Fournier’s Performance Automotive (Facebook) at 845 N. Mills Avenue [GMap] sold to new owners in June of this year for $1,650,000, and the new tenant is swapping out car repairs for golf carts.
Ultimate Carts (Facebook | Website), the self-described “premier golf cart dealer for Icon EV and Epic Carts” in Central Florida, is affiliated with Ultimate Marine, which specializes in boutique boat offerings, and has locations in Tampa, New Smyrna Beach and on John Young Parkway behind The Country Club of Orlando.
According to a staff person at Ultimate Marine and the company website, this new Ultimate Carts location will sell just golf carts, with prices ranging from $9,000-$16,000 for a new vehicle, with some pre-owned vehicles as well, though none are currently available ahead of the new location opening.
Old school golf carts are not permitted to be driven on the street in Orange County unless they are upgraded to be considered a Low Speed Vehicle or “LSV.” An LSV looks like a traditional golf cart but it has headlights, taillights, turn signals, rearview mirrors, parking brakes, windshield wipers, and a horn, and it has to be registered, the same as you would a car. It also needs to be insured.
And despite the cost being comparable to buying an older, used car, and the speeds rarely topping 20 mph, these types of vehicles are becoming more and more popular. Many city planners are now seeing electric carts in the same light as e-scooter and e-bikes now, as these micromobility devices are allowing for more sustainable and eco-friendly neighborhood trips and errands. A recent report by Planetizen even applauded golf carts for allowing more social interactions between neighbors simply because they’re open on the sides.
