thank god for AAA

Willie Bee · 02-10-09, 10:27 AM

Agree. About 6 years ago when I was working in Houston Monday through Thursday and coming home to the country for the weekends, I got about halfway into the 200-mile journey to the house late on a Thursday night, pulled into a CrapDonalds to piss, came out and nada. Called AAA, there in under 45 minutes, towed me the 97 miles home free when we couldn't get it started. Some of the best money I've spent for peace of mind like that.

SBR Lou · 02-10-09, 10:32 AM

Shortly after arriving in TX, I went out to get some food and ended up blowing my right tire out. I didn't crash into another car, instead went down a wrong way turn lane and toward oncoming traffic and hopped onto the divider out of a natural panic.

Well, turns out it was unnecessary as it was simply a brief turn lane and I made it through the dangerous part, but nonetheless I was forced to pull over in front of some mechanic shop (happened to be a Saturday so it was closed) and phone into AAA. They had a rather unfriendly man out to my location in about one hour, and he put my donut on and I was about my merry way.

Sinister Cat · 02-10-09, 10:43 AM

Definitely worth it if you have an older car. And if you have a really old car, the upgraded membership (Plus) is even worth it. My mother-in-law tows her car every spring for free (garaged in the winter and never starts). Also towed it to her mechanic 40 miles away once (for free) when I was borrowing it.

Anyway, bobbyfk, if you didn't leave anything on, your alternator might be starting to go on you.

pavyracer · 02-10-09, 11:06 AM

I have 3 vehicles and jumper cables at my house. Why pay $60 a year for AAA when I can buy $5 jumper cables.

daggerkobe · 02-10-09, 11:09 AM

Crazyl cant even change a tire?

What a weakling.

jjgold · 02-10-09, 11:12 AM

Bobby get rid of your 86 chevey you fuk and you will not have this problem.

bobbyfk · 02-10-09, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by pavyracer

I have 3 vehicles and jumper cables at my house. Why pay $60 a year for AAA when I can buy $5 jumper cables.

lets say your out and get stuck somewhere where there are no cars to give you a jump? or your stuck in a bad neighborhood or something

SBR Lou · 02-10-09, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by daggerkobe

Crazyl cant even change a tire?

What a weakling.

Well, I suppose I could learn but I don't have all the equipment and it's much easier and quicker for them to use their stuff.

You only need to use AAA once to have it pay itself off, it's worth the subscription fee as far as I'm concerned.

bobbyfk · 02-10-09, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by jjgold

Bobby get rid of your 86 chevey you fuk and you will not have this problem.

96 Toyota Paseo

Sinister Cat · 02-10-09, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by pavyracer

I have 3 vehicles and jumper cables at my house. Why pay $60 a year for AAA when I can buy $5 jumper cables.

Well, if your cars never leave your house, and so you never expect to need a tow truck, that's great.

louisvillekid · 02-10-09, 11:24 AM

i've been with people before and their car has broken down and we couldn't start it or whatever, and they say "oh I have AAA i'll call them" , never have they been there in less than an hour. I've even been out running around and notice someone broken down and i can ride back by 2-3 hours later and AAA might be there.
I just have never had luck with them being quick, or many people i know.
I've talked to people before at bars or gathering or whatnot that are or have been tow truck operators, and they all have basically told me they hate doing a AAA run, say there is no money in it and a shit load of paper work and calling AAA to get confirmation numbers and yada yada yada.

oh and CrazyL, you really need to learn how to change a tire. ****ing simple as hell. Just remember if you are changing a front wheel tire and the car is front wheel drive, make sure the parking brake is on and break the lug nuts loose( don't take them off) before you have it jacked up, trying to break a tight lug nut up on jacks is almost impossible, the tire/rim just wants to spin.

bobbyfk · 02-10-09, 11:25 AM

i guess i got lucky that they got to me so quickly

Sinister Cat · 02-10-09, 11:33 AM

I think I've called AAA 5 times for a tow. Sometimes it has been really quick, sometimes really slow. One time it was over three hours, might have taken hours to get a non-AAA tow truck that day too though (crazy weather).

jjgold · 02-10-09, 01:01 PM

Bobby your not conning me, when I come to AC I will see your old car.

No gamblers have newer type cars

Come clean Bobby

treece · 02-10-09, 01:05 PM

The reason the car won't start is probably because of the acid build up on the battery cables. You have to scrub that shit off with a wire brush every few months.

pavyracer · 02-10-09, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by Sinister Cat

Well, if your cars never leave your house, and so you never expect to need a tow truck, that's great.

When I travel away from my house I have 12V portable jump starter. It costs less than AAA membership for one year and you only buy it once...not every year.

The General · 02-10-09, 01:19 PM

Maybe I should consider AAA on my 1981 Olds.

bobbyfk · 02-10-09, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by jjgold

Bobby your not conning me, when I come to AC I will see your old car.

No gamblers have newer type cars

Come clean Bobby

here is my car:

curious · 02-10-09, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by bobbyfk

went out to my car and it wouldst start, would not even turn over, called them up, they were here in 20 mins and gave me a jump, i didn't leave anything on that i was aware of, hopefully this doesn't happen again

I don't understand. Why did the alcoholics come to start your car? Are you in rehab or something?

Sinister Cat · 02-10-09, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by pavyracer

When I travel away from my house I have 12V portable jump starter. It costs less than AAA membership for one year and you only buy it once...not every year.

Smart that you do that. FWIW though I have been assisted at least 5 times by AAA and it was never for only a jump:
- distributor stopped working (car stopped running in the middle of a busy road)
- gas line froze and ignitor wasn't giving a good spark, the gas line antifreeze that I had in the car didn't help (took two tows for that problem; first shop I towed it to was taking too long so I had it towed again to the dealership, both for free)
- alternator broke
- battery totally shot (they replaced it on the spot with their battery service)

Anyway, that was all with two different older cars. I don't have an old car right now so I don't bother with AAA. I stand by my assertion that if you have an older car (say, 8+ yrs old), then AAA is worth it.