Would you purchase a car that has been used as a rental? (rentals, vehicles)

[Drago45]

I emailed a dealer and asked since the price seemed a bit too reasonable. He said yes and that rentals are better taken care of than single owner vehicles. Really?

[UpstateJohn]

Pass on it! If anything, its been abused more!

[JONOV]

Originally Posted by Drago45

I emailed a dealer and asked since the price seemed a bit too reasonable. He said yes and that rentals are better taken care of than single owner vehicles. Really?

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a former rental rocket. Look at it this way; these cars are almost guaranteed to be maintained. The rental companies aren't going to skimp on maintenance because they know that if the car breaks down, it has dire consequences in more than one way.

My mom has a former rental 4Runner; it has had no problems aside from regular maintenance.

PJ O'Rourke and Jeremy Clarkson antics aside, most people aren't doing neutral drops or drag racing the things; they're taking it from the airport to the hotel to the meeting with Purchasing Department.

[Me007gold]

Originally Posted by JONOV

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a former rental rocket. Look at it this way; these cars are almost guaranteed to be maintained. The rental companies aren't going to skimp on maintenance because they know that if the car breaks down, it has dire consequences in more than one way.

Except for the fact that they do, and it happens all the time. Maintenance gets pushed aside when they are short on cars. Having worked for various different companys I would never touch one seeing how they get treated. This topic gets brought up alot, some people, some people don't, there is no real answer. Buy the car if you like it, just know when it comes time for you to sell it, it may be harder to sell because of that "fleet use" or the car report.

[skinsguy37]

Not to mention that the rental companies only use these cars for 2 years max, so if they are high mileage, it's probably mostly highway miles.

[southernnaturelover]

My Sonata is an ex-rental. No problems whatsoever.

[SVTLightning]

Each rental i have ever had I drove it like I stole it. I wouldnt want a rental personally.

[jackmccullough]

I agree with those who say that most people don't beat their rented cars, especially if it's a somewhat staid car.

[convextech]

Originally Posted by Drago45

I emailed a dealer and asked since the price seemed a bit too reasonable. He said yes and that rentals are better taken care of than single owner vehicles. Really?

He's a car salesman. They lie. Don't buy it.

[wheelsup]

We bought a used Prius that was a year old w/ 40k miles on it, previous rental. No issues attributed to it being a rental to this day w/ another 50k miles on it, outside of an inverter failure that was covered under warranty at about 87,000 miles.