Hertz Shot Me a Ridiculous Price of $18K For a 2023 Tesla Model 3 That I Rented, Great Price, I Was Shocked When I Found Out How Many Miles It Had

Hertz is trying to sell you the Tesla model you are renting now. 

That's what a renter from Hertz found out recently. A Reddit user shared the offer Hertz gave them on a 2023 Tesla Model 3 he had rented. The price sounds great at just $17,913. The price of a new Model 3 is $44,130, including destination and order fees. 

It sounds like a great deal.

Hertz sent the renter of the Tesla Model 3 an email. The Reddit user says, "This was a new one for, you can have the car delivered? - I rent from Hertz…a lot. I got this email today and chuckled a bit. A ridiculously good price for a Tesla with sub 30,000 miles on it, I guess?"

If the Tesla Model 3 Hertz is selling has less than 30,000 miles, at this price, the Hertz customer should buy it asap. However, there's more to this story. 

The email from Hertz said, "Enjoying your rental? Take it home with Hertz Car  Sales. If you're shopping for a new car, think of this rental as a test drive! If you're far from home, Hertz Car Sales has locations around the U.S., or you can have the car delivered."

• 2023 Tesla Model 3
• Price: $17,913.00
• VIN: SYJ3E1EA1PF449124

A report from The Sun says that Hertz confirmed to them that the Tesla Model 3 mentioned in the email to the customer was rented with 84,463 miles. So, the vehicle likely now has well over 85,000 miles on it. 

"It sounds like a great price," the Hertz customer says. “I was shocked when I found out it had over 85,000 miles on it."

Hertz wants to sell their used models with high miles. However, the buyer should beware. 

Hertz says, "Hertz not only rents cars; we sell them, too," a spokesperson for the rental giant said to the Sun.

"We have 40 retail locations you can visit nationwide, but you can also check them out online!

"Our commitment to a modern, diverse fleet means we offer well-maintained vehicles nationwide at competitive prices, typically below Kelley Blue Book value.

"From luxury models and SUVs to sedans and EVs, we've got options at great prices. And if you're renting a vehicle that will soon join our sales inventory, we often let you know." 

Herz Car Sales shows excellent pricing on some Tesla Model 3s.

I found two Tesla Model 3 electric cars for sale on the Hertz Car Sales website for under $20,000. The first, priced at $17,767, had over 120,000 miles, and the other, priced at $19,736, had 136,200 miles. 

Is this a great price on a Tesla Model 3?

If you are considering a used  Tesla Model 3 from Hertz, check the EV's mileage before buying to determine if it's worth the purchase price. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Here is why. 

How long will a Tesla Model 3 battery last?

Tesla Model 3 rear-wheel drive batteries have a warranty period of eight years or 100,000 miles driven, whichever comes first. During the warranty period, Tesla guarantees a battery capacity of 70 percent of its starting capacity over the warranty period. 

How much does it cost to replace a Model 3 battery?

EV battery replacements are some of the most expensive repairs that Tesla owners face, and no one wants to discover that their car needs a new one. 

Imagine buying a used Tesla Model 3 from Hertz for $18,000, thinking you just scored a great deal. You tell all your friends how smart you are. After you own the car for a short time, you find out you have to shell out another $16,000 for a new battery. You would not be happy. And your friends would laugh. 

CBT News says that for the Tesla Model 3, the replacement cost of the battery is around $15,799.27, with the battery alone costing over $13,500 and labor costing $2,299.27. 

You could have purchased a new 2025 Tesla Model 3 for the price plus the new battery cost.

So, for the used Tesla 3 Models that Hertz is selling, the battery is out of the manufacturer's warranty period. You will likely have a significant maintenance fee coming due very soon. 

A report from Autoweek says that Hertz is selling off more EVs after suffering significant losses. 

Autoweek says, "Now the rental giant (Hertz) is rapidly heading for the exits after a series of painful losses. Hertz intends to get rid of 30,000 EVs, or 10,000 more than initially planned, as part of its EV downsizing, citing substantial vehicle depreciation that increased $588 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to a year prior."

Conclusion.

Hertz wants to sell their used models with high miles. However, the buyer should beware. High mileage on an electric vehicle like a Tesla can significantly impact its battery life and performance, potentially leading to expensive repairs in the near future.

So, Hertz will gladly sell you a used Tesla Model 3 for cheap. Make sure you check the mileage before you jump on what sounds like a great deal. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. 

If you have purchased a car from Hertz Car Sales, we want to hear about your experience. Click the red Add New Comment link below and share your story. Your experience can help others make informed decisions when considering a purchase from Hertz.

Here is one Hertz used car buyer who did get a great deal. 

Hertz is fire-selling its Subaru Solterra, and we just bought one For 7,000 miles at soft pricing. Check out my report here. 

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Hertz and Tesla