EZ-GO and Club Car are the two largest golf cart manufacturers in the U.S. — together they make up roughly 70% of the market. Both can be converted to street-legal Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs), but the conversion process differs in equipment defaults, frame characteristics, and total cost.
Here's the head-to-head.
The verdict up front
For a typical owner converting a 2015-or-newer cart:
- EZ-GO TXT — slightly easier, lower total conversion cost (~$500–$1,000 in equipment + $500 paperwork)
- Club Car Precedent / Onward — slightly harder, slightly higher cost (~$700–$1,200 in equipment + $500 paperwork) but the cart resells for more
The paperwork side of conversion (VIN, MCO, FMVSS 500 compliance label) is identical for both — that's our $500 flat package at GolfCartVIN.com. The differences are all on the cart side.
Equipment that comes standard
Most modern carts (2015+) ship from the factory with at least:
- Basic headlights
- Brake lights
- Some kind of horn (often a low-volume buzzer)
What's typically missing on both:
- DOT-approved turn signals
- Mirrors (interior + exterior)
- Seat belts (sometimes)
- Windshield (sometimes — many carts have aftermarket plastic windshields that aren't DOT-rated)
- Parking brake
EZ-GO TXT specifics
The most common EZ-GO model. Wide aftermarket support, easy to source parts. The standard "RXV Elite" trim ships with more LSV equipment than older TXT trims, but most owners still need to add turn signals, mirrors, and a DOT windshield.
Frame is well-suited for adding a kick panel for parking brake and full LSV light kit. Total LSV equipment cost: $500–$1,000 if you DIY, $800–$1,400 if a shop installs.
Club Car Precedent / Onward specifics
Slightly more premium build. The Onward "LSV Edition" comes pre-equipped from the factory and requires only the VIN/MCO paperwork — no equipment work needed. If you have an LSV Edition, your conversion is purely paperwork (just our $500 service).
If you have a regular Precedent or Onward (non-LSV trim), the equipment-add cost is similar to EZ-GO but slightly more — about $700–$1,200 if you DIY, $1,000–$1,600 if a shop installs. The cart's premium fit and finish typically make installs cleaner but slightly more time-intensive.
The lithium upgrade question
If you're upgrading to lithium batteries (which dramatically extends range and reduces long-term cost), the cart-platform choice matters. Both Lithium Rhino and Teekon offer drop-in conversion kits for both EZ-GO TXT and Club Car Precedent — pricing is similar across both platforms ($1,500–$3,000 depending on amp-hour rating).
Browse our parts catalog for the kits compatible with your cart.
Resale considerations
Once both carts are converted to street-legal LSVs:
- Used market for converted EZ-GO LSV: typically $5,000–$8,000 depending on options
- Used market for converted Club Car LSV: typically $6,000–$10,000+ for Onward, $5,500–$8,500 for Precedent
Club Car holds slightly higher resale value, especially in retirement communities. EZ-GO has stronger aftermarket support and is easier to repair if something breaks.
What about Yamaha?
Yamaha (Drive2 / Drive G29) is the third-most-common cart and converts the same way. Equipment costs are similar to EZ-GO. Their Drive2 LSV trim from the factory ships pre-certified — same as Club Car Onward LSV.
If you have a non-LSV trim Yamaha, our $500 paperwork package works identically.
Bottom line
Both platforms convert successfully. EZ-GO is slightly cheaper and easier to DIY; Club Car holds slightly more value when you sell. The paperwork is identical for both. Pick the cart based on your preference and budget — we handle the federal/state side either way.
Read more: How Much Does It Cost? · Lithium + Audio Upgrades