“You don’t have to tell me your credit score, but…”
A woman says she took the internet’s advice and bought a former rental car from Enterprise. So far, she’s thrilled with the decision. But some people are urging others not to follow her example.
TikTok user Naomii (@lamorenanaomii), who says she lives in Phoenix, Arizona, recently walked viewers through the 2024 Hyundai Sonata she bought from Enterprise.
“I took TikTok advice and bought a car from Enterprise,” she wrote in the text overlay of her post.
Naomii says she’s “very satisfied” with the experience and thinks it’s worth considering if you’re looking for something that fits your budget.
She says she first went through her credit union and got pre-approved for financing before heading to Enterprise.
The result was the 2024 Hyundai Sonata.
Naomii says she pays about $400 per month and got the car for $22,500.
“I’ve only had the car for a few days,” she says.
Naomii’s already impressed.
She showed viewers the interior, which she said was “futuristic,” and praised the car’s gas mileage. She also joked that the dashboard display makes her feel “rich” every time she turns the car on.
“If you can afford it and you need a car, do it,” Naomii says.
She even offered to send fellow Arizonans to her “guy” at the Enterprise location where she bought the Sonata.
As of this writing, her video has just under 650,000 views.
Is Buying A Former Rental Car A Good Idea?
Buying a used car from Enterprise is quite different than buying one from a traditional dealership—and, as with any car purchase, there are pros and cons to doing so.
Lending Tree says many of the vehicles it sells come from Enterprise’s rental fleet. Before listing them for sale, the company says it has an ASE-certified technician inspect them. Every vehicle also comes with a 12-month/12,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, 12 months of roadside assistance and a seven-day or 1,000-mile buyback period.
That gives buyers a little more breathing room than in a typical used-car sale, where return policies can vary widely. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) notes that federal law does not require dealers to give buyers a three-day window to cancel a car purchase, so read any return policy carefully before signing.
Still, “former rental” does not automatically mean problem-free.
When buying any used car, the FTC recommends getting a vehicle history report and having an independent mechanic inspect it, even if the seller says it has already been inspected or certified. A history report can show information such as title and accident details, along with other details that matter to anyone shopping for a new vehicle.
One thing Naomii did before shopping also lines up with federal consumer advice: she got pre-approved through her credit union.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends getting financing offers before going to a dealership so buyers can compare rates and terms. A bank or credit union preapproval gives shoppers a number to bring with them, rather than relying entirely on the financing the seller offers.
And that matters more than the monthly payment alone. A $400 payment can mean very different things depending on the interest rate, loan length, down payment, and total amount financed.
And that is the biggest piece missing from Naomii’s video. She says she pays $400 a month and mentions $22,500, but without the loan term, APR, and purchase price, viewers cannot tell what the Sonata will ultimately cost her.
So her experience may have been smooth, but the usual used car homework still applies.
Viewers Wondered About The Deal And The Financing
Many viewers seemed impressed by Naomii’s experience, though several had questions about how she made the numbers work.
“Dang, you got a good deal, and I love your car. You don’t have to tell me your credit score, but is it at least a 680? Asking for myself,” one person wrote.
Another viewer zeroed in on the monthly payment.
“$400 w good credit thru your bank??” they asked.
That lines up with one of the bigger details Naomii shared in the video: She says she went through her credit union and arrived at Enterprise with a pre-approval already in hand.
One commenter suggested that people with bad credit will qualify for a loan through Enterprise.
“Enterprise scooping up everyone with bad credit,” they joked.
Others, however, were much more enthusiastic about the company.
“Enterprise is the way to go!” one commenter wrote.
Some viewers were more interested in the Sonata itself.
“Hyundai Sonatas are AMAZING when it comes to gas,” one person wrote.
Another already had a suggestion for what Naomii should do next: “Tint the windows.”
Motor1 contacted Naomii via TikTok direct message. We’ll be sure to update this if she responds.
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