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
>