AAA- Is it worth it?

[dug777]

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?

One person has already come forward in this thread. I think I recall NFS4 dropped a timing belt that hed been replaced relatively recently on his camry a few years back.

Perhaps a more probable event here is hitting a roo, especially if you can't avoid country driving around dawn/dusk, and a big boomer is quite likely to incapacitate your vehicle.

Perfect maintenance, but you'll still need a tow

Personally I don't mind paying an utterly insignificant amount of money each year for the cover the RAC provide, at the end of the day.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: jdoggg12
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.

Yeah, but you can pop the hood, reach down to the shift linkage and shove it into second.

 

[theeedude]

I have insurance through them, so I got the card. It's still a good deal for me, even though my Mazda3 is new.
I used it a couple times to change tire, although I could have just done it myself, but I figured if I am paying them, might as well. I think I also used the AAA discount once in a motel.

 

[jdoggg12]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: jdoggg12
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.

Yeah, but you can pop the hood, reach down to the shift linkage and shove it into second.

I don't think 60miles in 2nd gear is a great idea....

 

[Auric]

Can you not join when/if the time comes that the service is required, thereby maximizing value?

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: jdoggg12

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: jdoggg12
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.

Yeah, but you can pop the hood, reach down to the shift linkage and shove it into second.

I don't think 60miles in 2nd gear is a great idea....

Not at 60mph, no. At 30mph it's no problem. Or you can shove it into third.

 

[alkemyst]

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.

I carry tools...I don't carry a spare (save fix a flat which I will only use in BFE)...no way I am going to risk changing my own tire roadside in these times when I can get towed and a new tire within a couple hours worst case.

However, a flat tire is not what I am going to be relying on AAA mostly for.