I just upgrrraded my c4 vert to a c5 vert. The c5 has a brand new set of goodyear f1 eagles on it with less than a hundred miles on them but they are not run flats. I don't want to waste a perfect set of tires, is anybody aware of what type of doughnut or collapsable spare that will fit the car and trunk for an emergency ?

 

If you got the spare how are you going to change it?

 

AAA plus

http://mn-ia.aaa.com/joinsem.aspx?cid=DeepLink_joinsem2&zip=5 2404&devicecd=PC&gclid=CjwKEAjw-IOwBRD1wrTC27fSjFISJABUDZ17c7b_jUYiI5vRx y6QAWVDH6jMrBYh6eTwo7GCM2VvLhoCFrvw_wcB& referer=www.aaa.com&$P=

 

I keep a can of this in the trunk, it has got me home several times.

 

I have AAA they have changed flats on my c4 before.

 

Some guys use a pontiac space saver, but I wouldn't bother.

Tire tech has advanced , there is no longer a need to carry extra tires in case of failure, because a failure is now very rare. Tires are one of the most durable and trouble free items on the car. They now run safety ads on TV trying to get people to please check their tires.

Besides, you need two different sizes so to cover all the bases, so you would need to strap a couple extra to the fenders , as they did in the brass radiator days of old.

If this sounds like an attack on your judgement, it is not. I just figured you wanted to bring the old trusted ways forward, and wanted to point out this is not needed.

If you check into this from postings here, you will find guys strapping wheels down in the hatch and a bunch of other answers to a problem that is rare, and easily handled in these days of cell phones , multiple emergency roadside services and spare tire in a can. All of these things were unknown when your old car hit the streets.

I made my own kit along the lines of the z car flat kit, some like the factory BMW flat kit. And I belong to the Auto club, for the option of a flat bed tow, although I could call them for flat service if I wanted to waste time. I find chemical tire sealant quick and easy. Downside, hard on chrome, only lasts two years or so. I use an electric pump instead of the pressure cans because of space concerns.

Biplanes used to run a second wing for safety, it kind of died out. It used to be common to hang a water bag for the radiator needs when traveling the desert. Now you don't even have a bumper to hang one from , if you wanted. Phones used to need a wired grid to work. I used to be young. Things change.

Congratulation on your buying decision, convertibles are the highest form of automotive expression.

I have my flat kit in the left hand depression in the trunk, a small air pump from harbor freight tools, it will pump one big tire quickly, and triggers a heat shutoff if asked for much more. But it is small and came with a black canvas case that is big enough to stuff a thin bottle of tire sealant inside, for a tidy package. I probably should include a set of gloves and hand cleaner.

 

Once my wife sat on the side of the road for almost three hours waiting for AAA. They get paid very little for a tow and are not all that enthusiastic about coming to help.

 

Some have used the compact spare from a Pontiac GTO. But, you'll need a jack and lug wrench in the car to do the change.

I run non-runflats on my car and still carry a portable air compressor and a plug kit just in case I get a flat. But, I also have emergency road service, including towing, on my insurance policy so that if something does happen, I can just make a call and have help on the way.

 

And that's why I don't use AAA. Instead, I have a road hazard rider on my State Farm insurance that is dirt cheap (used to be $2 every 6 months, I think its up to $8-10 every six months now) and if I need ANYTHING (flat, car locked, tow, etc) I pick who I want to do it. I call em and get it done. The bad part? I have to pay for it myself. The good part? I take my receipt to the SF office and I get a reimbursement check for 100% of the amount immediately. No waiting. Way better IMHO and Way cheaper too.

 

I keep a cigarette plug electric tire air pump in the back of my c5 for emergency.

 

Suppose you get the car up and the spare on. Where are you putting the flat? On the roof with bungee cords? Make up a repair kit with a compressor and stick it in the back. And don't get runflats, they ride like crap, and handle just as badly too, plus they are noisy, despite what anyone will tell you.

 

Sage advice

 

Good idea, but I found that State Farm was a lot more expensive than my insurance when I did a comparison.

 

I used to have roadside assistance with State Farm until I had to use it once. State Farm counted it as a claim as if I had an accident. Forget that! I found that out about the claim when I went to get Hagerty insurance and they gave me a "claim report". Also, with State Farm, I had to purchase roadside assistance policy four times to cover my four vehicles, with AAA I purchase just one policy which covers my four vehicles and my daughter's car.

I've used AAA a few times (though never for a flat tire) and had great service on the phone and great towing (always a flatbed).

Though rare, tire blowouts still do happen. I had a tire blowout on my Ford Expedition. The tire had only about 300 miles on it when it blew.

 

Your calculation is slightly off. You should compare State Farm vs your current insurance + your AAA membership. Is it still higher? Besides, my point wasn't to use State Farm. I suspect most insurance companies have something similar, maybe even your current one. My Vette is not insured with State Farm either. I have Leland West (American Modern). Full coverage, 0 deductible, $30 month. That plan has its own road hazard plan as well and that is also included in the $30 monthly. The Vette is not my DD.

 

Hmm, my experience has been totally different. I've probably used the road hazard thing about 5-6 times in my life. Not much I know. But it was never counted as a claim. Unusual.

 

AAA was 80 bucks a year for me and my wife. State Farm was 30 bucks a month more for all our cars.

 

Here's one more thing I just found out. You can get this roadside hazard stuff from your cell phone carrier (except Tmobile).

From an article I found:
3. Auto insurance providers

If you have comprehensive and collision auto insurance, you can add roadside and towing assistance to your plan. While the cost varies depending on your location and the type of car you drive, these are the estimates I got:

Progressive – $3 per month
Geico – $1.83 per month
State Farm – $4.10 per month

4. Wireless service providers

While my wireless provider (T-Mobile) doesn’t offer roadside assistance, most of the major carriers do. You get towing (distance limits may apply), locksmith assistance, tire changes, and gas service. Here are the costs:

AT&T – $2.99 per month
Verizon Wireless – $3 per month
Sprint – $4 per month

I had no idea you could get this from the carriers. More choices.

Some more reading material: http://www.moneytalksnews.com/aaa-worth-the-cost/