Buying used car from Avis or Dollar

[prncess674]

I think you are very poorly informed and talking out your you know what.

I think the vast majority of rental cars go to business people and they do not abuse their cars. Why would they ? that is pretty juvenile don't you think? My Dh traveled a lot for work and he never mistreated a car and none of the other people he traveled with did either. First of all if you damage a rental car your work is going to hear about it and that is the last thing you want on your record.
who treats a rental like a garbage can? when they charge you for anything damaged or dirty?

There is no charge for dirty cars. I don't treat my rental anything like my personal car. Hmm, stop at Starbucks on the way to work and finish it in the car. I am traveling alone so I pitch the empty cup on the back floor board. I only have it for a day or two so why do I care? That little bit of milk and coffeee drips on the back and then attracts bugs and critters along with leaving a stain. In my 10 years of consulting I have never been charged a cleaning fee and I can assure you that many people aren't nearly as nice as me.

The cars are underpowered and people punch the gas, slam on the brakes and have no regard for what they are doing to the engine. They have no idea how the car handles so all the inside creature comforts are constantly being adjusted used. Mirror alignment, seat controls, etc are all constantly in use. Also since those rentals almost always are holding luggage the back bumper above the trunk is scraped up with scuff marks.

You have no idea if the 20K on that car was used to move someone across country or used for 200 consultants to travel 100 miles a day to and from the airport to downtown in stop and go traffic which is notoriously bad for engines.

 

[PinballFamily]

Our minivan is a former Enterprise rental. Bought it seven (?) years ago - (for cash!) - and would do it again in a heartbeat! (But, we're gonna run this sucker until it dies on the side of the road somewhere many years from now!) Was two years old, and immaculate inside and out when we got it with 25K mileage - we got balance of warranties, etc. VERY VERY HAPPY and would never again think of buying a car the former "traditional" route...

Smooth, no-hassle -no "so how much do you want to pay, little lady...?"-type of sleazy haggling. Would highly recommend this route for folks who don't want a new, new car (and the associated inflated cost)!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

One downside I noticed on the Hertz Rent to Own site was that they do not accept "trade-in's". Bummer....

 

[okw2012]

Bought a KIA rondo which had been on the short-term rental market for 6 months. Got an incredibly low price. I did not buy direct from the rental company but instead went through a used car dealer who buys these cars at auctions. This turned out to be a much better deal than buying from the rental company, partly because I could negotiate the price.

The car was well equipped, perfectly clean and not a scratch (that did not last long - I have 3 kids).

We did have a few issues with the car, but given what we paid I don't mind. Compared to other cars I bought on the resale market, and even compared to one car I bought new, it's just as good but cheaper. Would do it again for sure.

 

[mdsoccermom]

There is no charge for dirty cars. I don't treat my rental anything like my personal car. Hmm, stop at Starbucks on the way to work and finish it in the car. I am traveling alone so I pitch the empty cup on the back floor board. I only have it for a day or two so why do I care? That little bit of milk and coffeee drips on the back and then attracts bugs and critters along with leaving a stain. In my 10 years of consulting I have never been charged a cleaning fee and I can assure you that many people aren't nearly as nice as me.

The cars are underpowered and people punch the gas, slam on the brakes and have no regard for what they are doing to the engine. They have no idea how the car handles so all the inside creature comforts are constantly being adjusted used. Mirror alignment, seat controls, etc are all constantly in use. Also since those rentals almost always are holding luggage the back bumper above the trunk is scraped up with scuff marks.

You have no idea if the 20K on that car was used to move someone across country or used for 200 consultants to travel 100 miles a day to and from the airport to downtown in stop and go traffic which is notoriously bad for engines.

Not everyone acts like a pig. I used to rent cars constantly for work and treated them like they were my own. I don't like to drive in a pig sty in my everyday life, so why would I want to drive in one for my professional life?

 

[prncess674]

Not everyone acts like a pig. I used to rent cars constantly for work and treated them like they were my own. I don't like to drive in a pig sty in my everyday life, so why would I want to drive in one for my professional life?

Not everyone treats it like a pig sty and not everyone treats it like a baby is all I am saying. As a frequent traveler I have seen my fair share of people who abuse rental cars. Also most rentals are ill equipped rentals. If your idea do a great car is a stripped down Chevy Malibu, then by all means get a rental on the buy market.

 

[mmcxiiad]

i travel a lot for work too and often have to use rental cars.

No, I would NEVER buy a rental car.

Personally I don't think they are as well maintained as someone's personal car. This is from a upkeep and work done on it. Sure they may change the oil and check things frequently. But retail cars tend to get driven rougher and miles get put on them faster then a standard vehicle.

but hey, that is just my 2¢