AAA worth it?

[95SS]

Yes, it's worth it. If you travel, the discounts on hotels and car rentals can more than add up to the cost of membership. Plus free maps, not even mentioning roadside assistance and towing. Best $50 a year I spend.

 

[Triumph]

But its not 50 dollars a year, it's 102 freaking dollars. The only explanation I can think of is that tow trucks cost more around where I live???

 

[jlarsson]

AAA saved me quite a number of times. I've had my car towed about 6-7 times in the last two years. (Its a VW, number 0 on Isekii's list).

That would have been a lot of money spent in towing fees had I not had AAA. Now, 5 of those incidents are directly related to the incompetence of the mechanics in my area, and the legendary VW quality. But anyway, AAA is valuable if you are going to have car problems.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: InverseOfNeo

Originally posted by: isekii
If you have verizon wireless cellular account, you can add this service, for like 3-4 bucks a month I believe which will give you Road Side Assitance.

Might not be as good as AAA+ and what do you do when there isnt service? Or if your cell phone is dead?

It's nearly impossible to not have signal with Verizon.
Also how are you gonna call for AAA ? If you find a payphone, you can conntact Verizon Road Side Assistance with it as well

I have no problem finding areas with no signal from Verizon. I live in a hilly region. (western NY)

Anyway - whether AAA is worth it or not depends on your lifestyle. I think that for the typical person, it's far from worth it. If you travel far from home frequently (and alone) then it may not be a bad idea.

(hint: AAA doesn't have a business model of *NOT* making money. How could they make a profit if it was really worth it to everyone?) If you need towing more than once every 3 or 4 years, you need to
a. do a better job picking out cars
b. get gas before you run out - not an excuse for towing.
c. don't leave your lights on - but a dead battery also isn't an excuse for towing
or else you have some pretty crappy luck.

Maps? People need maps?! And they're connected to the internet? Helloooo.

Hotel discounts?! Ever heard of priceline, hotels.com, etc. ?! Got internet access?
Again, hellooooo. I think the AAA rates are far more than what I've paid.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: jlarsson
AAA saved me quite a number of times. I've had my car towed about 6-7 times in the last two years. (Its a VW, number 0 on Isekii's list).

That would have been a lot of money spent in towing fees had I not had AAA. Now, 5 of those incidents are directly related to the incompetence of the mechanics in my area, and the legendary VW quality. But anyway, AAA is valuable if you are going to have car problems.

I praise you for having the courage to come out and telling us you drive a VW.

 

[ApacheXMD]

Originally posted by: Triumph
But its not 50 dollars a year, it's 102 freaking dollars. The only explanation I can think of is that tow trucks cost more around where I live???

You said 102 for PLUS membership in the first post. The basic one is only like 40something dollars but only gets you 5 miles of free towing.

This is my first year with AAA, and I think i've gotten more than 40dollars worth of maps alone. My car is stocked!

-patchy

 

[rh71]

depends how often you travel and if your car/parts is a known trouble-maker.

 

[Corporate Thug]

AAA is like $45 for me so its worth it in my case

i would pass on it if it were $102 though

 

[rh71]

My truck back in 1995 came with 3 years / 60k miles roadside assistance completely covered. Just had to call a special Isuzu number and they dispatch a tow truck or whatever - had to use it a few times when I often left my fog lights on and the battery died... they came and jumped me but would've towed if needed.

Do they (any dealer/brand) still sell new cars with this roadside assistance offer ?

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: rh71
My truck back in 1995 came with 3 years / 60k miles roadside assistance completely covered. Just had to call a special Isuzu number and they dispatch a tow truck or whatever - had to use it a few times when I often left my fog lights on and the battery died... they came and jumped me but would've towed if needed.

Do they still sell new cars with this roadside assistance offer ?

I didn't even know Isuzu offered road side assitance back then.
I thought it was an optional purchase ?

My car ( non isuzu ) comes with roadsize assistance.

 

[rh71]

EDITED>>> I'm asking about any brand, not just Isuzu.. (I never pay for options, so I'm sure it came with it)

 

[dabuddha]

I just paid a few bucks extra on my insurance and I get the same benefits. In theory that is.

 

[Red]

I'm about to go sign up for the Plus Membership. It's $85 in my area. I just bought a 7 year old Nissan with 100k miles on 4/03, but I've already had to have it serviced twice (alternator and rear brakes) so I'm thinking the service might be worthwhile. The warranty that came with the car covers towing up to a maximum of $50 (laughs) so it's kind of a joke.

 

[Modeps]

it's worth it just if you goto the movies a lot.

 

[DaVortex]

my parents switched car insurance companies and they went to AAA, we are now paying $1200 for 2 cars (one of which is a 22yr old male) the other insurance we had was charging us double

 

[Apathetic]

AAA Plus is great. They'll tow you anywhere you want (doesn't have to be a garage) within 100 miles of where you break down.

Dave

 

[Triumph]

Thanks all, I'm going to pass. 102 a year is just ridiculous.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Thanks all, I'm going to pass. 102 a year is just ridiculous.

How much is basic for you?

 

[FuZoR]

Originally posted by: isekii
If these any of these apply to you get it.

*0. Own a VW/Audi new or old
1. Own a Ford
2. Own a Chevy/GMC
3. Own a Mazda that's 5+ year old
4. Own a Ford that's 1+ year old
5. Own a Chevy/GMC that's 1+year old
6. Own a Honda 15+ years old
7. Own a Toyota 15+ years old
8. Own a European car that's 3+ year old
9. Own a Nissan 10+ year old

* denotes a special case where you have to purchase the AAA plus membership

pfft my audi is doing fine thank you lol

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Triumph
Thanks all, I'm going to pass. 102 a year is just ridiculous.

How much is basic for you?

Off the top of my head, something like $85!

I've had my current car for 3 years. Only needed a wrecker once when I was in an accident, and I paid that guy $30 cash to pull me off a hillside. $30/3 years = $10 a year, instead of the $255 total I would've spent if I had had AAA.
Or $306 for Plus. F that.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: rh71
My truck back in 1995 came with 3 years / 60k miles roadside assistance completely covered. Just had to call a special Isuzu number and they dispatch a tow truck or whatever - had to use it a few times when I often left my fog lights on and the battery died... they came and jumped me but would've towed if needed.

Do they (any dealer/brand) still sell new cars with this roadside assistance offer ?

My 2002 Hyundai elantra came with 5 years of roadside assistance... I had to use it around 8 times so far because my damn cr alarm is insanely sensitive and doesn't shut off on its own, killing the battery. I actually had to get it disabled because I live in an apartment and wouldn't hear it during the night (which made me a bad neighbor). I also had to get a tow after a pretty nasty accident.

 

[Jzero]

You get a lot of discounts with it. For instance, when I went to Disney last year, I got travel agent services, free transport to/from airport, discounted room rates, VIP lounge pass, etc. Saved more than the $92/year it is for premium membership in my area.