No downvote from me (no upvote either).

> Most people I know that rent cars absolutely beat the shit out of them.

Most people that I know don't. And when I rent a car I take good care of it, as good or better as if it were my own. I'll use it for what it is made for, not to see if I can contribute to the negative portion of the tragedy of the commons.

Think about it this way: your behavior with a rental car affects everybody renting cars, not just you. So you're not abusing the car, you're abusing the people around you and your net-negative contribution translates into higher rates and a negative expectancy about customer behavior on the part of the rental company. That you and those that you know that do this too can get away with it is no excuse.