William, I have great appreciation for the electro-mechanical aspect of that electric dually kart shown above. Your first cart doesn't have to go that far along, but you'd do well to consider at least in your planning just how well you want your finished project to function.
Safety is the most important concern, and like the electric above if it doesn't have a rollcage then it shouldn't have even a seatbelt, so you can be thrown clear before it goes over and snaps your neck. Conversely if it has a rollcage it should have at least a seatbelt, a 4-point racing harness like mine above even better, and in any case always wear a D.O.T.-approved helmet.
Reliability should be the second concern, like the electric above having far less to go wrong than a piston engine like mine.
Performance should be the third concern, like the electric not being easy to add horsepower to after the fact, while piston engines can be hotrodded up all kinds of different ways, my 15+ hp. (started out as a 6.5 hp.) shown above is a good example.
Comfort is an important concern if you want to enjoy driving it, like the electric above being a rigid frame with a hard unpadded single seat, while my fully equipped kart above having a dual seat padded bottom and back and huge shocks front and rear.
Let good looks be your last concern, but with your budget you can have a really sharp product. Consider the final looks in your initial planning, as parts may need to be primed or painted as you go, some welds may need to look really good while others are hidden, your final colors may need to go on as you go, etc. Know from the beginning what will make you happy, ignore what others say it should be. You can even make it to please a lot of other people along with yourself, like mine above. It quickly converts from left drive with 2 harnesses to center drive with a center harness and dual gas/brake pedals for comfort. Coilover nitrogens and Monroe airshocks can drop it down from offroad w/12" clearance to a flat tracker with your butt 3" off the pavement. The 12vdc pumps can dispense anything you put in the bottles for anybody, not just Cuervo Gold and lime juice. Etc.........Plan your build, and build your plan.
