@davepsinbox_157004
Are you a gambling man? Feeling lucky?
CSA
The accident report doesn’t show up on a mobile browser for whatever reason. Have to keep that in mind. I just checked on a desktop PC. I also checked and the second owner of a Kia gets 5 yr./60K from zero, so basically 12K in this case. Given everything, I think we’ll pass. Thanks.
Not in this case. Thanks.
Good catch! That’s why I used the term “expert panel”!
CSA
The mileage isn’t surprising since it was a rental car. Som rental car companies sell their cars much earlier than 48,000 miles. As @VOLVO_V70 said, you should be concerned about the accident. Test drive it and if you can’t find anything unusual in the handling, se if you can get it inspected by an outside shop you trust.
Give the VIN to your auto insurer and ask what the annual cost would be, and whether the accident has anything to do with the price. Maybe they can share info about the accident, too. I’ve never tried that, but worth a try. You should do this first.
Thanks but between the accident and the fact that it was a rental I’ll pass. It may not be universal but I’ve seen the way our brother-in-law drives a rental. Once I saw him drive across a median in a rented Toyota sedan to turn around. I suspect there are other people who don’t treat rental cars well either. Plus there’s the matter of only having 12K worth of warranty left. All in all just too many negatives.
And that is going to be the case for any used vehicle . Maybe no warranty at all or basically just drive line . That is why we buy new vehicles in our budget . We may not get all the options we would like to have but we are not going to be surprised because the previous owner never changed the oil.
I think you’ve made a wise move. When I rent a car, I drive it like I stole it.
I have bought a few ex-rentals and no issues. The mileage wouldn’t worry me either; BUT
This car most likely has the 2.4 Theta II engine that is prone to burning oil and throwing rods. I would not buy one without a warranty. If you can not reproduce paperwork that in the first 48K miles the car has had regular oil changes/etc, then your warranty claim would most likely be denies-I am going to assume the dealer has no maintenance records.
You are on the right track looking for a used Kia/Hyundai, they are good deals. Just buy one from a Kia/Hyundai dealer with the CPO warranty, this would give you the same warranty as the original owner. Peace of mind, esp since you are spending good money IMO. Rental or lease return, all are crap shoot, just check the carfax, go for a test drive and get the warranty. As mentioned, any red flag makes me walk, this includes cars that were registered in another state, had accident reported and so on. I know the car might be fine but not worth the headache. You can have a mechanic inspect the car before you buy it too.
The Mrs. bought a used Ford Escort from one of the major rental companies, Hertz if I recall, in the 1980’s before we got married, and had no problems with it either. This particular vehicle simply has too many red flags.
Thanks for the heads up about the 2.4 engine. I believe you’re correct that this vehicle has that particular engine. As far as buying from a Kia dealer, the only vehicle remotely on our radar is a 2014 Sorento but it’s not certified, plus it might prove to be too big for her, given what she’s used to driving. There’s another Sportage at a local Honda dealer but it wouldn’t be certified either, and it has the 2.4 engine.
Look at a Hyundai Tucson, essentially same car. I find better deals on the used ones mainly because it is more popular with rentals. They also have the 2.0 engine in the lower trims that even thought it is a bit weaker, it is shown to be more reliable (statistically speaking ! ).
that’s funny. When I steal a car, I drive it like I rented it. 
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