Would you buy a former rental car?

[Johnshan1]

Hey everyone, we put a small deposit down on a '99 Chevy Blazer tonight with 80K miles from a dealer. I went home and ran carfax and found out it has 2 owners, the first owner was a "Major Rental Car Company" and owned it until 33K miles, at which point it was sold at auction to the second owner who then traded it in at the dealership im buying it at, with 80K miles.<br /><br />Should I run away from this as it was a rental car? I know I dont treat a rental car the same I would my own daily driver.<br /><br />Also had a '98 Cavilier convertible that was a total junk pile with 60K on it and found out that was a rental car also. <br /><br />Any thoughts? Its clean and drives well but I wonder how long the tranny and engine will last.<br /><br />-John

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

Thought I would clarify that I actually owned the cavilier it wasnt at the same dealership. (Not that it matters)

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

My second car was an old rental and I had great luck with it. Unfortunately, I think this is not the norm for most. I've had a couple of friends buy rentals with bad results. Transmission problems, head gaskets, neglected coolant sytems and so on. I mean think about it...when you rent a car, do you drive it like your own or tend to be at least a little more aggressive?<br /><br />If it was taken care of well, you should be OK IMO. You could take it to another dealer or repair shop and have them look it over. Check it over with a fine tooth comb.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

I spent a lot of time looking it over and it all checks out, ive never been to a mechanic I do all my own work so I have kinda learned what to look for through the years with pretty good results (I havnt had a bad car yet besides the cavalier and that was actually the wifes when I met her).<br /><br />So it checks out okay but man I am leary now....<br /><br />You know it was never broken in correctly since it was a rental...

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

Our Montana was a rental I believe. It had 19000 when we got it. It now has 140000 on it. I have replaced the water pump once, and the brakes about 5 times. The brakes get used quite a bit. My wife thinks she has to drive the speedlimit till she reaches the white line at the stop light. Overall it is an excellant vehicle. I am considering buying another one just like it but newer if we don't buy her a truck.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

Most rentals I ahve seen have high miles...quickly. I usually assume most of them tend to be highway miles which are much easier on a vehicle. <br /><br />Here's another possible bonus for you. A lot of rental places don't allow you to tow with rentals. Does the Blazer have a factory tow package? Did the previous owner install one or is there none?

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

My guess it was sold at auction due to a major problem. Rental cars from my experience get tons of mileage on them before they get rid of them. At 33K, I would think it may have been totaled or stolen. The person that bought it probably repaired it and drove it for awhile before trading it in.<br /><br />Just a thought.

 

[cbnoodles]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

Ah yes, the rental car. The world's fastest automobile!

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

Well according to the background check it was never totaled, or in any accidents or floods. It was never stolen either, it checks out ok.<br /><br />The Blazer has no tow package or hitch or ball on it and was female owned after the rental company owned it.<br /><br />I will add that the entire cooling system (all hoses and water pump) have just been replaced along with a new belt.<br /><br />It was driven 33,000 miles in the one year the rental company owned it.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

Probably had a 36,000 mile warranty and the rental co dumped it then. Dunno just a guiess.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

Thats kinda what I figured, it did have a 36K mile warranty. I will have to sit down and talk about it with the woman as she will be driving it.

 

[jimalsk]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

We bought a rental had no problems with it until she let her son use it. Then it was an engine replacement. Other than that it was a deal. They had all the maintainence history with the car. Might want to check on that.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

There are no records with the vehicle

 

[Triton II]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

I'd never buy a rental... I know what I do with them!

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

I think you take many chances when buying a used car. I really dont think being a rental will mean it has more problems.<br /><br />Some individual owners take worse care of their cars than a rental car company does.<br /><br />Ken

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

Talk about being on the fence I dont know what to do we do like the vehicle, $7400 isnt that bad of a price either for this area they usually fetch 9-10K pretty easy.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

Go with your head not your heart and you'll probably make the right choice. Good luck either way...

 

[KM2]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

Pro: Major rental companies do basic maintence and then auction vehicles before the warranty is up. Generally you can't tow with a rental, they don't put on hitches on purpose. <br /><br />Con: People drive rental cars like they stole 'em. <br /><br />Most dealers will sell an extented waranty too. Can be a little expensive but worth it if the trans goes.. <br /><br />Buying used you never really know how the vehicle has been treated, some individuals are a lot harder on a car then 100 renters would be. If you like the truck and it's a good deal, check edmunds.com for pricing info, then go for it.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

When we were in business we sold quite a few "rental cars". These were special program vehicles that GM would "buy back" from the rental companies and we could buy them at a GM only auction. They would usually be current model year, or one model year, old and have less than 20,000 miles on them. We saved a bundle on them, so our customers did also. Rental companies have to keep to strick maintenance policies on their vehicles, and most of the miles are highway miles.<br /><br />Can't say that our customers ever came back with any more problems with the rentals than others. Now that we no longer have the dealership, I would not by another new car - loose too much in depreciation. I would get one of my dealer friends to take me to the auction so I could by a rental car.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Would you buy a former rental car?

For Sale - One Owner (Hertz!) Most reputable rental car companies now "dump" vehicles during the current model year and with low miles. The majority of them hit reputable car dealers with about 50% of the time/mileage warranty left. I would not buy a "higher mileage" or older rental car as the second owner. I would focus on ones with both warranties left.<br /><br />99 Blazers had problems with the 4wd engagement motors and most of all Front End problems. If the wheel bearings and ball joints have been replaced go for it it not expect it in the next 30K miles. The absence of a tow hitch is a good thing and it has not been abused. Check the seat adjusters they break all the time.<br /><br />Bob