Ford Think and GEM Cart Opinion

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GreatJay

New Member
Howdy,
Just wondering your opinion on this... I am looking to get another golf cart. I have two options... I can get a Ford Think, or a Gem cart. I use the carts for crowd control and for utility purposes. I was going to get a gem with a 6 ft bed, but when I realized that the front of the cart is at least another 2 ft long, I'm wondering where I'm going to park the thing! So I figured what I would do is get either a plain think or gem, put a hitch on it, get a trailer that would go on a garden tractor, and just hitch it up to the cart when I needed it. So, I leave this question to you folks... What would you reccomended, a ford think or a gem? I'm also looking for something that would be close to as quiet as my club cars. So give me you opinions!!!
 
dirtysouth

dirtysouth

Cartaholic - V.I.P. Sponsor
I would get a Utility vehicle, Club Car EzGo, Yamaha. I've personally never heard good about the Think . I owned a Gem for a couple years, not a fan. :twocents::hattip:
 
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dougmcp

New Member
If you're talking about the used ones out there, I like the look of the Ford Think but they were full of problems and there is no parts supply that I know of for spare parts. Ford dropped them like a hot potato in the early 2000's. Think is coming back with some new stuff but no longer is associated with Ford.
The Chrysler GEM is at least still in production and although they can be problems too at least you can get parts. New ones are available through Chrysler dealerships. Used ones through cart/NEV/LSV dealers.
 
MrWicked

MrWicked

Cartaholic - R.I.P.
between 5 to 10 a year for many different thing like batteries wheels and tires and motor and controller up grades
 
MrWicked

MrWicked

Cartaholic - R.I.P.
but we fixed a rolled one and all the new roof parts came from ford, we have replaced shocks wrecked hoods
 
MrWicked

MrWicked

Cartaholic - R.I.P.
it depends what they want to use it for .... i like the ford better it is rear wheel drive they are 72 volt to start and 35 mph and i think safer in the road than a cart.. it just all depends
 
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dougmcp

New Member
I too like the look of the Ford Think better and I believe it to be a better cart. I was under the impression that parts were not available.
Gem to me is an ugly cart with a history of batteries going bad every 2 years. I believe they solved that with a change to Delta chargers. My neighbor has a 72v GEM that tops out at around 42mph.
Parts for both are expensive.
 
Nubs

Nubs

Cartaholic - V.I.P.
if a sentence has Parts are expensive and hard to find in it! i'm looking elsewhere! i'm with DS, look for a cart. :twocents:
 
dirtysouth

dirtysouth

Cartaholic - V.I.P. Sponsor
IMHO either would make a nice hobby cart. I wouldn't want to spend the cash on one that I had to rely on.
 
MrWicked

MrWicked

Cartaholic - R.I.P.
well we know of a 120 volt 65 mph think that he drives everyday 30 miles one way to work ... i dont see a cart driving one way 30 miles... great to drive on the road but yes not a hobby thing..
 
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GEMmechanic

New Member
Hello,
As part of my job, I have maintained four GEMs as part of our fleet for eight years now. After numerous recalls, there are beginning to be reliable. Yes, parts are expensive for several reasons. First, most parts are unique and only available from the dealer. Second, many component parts are not sold separately. No transmission parts, no rack and pinion parts, no brake drums or wheel bearings, no motor brushes, no master cylinder or caliper seals, no throttle pot parts, the list goes on and on. Then there are the dealers. They just don't stock many, if any, parts at all. Everything has to ship from Fargo, ND. Other than a few items, after market support for non-accessories is almost non-existent. Even tires are hard to find. Yes, batteries can go bad quickly. Avoid cheap Mexican made batteries. On four vehicles, I change a wheel cylinder every few months. They just don't last. Golf car dealers in our area do not even want to work on GEMs.

Daniel
 
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