rent-a-wreck
 

Has anyone ever rented from one of these car rental cos? I'm curious to know if the good feedback will out weigh the bad, or if it is as bad as it sounds...

A friend of mine did this after she totaled her car - since her policy allolwed only $15 per day for car rental.

Wrecks is a correct description. Not only do they look like wercks they are often in very poor (possibly) even dangerous) mechanical condition.

The first car died on day 2 (engine just wouldn;t turn over and it had to be towed) and there were multiple problems with the second car putting it out of service for a whole weekend (when the agency wasn;t open).

I've rented from them. My car was being serviced on my nickel (out of warranty), and it was Rent-a-Wreck or walk.

It was a 14-year-old Toyota Corolla with a balky 5-speed and a front end so far out of alignment it shimmied down the street. Luckily, I never had to drive it on the freeway or get it above 35 mph; it would have shaken itself apart. After two days, I thankfully turned it in and got my car back.

My advice? Don't do it unless you're in dire need of wheels and don't need to drive at freeway speeds.

We rented an Econoline from them. It was about as barebones as you can get, and not exactly clean -- luckily it seemed to be in good mechaical condition, and I only needed it to shuttle fourteen drunken guys to and from a bachelor party. I'd say for almost any purpose (other than, say, moving furniture) you'd be better off with the cheapest car at a rental company.

You certainly cannot beat flying by rug with driving rented beater car. We have seen from above the cars broken downs on the street. Some peoples want good price but not value good car. This = bad experience we see. On flyover Germany 162 years ago I meet a woman who give to me cloth with phrasing "Too soon old, too late schmart." I thinking of this one when I read the question for renting beater car.

Do seek truth in all your travels and you will never be hot/sticky, cold/wet, pedestrianized.

AR

I had a houseguest that rented twice. Both times the cars broke down. If you just need it for the day, then it may be ok, but anything longer than that, there is a good chance it may break down.