Thinking About Starting on Turo – Van Rental or Smaller Cars? Advice Needed!

Hey everyone,

I’ve been thinking about getting into the car rental business for a while but never got around to it. Finally deciding that if I don’t start now, I probably never will. I’m in New England, and from what I’ve noticed, there aren’t many 10+ seater vans available in my area, even on Turo. That got me thinking—maybe there’s a demand gap I could fill?

I initially considered buying a new van, but prices are $50K+, so now I’m looking into used options. But before jumping in, I wanted to hear from those with experience on Turo: 1. Would starting with a passenger van be a smart move, or should I begin smaller—like a Corolla/Civic or a compact SUV—and scale up? 2. How profitable is Turo in reality? Is it decent money, or is it more of a side hustle that barely breaks even after maintenance, insurance, and fees? 3. Besides Turo, do you run Facebook/Google ads to bring in more renters, or is Turo’s organic traffic enough? 4. Any unexpected challenges I should be aware of before jumping in?

Appreciate any insights, especially from those who have been in the game for a while! Thanks in advance!