Video: Why you never want to buy a former rental car

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Juvenile life imitates art:

Agent: Alright. We have a blue Ford Escort for you Mr. Seinfeld. Would you like insurance?

Jerry: Yeah, you better give me the insurance, because I am gonna beat the hell out of this car.

And here’s the video proof of what some folks will do to their rental. It’s essentially “Jackass” — travel edition.

I feel sorry for the poor sucker who actually bought that Dodge Neon when it hit the end of its useful life at the rental agency…

The first minute or two is pretty much all you need, and there’s a gratuitous soundtrack, so you might want to mute the speakers in the office.

And if that’s not enough, there’s a whole array of related videos. Rental car abuse is a veritable YouTube sub-genre!

Oh, and don’t try this at home.

(Can’t see the video? Try here.)

3 Responses to “Video: Why you never want to buy a former rental car”

  1. Brian says:

    I have a friend who is a “previously owned” car dealer that swears by former rental cars. (At least compared to other previously owned vehicles.) His logic? Very few people perform all of the required maintenance on their own vehicles, yet rental companies always do the recommended oil changes, fluid checks, etc. He also claims that there are only a few bad apples that drive rental cars to the ground. On the last point I think I agree with him - except for the superficial exterior, I think most people treat rental cars with a reasonable amount of respect. (For fear of getting dinged for a minor… ding. Enterprise, anyone?)

  2. Andy says:

    Now I see why rental rates for under 25 are so much higher…

  3. Reader mail: What’s the best time of day for a rental-car upgrade? » Upgrade: Travel Better says:

    […] Related: - Reader mail: Why would I want to upgrade my rental car? - Rental car agent blows smoke up my backside, redux - Reader mail: What happened to car rental late-return grace periods? - Video: Why you never want to buy a former rental car […]

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