any advicd on negotiating tips for this situation?

 

My HHR was a rental car, I bought it certified. It was a 07 model with 34K miles. It's a 1LT, but is just a pair of running boards short of a 2LT.

Over all speaking, I am happy with it, but do have some minor complaints. There are some small dents and paint scratches, all seat covers are not clean, one of the rear tires has much more wear than the others, and the gas paddle shivers under hard acceleration.

 

Run a Car Fax report on ANY used car you are considering purchasing. Also, take it for a good, long test drive. Go fast, go slow, check the braking, and if it is a former rental car you are puchasing, ask for the maintenance records, if they can't produce the maintenance records, run away quickly.

Many years ago, my father purchased a former rental FORD LTD from Hertz. The car turned out to be fantastic. He had it for years and years with no problems.

When it comes to purchasing former rental cars, I think it is the "luck of the draw." If you can get a "Certified" used rental car, you are that much better.

Personally, I prefer the LT over the LS. But if you can get a good deal, the car passes the CarFax report and the maintenance records are available, go for it.

Good luck.

I love my HHR.

 

I got a former Avis '07 HHR LT with sunroof, running boards, and 31,000 miles for a total cost of $16,500. I looked at it for 30 seconds, and found some paint chips the size of pinheads on the hood. Everything else was in excellent condition. All the electrical parts work perfectly. I am glad that other people tested it, and paid the new car depreciation. The original sticker was $22,500 on it. Superior Chevrolet of Decatur, GA bought it at an auction from Avis in Florida. It also had the GM Certified Warranty.

It gets 22 mpg in the suburbs, and 28 mpg on the Interstates.

I think a 1 year-old car in excellent condition is a better buy than a new one.

I recommend looking at a rental car carefully. If it looks beat, don't buy it. If it looks good, buy it. If something feels wrong on the test drive, don't buy it.

There are currently about 40+ used ex-rental HHR's around Atlanta for sale. The average mileage is 30,000, and the average total price is $15,000. Sunroofs and running boards are scarce.

 

Like somebody else posted, get the CARFAX.

After that, Rentals can be a great purchase. Most of the miles are actually pretty easy miles, and with the attention to service done by most rental locations, you actually end up with a car that was probably handled better than 50% of the vehicles on the road.