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Program Cars are advertised as "Smart Cars," or "Factory Official
Cars" or "Factory Demo's."
They should be one or two year old
vehicles with 30,000 miles or less on them.
Facts are, about 30% of "Program
Cars" are lease returns, about 50% are rental cars (cars from Hertz, Avis, etc.) and
the rest of "Program Cars" are cars actually driven by factory officials, and a
even a few of them are "Buy Backs" or "Lemons!" You got
it. Manufacturers resell "Buy Backs" to the dealer network!
You can get a good value on a "Program Car," because dealers can usually buy
them "on the money!".... but before you make a decision on one get a FREE
Carfax Record Check (you'll need the make, model and ID number.) Make sure the
car doesn't have a problem history. It's better to be safe than sorry!
Rental cars and former fleet vehicles can be the least desirable types of
"Program Cars." Some are overworked and under-maintained, while others
have had regular oil changes, tire rotations, and other preventive maintenance.
Rental companies such as Enterprise and Hertz have been accused of infrequent or
non-existent oil changes. It can be hard to tell whether the company followed the
manufacturer's new car break-in and maintenance schedule.
At the wholesale level, rental cars are usually worth 10% to 15% less than a comparable
new car trade-in, for many reasons people who rent vehicles often mistreat them,
maintenance records may not be kept, and salesmen may have driven them. If you are
looking at a former rental or program car, ask to see its maintenance records, and don't
be surprised if there is't any. Insist on an independent mechanical inspection, and
try to find out which rental company owned it initially. Finally, consider your
options. Is this car priced significantly lower (10% to 15% less) than a factory certified
model at another dealer?
Please Remember !.... Be sure to run a FREE Carfax Record Check
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