Questions about buying from Enterprise Car sales

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

Has anyone here purchased a program car through Enterprise Car sales? With my 2 teens heading off to college this fall, and normal activities, I think I have to become a 2 car family. Sadly (or maybe fortunately), a new car isn't in the cards.

Has anyone here purchased a used fleet car from Enterprise? Are the sales representatives permitted to negotiate? Is anyone aware of the type of standard warranty that would come with a purchase?

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Bald1]

There is a dealer close to my house. My understanding is that they are a no haggle dealer. Also, the vehicles on their lot are not all fleet vehicles. They have lease turn ins and auction cars like any other dealer. The dealership near me will tell you where vehicle came from along with a carfax.

 

[armadillo]

The last time I bought a used car, I went through the USAA car buyer program. I think I got a fair deal with no haggling and USAA financed it too. It was very easy.

 

[DHernandez]

I’m in a rental car this week and it looks like a previous renter tried something he saw in a cartoon. It’s a Jeep Wrangler and the front fender is hanging on for dear life and the frame is dented quite a bit under the drivers door. No way I’d buy a prior rental vehicle…

 

[326MOD10]

All I can ever think when you ask that question is one time my brother rented a car and everytime he would start from a stop he would loudly yell "RENTAL CAR" and punch the gas to the floor.

I would be worried about the wear and tear.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Many years ago I bought two previous rental cars back to back. Never had a problem.

In my experience most people that can afford to rent a car take care of them.

 

[IAM Rand]

Not sure if there is a Costco near you. Got a Subaru Impreza with lifetime oil changes through them. Worth a look

 

[boykinlp]

Your question reminds me of a Seinfeld episode. In the episode, Jerry was supposedly renting a car at the airport that he had reserved. The agent said the car he had reserved was no longer on their lot. He ended up having to get some small car that he definitely didn’t want. When the agent asked if he wanted to pay for insurance, He replied “Yeah, you better give me the insurance because I’m gonna beat the hell out of this thing! Here’s the gag.
Larry

 

[olfart]

I have a friend who was an investigator for insurance companies. When there was a claim of some odd behavior on a specific make/model of car, he would go and rent one, then try to make it duplicate the alleged malfunction. He really put them through the wringer. Then they'd go back to the rental agency just as if he had rented it to drive across town.

 

[LVSteve]

Reminds me of a joke ad for a car in England.

"...one careful lady owner. The other five were mechanical sadists."

Late wife#1 got some weird 2-doot Mazda from a rental place in the mid 90s. I think it was a trade against something else. Ran fine but did need some engine mounts as time wore on. No atypical for 2.0 and larger transverse engined cars.

 

[bdGreen]

An insurance company rented an Olds Cutlass Sierra a few years back for me. It was 'the other guys' insurance company.
Had a great time pheasant hunting in Kansas.
bdGreen

 

[minconrevo]

In my experience, a low miles rental, bought from a new car dealer who bought it at auction, is likely fine. One used at a dealership as a demo or special service vehicle is also likely ok. I always look for one with low enough miles that an ample amount of the new car warranty remains. Don't want a lease or any other car with miles beyond the initial factory warranty. I won't buy a used high performance car, either fleet or otherwise, regardless of the miles. Too often these may have been run hard and abused.

 

[Moo Moo]

Rental Cars: “Drive it like you stole it” is the usual motto.

 

[Heymatt]

For me it would depend on the model. Never would I buy any of the “muscle” cars, Camaro,Mustang,Charger,Challenger. Those would have been rode hard and put up wet at best. Nor any Wrangler model, same story. Hey hold my beer, watch this!

 

[RT44nut]

I’m sure there are horror stories but our youngest son, 37 years old who has never had a car payment, bought his last 2 cars from Hertz. They have given him excellent service and he has been looking at upgrading the one he has now and said they offered him almost what he gave for it 3 years ago. I’m sure a lot of you older folks are like me and raised if you borrow or rent something, you treat it as good or better than if it were yours.

 

[hyena]

I rented a lot of cars on business travel and never abused them. I was partial to Impala's. The local rental agency knew that and would hold one for me when possible. But I also remember the old adage " nothing handles like a rental car".

 

[Marine Corps Air]

There are a number of excellent sources for great used cars. I prefer privately owned cars that have been "Dealer Maintained" from Day #1. A second source are cars coming off a three-year lease. You may also find a "diamond" on the dealer lot that has just been traded. We traded my wife's former car for her new one and the old one never made it off the lot. It was sold before we left the dealer. You could speak to the service manager and ask him to be on the lookout for your car. Having rented cars many times, I would not buy one from a rental car company.

Regardless of your source, "CarFax" is your friend! True story. I have a 2004 Lexus LS 430 and wanted to replace it with a newer model. My local Toyota dealer had one. A 2024 LS 460. 8,000 miles. Exceptionally clean. I hit the CarFax report. It came from Beverly Hills Lexus. Wow! A movie star's car! Well-maintained, as required by the lease. It was about ten months old, but, (drum roll please) I looked at the CarFax report. It was involved in three minor accidents during the time that it was in CA. And then, I asked myself, why would a CA Lexus be shipped to Tennessee for auction?? I am in the Atlanta area. Dead skunk time! I drove it over to the Collision Center and in less than five minutes the manager confirmed that the CarFax report was correct!

Next point. My Lexus still drives and rides like a million dollars. However, car manufacturers usually make design changes every year. My HS friend found a 2016 Lexus LS that a Coca-Cola executive in Atlanta tuned in at the end of a three-year lease. The car is immaculate! But, Lexus changed the tire size (15" instead of the old 17") and eliminated one of the ride choices. My friend did not test drive the car before he bought it. It does not ride at all as he had expected, and he is not a "happy camper"!

Back in the day when we were coming along you could pay a mechanic to check the potential car purchase over. Now with all of these litigious (lawsuit happy people), it may not be possible in your area.

Bottom Line-I have always been successful buying a great used car. The challenge is finding one that meets your requirements, but it can be done! Good Hunting!

Cheers!

Bill

 

[Tom S.]

When someone says "Rental Car" I always hear the "Duke's of Hazzard" playing in my head.

 

[whitestang]

I have a 2014 Mustang convertible that was an Enterprise rental. I bought it August of 2018 as I had been rear ended totaling my other Mustang. It had 16k for miles and I have only done oil changes,tires and brakes so far. I now have 55k on it. I bought it from a Ford dealer and got a great price.

 

[URIT]

Your sons, are they commuting from home or living on campus as freshmen?

As freshmen, many have a hard time finding parking at a reasonable rate. My daughter offered her used car for his use at the beginning of his freshman year. He told her he didn't want the hassle if he could get a ride home when necessary.

Here is a good read that may provide answers to your questions while providing insights into topics you hadn't considered yet... https://www.ramseysolutions.com/saving/how-to-buy-a-used-car

I figure out a price point, then search Facebook marketplace for a car near me. I look for grandpa's or grandma's last car being sold by a relative or a clean higher mileage car that dealerships don't want. The car needs to be a make and model than has a good reliability rating at high miles. Some European models will drive the owners to the poor house.