Rental Car Headaches

[speeder]

The guy who runs one of the most popular track days at Willow Springs, (or at least used to when I was going), is banned from every rental car agency in town for renting cars and taking them to the track when his cars were broken or out of service and he had one of his frequent DE events to run. He is an absolutely hilarious, fun guy who can drive the wheels off of anything and used to always say, just bring any car--it doesn't matter--etc.. Then he would beat people in 911s around the track in a minivan or a Cadillac, true story.

He would return them the next day with 4 boiled tires and rubber chunks all over the fenders, they don't let you do that twice.

[masraum]

I picked up a car once that seem like it was on its last legs, but I took it back when I got home and discovered that the pass's side seatbelt was stuck fully extended. I think there was another smaller problem or two with that car as well, but that was the main reason that I took it back.

I had a rental company call me 2-3 months after I rented a car once, "we noticed a dent in the car, you need to provide your insurance." I told them no, there was absolutely no damage to the car when I returned it and it's been long enough that the damage could have been from any number of other things. They said "OK" and hung up, and I never heard from them about it again which I always thought was really odd.

I did take a rental pontiac grand am auto to Mt St Helens from Seattle once. The drive from entering the park area until we got as far as you could go (still some snow) was nearly deserted. In 2 hours, we maybe saw 5-6 other cars. I'd drive it through the corners until the brakes started to fade. Then I'd use the transmission until it started to slip. By that time the brakes would work again.

I also took a rental (Olds Alero, I think) up in the hills north of Santa Barbara once. I drove to the top of the hills and then the road that I was on went from paved to dirt/gravel. I kept driving down the other side, and one one particular bump, the front end came down kind of hard and snapped the fog light mounting bracket. I JB Welded the bracket and sprayed copious amounts of dust off of the car before I took it back.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pavulon

The rental insurance seems to be a good idea. Am told that if the car needs repairs, the renter is on the hook for daily rental until it's fixed and ready to be rented again. Anyone able to speak from experience on that?

Whaaaat?

Many years ago, I rented a car that had some sort of mechanical issue. I called them "you're car is not working". They sent a new car and towed off the old one.

If I rent a car from someone, the understanding is that the car will be functional. I would think that all repairs and maintenance are on them.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by speeder

The guy who runs one of the most popular track days at Willow Springs, (or at least used to when I was going), is banned from every rental car agency in town for renting cars and taking them to the track when his cars were broken or out of service and he had one of his frequent DE events to run. He is an absolutely hilarious, fun guy who can drive the wheels off of anything and used to always say, just bring any car--it doesn't matter--etc.. Then he would beat people in 911s around the track in a minivan or a Cadillac, true story.

He would return them the next day with 4 boiled tires and rubber chunks all over the fenders, they don't let you do that twice.

?

[stevej37]

^^^ He's correct....they charge an 'out of service' fee for every day it takes to fix the car.
Of course that only applies if it was the renters fault.

Rental insurance will cover that.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by masraum

Whaaaat?

Many years ago, I rented a car that had some sort of mechanical issue. I called them "you're car is not working". They sent a new car and towed off the old one.

If I rent a car from someone, the understanding is that the car will be functional. I would think that all repairs and maintenance are on them.

What happens if you run over road debris or a deer and the car is suddenly no longer willing to be driven? What about a car vs car crash? Do you believe you're going to get a "we got you" from the rental company unless you bought their insurance?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ He's correct....they charge an 'out of service' fee for every day it takes to fix the car.
Of course that only applies if it was the renters fault.

Rental insurance will cover that.

Originally Posted by pavulon

What happens if you run over road debris or a deer and the car is suddenly no longer willing to be driven? What about a car vs car crash? Do you believe you're going to get a "we got you" from the rental company unless you bought their insurance?

Right, if the car just breaks or has a problem, that's on them. But obviously, the "you break it, you bought it" saying applies if the renter is the cause of the issue. That's why you get the insurance, or in my case, use a CC that has built in rental ins. Also, try really hard NOT to break the car.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by masraum

Right, if the car just breaks or has a problem, that's on them. But obviously, the "you break it, you bought it" saying applies if the renter is the cause of the issue. That's why you get the insurance, or in my case, use a CC that has built in rental ins. Also, try really hard NOT to break the car.

You might want to read the car rental fine print on your CC.

[stevej37]

Some good info here on CC car rental coverage.

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/credit-card-rental-car-coverage#:~:text=What%20coverage%20is%20included?, service%20while%20damage%20is%20repaired.

.

[onewhippedpuppy]

This thread is a great reminder why you never buy a rental car. I jumped a Dodge Journey on a dry lakebed road outside of Vegas, good times….