Scammer and thief !!! my wife purchased a car from him less then a year ago and already had to junk it due to the amount of rust on under carriage . when the issue was brought to owner attention he said he would take a look. He towed the car from Waterbury to his shop ( free of cost) and determined that the car was unsafe to drive . she said it was unfair that he sold her a car that was junk and owners solution was he would take it in for a trade at $1000 (mind you she paid 5grand 11months prior ). We decided that we will just junk car not to get into another deal with this company . When we went to pick up our belongings out the car ( 1 month after he towed it ) there was missing items in car . We had an Dewalt chainsaw in car and other small electronics and they where gone .when issue was brought to owner he dismissed us and said he is not responsible for missing items and walled away. He treated us like shit and we have it all on video . Please do not do business with this agency . read more

DO NOT RENT FROM HERE! This place has shady business practices! Rented a car from here (for 1 week) and the vehicle shut off twice while I was driving at high speeds. This happened the day I Picked up the vehicle!! Tried to return the car the next day and the vehicle wouldn't start. I wasn't even able to use the car for the full day; had put a full tank of gas and Lou would not reimburse me. He kept telling me that, "I didn't understand how the business works", and that nobody cares what he had to do today. Also the place is a dump! I guess that shouldve been my first clue. Smh. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE! read more

Cheap Auto Rental - Used Car Dealers Near Me - Wallingford, Connecticut

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Four years since my last review and I still stand by my 5 star review!! Lew has helped me so many times. He has his own tow truck and will come get your car. He's fast and reliable. My bf and I have been going to him for over 10 years and have bought all our cars from him. You can't beat his prices and I know my car is in good hands with him. read more

Do not rent from cheap auto rental, they wii steal your deposit. They kept my $400 deposit and lou said to balance my account and when my bank balanced it the bank showed me that cheap auto rental never put my $400 deposit back. So BEWARE and stay away from these thieves read more

Lew Is not truthful As I said I had to purchase kitty litter to SCRUB oil leak from garage floor. One look at lew"s filthy place says, RENTER BEWARE I should have followed my gut instinct! and left! read more

Listen, you get what you pay for. They are not the best cars on the road but they are half the price of Enterprise. I have rented from here twice in the last year and have had no problems. I reserved a car and wrote down the wrong date on a holiday weekend, and with in 3 hours they had made a car available. Overall you cannot beat the price, but it would be nice to have an emergency contact for roadside service if the need arose. Overall I have been satisfied with the cars and service. It has gotton me back and forth from New York a few times. read more

I'm surprised by the negative reviews I see here. I went to Lew last year for a cheap rental as I needed transportation for a new job. After talking with him briefly, he worked it out so I could purchase the car for less than it would cost to rent, and I drove it away that day. I had one issue early on with the car, and they fixed it quickly and for free for me. Though it was a high mileage car, it turned out to be very reliable, and got me to work and back till I was able to afford a newer car recently. Another issue I had with the car was due to my own error. I emailed Lew to ask his advice and he responded quickly and helped me troubleshoot the problem. I was very pleased with my entire experience with this business, and I will be bringing a friend there soon, as he needs a car. read more

I have a car that was purchased through them . I love it and they also fixed something on vehicle . very fair price and great job on work . he went beyond for me even offered to puck and stop me off read more

First off I've never rented a car from Lou, so my opinion is based on the Honda I purchased 2 years ago. Cheap Auto Rentals isn't a Mercedes dealership. He sells affordable cars mainly for a specific clientele. I was in a bind after an accident and needed something cheap and reliable. I got just that when I saw a 95 Honda Accord in the lot. I test drove it and in 20 minutes I was driving it home. About a year later a break line burst about 40miles from my house. I had to use the e-brake to pull into the closest repair shop who quoted me $2000! I called Lou and explained my situation. Well, he towed it and replaced all the break lines for only $280! That's a good man if you ask me. I highly recommend Cheap Auto if you need something cheap and reliable. Lou is flexible. hard working and willing to work for you. read more

Beware- Do not rent from this Shit hole. If I could rate this place any lower than a one star I absolutely would. I went to this place like anyone else thinking I was getting a great deal of renting a car for a week for $160 and could care less about the aesthetic look of the car... but if you are renting from here expect the same quality you would see in a car junkyard- rusted, dirty, scratched, paint completely chipped off or destroyed. But the anesthetics isn't the worst part... its the fact that this place pretty much doesn't even check or inspect there cars... I was basically given a beat up piece of shit elantra that had low tread and bald tires and as I was driving out from the auto rental place halfway home in the rain I felt the tire begin to go flat and when calling the cheap auto rental place rather than apologize and offer to call a tow service to pick up the vehicle they basically told me to put the spare on and bring it back. I was lucky that my boyfriend was able to drive over and help me change the tire to a spare. However he automatically noticed the tire had hole inside the rim of the tire which had to have been there before I even started driving the car and the tire was basically hanging off the rim. I then proceeded to fill the car with gas to head back to cheap auto rentals and return it within less than 2.5 hrs of picking it up just to be told that I would be charged for a day of use even though I had not even used it for a full day. When talking with the owner Lew and pleading my case that I should not be charged a single penny for a car that was pretty much unreliable but most of all unsafe to drive in the first place, he attempted to put air in the flattened tire and there was no pops or holes on the outside of the tire because it was on the inside of the rim but like a true scumbag and skeezy leach he basically held to charging me for the day. In addition to the worst service by far imaginable it truly disappoints me that I was given such an unsafe car to drive during a rainy day and had I not been such a safe driver... I truly believe I could have been in a bad accident on the freeway. I wouldn't wish this to happen to my worst enemy and simply wish to forewarn future customers to stay away from Cheap auto rentals. And Lew... shame on you and your business for taking advantage of customers in this way... I truly hope you get shut down. read more

I totally agree. STAY AWAY!!! Although I have used this disgrace of a business a couple of times over the years, I must say their service and vehicles totally suck. I wrote them off after my last experience of using a rusty old cargo van to move some stuff. The vehicle broke down on me after a couple of hours and to add further Insult they still tried to over charge my card for false late fees. Their front office staff is very, very, rude and treat people as though they are doing you a favor by giving them your business. You are better off using one of the name brand companies such as Enterprise or Hertz, at least they pride themselves on quality customer service. read more

Renting from this company wasn't my idea, and eded up being a very bad decision. The car was filthy. I mean filthy. The car battery had to be jumped two times, two times! Just pay for a regular rental, those cars could ruin your vacation. read more

We bought a car from Lew apx. 1 year ago,and never had any problems with this establishment. If work needed to be done on the car, they fit us in right away. The people that work there, are very kind and professional. The best thing, is they register the car at the shop, all paper work is done there-- no dealing with DMV, which is worth it's weight in gold! Also, no credit checks, just a proof of income is needed. Best of all, No interest rate!!! I have been very pleased with the experience. For the people that want a brand new, really low mileage vehicle, go to one of those high interest, insanely pricey dealerships. For all the folks who wrote negative comments, maybe your expectations are WAY too high-- sometimes it's time to get off your high horses and get real!! Thank you, Al and Sarah Croteau read more

You guys are scum !!! Never rent a car from here !!! My dad came to you guys dec 13 needing a van for five people two kids and you guys were the only ones available with one In the state !!! After taking his money and taking his info you gave him a van that broke down 35 min into our trip to NYC which is only a 1 hr away we filled up the tank and everything . We were on the side of the road at 3 pm before the sun went down with two small children . We had to call the state police cause the roadside number you gave us no one answered !!! So thank god for a friendly state trooper we gave them your company info cause the paper work you gave my father had the previous renter info !!!! You should be closed down and I will make sure of it !!! Disgusting never rent and I only have a star cause I had too read more

Do not rent any vehicle from this place!!!All scam artists!!Very bad experience ,better off pay $15 extra get it from enterprise,heartz,Avis...Very very bad business .. read more

Never mind Lou, you will never figure out, as you don't even know what is going on with the cars you sell... Only for the 30 days, but you never fix anything what we asked for, and those were for safety... you are a lucky one, 'coz I did not go to Federal Trade commission or such. The car worth maybe 1500 if it is in a good condition... (check your cars at kbb.com), but it is not... I payed triple almost... and I won't reveal all the information so you won't be able to harass me by phone, or such. And we did reported all things I said, just check harder, but you did not fix anything we asked for, and you have conditions when you are available to fix the car... I had to take days of from work, to go to Wallingford and "fix" (nothing were fixed as I asked before) the car... waiting hours it to be done, no other car to use till I am waiting... it is insane... And also I did not said, we had 4 different tires on the car 2 different sizes (on the FRONT) so go figure why the car was shaking like hell every time... no worries I have my report from the tire place, they found the tires like that after a month we got the car (I did not changed anything before)... it is also a fine part of the deal this DEALERSHIP makes. But that is ok, I keep my eye open here before any new costumers get by... hopefully someone someday get you in court... as you should be. I am sorry I could not do it as I was desperate to have another car, as I needed it to work... not anymore, the bus takes me there, no need to use your "falling apart" car you sold to me (what is not worth 3000, not even the half of it, even tho I paid full for that even more) And tell me how do you explain I asked for a tune up, you guys said ok, and 3 months later I had to do it again (ok just the spark plugs) and there were 6 different kind of spark plugs in the car? Explain this... and a faulty of spark cover gasket... also, what (they say) was not new, it was there way before... so you should have know it... read more

The vehicle I rented for 5 days at $260 was a heap of garbage. Barely ran, smelled like smoke, had misfires, felt unsafe on the road, and was averaging 10mpg. I filled the tank past the expected amount and asked if I could get a credit off my bill because of my experience and received a response of: "That's what I like to see. Nope, you can't get a discount." The service was lousy and I feel sorry for the next person, who will end up being charged for the repairs for an unsafe and non-road legal vehicle breaking down on him or her. read more

Unbelievable! If I could give zero stars, I would. Rented a car from them, which ended up breaking down the 2nd day. The company said they would be sending a tow truck with another car. I told Lou the owner, that the police said which ever company got there first, would be towing the car, because it was an environmental hazard. Lou started yelling and interrupting me. The other tow truck arrived first, so I called and told Lou. He again started yelling. I gave the phone to the driver and Lou started yelling at him, telling him he did not have consent, which he did, because it was police ordered. Lou hung up on him. I called him back to tell him the address of the towing co and he didn't want to hear it, so he hung up. I called back and told him I was giving him the address and I wanted another car. The 2nd car was a 2002 which was filthy, cigarettes on the floor, and trash in the backseat. The check engine light was on and the air bag light came on after driving. I called for at least a partial refund and he said he doesn't do that. They should not be allowed to put these cars on the road, they are dangerous. read more

How do I start reviewing this place. Well I'll say that this is "THE WORST PLACE TO BUY A CAR FROM PERIOD" One thing positive... Very cheap cars. But the only positive review contradict itself because that's exactly what they are. Low cost, poor condition, high mileage, and scam artist for employees. Please pay attention to every review in this site because is exactly how it sounds. They sale broke down cars that are unsafe and and extremely unreliable. Buy a car from this place and you will regret it for the rest of your life. My mother made this mistake and now she is stuck with a car that she can't register because after spending a couple of thousand dollars on it, It still wont pass emissions. Problems started to happen right after she bought it. A couple of thousand dollars later, we come to the conclusion that is a complete loss and there is nothing we can do to fix this car. My mother... A disable 57 year old disabled woman with not enough money to buy a new one is now stuck with a car (that she paid off to this scamers) that she can't register or drive. But one thing I'll say is, we have records of all the places we took this car to. Statements of the mecanics, and proof that there was some type of foul play to this vehicle prior to my mother buying it. Next step will be to post this review, report this to the BBB, and follow up with legal action and I hope they get serve right on the middle of a deal. Conclusion.... Don't even consider stoping at this place just because you seen the low price on the glass of one of the cars. Or the buy here, pay here sign. Because it will be the worst mistake you ever made read more

Zero stars isn't a option so I reluctantly leave one. I rented a car from Cheap Auto Rental when my car was being repaired after an accident (someone hit my parked car so the insured's insurance company was naturally dragging their feet). I had no credit card so Lew allowed my boyfriend to rent along with me using his debit card. We were clear that only the $200 refundable hold for the deposit was to go on his card. After having the car for seven weeks, my boyfriend was charged almost $1,200. I can't call white at work, so I went to their site, and my email to Lew bounced back. I also attempted to fill out the "contact us" link, yet received no response. My boyfriend asked Lew to send me an itemized bill so I could deal with insurance. At 5:35 Lew said he was out of there at 6pm but would TRY sending it before he left. I maintained a courteous attitude the whole time and found it slimy that he couldn't be bothered to address something where he basically robbed a single mom of over a thousand bucks and she needed to find out what to do to fix it and therefore needed his invoice. When I got the invoice,I noticed 7 weeks at the weekly rate, some bogus surcharge I never knew about, and as if this wasn't bad enough, on MY invoice at the bottom was the "amount due" that the insurance company had not paid yet. I had to have the car towed twice firing the rental. Since I had AAA I didn't bother complaining about it, and even had to tow it back the day it was finally returned. The seat belts were buried so far in the seats that for the first week I just didn't think they were there until someone dig them out for me. The dome light did not work. The check engine light came on. The car stalled and was towed total of three times. Once I received his invoice, I explained the issue with the insurance company and asked if he would please consider charging four weeks at the monthly rate since I had it for over a month. He said nope. Only does that ahead of time because he loses money. I find it hard to fathom he's losing money when he's getting 1,200+ for renting a 2004 piece of junk car that barely ran when I had it, got towed three times, and ran about 70% of the time I had it. Even better, when he refused to budge on what I thought was a fair request, he failed to explain why the insurance company's balance was on MY invoice, why the insurance company was paying the lesser rate at my expense (per day should have been daily rate if they were not paying for a week), and then had the nerve to accuse ME of bribery by letting him know I was going to give his business an honest, yet very poor, review because I was so dissatisfied. I let him know I was filing a complaint with the dept of insurance against the insurance company who caused this mess to begin with and that I would be including him in my complaint since he charged my boyfriend's card after saying he would not, and for adding a day to the agreement, since I have proof when it was dropped off, and would be requesting part of my money back based on my experience and being overcharged. I informed him that harassment is illegal and that he should be careful of accusing me of trying to blackmail him when I simply asked for my bill to be explained, for the bill to be amended to the monthly rate, and for him to explain the surcharge amount and why that was being billed. He's such a shady character, I had to remind him that reviews are opinion and I'm well within my rights expressing mine. Oh yeah, and the car was DISGUSTINGLY FILTHY. read more

Do yourself a BIG favor and stay far, far away from this dump!Even though it's called Cheap auto rental, the cars are totally disgusting. The office is just as filthy and the people there have NO personality and are even rude.One of their cars broke down on me and they charged me anyway and refused to refund me.What shysters.It's not worth it. read more

Went to Cheap Auto Rental to rent a car and my experience was a NIGHTMARE!! I got a Neon, that drove horribly, and I had been driving it for two days when the check engine light came on... ok... then the check engine light started flashing and the car began to sputter so I took it to auto zone to see what was wrong. The car then started turning off on it's own while the guy was testing it. I called in and they traded out the Neon for an Aveo. I got in the Aveo AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON!!!! He told me I could still drive it. Lou (the owner) is not concerned at all with the safety of his customers, only his next dollar. He pretty much said I made the whole thing up and the car was fine. I feel bad because someone else is going to get that car. Hope it's not you! read more

I do not know how Lew S stays in business. He is one of the most discourteous, condescending, persons I ever met. I was unfortunate to have to rent a car for a few months. His cars constantly broke down and had to take taxis and buses to home. Any out of pocket money for oil, tire repair, window washer, etc. he wanted the receipts but claimed he couldn't write off as a business expense. Lew S is very rude on the phone he has his say, then hangs up in your face. If you call him back he will hang up again. I would deal with him again if he me the car for free. read more

This is the worst place to ever rent or buy a car from. About six months age my husband and I bought a car from Lou and to my horror I was six months pregnant and we needed something big mistake. One night coming home the car started smoking, which we couldn't figure out why with being told that the car was in good condition and that Lou his self drives it home on some occasions. We took it to out mechanic and he told us the car should have never been sold let alone being driven. It had so many emergency issues that it wasn't worth being fixed. We called Lou and he came and got the car from out mechanic and told us that it would cost us another 1500 to fix the car on top of making payments. And then tried to accuse us of cutting the break line, mind you he keep avoiding talking about all the other issues. What ever you do don't rent a car or buy from this guy all he seems to be worried about is putting money in his pocket, not the safety of his consumers. read more

STAY AWAY. I too have used them before. Always an issue. A flat tire, a "moving" truck with a hole in the floor that broke down mid move!! Btw, now they have it written in their contracts YOU are responsible for the FLAT TIRES, as well as other illegal verbiage!! They pretty much make it easy to rent by readily accepting debit cards, which as educated consumers know, most bigger name companies don't, therefore they do think they are doing you a favor. They buy SALVAGE cars for $100, or less, then rent for $300 plus a week!! My latest experience; as a single Mom who totally lostmy car to an accident, I rented. Told them I needed at least a month. They never disclosed their "monthly" rate which is $400 less. The 1st car, a wreck, battery died, towed away. The second, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, HEROIN, NO HORN, A BROKEN GAS GAGE, AND A BACKSEAT THAT WAS DETACHED, MY SON FELL OFF WITH HIS SEAT. I reported to the company, told them I am contacting the police. They denied problems, refused concessions. (Money back.) Possession being 9/10 of the law and this nefarious entity would blame me. They finally took the car. But even after I paid them over $700, which should have been $400, or NOTHING given all that transpired. Worse, knowing how lowly this criminal establishment is, I cancelled my debit card, they then charged me the $300 they authorized for their "deposit", and when I contested with my bank, they made a fake invoice to justify. Fyi, if something is written on the back of an illegal contract, it does not make it LAWFUL!!! I am out over $1200, and am merely trying to get less than half back. I will be suing, contacting police as I should have. (They were cutting up opiods when I was there.) There cars are UNSAFE!! LINDA BAREFOOT tried to act as if she upgraded me to a "larger" car. What a bigger problem that guzzels more GAS!!! This "business" should be shut down. Please no matter how little you have, and how bad you need a car, DON'T rent from them!!! read more

My family and I were looking for an affordable and reliable vehicle for a five day camping trip out of state. I spoke to Karl and he reserved a seven passenger minivan which was available on the day we needed it. I asked him questions on the rental fees, mileage charges and insurance that was needed, and he was very knowledgable. I had read previous negative reviews and because of that I asked Karl about roadside assistance and vehicle quality. He assured me that the vehicles were in good working order and if there was a problem they would replace the vehicle. My wife and I picked up the vehicle the day we had reserved it. Karl greeted us and looked over the vehicle with us. It was not a brand new minivan but we did not want to pay $150/day with mileage for a camping trip. Karl, as well as the owner Lew, assured us everything was checked on the van. The vehicle (a 2005 Pontiac Montana) was in good working order, good on gas (highway miles) and was able to transport two adults, two teenagers, a baby and camping/beach equipment for five days. When we returned it we were actually under the 100 mile/day FREE mileage and didn't even have to pay for any additional mileage, as other corporate rental car companies were asking for. The shop in Wallingford is a local business with real people trying to offer CHEAP AUTO RENTALS. If you want a brand new vehicle (and overpay) go to Hertz and Enterprise, if you want an affordable vehicle (WE PAID $280 FOR 5 DAYS!) give Lew and Karl a chance. We will definitely rent from them again. read more