Saw on the news about the potential bankruptcy of Hertz and the potential of selling off their fleet. Decided to take a look at what they currently have, just to see. Looking at the 2018/2019ish 4Runners with about 35-45k miles, are running about $25k. Obvious things like accidents, multi- users, are things to take into consideration, but what else is there that I am missing? Would the low purchase price of this vehicle outweight negatives (excluding accidents and obvious abuse)? Anyone have any knowledge or experience purchasing a former rental vehicle? Thanks.

Considering how the average person treats rental items (houses, cars, the proverbial mule, etc.), I would have some serious reservations about buying a former rental car.

Former neighbor has bought multiple, no major issues.

I'd recommend a PPI just to be safe.

Edit: Also, when I was working for a local Chevrolet dealer, we bought a lot of off-rental Malibus & Impalas for CPO inventory. In my limited time behind the wheel of those, they all seemed in good shape & had pretty low miles.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: P250UA5,

Rental companies are self insured, and as such do not report damage to CarFax or any services, so you'll never be able to know if the vehicle was totalled, in a fender bender or clean its what they say it is.

Some renters drive them like it's their own vehicle, having some semblance of decency when using other peoples items. Others, drive the crap out of them and don't care what they do to them.

Then again you could say the same for individually owned vehicles/leased. I doubt the risk is any worse than some yahoo that Bo and Luked his charger and didn't report it...

Just be sure to inspect it, theres nothing wrong with it anymore than any other used vehicle.

I have bought them before, no problems, just have it looked over by a mechanic for evidence of abuse or accidents that may not be on the reports

A friend used to sell 3 year old used rental vehicles. She reports that they were generally in excellent condition mechanically.

In 2013 I bought a 2012 Toyota Sienna from Enterprise with 32,000 miles on it. 7 years later I am at nearly 80,000 miles and it has been perfect. No issues whatsoever, no matter how small.

What’s the difference between a rental car and a 4x4?

There’s some places a 4x4 just can’t go!

I would inspect the crap out of it and have a mechanic I trust do the same before buying.

Couple of things:

1. Most fleets will wholesale out damaged cars without fixing them if the damage is more than say $5000. Its just more cost effective to replace it than wait for it to be fixed. That means while the vehicle may have been hit a dozen times, it probably wasn't a severe accident with structural damage.

2. The higher end the vehicle, the better shot you have getting a good one. Going to buy the Nissan Altima that gets rented every weekend and beat on? Bad idea. But that Chevy Tahoe/Suburban or minivan or something that's a lot of money to rent doesn't get used as often and tend to be in better shape.

My Expedition was a rental 3 years of me owning it and no issues (of any fault due to it being a rental).
Would I buy the low end Econobox rentals, not a chance in the world. SUVs or or upgraded vehicles with a good inspection I have no issue.

The "problem" with 4Runners is they hold their value so well. Sometimes you can get a new one for just a bit more money than used.

I've known a few people who've bought from rental car companies, no major issues I've heard of.

My understanding from a few years back is that rental car companies spec their main cars to the manufacture. So do not expect the rental to be the same in every aspect as a dealership car.

Several years ago, my dealer (Land Rover) provided an Enterprise car. When I returned it a week later, I told the service manager that I would like to buy the car.

He looked at me and said: "You love it that much?"

I said "No, I would put that piece of shit in your back lot and set it on fire."

.

Just my opinion but I think the idea rentals have been beaten to hell is overhyped. Every rental I get I treat gingerly for fear they will find a scratch that wasn’t there before. I don’t think most renters are renting just to abuse a vehicle.

One of the major rental companies had what was essentially a used car dealership in the town I grew up in. IIRC we bought three cars from them over the years. One of them ended up as my first car. They all served us well. Of course this was a long time ago. But if it was a good deal now, I'd consider it again.

In 2013, I bought a one year old Kia Sorento with 15k miles which was a former rental, from CarMax. There was no indication why it was sold with so few miles.

I drove it an additional 100,000 miles in the next 6 years. I'd still be driving it except some moron on January 19, 2020 changed 2 lanes on the freeyway without looking and clipped me on the front passenger side, turning me sideways and got me broadsided by the car traveling in the next lane.

No issues, though I was pretty scrupulous about regular maintenance.

I've bought several, no problems whatsoever. Two were "Econoboxes."

Enterprise sell them with a 100 percent one year warranty. My friend bought one and complained about the brakes. Enterprise replace them.

As far as the Land Rover goes-dude, it was a Land Rover. For some reason, if you drive them across the desert or thru jungles, they work great. Dick around in town and you're begging for trouble.

quote:

Originally posted by redleg2/9:
My understanding from a few years back is that rental car companies spec their main cars to the manufacture. So do not expect the rental to be the same in every aspect as a dealership car.

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This is true, at least for GM.
A lot of rental units are Fleet-spec, a lot seemed to be equipped somewhere in between a mid-tier & top-tier trims.
In Chevrolet-speak, typical trims are LS LT LTZ (and now Premier). A lot of our rentals were in between LT & LTZ spec.
Impalas had a run of Impala Limited, they were LTZ-spec prior-generation cars, only available off rental or fleet sales.

I would not hesitate to buy one after a thorough inspection by my mechanic. I think the talk about them abused is overblown. Does it happen? I’m sure it does. Common issues I could see are quick acceleration and wear on brakes. But the car is made to accelerate unless everyone who rented that car was driving it 1/4 mile at a time. Brakes? Those can be replaced easily and wear anyway.

A question we used to ask in the Navy on detachments.

"What's the fastest car in reverse?????"

"A RENTAL!!!"

With that being said, in the days of Car Facts and that kind of thing, the risk is probably lower. And most people treat rental cars pretty good, regardless of the stereotype.

I spent years as a consultant renting vehicles including insurance on the client's dime. My work included going to remote wilderness areas on jeep trails.

I once got to the rental company and the only vehicle they had left on the lot was a Pontiac Fiero two-seater. Ever been on jeep trails in a sportscar?

I would never buy from a rental company because I drove them like I stole them.