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Subject:Re: AAA coverage...worth it?
From:David McNeely
Date:Thu, 11 Mar 2021 11:15:53 -0800

Ah.  Well, here in Washington, they send you a notice and you can do the
transaction on the web.  The tabs then come in the mail.

On Thu, Mar 11, 2021 at 10:49 AM Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@gmail.com>
wrote:

> David,
>
>  Many California CSAA offices have kiosks that allow you to update your
> auto registration and other DMV
> business transactions.  I don't have
> a list of what else they provide but
> I'm sure google can help you there.
>
> Steven
> 91 Westy
>
> On Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 10:42 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
>> >
>>
>