AAA- Is it worth it?

[JEDI]

i used to have AAA, but canceled it when i bought my new Mazda3.

My Mazda3 comes with 4yr/50k mile warrenty, which includes roadside assistance.

i'm almost at 50k, so it's time to look for a new roadside assistance program.

i got a letter from AAA. on it in large print was "free membership if you reply in 10 days."

but upon opening the letter, it was free membership for a member of your household.

this kind of sensationalistic advertisement reminds me of shady companies.

Has AAA gone downhill?

Is it still worth it nowadays? any good alternative companies?

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

It's a cheap peace of mind, that's for sure. Check with your auto insurance company as well as most offer that kind of service.

 

[BarneyFife]

I have it and yes its a good deal. You never know when you might stall.

 

[Capt Caveman]

It pays for itself if you get auto insurance that gives you a discount for being AAA member. Plus, all the other discounts you can get let alone the service.

 

[helpme]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
It pays for itself if you get auto insurance that gives you a discount for being AAA member. Plus, all the other discounts you can get let alone the service.

AAA Plus has been worth it for me. I have it just in case I break down at the track and need a tow home (100 miles towing).

I also used it to tow a non registered car home from where I bought it (for 24 hours of lemons race). Cost of towing the car 40 miles was going to be not too cheap otherwise...

 

[helpme]

Keep in mind you can also use it if you are with a buddy. It doesn't have to be your car that needs assistance.

 

[alfa147x]

We have road side assistance with our cell phone provider (ATT)

 

[fstime]

I get coverage through my auto insurance and my car manufacture(lifetime).

It's good to have though, you get discounts at hotels too.

 

[jagec]

It seems like a good deal for the majority of drivers. Me, I carry a full toolkit around with me at all times.

 

[BlackTigers]

We probably get that $60 back from savings at hotels alone. Add the tows, locksmiths, and battery jumpers that we get with AAA, the $60 is well worth it.

 

[IronWing]

It's a good deal if you live in town, particularly if you have an older car prone to breakdowns. If you live out in the sticks or travel mostly on the open highway then it isn't so good. Even AAA Plus is insufficient for western distances.

 

[OUCaptain]

I've only used it once on my own car. I've used it countless times for other people though. It covers the driver, not the car unlike some others. Once, I wasn't even there. My buddy's car died. He called me at home..I was way too drunk to go get him, so I just called AAA, told them where I (he) was, and had the car towed to his house. He got home, I continued drinking. Never even had to get up from the recliner. Waaaay worth it.

 

[dpert1]

Originally posted by: jagec
It seems like a good deal for the majority of drivers. Me, I carry a full toolkit around with me at all times.

My AAA is located in my trunk

 

[Cobalt]

Who is your cell phone provider? AT&T has roadside assistance for $3 per month.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: dpert1

Originally posted by: jagec
It seems like a good deal for the majority of drivers. Me, I carry a full toolkit around with me at all times.

My AAA is located in my trunk

If you drop a timing belt on an interference engine, the toolkit won't help you.

In fact, there are plenty of things which could incapacitate your vehicle beyond what you could fix with a tool kit, and pretty much all of those things involve getting towed.

RAC is our equivalent here, and the big bonus is towing, which usually costs an absolute fortune once you get out of Perth. We've got up to 200km towing covered.

We'd save a significant proportion of the membership in discounts it gives you, add the piece of mind (accomodation, hire vehicles) and it seems a no brainer.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: dug777
If you drop a timing belt on an interference engine, the toolkit won't help you.

In fact, there are plenty of things which could incapacitate your vehicle beyond what you could fix with a tool kit, and pretty much all of those things involve getting towed.

And pretty much all those things involve being an idiot who never does his maintenance.

Have you ever--ever--heard of anyone breaking a timing belt that was changed regularly?

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: dug777
If you drop a timing belt on an interference engine, the toolkit won't help you.

In fact, there are plenty of things which could incapacitate your vehicle beyond what you could fix with a tool kit, and pretty much all of those things involve getting towed.

And pretty much all those things involve being an idiot who never does his maintenance.

Have you ever--ever--heard of anyone breaking a timing belt that was changed regularly?

I had one break after about 20K miles, but the manufacturer covered all repairs and expenses.

 

[Thump553]

They haven't gone downhill in my experience, but that is a lousy comeon ad. I get it because the four cars in our family average over 13 years old (the newest is a 2000) and the rest of the family members are hopeless around mechanical things.

One positive story about AAA-my son broke down on the highway maybe two years ago, forgot he had AAA and the state police called a local tow service. AAA reimbursed me for almost the complete cost of the tow (since the cops called it in).

OTOH, the local garage that does AAA towing is one of the worst, most crooked garages I've encountered and they have a miserable reputation in this area. I'm surprised AAA keeps them-without it they'd probably fold their doors.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

lousy ad, but really, $60 isn't much per year for that kind of peace of mind, potential service, and benefits of being a member.

People pay a bunch for peace of mind (aka car/home/health/blah/etc/ insurance). $60 is pocket change in comparison.

 

[Ns1]

Positive AAA story.

We were in Ohio in 10 degree weather. Battery wouldn't start. Called for a AAA jump. We were out of state (from CA). Got transfered 3x and got asked for membership 3x, but no problems at all. They were out there within 30 minutes to give us a jump.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: ironwing
It's a good deal if you live in town, particularly if you have an older car prone to breakdowns. If you live out in the sticks or travel mostly on the open highway then it isn't so good. Even AAA Plus is insufficient for western distances.

Yeah, but you still get a central number to call to get your tow, X number of free miles, and free hook-up.

 

[zerocool84]

I have had AAA Plus service for 5 years and it has saved me countless times in my old and new car and the discounts you can get are just an added plus. When ever I have gotten towed I always make sure to ask for a flat bed.

 

[Gibson486]

I remember when I did not bother to renew my AAA. The next week my battery died and it took my 5 hours to find a person in the freezing cold who would give me a jump.

 

[jdoggg12]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: dug777
If you drop a timing belt on an interference engine, the toolkit won't help you.

In fact, there are plenty of things which could incapacitate your vehicle beyond what you could fix with a tool kit, and pretty much all of those things involve getting towed.

And pretty much all those things involve being an idiot who never does his maintenance.

Have you ever--ever--heard of anyone breaking a timing belt that was changed regularly?

AAA saved my ass a few times.

The biggest one was when the shift lever bolt came unscrewed which caused me to be stuck in 5th gear. You can make it in 2nd or 3rd, but 5th is a no go. There was no way to get the car in a position to fix it w/o getting towed.

This wasn't a routine maintenance thing - every mechanic i've talked to says its a fluke.

 

[krunchykrome]

I have roadside assistance through AMEX.