Would you ever buy an ex-rental car?

[rpm]

Hi there

MyBroadband partnered with Gumtree to get some feedback from you about purchasing goods online, and your buying preferences. It will be cool if you can give your feedback in this thread about the following:

Would you ever buy an ex-rental car?

Your feedback on whether you will buy a rental car, and the reasons behind your choice, will be great.

 

[azbob]

Buying a rental car is like marrying a prostitute.

So, yes, I would.

 

[Jola]

Those rental cars are robust, I believe that even the small ones can go up Sani Pass

 

[Grouter]

I have an ex-rental car - 2006 chev aveo. Goes like a dream, had it a few years, got it cheap, no complaints.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I already bought one back in 2001.

In my opinion if a car has survived that then it's going to last forever. Hard drive cars straight from the box often also perform much better which was the same case for my 1.4 Corsa compared to a friend with the exact same car.

Did almost 160 000km before I sold it, still running the original clutch and everything.

Biggest problem it ever had was the waterpump which only really happened because it wasn't changed with the cambelt as is the norm.

 

[TehStranger]

The answer is no, and I'm going to tell you why:

Rentals have been abused their entire life by people who don't give a ****. Driven like they were stolen, often by people unfamiliar with the car. I've abused my fair share of rentals and know a million others who have too.

Yes, they've been services and maintained on time and this mitigates some of the risk, but there are non-service items that also take abuse without necessarily being replaced. Think of the rattles that develop after time, and all of the potential issues.

Abzo summed it up correctly.

 

[SauRoNZA]

The answer is no, and I'm going to tell you why:

Rentals have been abused their entire life by people who don't give a ****. Driven like they were stolen, often by people unfamiliar with the car. I've abused my fair share of rentals and know a million others who have too.

Yes, they've been services and maintained on time and this mitigates some of the risk, but there are non-service items that also take abuse without necessarily being replaced. Think of the rattles that develop after time, and all of the potential issues.

Abzo summed it up correctly.

Precisely why when you view them you KNOW this already...there are no surprises.

Therefore if it's in a good condition and running well, it will keep on going.


Compared to any other second car which you can't make any assumptions about. Bought mine at 38 000km and ran it to 160 000km like I said above and you would never know the difference between it and a non-rental, except for it running better.

 

[Ianf1]

I bought a Honda Jazz ex rental 2 years ago and it is still going strong.

 

[TehStranger]

Precisely why when you view them you KNOW this already...there are no surprises.

Therefore if it's in a good condition and running well, it will keep on going.


Compared to any other second car which you can't make any assumptions about. Bought mine at 38 000km and ran it to 160 000km like I said above and you would never know the difference between it and a non-rental, except for it running better.

I'm glad you had a good experience, but I still stand by my aversion to them. Even with rentals it's possible to get a lemon (unlucky), or a lemon pie (lucky). The chance of it being abused is still higher, and for that reason I'd avoid them.

 

[supersunbird]

I’ve got two ex-avis cars, very happy. So I voted yes.

 

[Purply]

I'm with TehStranger on this one, so voted no.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I'm glad you had a good experience, but I still stand by my aversion to them. Even with rentals it's possible to get a lemon (unlucky), or a lemon pie (lucky). The chance of it being abused is still higher, and for that reason I'd avoid them.

And you can get a brand new lemon too...so that hardly means anything really.

Unless you are buying a car that you can SEE is obviously abused you should be good to go.


if you are buying a car that you can see was abused you are doing it wrong anyway.

 

[Hemi300c]

Usually still under warranty and low mileage so yes.

 

[TehStranger]

And you can get a brand new lemon too...so that hardly means anything really.

Unless you are buying a car that you can SEE is obviously abused you should be good to go.


if you are buying a car that you can see was abused you are doing it wrong anyway.

The thing is, sometimes you can't SEE the abuse even with proper inspection.

Also I get that even new cars can be lemons, but the chance of you getting a lemon is far greater if the vehicle has been abused like most rentals are.

 

[Pitbull]

I would I suppose.

I have to admit though, there is no better 4x4 than a rental vehicle. I have taken them to places I'll never take my own vehicles to

 

[Paul_S]

Precisely why when you view them you KNOW this already...there are no surprises.

Therefore if it's in a good condition and running well, it will keep on going.

I disagree based on personal experience.
I bought a vehicle (ex AVIS stock) in 2008 with just over 100,000 km on it, full service history, etc.
I found out a couple of months later that the engine had big end knock which was masked at the time of sale with an oil thickener.
At around 130,000 km the front suspension started giving problems and the clutch started slipping.
These are the types of items you won't know are problems unless you start stripping the vehicle to inspect the parts.

I replaced it with a new vehicle. I know the exact service history and any problems.
I've performed my own repairs outside of maintenance and know that the vehicle is in good condition.
I know that the vehicle hasn't been driven half into the ground by some idiot Michael Schumacher wannabe.
Above all else I know that any defects haven't been temporarily masked by an underhanded dealer.

 

[rpm]

We purchased two rental cars in the past (through Zeda - hence ex-Avis), and we had no complaints. They carried a guarantee and 30 day exchange offer, which reduced the risk. The only reason that we did not continue is because the discounts offered became smaller and smaller. In the end it was so close to a new car it was not worth it.

 

[bekdik]

I bought an ex rental Renault and have no complaints. Saved a bundle!

 

[Fazda]

I have had several ex rentals over the years - not a single bit of trouble from any of them!

 

[Sepeng]

Umm, probably not, would probably go for an equivalent privately owned second hand vehicle.
Based on nothing but best guess, how I've seen rental vehicles treated in terms of clutch abuse, engine stresses etc.