"Had a flat tire last year and they showed up in about 30 mins, which surprised me."
That's pretty good timing, honestly. But in my experience, relying solely on manufacturer roadside assistance can be a bit tricky, especially if you're traveling far from home or in remote areas. Last summer, I took a road trip through some pretty isolated parts of Colorado and Utah. My buddy's car battery died near Moab, and his manufacturer's roadside service told us it'd be at least two hours before someone could reach us. Luckily, we had AAA as a backup—ended up being about 45 mins instead.
Not knocking the manufacturer's service at all—it can definitely save you cash if you don't travel much—but for longer trips or if you're often in rural spots, it might be worth having a secondary option. Just something to consider depending on your driving habits and destinations...
I've had pretty decent luck with AAA myself, but I get what you're saying about manufacturer roadside assistance. A few months back, my car (luxury brand, supposedly great service...) had a dead battery in the middle of nowhere. Manufacturer said it'd be at least 90 mins. AAA showed up in under an hour. My take:
- Manufacturer assistance: great for city/suburbs.
- AAA: better backup for remote areas or long trips.
Guess it depends on where you drive most often...
"Manufacturer assistance: great for city/suburbs.
AAA: better backup for remote areas or long trips."
Yeah, this matches my experience pretty closely. I've had AAA bail me out a couple times on long commutes when I was stuck in the middle of nowhere. Manufacturer roadside always seems to have fewer trucks available, especially outside major cities. But lately, I've noticed AAA response times creeping up too—maybe they're getting stretched thin?
Also, has anyone else noticed AAA pushing their own battery replacements more aggressively? Last time I called for a jump-start, the guy immediately tried selling me a new battery. Felt a bit pushy, honestly. Makes me wonder if their roadside assistance is becoming more sales-oriented than it used to be...
Still, overall, AAA's been reliable enough that I keep renewing. Just curious if others have seen similar trends or if it's just my luck lately.
Makes me wonder if their roadside assistance is becoming more sales-oriented than it used to be...
I've definitely noticed AAA pushing batteries more lately. Last time I called for a flat tire, the guy casually mentioned my battery looked "iffy"—even though I'd replaced it just 6 months earlier. Still, they're usually solid when you're stranded far out, so I stick with them.
I've noticed this too lately, seems like they're definitely leaning into upselling batteries and stuff. A few months back, I called AAA because my car wouldn't start after class. The guy tested my battery and said it was "borderline," but I knew I'd just had it checked at the dealership a week earlier. He wasn't pushy about it, but still... felt like a subtle sales pitch.
That said, I agree they're still reliable when you're really stuck somewhere remote or late at night. Maybe it's just the individual techs trying to hit quotas or something? Either way, it's good you're aware and cautious about it—always better to trust your gut and double-check before buying anything extra.
