thoughts on purchasing a former rental

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SemperCruiser

SemperCruiser

cruisin'
Joined
Sep 6, 2018
Threads
3
Messages
15
Location
Rockies
Howdy - I previously owned a 100 series and sold it at around 195k miles. Great rig and loved it. I stupidly bought a super duty truck as my next rig. Thinking I'd use the bed much more than I have and I wanted a diesel. Long story short, I've realized the error of my ways and want to get back into a Cruiser.

I'm going to go with a 200 and would like opinions on getting a '17 or '18 that spent it's first 20-30k miles as a rental. Some pretty good deals to be had on those but worried about getting a former rental with unknown maintenance history.

Around here, it's tough to find lower mile (less than 40k) LC's that weren't rentals bought at auction. I'm debating going new but not being able to do any mods for awhile vs. getting a lower mileage former rental and having some extra cash to mod immediately.

Thoughts appreciated - thanks!
 
Here are a couple of rental threads, with this member buying one:
Woohoo! Finally got a '17 LC200 (used former rental) and roadtrip back to SoCal. Impressions.

Why are so many 16+ used as rental cars?

Would you buy...

RENTAL 200?


Personally having rented cars for many years, I wouldn't buy an ex rental. Regardless of maintenance history, the way people beat up rentals, it just isn't my cup of tea. Then again I wouldn't marry an Escort either.

Given you are considering a new one as well (with deep discounts on the 18s easily had), that is the route I would go - since finances ($$) isn't an issue for you.

I rather have a new LC that is bone stock, than a rental one and use money to mod.
 
Another vote to avoid rentals, especially if you have the means to buy new...this is anecdotal of course, but as a former road warrior who has driven many rentals over the years...I always advise against purchasing a retired rental vehicle. I spent many a Thursday afternoons pretending to be an F1 driver rushing to catch my flights at the airport.

I wouldn't worry so much about the maintenance as they are maintained according to schedule by the fleet managers/rental companies. The issue for me would be how hard those early miles might have been driven by drivers with no long term skin in the game.
 
I actually started one of the threads linked above when I was searching for one, and my advice is to stay awa from prior rental cars. They get abused plain and simple, and these are complex and expensive trucks. Sure it’s made to handle abuse, but getting one that’s lived an easy life is much better. Keep looking IMO.
 
Can’t remember driving a rental and accelerating with the pedal not touching the floor....

Didn’t matter if it was a Chevy Spark or Yukon Denali with 6 miles on it.
 
Rentals are the most abused cars on the market. People rent them to test them out, or simply to pound the hell out of them since they are not their cars. I purchased a used car way back in youth, dealer never disclosed it was a former rental car had a accident, and found the paint underneath the bumper was not original, it was used parts found an old Avis key in the glove box. Car ended up being the absolute worst vehicle. The only thing going for an LC200 rental is they are built like tanks, still there is no way to know how the rental agency treated it during its tenure with them.
 
No. The reason why you see Land Cruiser 200s as rentals was mostly Avis knew the resale value on these and Toyota gave them a great fleet price on them. Avis picked these to put in their fleet as they wouldn't be killed with depreciation once they get put into the auction block after a year and 30-40k miles on them. These LC200s were less money lost in deprecation than Navigators, Tahoes, Denalis, Escalades, Armadas, etc.
 
Thanks for the replies so far and appreciate you linking to the other similar threads.

hickuptruck said:
No. The reason why you see Land Cruiser 200s as rentals was mostly Avis knew the resale value on these and Toyota gave them a great fleet price on them. Avis picked these to put in their fleet as they wouldn't be killed with depreciation once they get put into the auction block after a year and 30-40k miles on them. These LC200s were less money lost in deprecation than Navigators, Tahoes, Denalis, Escalades, Armadas, etc.
Click to expand...

I read your thread from a year ago buying a former rental - how's the rig been for you? Any problems?
 
SemperCruiser said:
Thanks for the replies so far and appreciate you linking to the other similar threads.

I read your thread from a year ago buying a former rental - how's the rig been for you? Any problems?
Click to expand...

I actually sold it 6 months after, then got a screaming deal on a 2018 Ram 1500. Sold the 200 to CarMax for $1500 less than I bought it for and put 9k miles on it. No problems, its a smooth vehicle. Had to get an alignment, and the shocks were worn hence the bouncy ride. I also hated the tires and I replaced them at 20k miles. With the tires, alignment, and worn shocks, I could tell this vehicle was driven hard prior to me, especially with needing new shocks at 17k miles. Anyhow, the Land Cruiser could handle all of that np. I didn't sell it because it had problems but I couldn't pass up getting a brand new Ram 1500 4x4 crew cab + I bought a well-worn 2002 LX470 with 175k miles, and still have $22k cash from it.

I'd suggest you look new, the 17/18 rentals are still retailing $65-73K and the '18 Land Cruisers are getting discounts off dealer lots, like $6-13k off retail isn't unheard of if you can wheel and deal dealers.

To be honest, my $6500 LX470 and $61,000 LC200, they're both Land Cruisers, its just one has a current nav/infotainment system with safety features, a really neat cruise control, bumpin sound system and 170 more hp on tap with double the gears. The jump actually isn't as high as most think, but 100 series or 200 series, you can both wheel them well and they get you there where you need.
 
The old adages about rental cars:
"Drive it like you stole it."
"Beat it like a rented Mule"

Enough said....
 
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