Ditching the runflats. Triple A worth it?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 675
Likes: 2
From: Indy Indiana
Ditching the runflats. Triple A worth it?
I have been thinking about signing up with AAA for a while and wouldn't you know it I think they were reading my mind. I checked my mail today and there was a packet in there to sign up. $62 a year. I will be putting the new tires that are not runflats on the car in a week and figure $62 would be good piece of mind. Anybody had to use them for towing, spare, etc? I am curious as to the service and their reputation with Vettes....
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
They won't be able to help with a roadside flat but they will arrange a tow to some one who can. AAA is a good investment for many reasons including the dreaded flat.
you asked, spend the bucks IMO!
p.s I also carry a Visa with a $100K limit and a Sig Pro and a cell phone!
Runflats su** I never looked back!
you asked, spend the bucks IMO!
p.s I also carry a Visa with a $100K limit and a Sig Pro and a cell phone!
Runflats su** I never looked back!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,070
Likes: 1,293
From: Central Ma
Not a direct answer for you, but I just signed up for AAA after debating for years, just never got around to it.
Just for the insurance discount alone it's worth it here in Mass.
One warning. I signed up in April and two of my policies renew in May. My agent told me after the fact that the discount would apply on the renewal date which fortunately worked out for me, but had I been a week later I would have missed out on the entire year and been pissed.
Two more policies start in June so I'll save about $40x4.
Cost me $52 to join.
Just for the insurance discount alone it's worth it here in Mass.
One warning. I signed up in April and two of my policies renew in May. My agent told me after the fact that the discount would apply on the renewal date which fortunately worked out for me, but had I been a week later I would have missed out on the entire year and been pissed.
Two more policies start in June so I'll save about $40x4.
Cost me $52 to join.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
You do NOT want AAA towing your Corvette. (Well, at least I know I wouldn't want them towing MY Corvette)
Carry a plug kit, a portable air compressor/pump, a small jack and a can of fix a flat for the extreme emergency situation..
Carry a plug kit, a portable air compressor/pump, a small jack and a can of fix a flat for the extreme emergency situation..
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,338
Likes: 66
From: Whittier California
I have had AAA for over thirty years and it has been well worth it. If you need to tow your Corvette tell them over the phone, they must bring a flatbed. I have the Premier card. Check out all the options with AAA and decide what is best for you. Hope this helps. PS I also ditched the runflats.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
I have been thinking about signing up with AAA for a while and wouldn't you know it I think they were reading my mind. I checked my mail today and there was a packet in there to sign up. $62 a year. I will be putting the new tires that are not runflats on the car in a week and figure $62 would be good piece of mind. Anybody had to use them for towing, spare, etc? I am curious as to the service and their reputation with Vettes....
I've never needed roadside assistance, knock on wood, but I've used their coverage to get a locksmith out three times in the past to unlock my car. I went through stage a few years ago when I left the keys in the ignition at work because it's a secured area. I broke that habit quick. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota City MN
I have roadside on my car insurance. For about $12 per year, its a way better deal than any motorclub. I have had to use it twice for the vette and once for the wife's blazer...at no cost!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach Fl
Bad experience with AAA
I had an issue with AAA when my class C motorhome (van front end) conked out at an Atlanta intersection, huge intersection with 4 lanes in all directions. I know this is not a corvette, but very similar as in a unique vehicle. Cops took 30 minutes to arrive and help direct traffic. AAA took 2 hours to arrive. When he got there, it was a pickup truck with a battery booster box. The battery was not the issue. I could crank and crank all day. It just wouldn't start. Anyway, AAA couldn't give us a timeframe of when a wrecker would arrive. The police called the next rotation wrecker who only took a few minutes and we were on the hook to the nearest repair shop. The problem turned out to be the brain box. This was 2 years ago and needless to say, I have never sent AAA another penny. We immediately joined Good Sam club instead and they cover all vehicles, not just motorhomes. I don't remember the cost exactly, but it is very comparable. I realize this could have been as isolated incident. But when someone leaves you standing high and dry in a precarious position, you tend to lose all of your patience and that company won't get a second chance.
Food for thought
Food for thought
Last edited by starrsvet; May 8, 2009 at 10:04 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 366
Likes: 2
From: deptford New Jersey
aaa
It is definitly worth it.Sometimes they take a while to get out to you, but its a nice service. Make sure you go with the plus. I think the plus will tow you 100 miles no charge.The basic is 50 miles and a charge for milage over whatever is stated.
Take from a guy who use to run a couple british cars. Its well worth it.
I broke down in Ocean City NJ and they flatbeded me 65 miles back to my house.
Good Luck
Take from a guy who use to run a couple british cars. Its well worth it.
I broke down in Ocean City NJ and they flatbeded me 65 miles back to my house.
Good Luck
I have been thinking about signing up with AAA for a while and wouldn't you know it I think they were reading my mind. I checked my mail today and there was a packet in there to sign up. $62 a year. I will be putting the new tires that are not runflats on the car in a week and figure $62 would be good piece of mind. Anybody had to use them for towing, spare, etc? I am curious as to the service and their reputation with Vettes....
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Heath Texas
I haven't had the Vette towed by AAA, but I did on another car. It was lowered and would never survive a regular tow truck. When I called in to AAA, I specifically requested a flat bed. That's what they sent. Worked out just fine.
I've used them to change tires (I had a bum arm), jump start once, and inflate a spare that was low. Not sure if the service is cost effective, but I think more of it as insurance.
I've used them to change tires (I had a bum arm), jump start once, and inflate a spare that was low. Not sure if the service is cost effective, but I think more of it as insurance.
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If you don't already have emergency road service on your car insurance policy, then AAA is not a bad deal. However, you will probably find that the service on your insurance policy is much cheaper if all you are looking for is a tow/flat service.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 675
Likes: 2
From: Indy Indiana
I am getting ready ot switch insurance to Grundy and I have a work car that is covered through works policy as my daily driver. Looks like I'll be calling AAA today. Thanks guys for the input.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I've called AAA to tow my Corvette and they did an awesome job. They used a flatbed and soft straps anywhere that was close to the car. The front end didn't even scrap when they pulled it up. That being said, AAA is not a towing company. They just dispatch the closet towing company to you and reimburse them for the cost. You're still at the mercy of who they send and what kind of mood they're in. Sometimes during rush hour in a busy city it will take you 2 hours or more to get a tow, but then again it would take that long even if you paid out of pocket and didn't have AAA. Having AAA usually nets you some discounts sometimes.
I personally wouldn't use Fix-a-flat for the tires due to the fact there's a good chance it will mess up your tire sensors. I'd get AAA and a proper tire repair kit with an air compressor just to cover all angles. Keep in mind, where you pick up a flat is not always the most convenient place to fix one. Runflats may have their performance downsides but when you actually have a flat they really beat any other alternative.
I personally wouldn't use Fix-a-flat for the tires due to the fact there's a good chance it will mess up your tire sensors. I'd get AAA and a proper tire repair kit with an air compressor just to cover all angles. Keep in mind, where you pick up a flat is not always the most convenient place to fix one. Runflats may have their performance downsides but when you actually have a flat they really beat any other alternative.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 1
From: st.louis mo.
I would go with AAA but just for added peice of mind you can buy one of those Z06 tire repair and pump kits.They're sellin em on e-bay all the time Personally i carry a green slime tire kit comes with sealant and airpump i also carry tire plugs just in case. These kits are good for repairing flats but if your sidewall gets punctured or you have a blowout AAA is the way to go.
Personally i carry a green slime tire kit comes with sealant and airpump i also carry tire plugs just in case. These kits are good for repairing flats but if your sidewall gets punctured or you have a blowout AAA is the way to go.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 476
Likes: 1
From: New York
I have Triple AAA. No way would I do without them. They came right away when my LS1 engine hydro locked. First tow truck company couldn't handle my slammed C5, but they called another tow truck company and the guy had no issues at all. Money well spent.
I have been thinking about signing up with AAA for a while and wouldn't you know it I think they were reading my mind. I checked my mail today and there was a packet in there to sign up. $62 a year. I will be putting the new tires that are not runflats on the car in a week and figure $62 would be good piece of mind. Anybody had to use them for towing, spare, etc? I am curious as to the service and their reputation with Vettes....