Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2021 12:24:57 -0800
Reply-To: Mark Belanger <mbelanger@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Belanger <mbelanger@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: AAA coverage...worth it?
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxOVoOzawErC4pyD6iew3t1S4FsGmoYPWy_hDdj78xfZ=A@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
You can take care of vehicle registration and other things at many AAA
offices. I haven't gone to a DMV in years, though I finally will with the
Real ID changes coming soon.
-MB
On Thu, Mar 11, 2021 at 10:41 AM David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Mark, what do you mean by the comment about living in California, and not
> having to deal with DMV about renewals and other things?
>
> On Thu, Mar 11, 2021 at 10:01 AM Mark Belanger <mbelanger@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I once saw a sticker that said, "Insurance is a side bet against
>> yourself,"
>> which I found rather funny. It's like any "insurance," which you pay for,
>> but rarely use. When I needed it (dead battery in an airport parking lot,
>> mysterious engine failure, running out of gas due to wonky gas gauge), I
>> sure was happy to have it. Plus, living in California, it's almost worth
>> it
>> just to not have to deal with the DMV for renewals and what not.
>>
>> Additionally, I think you're looking at it wrong. Sure $3K is a lot of
>> money, but you're not spending it at once. If you look at your
>> alcohol/steak/guilty pleasure bill over 30 years, I'm sure you wouldn't be
>> happy with the number either. I've definitely gotten more out of AAA than
>> I've spent, but it sounds like your mileage varies (pun intended).
>>
>>
>> -MB
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 5:27 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > I recently posted about wondering about condition and life of spare tire
>> > in your clamshell. Many great tips and experiences posted, thank you.
>> >
>> > So...what about AAA? Many people recommend. I got a 1 year membership
>> > gifted to me a few years back; I loved it! Never used it. Except for
>> > their excellent paper maps! I picked up gobs of them.
>> >
>> >
>> > I think a 1 year membership is about $100. I've owned my Vanagon 30+
>> > years. So doing the math, that's like $3000. Wow...that sure buys a
>> LOT
>> > of batteries. And wire brushes and grease to treat electrical terminals
>> > throughout Vanagon. And, I keep my eye on the fuel gauge and estimate
>> > travel ahead. Flat tires? Sure, having a reliable spare tire and even
>> a
>> > crummy stock Vanagon jack to lift, and spending a few bucks for a better
>> > lug wrench works wonders. So far, we are way more money ahead! Not to
>> > mention the downtime of waiting for the truck to arrive.
>> >
>> > But, twice in my experience, bad things happen. Once blown out front
>> > wheel bearings; another time was a snapped ring terminal on big red
>> wire to
>> > starter motor. Okay, bummer. So then you pay the big bucks for the
>> > flatbed ride of shame.
>> >
>> > That's the thing, though. Instead of paying over and over each year for
>> > something like AAA, you do your maintenance, and in the worst case
>> scenario
>> > you bring out the cellphone and the credit card for the tow. Still, way
>> > more money ahead. Yes, they will have the fuel; yes, they can do the
>> jump
>> > to battery; yes, they can tow if that is the only alternative. All the
>> > independent tow guys got this stuff.
>> >
>> >
>> > Thoughts and opinions?
>> >
>> > Rich
>> > San Diego
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> ________________________________________________________________________
>> Mark Belanger - mbelanger@gmail.com
>>
>
--
________________________________________________________________________
Mark Belanger - mbelanger@gmail.com
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