How to Rent a Used Car

Here's the keys to your used rental car. It works just as well as a luxurious one.

It's understandable that most people want to rent cars that look fairly new or luxurious, but older, used cars can be just as attractive or workable--for a cheaper price.

Instructions

Rent-a-Wreck

1. Go to the website of one of the best-known used car rental companies in the world, Rent-a-Wreck. Read their "About" page where they tell you how they test all their vehicles to make sure they're still in prime condition.

2. Use Rent-a-Wreck.com's "Search by Location" box on the main page to see if they have a rental facility in your state.

3. Visit the nearest Rent-a-Wreck location. At many of their locations, you can rent cars with cash instead of a credit card.

4. Rent a car or truck for a price that's cheap rather than luxurious.

Alternatives

1. Check Google or the Yellow Pages for local, independent used car rental facilities.

2. Click on the Hertz "Rent2Buy" website (see Resources) where you can rent a used car and then buy it. This is a good option if you're planning to test and buy a used car.

3. Read the details of Hertz' "Rent2Buy" program on their website. You'll have a three-day rental time that allows you to take the vehicle out of town for a real test run. They offer all models of cars and arguably a little better than you'd get at Rent-a-Wreck.

Tips & Warnings

• Though Rent-a-Wreck lets you rent cars without a credit card, many companies only accept credit cards--even prepaid debit cards are a stretch. Overall, it's best to always have a credit card available when dealing with car rental companies.

Resources

• Rent-a-Wreck's official site
• Hertz' "Rent2Buy" program