I never mentioned special batteries. Funny enough golf cart batteries are normally pretty reliable, no heat, little use and a decent charger for them, along with the battery more likely to be refilled when the water is low. Car batteries live in a hot environment, and often are never checked, as they are "sealed for life" units with a label over the filler caps to hide them. first thing I ripped off to check the water every 3 months. Even then the last one on my car decided to die on a Friday afternoon at 4PM, cracked internal joint.
Odd thing about having the battery in the back is it will never be checked when it goes for a service - out of sight, out of mind. I did own a VW bug where the battery was held in by a piece of chromadek, as it had corroded through the bottom of the back seat.