Craigslist go carts
 

I am thinking of getting a used go kart or buggy for "the kids" (and me). I have never owned one, so this would be a first. I have looked at several on craigslist. Would anyone be willing to look at the few links I have below and give me your opinions? Some of the ones below don't even say what brand they are, but I know you guys can tell!

1. http://jacksontn.craigslist.org/rvs/2696464341.html
2. http://memphis.craigslist.org/rvs/2702930687.html
3. http://memphis.craigslist.org/rvs/2677410916.html
4. http://memphis.craigslist.org/mcy/2626355013.html

The third one one is a step up from the rest using a motorcycle-based engine with CVT verses the rest wit industrial motors and torque convertors.

no.1 not worth the trouble http://www.amazon.com/Manco-Silver-F...m/B000N4O4IC/2
no.2 too small and price too high
no.3 great kart but see if they will come down on the price.
no.4 too small

How many kids? What type of terrain will you be driving on?

#1  are both basically the same kart, #1 has a more reliable engine. Both will require weekly maintenance on the clutch/driven units.They both have a VERY rough ride even though there's shocks.Will drive on moderately rough terrain and smaller hills.
#3 It's by far the best kart in the group.Large/roomy cockpit.Can't tell how the ride is as it has had motorcycle or snow mobile shocks added & a performance exhaust. My wife owns one of these with LOTS of mods-She loves it!! As for the price IMO it's about right for the mod's it has. Electric start & internal torque converter (CVT) has it's advatages as well as the durabilty of the GY6 engine.This buggy can be driven on most any terrain.
#4 price is about right but only has one seat and NO suspension.This kart is great for flat surface driving.

Thanks for all the help! I have 2 kids ages 8 (boy) and 11 (girl). Would the Yerf Dog buggy be too much for them at their age? Does it have a governor for the speed? Thanks. I figure I might try and get it for $600 if it's still available.

the metalstudman 1 has one and i am sure he will get back to ya. but in my opinion,you should go with the spiderbox. or he can tell you what to do to get it governed, he has been a great help to me. ahd there are lots of accessories for the spider box and you will have great fun.

Well, just found out the spider box is sold... so still looking... found this:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/rvs/2611806346.html

and

http://jacksontn.craigslist.org/for/2696277029.html

The second one listed is emailing me pics soon... no price set yet. says it needs a starter relay? Is that something i could easily fix myself... as a newbie? lol

Maybe something smaller like the 80T would be better for my kids, considering their age and the fact that they have no experience driving anything motorized. Anyone have any experience with the 80T or have similar suggestions? We have a trail that is slightly hilly, but wide... not too rough, but there are some small ruts. Thanks again.

i would try to get the second one, the starter relay should be a simple fix. as for the first one you realy dont wanna get some thing that needs a lot of work unless you get it for next to nothin. and it sounds like it has been ridin kinda hard and not much preventative maintnance.

The GY6 engines do not have a govenor- they usually acheive top speed in just a few seconds(8,000 rpm).The only way to limit speed is to adjust the throttle cable (usually very easy) where it won't have WOT.Lawnmower type engine takes much longer to acheive top speed or have power to climb with (3,600 rpm).The biggest difference for you when buying a GY6 (scooter/motorcycle type engine) vs. a lawnmower type is there is a lot more electrical on the GY6.With a lawnmower type without electric start you only have a coil to fail but any other issue limits you to pull starting to repair or tune.Parts for both types are similar in price to repair or replace.
The first buggy is priced very low for the mod's it has- I agree with jetasen74 about possible abuse.Close inspection for bent/damaged parts/cracked welds would be needed. Common sense will guide you when doing so. Hammerheads are good smooth riding buggies.
Second buggy may have another more expensive issue other than the soleniod (stator) but if the solenoid is all that's wrong it's easy to verify.Jump starting it, hook cables up to ground and positive cable directly to the starter. If it cranks then the soleniod is bad.Also cleaning a carb is something you'll need to get used too!!
Since your kid's are 8 & 11, I would go with a scooter/motorcycle type engine even though they have no driving experience yet. Also a 2 seater allows you to ride and supervise the learning. My daughter got her first one at 4 and outgrew the power in weeks of the smaller engines,she's 7 now and drives our bigger buggies very well,almost better than dad!
Since you will be enjoying the experience go bigger!!! It's easier to park it for a while than to sell and buy an up-graded buggy. No matter what you buy, we're here to help you with any issues you may have. Good Luck

Thanks for all the replies. I got some pics emailed from the second Hammerhead as that one is local and you guys liked it better than the first one. He does not have a price set... he wants me to make offer. I said I would like to go see it. Before I do, I wanted to see what you guys thought would be a fair price to offer (if it looks ok) The pics he sent are below... he is the second owner. Looks like some wear on the headrests... it has a bench seat... does that mean it's an older model? What year would you guess? What price range? $600 - $800? Thanks!

I'm not liking this one very much based off the pic's!!!! Roll cage looks racked. Small issue but right hand steer ISN'T what I'd have my kid's learning on as these experiences will have the most impact on their driving experience/skills. Also looks like things are missing around the engine suggesting to me it has other issues. Don't know the year and must be an earlier model. On the plus side the front tires look good for alignment,again give it a look-over,Depending on how well it runs I'd offer $500.-$700.

Thx, I agree the in the pics, it looks a little rough... and with those pics, I really can't see it that well! I think it's owned by a teenager, from my texts with him... so I think I will pass on it and keep looking. I had the yerf dog guy from above finally get back with me and he said he's lowering the price from $800 to $450 because "found out it needs work on the carb and motor cover is off" (from his text) thoughts? here is the yerf:

http://memphis.craigslist.org/rvs/2677410916.html

INTERESTING: I stumbled upon this site below and the pics are EXACTLY the same as in the craigslist ad... anything interesting?

http://www.kartpowersports.com/yerf-dog-3206.htm

Carbs are pretty cheap for these now- The 2nd post, commentary isn't from a teen and I used it to get a good understanding about ours 4 years ago!!!
I'd buy that in a heart beat for $450. if these photo's haven't been robbed from the commentary, since he texting get him to give you a current photo with his phone of the buggy!!!!!
Last sale of this at Sam's Club was 2005

found another one that was just added this afternoon to CL. If it's in good shape, the price looks great... really interested in this one:

http://memphis.craigslist.org/mcy/2709590615.html

That one looks good from the pic's even from a distance. Ask what HD upgarde they did?I only see a Uni-filter. Price is good too! Same thorough inspection applies when buying a used buggy.

Did you see this one?

http://buggynews.com/yerfdog-3206-for-sale-t30696.html

Now that's a Spiderbox!!!!!

wow, that one looks nice... $500?!

What do you think of this one... for a first kid's go-kart? Thanks for the help!

http://nashville.craigslist.org/rvs/2702584185.html

http://memphis.craigslist.org/mcy/2709590615.html

I talked to the owner and he is the second owner, but said it's in good shape. He paid $800 for it a year ago and is asking $600, but said he would negotiate... I'm thinking $500? The HD upgrade he said was refering to having the front-end suspension replaced/upgraded to a beefier set-up. Seems like a pretty good deal if I can get it for $500 especially. I plan to go down and look at it today. I will let you know how it goes.

Good luck with the Spiderbox- the HD up-grades are the ones you need!!!
The Manco is another non-suspension yard kart- this will work for the young-in's for a while as long as it's drove on mostly flat surfaces.Price is a little high, it does look well taken care of.

hope you can get that one, it looks pretty good!

I called and he said he would take $500, so. I will be making the 2 hour drive to check it out. Hopefully we can fit it in the back of my truck and tie it down... I have a newer Nissan frontier... so it's not at large truck With tailgate down, I have about 80 inches for the wheelbase of the kart!

You'll make it fit!!!

Back the buggy into the bed (less then 450 lbs). If the front wheels hang off the tailgate, either srtap it down like that or close the tailgate and have the front hang over the top lip before strapping.

My Yerf went to an owner of a Chevy Avalanche. We ran the front end on top of the bed rails and the rear sat on the tailgate. This Yerf had a 6" wider front track than stock plus the wider BD axle preventing either end from clearing the inside of the bed rails with his hard top cover hardware installed.

Well, I bought the yerf! We rolled it up ramps backwards into my truck and it fit just fine... with the front wheels hanging over the tailgate. We strapped it down though. Only thing I might try and replace before the kids see it at Christmas is the muffler/tailpipe if it's not too expensive (rusty looking). I also might try and replace the foam on the frame so it looks newer. After I clean and detail it, I think it will look good. Thanks for helping me make the decision.

thats great, you and your family are going to have great fun. happy karting!

I think I might have "buggy fever"... In my head I have already rebuilt the entire thing into a custom buggy! :drive:

Welcome to the addiction!!!! Stock exhaust's are pretty expensive for what you get
($150) just repaint it and I think BMI.com still sells the foam with the vinyl covers to give it that new look. Also seat covets are about $40. ea. that also gives it that extra touch while giving the butt & back some cushion.
So how does it run?

O'Reillys Auto also has the seat covers locally for sale.

The kart seems to run good... although I have not gotten to really drive it much because the kids are always around (christmas surprise). I sneaked it into my garage/shop and put a tarp over it. It cranks right up... although today I cranked it for my wife and it idled for about 20 seconds and died... but I'll have to check it later this week when the kids are not around. The guy I bought it from sent in the stock front end suspension to **********.com and they upgraded it to heavy duty, but I did notice the 4 "ball joint" bolts were bent slightly on the front end, but I know this is common. I might replace them later with the aftermarket stronger bolts. I am going replace some cosmetic items first and clean it up as best I can. I would love to go ahead and paint it a dark green and add camo foam and foam wraps and seat covers (my son likes camo), but painting it seems like a big job between now and Christmas... I'm assuming I would need to take off everything from the frame.

I forgot to mention that I looked online for seat covers to go over the stock seats, but could not find them... anyone have a link? thanks!

Glad it runs!! Trying to re-paint it without having parts everywhere would be tough!!Here's a link for seat covers http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...70213/10002/-1