Buying car from a Rental Car place

[ra1007]

looking into hertz, national, avis, enterprise for a less than 11K purchase of a used car. Anyone have experience and can recommend.

It seems like the warranty is always additional. does anyone know what the extended warranty will cost me? thank you! Pm me if you like.

 

[Judique]

looking into hertz, national, avis, enterprise for a less than 11K purchase of a used car. Anyone have experience and can recommend.

It seems like the warranty is always additional. does anyone know what the extended warranty will cost me? thank you! Pm me if you like.

Didn't do it, but looked at it as an option 2 and 1/2 years ago.

I found that 'certified pre owned' cars with warranty left over from several dealers appeared to be better deals and higher end models with more options. Some were turn ins from leases. The certified ones had some additional warranty.

We bought a total of 3 cars in this category and had no problems with any so far.

The rental car options had higher miles and looked more 'used'. Mileages were more like high 30ties into the forties. The cars we bought were in the mid twenties for mileage.

We also found that internet offered prices were the best deals. Going to the dealer and not printing out the net price meant they had a higher stcker on the car and rarely wanted to come down much (unlike buying new).

 

[ra1007]

thanks jud ----don't understand your post though.

so you did not buy a car from avis/ hertz?

you bought what in what category?

Didn't do it, but looked at it as an option 2 and 1/2 years ago.

I found that 'certified pre owned' cars with warranty left over from several dealers appeared to be better deals and higher end models with more options. Some were turn ins from leases. The certified ones had some additional warranty.

We bought a total of 3 cars in this category and had no problems with any so far.

The rental car options had higher miles and looked more 'used'. Mileages were more like high 30ties into the forties. The cars we bought were in the mid twenties for mileage.

We also found that internet offered prices were the best deals. Going to the dealer and not printing out the net price meant they had a higher stcker on the car and rarely wanted to come down much (unlike buying new).

 

[Judique]

thanks jud ----don't understand your post though.

so you did not buy a car from avis/ hertz?

you bought what in what category?

We bought certified preowned from used car dealers attached to new car showrooms. VW is one dealer that sells certified preowned. Sorry that I was not clearer.

You can check available cars online for the rental agencies.

 

[sookie]

These companies often do not complete recall repairs. I would proceed with caution.

 

[ra1007]

We bought certified preowned from used car dealers attached to new car showrooms. VW is one dealer that sells certified preowned. Sorry that I was not clearer.

You can check available cars online for the rental agencies.

ah ok! so I will also check these out. I stay far away from a total used car dealer but DID not know new showrooms sold used cars. THANK YOU for the info!!!

 

[cats mom]

I posted my experience with the Hertz Rent 2 Buy program on another board. Rather than type the whole thing out again, how about I just link you to that thread.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/deal-discussion/942370/

Note: this discussion started back in 2009, but the most recent post was from last month.

Short version: some people would never, ever buy a car that had been a rental, other people are perfectly fine with it. Most people felt the prices were lower than they could find elsewhere, though not all. For the Hertz program specifically; I think the general consensus was that while it seems like a good idea in theory, it tends to be so poorly administered, that many people were/are scared off. A few folks posted overall positive experiences though.

Good Luck with your search!

 

[minpin3]

Great category and info! Thanks!!

 

[semo233]

"Certified" simply means that the car has met some standard. Please ask what the standards are of the inspection it passed. Many used car dealers purchase vehicles at auction.....guess where the car rental companies buy and sell cars too? By the way, a lease is a long term rental, so you really never know unless you run a car fax.
Years ago, I worked for Enterprise and they were good about recalls.