"George" > wrote in message
...
> ameijers wrote:
>
>>
>> no
>>
>>>reason for me to pay an extra $60/year for a AAA membership.
>>>
>>
>> Keep your car in good shape, carry a little cash+plastic, maybe a cell phone
>> (even a 'dead' one from a garage sale) to call 911, and who needs an auto
>> club? It's like an extended warranty on an appliance- what are the odds you
>> will ever use it enough to counter the upfront cost? If you can't see
>> civilization from where you break down, 911 will always (albeit grudgingly)
>> log a 'motorist assist' call and send a tow truck. If you only drive
>> locally, keep a 3x5 in the glove box with the local garage and tow numbers.
>> Just IMHO, of course, YMMV. The other auto club perks like triptiks,
>> discount tickets, etc., may make it make sense for you. Personally, I'd
>> rather put the money to keeping the car up to snuff, and replacing it when
>> needed.
>>
>> aem sends...
>
>
> Unless you are causing a road hazard it is inappropriate to call 911. And if
> you do what do you know about the tow truck? They can demand a huge fee as
> just happened to a friend. With AAA I simply call them and they dispatch a tow
> truck known to them which will provide service accrding to the contract.

> It is pretty much impossible to prevent some failures.

Sure, but what matters is how common those are. It may
well make a lot more sense to use your cell callout service
than to pay for the AAA with a car still in warranty etc.

> My last breakdown was on a well maintained 3 year old car. The engine simply
> stopped on the interstate. I was in an area where I didn't know anyone so who
> would I have called? The AAA guy towed it back to my local garage where they
> determined that the camshaft position sensor failed.

Sure, but the cell service would have been cheaper for that
and it should have been covered by the warranty anyway.