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I am looking for either a Toyota Highlander or a Toyota Venza. The Venzas are getting more and more rare because they are no longer in production. I found a nice Highlander at Carmax with the options I want and lower miles, which is important to me. It's about $2000-4000 less than other comparably equipped Highlanders. However, it's a fleet car. I know that may mean it's been driven hard and hung up wet, but what exactly does a fleet vehicle mean and would I be stupid to buy one that came from the south and has less than 35K on it?
Any other Carmax suggestions? I've never bought from them, but I have sold to them (and I would likely sell my current vehicle to them).
With only 35,000 on the car it's kinda hard to destroy even a rental in that length of time. Driving it will tell you if the car is tight, no rattles, no excessive wind noise, etc. Just because it MIGHT be rental wouldn't make me want to avoid the car. I'd want to see a history on it. Because it's a rental or fleet vehicle doesn't mean they sell those cheaper. There's another reason it's cheaper and that's where you need to start looking. There are a lot of companies that buy cars, keep them a specific amount of time and then trade them in a newer model. The car may have easily been one of these. Maintenance records are usually available for those. With companies like that, the perception of the NEW car is everything to their persona. You'll find a lot of the higher end cars like Lincoln, Caddy, Mercedes, will have cars that fall into that market a lot.
Just have it checked for damage by a dealer before purchase. Ask for a prepurchase inspection. I wouldn’t shy away from a rental car.
I’m actually looking at a Venza
I once bought my wife a Mitsubishi fleet car,, in 1990 (Gallant or Lancer, I forget), and it served her longer than I did. Last I heard, it was standing up very well. My only anecdotal input. It was a nice car, I liked it, I had a Corolla to compare it with.
I've been told that sometimes vehicles specifically ordered for fleet are sometimes optioned out slighly differently for their trim level than those destined for the retail market. Uncertain how accurate that is but would definitely double check that the features you are expecting are there and that you are indeed comparing prices on vehicles with the same options.
I would not be scared of it because it was a fleet car. Treat it like any other used car. Look it over well, have it checked independently, etc. If it checks out, go for it.
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