What is your experience with purchasing a Rental Car?

diato

I am thinking of buying a rental car from Hertz. My concern is the multiple drivers/styles of driving and if there would be any long term engine issues that may arise later? Your experience in this matter is greatly appreciated!!

imidazol97

diato said:

I am thinking of buying a rental car from Hertz. My concern is the multiple drivers/styles of driving and if there would be any long term engine issues that may arise later? Your experience in this matter is greatly appreciated!!

I have bought 2. A 2008 Cobalt in 2009 and a 2015 Cruze in 2015 from Chevy dealers. I don't know what rental agency the Cruze was from but suspected Hertz. I believe if there is damage from accidents they have the repairs done somehow, maybe inhouse shops, so that it doesn't get recorded on the Carfax. Both had clean Carfakes.

It's my belief the oil changes and required maintenance is handled correctly. Since both had about 20K on them and CPO warranty, which I should have rejected at a lowered price because a GM car can have a GMPP warranty added from any dealer like Black Cadillac in PA that sells online by phone and email.

The Chevy dealer showed me what they had done to the vehicle to prep it. Hertz may also have that data to show on that VIN.

If it's a case where you can't drive the car and feel for any odd driving characteristics from accident damage, I'd pass. I drove both these cars and they were great. Cruze was a hard one to move because Hertz at the time was sending lots of cars back to the market and replacing them. I heard that from Hertz workers. The Cruze was an LT2 which was more money on the used market. Dealer had had it 45 days and had lowered price. They had many other lesser models that sold easier apparently. I wanted the extra features.

So shop and enjoy--does Hertz offer a warranty of their own included? You can check other brands to see if you can purchase extended warranties from the MANUFACTURER as long as the vehicle is within the original bumper-to-bumper period. I don't like the aftermarket insurance policy type warranties.

oldfarmer50

As a driver for Hertz’s main competitor I can tell you it depends on what car you’re looking at. Personally I would stay away from any performance oriented car because those, in my experience do get treated roughly by customers. On the other hand, Pick up trucks get fairly mild use. Our company doesn’t allow towing or plowing so many of them get rented to soccer moms who couldn’t get the big SUV they ordered. Most of the mileage seems to be put on shuffling them between offices where they sit unrented. Another good pick would be the minivans since mom and dad probably aren’t taking turns doing donuts with the kids in the back. Bottom line, the more boring the car the less likely it was abused.

Maintenance is usually done on time since the branch managers get a bonus for keeping up with requirements.

Body work is usually done in house or at the cheapest sub contractor so examine closely. I’ve only seen one of our vehicles actually get a ding on CarFax. On the other hand any car with major mechanical or body damage usually goes directly to a wholesale auction.

You might try to get a friendly car dealer to buy the car you want as they have access to the entire rental fleet on a dealer’s only website.

Hope that helps.

diato

Its an SUV pathfinder or Sorrento that I am looking at. I keep hearing about multiple drivers abusing the car. I understand they could damage the body or breaks/steering, but do I have to be concerned with the ENGINE? How could they abuse that? Both cars have 40k miles and are 2 years old.