How to Rent a Used Car

It's understandable that most people want to rent cars that look fairly new or luxurious, but older, used cars can be just as attractive or workable--for a cheaper price.

Rent-a-Wreck

  • Go to the website of one of the best-known used car rental companies in the world, Rent-a-Wreck. Read their "About" page where they tell you how they test all their vehicles to make sure they're still in prime condition.

  • Use Rent-a-Wreck.com's "Search by Location" box on the main page to see if they have a rental facility in your state.

  • Visit the nearest Rent-a-Wreck location. At many of their locations, you can rent cars with cash instead of a credit card.

  • Rent a car or truck for a price that's cheap rather than luxurious.

Alternatives

  • Check Google or the Yellow Pages for local, independent used car rental facilities.

  • Click on the Hertz "Rent2Buy" website (see Resources) where you can rent a used car and then buy it. This is a good option if you're planning to test and buy a used car.

  • Read the details of Hertz' "Rent2Buy" program on their website. You'll have a three-day rental time that allows you to take the vehicle out of town for a real test run. They offer all models of cars and arguably a little better than you'd get at Rent-a-Wreck.