Thoughts on buying a rental '05 Outback

[Jonah]

My local dealer has a number of 2005 Outback 2.5i models. The CarFax reports list them as rentals. They typically have
between 18,000 and 23,000 miles, and they're priced at around $19-$20,000. I haven't gone to look at them yet, but the
price seems good, and they're what I'm shopping for. My question is does anyone have thoughts about buying a rental
vehicle? Are there things to look out for specifically because of their history? Any personal experiences? I know
that when I've rented a car, I don't take particularly good care of it, but I wonder if the type of person who would
rent a Subaru might be a bit more reserved.
I've bought a few cars that were off lease with very good results. Is worth taking a chance on a rental.
Thanks for your input.

 

[philjackson]

sounds like a great deal.

 

[philjackson]

unless they are from hurricane country

 

[Sheldon]

My local dealer has a number of 2005 Outback 2.5i models. The CarFax
reports list them as rentals. They typically have between 18,000 and
23,000 miles, and they're priced at around $19-$20,000. I haven't gone to
look at them yet, but the price seems good, and they're what I'm shopping
for. My question is does anyone have thoughts about buying a rental
vehicle? Are there things to look out for specifically because of their
history? Any personal experiences? I know that when I've rented a car, I
don't take particularly good care of it, but I wonder if the type of
person who would rent a Subaru might be a bit more reserved.
I've bought a few cars that were off lease with very good results. Is
worth taking a chance on a rental.
Thanks for your input.

I tend to agree with you. They might be rented in snowy parts of the
country, but I can't see anybody abusing an Outback. I'd probably steer
clear of a rental WRX however. I live at a resort, and every other car here
is an Outback, a real pain when you try to find your car in a parking lot.
Not only do the cops use them, but a lot of cab drivers are using them as
well.

 

[AJB]

my first sub was a obw 98 rental, about 16m on it for 1 year of driving
which is a lot. but, i drove it for 7 years and the number and cost of
repairs was minimal. i thought it was a good deal all around, then sold it
and bought a 05 new.
you can track it thru carfax, mine was from LA, so it had been on the hiway
most of the year.
the only thing i hated about it, was that people smoked in it. i dont smoke,
so i would always have a smoke odor coming out of the vents, that i was
never able to remove. pervasive stuff. think about what it does in your
lungs.

 

[Dale]

I bought an 02 WRX from Enter***se rentals and love it. I say go for it...

 

[joshj808]

Honestly, after some of the things i have seen people do to rentals i
would never buy one. From going to the racetrack and taking it down the
1/4mile to driving down the highway with the emergency break on. Yes,
the rear breaks were GLOWING! From JUMPING the vehicle to taking one to
a rally and racing it. To me it just seems like i would be playing
russian roulette.