2023 Rental XLT's Popping Up Everywhere - A Good Buy?

[Phil1919]

I noticed that on Carfax, Cargurus, and other places, there's a rash of 2023 XLT's with between about 50k and 70k miles, selling for about $7k less on average than other ones.

That's because these have been rentals that were bought in Florida and registered in Ohio.

I plan to go look at one. Should I be worried? What should I check for?

Also plan to buy a 3-year 36k warranty to cover myself just in case.

 

[justinj229]

Nope I just did same

 

[BigOleFordFan]

It's been my experience that rental vehicles are a crapshoot....

Sometimes, if the rental company maintained them like they are supposed to, then they're a great way to save some serious cash & still get a fairly new vehicle....as was the case years ago, when I bought an '09 Impala in 2011 that only had 38K on it was immaculate inside & out. The dealer had all the service records, as well as a clean carfax report....AND it was about $4k cheaper than any comparable "certified pre-owned" Impala that I had already test driven at other places, and over $7k less than a brand new 011... and guess what: It is still running just fine today, with 250K+ miles & no major issues

However, that was then & this is now. I seriously doubt the rental companies devote the same amount of $$ & labor to maintain their fleets, given the way things are now with minimal staffing and low-quality, near-zero knowledge employees that have no place working around, selling or renting cars...

So they ONLY way I would even be tempted to buy a rental resell car now would be:

A) The price is considerably less than other similar vehicles of the same model, year & mileage
B) The deal included a 5-7 day tryout period, so you could get it checked over by your trusted/qualified mechanic, but return it & cancel the entire deal with a full refund if you don't like what you find with NO penalties or lock-in to buy another vehicle from the same seller (ie..no refunds/only exhange).
C) The seller offers at least a 5yr/60K warranty at a reasonable cost that covers all major systems, with a zero or low deductible

If these 3 conditions are not at least within consideration from the seller, then you might as well go to a stealership & buy a CPO.

Good luck & please post back on what you end up doing !

 

[JamaicaJoe]

Check for flood damage...

 

[BlakeMAX2019]

I’ve not only noticed the XLT‘s but other trim levels as well and they all seem to be priced well below the GM competitors.

We bought our XLT Max new but I’m almost tempted to get the wife a Platinum used. Not gonna lie I’m a bit scared because we already had our transmission replaced as well as three rear ends and numerous other issues with our vehicle.

 

[SyndicateZ]

Rentals oil changes are stretched to the max if not more. check service/maint history

 

[BrianA]

Also plan to buy a 3-year 36k warranty to cover myself just in case.

You would need to buy a 85k-175k mi and up to 10y extended service plan. the marketing is deceiving all plans start from 0mi and start of manufacture date. Essentially a 10y plan is only 7.

 

[BlackBetty]

My 2016 was an Avis rental they got rid of at approximately 34k miles. Drove it until it had 235k miles on it. Ended up trading it. So, you should be fine.

 

[2018ExpyPlatinum]

It's been my experience that rental vehicles are a crapshoot....

This! And sadly, so are almost all new ones today. Quality of new vehicles since 2020 seems to be getting worse all the time. I swear everyday I see a new recall, fix, TSB with some vehicle.

 

[Calman2k]

My 2016 was an Avis rental they got rid of at approximately 34k miles. Drove it until it had 235k miles on it. Ended up trading it. So, you should be fine.

But that was probably around 2017 or 2018 when you bought that, which was before the wheels came off the country and people really stopped giving a crap. So the truck would have been well maintained and serviced.

 

[LegalBrief]

Rentals probably do not have the TSB or recalls done, so recalls time out so do not. Economy and parts is debatable under Mr die job, so I’d pass.

If I recall right, OH is U-Haul…. FL is a title wash state, so branded vehicles don’t exist. Code of Hamurabi applies

 

[BigOleFordFan]

OH is U-Haul…. FL is a title wash state, so branded vehicles don’t exist. Code of Hamurabi applies

????

Please elaborate on what this is supposed to mean, cause I'm either confuserated or lack the knowlegdge to decipher it

 

[Phil1919]

Plan to go there later this week. Now looking to get the Max Limited not the XLT, since I want the 360 camera. The better seats and sunroof are also plusses. At a cost of 6k more.

Who else here has a 2023 Max Limited? Is handling of the longer Exp much different than the shorter one?

 

[Phil1919]

Will also have all fluids replaced at a Ford dealership (I'm buying it from a Dodge Dealership), and maybe install new plugs myself if it isn't too hard. Also will probably need to replace the cabin filter. It has about 62k miles on it.

I have the Forscan software and cable, so I may pull a history of any codes. Never done that before, any good videos on that?

 

[LegalBrief]

????

Please elaborate on what this is supposed to mean, cause I'm either confuserated or lack the knowlegdge to decipher it

Sorry…. OH is for Ohio, for some reason I thought corporate headquarters for U-Haul.. it’s headquarters for some rental fleet I think

 

[Phil1919]

They just got all the photos posted.

Most look okay, BUT... the cargo area and the back of the third row looks all scuffed and scratched up. Should that be a sign to walk away?

Are there any cleaning products that can recondition it for the most part?

 

[kep5niner]

People who rent cars are often traveling…with bags. I rent cars / SUVs every week. A scuffed up cargo area is the nature of the beast in a rental.

 

[Phil1919]

Went ahead and bought it Dec. 26th and got the Ally Premier Protection Plan for 6 years / 75,000 miles.

Earlier this afternoon the engine light came on and stayed on solid, so it's parked now until a local Ford dealer picks it up for service and repair.

Googling just told me it could be an emissions system issue. Catalytic converter perhaps, with only 65k miles?

 

[SyndicateZ]

Went ahead and bought it Dec. 26th and got the Ally Premier Protection Plan for 6 years / 75,000 miles.

Earlier this afternoon the engine light came on and stayed on solid, so it's parked now until a local Ford dealer picks it up for service and repair.

Googling just told me it could be an emissions system issue. Catalytic converter perhaps, with only 65k miles?

Welcome to the fam!!

What was the code when u hooked up the scanner?

 

[Phil1919]

Welcome to the fam!!

What was the code when u hooked up the scanner?

Thanks! I have a laptop with Forscan and a cable but haven't checked it yet. Perhaps tomorrow.


However, I've never used that application before and don't want to inadvertently erase any codes or perform any snafu's that might possibly risk the warranty. So maybe I'll wait on doing that, unless I learn that it's pretty harmless to do this just to check.