest in this year.
What are Western Golf Carts?
Western golf carts were a product of Western Golf Cart Manufacturing, native to Hot Springs, California. Alongside the likes of EZGO, Yamaha, and Club Car, Western was one of the leading golf cart brands in the United States.
There are various models, sizes, and passenger capacity carts available from Western, and for this reason, they’re a popular choice with people looking for golf carts to use in and around their communities, as well as on the golf course.
As a US-based manufacturer, Western has an excellent reputation for developing high-quality golf carts that look and drive great, which is what prompts so many people to buy Western golf carts every year.
To get the feel of what Western cars were like, check out this classic Champagne Frost Western Elegante 4-Passenger Golf Cart video on YouTube:
Read on to find out everything you need to know before investing in a Western golf cart and learn some top tips that will help you as you decide if this is a brand worth considering.
How Can You Tell What Year a Western Golf Cart is?
Every golf cart has a serial number, and the best way to discover the age of your Western cart is to identify it. On most Western golf carts, the serial number is stamped into the frame on the passenger side rear wheel frame underneath the seat.
In most instances, it will consist of a letter followed by a number, which contains the date. If you’re not sure how to read the serial number, it’s best to get in touch with a dealer to ask them to interpret it on your behalf.
Another option is to look in the handbook or on the placard that you were given when you purchased your Western cart. As well as a serial number, it should consist of information relating to the year, make, and model of your cart, which will help you to identify it.
If you’re still not sure of what age your Western golf cart is, it makes sense to contact a dealer, particularly if you’re planning to sell your Western cart, as it’s important to know the year of manufacture.
Who Makes Western Golf Carts?
Western golf carts were manufactured by Western Golf Cart Manufacturing, based in Hot Springs, California. The company was founded in 1981 and enjoyed huge success throughout the eighties and nineties as golf carts became more widely available.
Western golf carts are very similar to EZGO models, and they are built on the EZGO chassis. At the height of the company’s popularity, Western was manufacturing around 2,000 carts every year. They were widely regarded as premium carts as they had more customization than some of their competitors.
Although Western no longer directly manufactures golf carts, you can still find them on the market (as we explain below). It’s fair to say that Western has been usurped by the likes of EZGO, Club Car, and Yamaha, and the brand isn’t quite as popular as it once was.
Still, if you’re in the market for a used golf cart, Western is a brand that’s worth considering. But what if you want to buy a new cart?
Do They Still Make Western Golf Carts?
While you can’t buy Western golf carts directly from the original manufacturer, some companies still produce Western-branded carts today. For instance, JR Thomas Western Golf often stock Western carts, and it’s a great place to go if you’re in the market for Western carts specifically.*
Another thing to bear in mind is that Western carts are very similar in many respect to EZGO golf carts. As mentioned, Western carts were initially built on an EZGO chassis, and the brands share lots of similarities. So, if you’re looking for a brand new Western golf cart, you could opt for EZGO instead.
The vast majority of Western golf carts that you will find on the market today are used, and many are from the 1990s. This places many of them in the ‘vintage’ category of golf carts, even though they are still a good option for many people.
Overall, while Western can no longer compete with the newer makes and models on the market, these golf carts represent good value for money and are an attractive proposition for many potential golf cart owners.
What are the Western Golf Cart Models?
Western followed standard practice for branding their golf carts and models. For instance, their first iteration was model 100, followed by 200, 300, and then 400. As such, it’s easy for owners to tell which of the four models they own, as it’s stamped on the cart’s serial number.
Most Western golf carts were actually used away from the golf course, as they were widely seen as the ideal vehicle for affluent communities and resorts. Such use helped Western develop a positive reputation, which helped the company to succeed throughout the eighties and nineties.
Today, you can find a range of Western golf carts for sale, including models from various years. This is the beauty of buying used carts as opposed to new ones, as you have a lot of choices in terms of which cart to invest in.
So, whether you opt for a Western 200 or 400, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re buying a cart from a credible brand with an excellent reputation.
How Do I Value My Western Golf Cart?
The best way to value your Western golf cart is to look for similar models that are currently available online. You can use these as the benchmark for the value of your Western cart, which is an important first step when you’re preparing to sell your golf cart.
You can also use a service like that included on Golf Cart Resource in order to value your golf cart. ** By filling in the form with the key details of your golf cart, you will receive an accurate valuation of your vehicle, which will help you decide on its listing price.
Given that many Western golf carts currently for sale are older models from several years back ascertaining the exact value of your Western golf cart before listing it is an important step.
So, make sure you have a good idea of the value of your Western golf cart before listing it for sale, as this will ensure you receive a reasonable price for your cart, even if it is several years old.
Western Golf Carts for Sale?
One of the best places to look for Western Golf carts for sale is eBay.*** You can search for the exact model of a Western golf cart that you’re looking for and even set up notifications for when similar auctions are launched.
Conversely, it makes sense to reach out to local golf cart dealers in your state if you’re looking for a Western golf cart for sale. Every golf cart retailer has an impressive collection of carts available for sale, so you can enquire as to whether they have any Western carts in stock.
One of the advantages of going down this route is that you can leave your details with the golf cart retailer and ask them to get in touch with you if any Western golf carts become available.
Given that Western golf carts were one of the leading brands for several years, there are lots of used models in circulation. As a result, you shouldn’t have any problems when it comes to finding used Western golf carts for sale in your local area.
Where Can I Pick up Western Golf Cart Parts?
As Western golf carts are no longer manufactured by Western itself, it’s quite difficult to find original parts online. However, you can find generic golf cart parts on sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, which may fit your Western golf cart.
When looking for replacement parts for your Western, you need to bear in mind that Western carts are built on an EZGO chassis, meaning that many EZGO parts are likely to fit Western carts and vice versa.
If you’re struggling to find the exact replacement parts that you’re looking for, it makes sense to reach out to a dealer directly to ask for the component part that you need. This will narrow down your search and make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
But given that Western carts are no longer manufactured at the same rate as they once were, it can be a little more difficult to find the exact replacement parts that you need, particularly for older models.
Conclusion
For a long time, Western golf carts were one of the most popular brands of golf carts. They were popular both on and off the golf course and were considered to be comfortable and durable.
Today, Western golf carts are still available, but most models that you can buy online are decades old. Still, if you can find a Western golf cart that is in good condition, it’s definitely a brand worth considering.
We hope that you find the above eight facts helpful as you look for a Western golf cart to use out on the course this season!
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