Hertz Buying Used?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: Avis CHM, Hertz Plat, National EE, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Le Club Plat, CX Gold
Posts: 367
Hertz Buying Used?
Just returned a corporate BMW 3-Series to the local airport.
I'm very suspicious that it was a used vehicle that Hertz purchased for use in their higher-end fleet. The tags expire exactly one year from a week ago, the car had a few kilometers over 20,000 and it was in absolutely immaculate shape. The interior was spotless and it drove like it was new.
Anyone else had similar experiences lately?
I'm very suspicious that it was a used vehicle that Hertz purchased for use in their higher-end fleet. The tags expire exactly one year from a week ago, the car had a few kilometers over 20,000 and it was in absolutely immaculate shape. The interior was spotless and it drove like it was new.
Anyone else had similar experiences lately?
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,251
In the US and Europe, the rental car standard at the major companies is brand new. The mom-and-pop shops rent used cars, often with mileage caps and geographic restrictions. On the contrary, in South America, Asia, and Africa, local branches of familiar US-based affiliates may rent out what we would consider old pieces of junk. It depends on what the local market will bear, both in terms of service as well as price. Perhaps that bit of thinking is starting to permeate this country as well, unfortunately.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: ATL
Posts: 3,219
Does it matter if it's used? I bought a "Certified Pre Owned" 3 series in 2002 and it was pretty good. Couldn't tell it was used unless you looked at the odometer. With auto manufacturers cutting their high volume, low profit, fleet programs, the cars have to come from somewhere.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lexington KY/Coronado, CA
Posts: 952
How can you be sure that the cars were "new", and not just well-detailed? A good detail shop can do amazing things for the interior of a vehicle. Occasionally, a rental comes back so thoroughly trashed that cleaning it is beyond the capabilities of the airport facility.
Then again, when I worked for one of the major rental agencies in college, we purchased a few truckloads of Tauruses from Avis to supplement our fleet. Aside from the Avis stickers still on them, we could tell the difference because they had center-console shifters, while our native Tauruses had column-mounted shifters.
Then again, when I worked for one of the major rental agencies in college, we purchased a few truckloads of Tauruses from Avis to supplement our fleet. Aside from the Avis stickers still on them, we could tell the difference because they had center-console shifters, while our native Tauruses had column-mounted shifters.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
Last week I had a 2008 Sonata V6 with 41,000 km on it from National in YYJ. When I opened the glovebox it had a Hertz damage report form in it. So I guess the reverse is true too.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,251
I've heard that Enterprise, with their franchise group business model, allows them to purchase additional vehicles at retail to supplement their fleet as they see needed. This explained why at my neighborhood branch, I saw a Chevrolet Aveo hatchback with a Chevrolet dealer sticker on the trunk and a Hyundai Accent sedan with a local Hyundai dealer's name on the license plate frame.
I'm guessing the person whose employer purchased the Tauruses from Avis worked at Enterprise, because they are the only "major company" who does not use a corporate-owned fleet that can randomly circulate the country. Thus, Enterprise branches can purchase whatever they want, because the cars must be returned to sender.
I'm guessing the person whose employer purchased the Tauruses from Avis worked at Enterprise, because they are the only "major company" who does not use a corporate-owned fleet that can randomly circulate the country. Thus, Enterprise branches can purchase whatever they want, because the cars must be returned to sender.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lexington KY/Coronado, CA
Posts: 952
I've heard that Enterprise, with their franchise group business model, allows them to purchase additional vehicles at retail to supplement their fleet as they see needed. This explained why at my neighborhood branch, I saw a Chevrolet Aveo hatchback with a Chevrolet dealer sticker on the trunk and a Hyundai Accent sedan with a local Hyundai dealer's name on the license plate frame.
I'm guessing the person whose employer purchased the Tauruses from Avis worked at Enterprise, because they are the only "major company" who does not use a corporate-owned fleet that can randomly circulate the country. Thus, Enterprise branches can purchase whatever they want, because the cars must be returned to sender.
I'm guessing the person whose employer purchased the Tauruses from Avis worked at Enterprise, because they are the only "major company" who does not use a corporate-owned fleet that can randomly circulate the country. Thus, Enterprise branches can purchase whatever they want, because the cars must be returned to sender.
Since this is the Hertz forum, I should note that the last time I rented from my local HLE there was a Hyundai Sonata on the lot with markings from an Atlanta Hyundai dealer.