Tips on Buying Cars: Buying a rental car, rental car company, jeremy beck

Question
I am going to be buying a used Toyota Highlander for my 19 year old daughter to take up to college. I am considering 2-3 year old cars, most seem to be coming off lease. However, I have also seen some 2007 models with low milege (under 15000 miles) that were formerly rental vehicles. What is your opinion of buying a rental car?

Answer
Jeff,

Thanks for your question.  It is very common for rental vehicles to go on sale by the rental companies.  They are usually good deals for the consumer.  I would do my homework and see what non-rental vehicles with similar miles are selling for before I bought it.  The other thing I would check into is who the rental company was that owned it.  Was is Toyota Rental Car Company, Enterprise, places like that, and not some fly by night rental car company.  There are always risks in buying rental cars.  We've all had them before and we usually don't take as good of care of a rental vehicle as we do our own.  I would take the vehicle to a Toyota store and let them check it out in their service department first to check for abnormal abuse and wear and tear.  If that looks good, then defiantly go for it.  

Good Luck.

Thanks -

Jeremy Beck