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Smart Shopper Purchasing Rental & Program Vehicles
188 messages, Last post on May 17, 2009 at 10:54 AM
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Does anyone have an opinion on buying a rental? I know they typically have a certification program but they are rentals. I also know that the dealerships buy most of their used cars from the rental companies. Would it be smart getting it from the source? I guess it would make sense for them to select their better batch and wholesale the rest to the dealers that sell it back to me, anyhow. |
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I just remember stories from my young and stupid friends(now I am old and stupid) about how they used to misuse rental cars. It wasn't Their car - so let's see what it can do. Hey Bill -lets take that speed bump at 90 MPH. Hey Joe - watch these doughnuts. Hey Steve - watch I can put it in reverse going forward at 35 MPH you get the idea. I'm sure that most drivers (myself) included would never abuse a car. It's just those few. Would you really want to buy a car knowing that some of the above incidents had happened to YOUR car. The other thing about rental cars is that they really are no great value. Take off 10 or 15 cents a mile and compare it to the price of a new car with all of the rebates and all. The rental cars that I have seen have from 17 to 40 k miles and are really not discounted enough to reflect their mileage and (somewhat inferior) condition. As far as the dealers story about only getting the "best" rentals - keep in mind who you are talking to. Do you ever wonder where all the less than best cars go. Well, They don't all go to the older car lots. I'd say pass on this deal. There's plenty of new car deals to be had these days. |
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I can see that...but knowing that the dealerships buy thousands of cars from rental agencies, (I know that even the luxury car dealers do) what would be the difference of buying a used car from the rental agency the first hand vs. buying a rental from a dealer? ps. I've even noticed a lil trick of dealers putting "Single Owner" to the previous rentals as well!!! |
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Other than if you need to trade in a car or get financing or (you'll be needing this) service. Dealers are set up for this rental car companies may not be. As far as "Single Owner" cars at dealers, I would be wary of any car that is less than a couple of years old. Another Red flag, Rental cars get lots of miles on them so they tend to have many more miles on them than is appropriate for their age. To be fair On the other hand - Drive the car. If it drives OK and doesn't have steering/suspension problems and it shifts all right. Then it is probably all right. At most your risk is some suspension work or a transmission or differential rebuild. The car certainly still has many good miles left. |
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... Like anything else, some are good and some are bad .. I have bought a few rentals in the last few years, mostly the ultra low milers. I check out the history and take some extra time to make sure the seats haven't been all burned out, carpets haven't been re-placed, someone hasn't been in and out of the trunk with a chainsaw, fluids, paintwork and looking for any skid marks on the frame .. "sometimes" they can be a Great deal. Spending an extra $100 or so at a real good service dept can save you some money and grief ... Terry. |
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1) After being in service and working next to the Enterprise guy/girl, I know they don't get maintenance like they should. This varies by rental branch manager, but most rental agents don't know how to put gas in the "thingy" much less when a car needs an oil change. 2) Then the ultimate question, as jasmith eluded to - how do YOU drive a rental?? A 30,000 mile rental has the wear and tear of most 80-100K private cars. |
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what zues said,... ...and I don't see how these used rentals are such great deals anyway...all the ones I have seen are pretty pricey, and the market is so competitive right now...why not just buy private party? Or buy certified from a dealer. |
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.... Thats the point, you don't buy 25/30k rentals .. at least I wouldn't, ever. Terry. |
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I'd never buy a car from a private party. Once you buy the car..."so long..." At least here in California, you can't return a car!!! (No cooling off period) I know that the dealers buy many of their cars from rental places (i.e. Hertz, Budget, Enterprise. etc) I know this because my relative is a wholesaler for a prominent dealer down here in So.Cal and his group buys thousands of rentals a year. I mean, where do you think the dealers get their 2002/2003's? I guess as long as you are buying a used, you are taking a chance regardless. It's just a matter of which place poses the least risk. Just need to venture out there. PS. I'd never buy from a private party (no warranty, no return, never how the owner drove...) |
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That buying a rental is higher risk than buying a new car. If the rental isn't reduced in price to be a real bargain then why should you assume the risk ?? My observation is that they are priced WAY too high. Keep in mind that when you sell the car that those extra miles on a rental car will come right off of the trade-in/private sales price. Therefore in my opinion a rental car is NO bargain. I'm sure, on the other hand, that you could purchase a rental and have a good experience. But be prepared to keep the car a LONG time for the actual discount to be realized. |
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