My Mom's up there in years but is still a great driver. Her 91 Volvo has finally died. Even though she loves my MCS, I just can't get her to spend the $$$ for a Mini Cooper. She even test drove an MC automatic!

She really needs just basic transportation and the family has had good luck with Sentras.

Has anyone ever purchased a year old Sentra or similar from one of the major car rental companies like Enterprise with around 20k miles?

 

Just my 2 cents...would YOU purchase a rental? I know I wouldn't - those things get ragged out most of the time because people don't care how they drive them. If it were a member of my family, I'd think twice before purchasing a rental... Again, just my opinion....

Donna

 

I agree with Donna on this one. Your Mom could end up very sorry with her rental purchase. I don't know how much your MOM wants to spend, but a Scion Xa or a Toyota Yaris would make a nice transportation pod. They're cheap & have Toyota quality along with a nice warranty.

Chuck

 

I'm obviously thinking about it or I wouldn't be asking. People I know have driven Sentras hundreds of thousands of miles under less than ideal conditions. They're pretty hard to beat.

In 30 years of corporate travel, driving hundreds of rentals thousands of miles, I've never gotten a 'ragged out' rental...except for once, when I rented a Corvette and it wouldn't start until we rocked it back and forth and then it started. Overall, I think the notion that people beat their rental because it's not their car is somewhat urban myth. There will always be exceptions, but that risk applies to any pre-owned vehicle.

I really appreciate your opinions though, thank you. One thing,although I havn't researched it thoroughly, is that the asking price for the rentals (and they say they're 'no-haggle/non-negotialble) is that they're not too much cheaper than the Cars Direct pricing for similar new!

I'd still like to hear from anyone who HAS purchased a rental.

 

It isn't a sentra but my 2001 Subaru Outback was an ex-rental. I bought it late in 2001 with 14,000 miles on the odo. and the carfax report showed it had been previously owned by Avis.

It has 82,000 miles now and I've never had a problem. I figure it was regularly serviced and then unceremoniously ditched by the car rental company when their actuary told them that it was at the crossroads of the mileage/resale curve.

I'd do it again.

 

Just saw the Yaris in the Chicago auto show.. I was impressed with it. With $10k, you get a car with everything you needed (power windows, AUX.. ) and the car feel very solid and safe.. compare to the (Honda Fit).

 

a practical car like a sentra/corolla/altima/camry at a reputable rental shop
is probably better taken care than a privately leased car.

 

Now that I've sold my car I'm driving a rental car right now - I feel bad for whoever takes it from me :( Poor little lincoln, she was so young

 

i think rental and I think of a comedy skit:

---
Rental agent: good evening sir, welcome to xx rentals. Everything is ready for you, I just need to know one thing. Would you like the rental insurance in case something happens to the car while you have it?

Customer: Hell ya! This little babies about to see more air time then a BMX bike at the X-Games!

---

The above joke and most peoples "drive it like a rental" mentality would scare me. Some people beat the hell out of the cars they own. Imagine what they do under the rental insurance umbrella!

 

i still think a practical car will be better handled by a reputable
rental place than a typical person who don't care about cars, leasing
it and not maintaining or washing it much.

 

A buddy of mine bought (not sure of the year) Ford Escape V6 AWD from Enterprise. It had 22k miles, came with an ext warr, 5yr 100k miles, and was $4k less than any other place. He has put 30k miles on it so far and other than a radiator hose, it has been perfect.

 

My parents have bought ex-rental cars twice with good success. The first was an '89 Mercury Sable - bought it 1 year old with 4k miles on it for about $4000 below sticker. They kept it 12 years and 140k miles with very good reliability. A blown head gasket was the cars demise (those 3.8L V6s were notorious for that).

My dad now drives an '98 Mercury Grand Marquis. The car was purchased one year old w/14k miles for almost $5000 below list new. To date the car has needed no service save for normal maintenance (oil changes etc).

Overall, I would not be too concerned with purchasing used from a rental car company. Keep in mind that at least they do keep up on the maintenance which is something a lot of the off lease cars are sorely lacking. Just my $.02.

 

do not buy a rental car. i strongly recommend you listen to this.

http://media27a.libsyn.com/podcasts/...sdayFeb806.mp3