Buying a car from Hertz...your thoughts?

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KEV1N

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2000
2,932
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So what you're saying is, all of you beat hookers and rental cars?!?

On topic... what are you going to do when the car's out of warranty? What if the problems that were caused by abuse don't manifest themselves until after your warranty wears out? I would pass simply because you don't know who drove the car before you and in what manner. This is true with all used cars but with rental cars, you have more previous drivers and a greater chance that someone beat the hell out of it.
 

flot

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
3,197
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My GF was buying a neon for her mom, and we must have looked at 10, and at least 7 of them were ex-rental cars. (took us 3 or 4 cars before we caught on to that)

You can save a LOT of money buying one of these. We got an 02 for $5000. That was from a private seller, who had bought it at an auction. I'm sure it had a lot of wear and tear - but at $5000, it was at least $2000 (40%) cheaper than any of the one-owner ones we saw in similar condition. It also had a couple months of original factory warranty left, so that helped. (not that the dodge dealer has been very helpful so far)

For the price, I think it was worth it. If you're not saving a bundle, I wouldn't do it.
 

EMPshockwave82

Diamond Member
Jul 7, 2003
3,012
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Originally posted by: optoman
It would be like marrying a hooker.


this is a quote from a bill engvall joke...

something to the effect of: (not direct but i would venture to say pretty close)

buying a rental car would be like marrying a hooker, you dont want to put your key where so many other have put theirs
 

lizardboy

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2000
3,488
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I bought a used Solara about 6 months ago that had been sold by Enterprise at auction. It was a year old with about 25K miles on it. Had an independent mechanic look at it and he said everything looked good. Got it for significantly below blue-book value. Haven't had any problems with it (knock on wood).
 

VTEC01EX

Senior member
Mar 8, 2002
315
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When Enterprise rented me an 03 Solara... it spend about 70% of its time with me at redline, or without traction. Sometimes both.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
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I've never abused a rental car. It just drives the prices up for everybody.
 

fyleow

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2002
2,915
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Originally posted by: VTEC01EX
When Enterprise rented me an 03 Solara... it spend about 70% of its time with me at redline, or without traction. Sometimes both.

lol
 

TheAudit

Diamond Member
May 2, 2003
4,194
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Don't do it. You might only see cosmetic problems at first but chances are that car has been through some wars.
 

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
18,526
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I don't think I'd want to buy a car that I've rented in the past.

Thats why I get the insurance, I beat the hell out of them.
 

Encryptic

Diamond Member
May 21, 2003
8,885
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Originally posted by: MP5SD
I can't speak for everyone, but I know when I get a rental, I beat the hell out of it...

This explains why so many of your "rentals" have filed charges against you. :p
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
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Originally posted by: Millennium
I've never abused a rental car. It just drives the prices up for everybody.

yeah neither do i... i have respect, i just drive it like it was mine.
 

Thump553

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
12,839
2,625
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Face it, its the American way to drive rentals like its a racecar. Only one person here claims not to beat on rentals and he's probably lying (g).

That said I know people who have bought rentals, got solid warranties, great prices and been very happy. But I don't know any that have owned any former rentals very long and it would not surprise me if they had a substantially shorter life. And you are going to take a beating when and if you resell it.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: Thump553
Face it, its the American way to drive rentals like its a racecar. Only one person here claims not to beat on rentals and he's probably lying (g).

That said I know people who have bought rentals, got solid warranties, great prices and been very happy. But I don't know any that have owned any former rentals very long and it would not surprise me if they had a substantially shorter life. And you are going to take a beating when and if you resell it.

No, I'm not probably lying, you asshat.
rolleye.gif
 

vegetation

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
4,270
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I wouldn't do it, but if you must then I believe Hertz is the best company to go with. They take care of their cars better than the others and their clientele is usually more geared towards business/corporate users rather than the leisure market.


 

RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
2
76
What everyone else said - you run the risk of getting a lemon/bad car. You never know the damage that might have already occurred that cannot be detected by the best of mechanics.
 

m2kewl

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2001
8,263
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people rent manuals to learn how to drive ;)

i drive a rental like a bat outta hell.
 

Thoreau

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2003
1,441
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76
Adul and myself had some fun with a rental Hyundai Accent a little less than a year ago. Donuts (barely), speeding down the road and slapping on the e-brake, even moving down the 101 at 85mph in 2nd gear for a solid 10 minutes (that was Adul being stupid tho) while I (sitting in the passenger seat) shifted the car to neutral at damn near full throttle.

Ahh the memories...
 

Thoreau

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2003
1,441
0
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Originally posted by: rudeguy
tell us some details, how much and what make/model...that would be more helpful

but in general, I am open to all options. If they offered me a warranty, I would buy it in a minute (the warranty that is)

Even with the world's best warranty, I wouldn't even touch a rental as far as a purchase goes. If I wanted a car that needed warranty work and enjoyed sitting in the waiting room of my favorite mechanic every couple months, that's a different story.