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. 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.