Purchasing Experience: Choosing the Right Car from Hertz

Are you in the market for a reliable and convenient car rental option? Hertz has been a trusted name in the automotive industry for decades, offering a wide range of vehicles to suit various needs. This article will delve into my personal experience purchasing a car from Hertz during a move, along with insights into Hertz's practices in different parts of the world.

My Experience with Hertz: Moving to Oregon

When we relocated from Virginia to Oregon, we faced the challenge of downsizing our fleet. We decided to give our beloved Ford Escort ZX2 to our son, who only had one vehicle. While both he and his wife worked in opposite directions, he could use the city bus with only one transfer and the bus stop was conveniently located right in front of his office. This arrangement worked well, but eventually, we had to buy him a new car.

Once our son suggested checking out Hertz and Enterprise for our new car, I approached the Hertz clerk in search of a Nissan Sentra. Unfortunately, they did not have any Sentras available. However, they did have two Altimas. After test-driving one, we noticed a thumping noise from the back. The clerk asked us to return to the lot and switched to another Altima. This second vehicle was clean with only 43,000 miles on the odometer. We purchased the car in April 2016, and to this day, it has served us well. Regular maintenance, including tire rotations and general servicing, have ensured it remains in excellent condition. Given this positive experience, we may very well be keeping this car for the foreseeable future.

Hertz Car Rental Practices around the World

It's worth noting that Hertz operates differently in various regions. In the UK, Hertz typically registers cars under a subsidiary brand like Bentley Car Rental, even though the cars themselves are usually leased rather than purchased directly from the manufacturer. At around six months and 6,000 miles, these vehicles are either returned to the leasing company or resold as quality used cars.

This led to a personal encounter with a Hertz car when my father purchased one from their subsidiary, Bentley Car Rental. Upon investigation, I discovered that the car had previously been leased by Hertz. These leasing practices ensure that the cars in the fleet remain in good condition and are not just new for new customers.

However, the situation in Hertz Israel is quite different. During a year working on secondment in Israel, I did not see any new or nearly new cars being used for hire. Instead, they were typically older, well-used vehicles, often with significant dents and repairs indicating they had reached the end of their useful life. To put it simply, I would not recommend choosing a former Hertz car from the Israeli fleet for your next rental or purchase.

Conclusion: When considering a car rental from Hertz, be prepared to encounter both positive and negative experiences depending on the region. While some locations may offer newer or near-new vehicles, others may have cars that have seen extensive use. Always research and consider the specific location where the car will be rented.