Purchasing a daily rental Camry ??

[sski]

My 2000 Altima (306,000 km) will shortly need to be replaced. My vehicle is just the daily hwy commuter (175 kms per day)

I've noticed every fall the Toyota dealers have current model (2007) Camry's coming back from the rental companies (Avis, Enterprise etc.).

A new Camry will cost me $27000 CDN (including frt). A 2007 daily rental Camry from the Toyota dealer will cost me between $18,000-$20,000, with between 30,000 and 45,000 kms.

My initial thought was why would I buy something that's been "ridden hard and put away wet". But they all get serviced by Toyota, have Toyota warranty and I'm figuring its not young kids renting Camry's, it's some guy between 30 and 50 who needs a rental while his regular car is in the shop.

Make sense ??

[rockman19762001]

I looked at purchasing a rental car before, usually they have the maintenance record for you to look at. Many times they will offer a extended warranty, like 75,000 and 7 years minus the mileage and years the car now has on it. The avis cars I had looked at all had oil changes at 5,000 miles and had been taken care of mechanically. Some times the interiors are a beat up, but many look near new.

[krygny]

All I can attest to is how I treat a rental car - BRUTAL!! When I rent a car, I try to get a car that I might consider buying someday, and I want to know what it can do.

I wouldn't get one.

[StarBlazer]

Many years ago my parents purchased a rental Toyota Camry on special deal from the Teachers Union. That was the best car they ever had. The miles were relatively high for the years but it ran beautifully. It was there first foreign car and now my Mom only gets Toyotas because of that car. Conventional wisdom says don't do it, but they had great success with it. I suppose if the service records were in order andthe deal was great, it might be worth it.

[sski]

I agree its kinda a tough call.

I just did a quick check of the US Toyota site. Brand new Camry approx. $19000 (including frt). So using the same rough ratio the question becomes would you pay $14000 for a 2007 Camry with 15000 miles on it??

[BubbleSparkxx]

I have friends who have worked for a number of different rental agencies, and they all have the same advice - never purchase a rental.

These cars are abused very badly - sometimes worse by the rental agency staff than the customers. Things like revving the engine while in Neutral and then dropping into Drive just for the wheelspin, slamming the transmission into Park before coming to a full stop, hard braking and accelerating prior to full vehicle break in, holding lower gears at high speeds (d1, d2 d3, etc). All abuse that drivetrains aren't meant to handle.

You would be better off buying a certified pre-owned lease than a rental.