Good points—roadside assistance isn't a one-size-fits-all thing. A portable jump starter saved me more than once, and honestly, if you're comfortable handling minor issues yourself, skipping the monthly fee makes sense. It's all about your comfort level and driving habits, really.
Portable jump starters are great, but what about more serious breakdowns—like a blown tire or overheating? Had my '67 Mustang strand me once with a busted radiator hose... roadside assistance would've been nice then. Sure, minor issues are easy enough if you're handy, but sometimes things go south fast. Do you guys carry extra parts or tools just in case, or do you trust your luck and cell reception?
"Sure, minor issues are easy enough if you're handy, but sometimes things go south fast."
Yeah, that's exactly my thinking too. I mean, portable jump starters are handy for sure, but they're pretty limited to battery issues. I've had a couple of breakdowns that made me realize relying solely on luck or cell reception isn't the smartest move.
I used to just carry basic tools and hope for the best, but after getting stranded once with a blown tire in an area with zero bars (of course), I changed my approach. Now I keep a small emergency kit in the trunk—nothing crazy, just a decent jack, tire plug kit, fix-a-flat spray (though I know some folks hate that stuff), and a basic socket set. Also threw in a roll of duct tape and zip ties because...well, duct tape fixes everything temporarily, right?
But honestly, even with all that gear, I'm still skeptical about how much good it'll do if something major goes wrong. Like your radiator hose issue—unless you're carrying spare hoses or belts (and who does that?), you're pretty much stuck waiting for roadside assistance anyway. And older cars like your Mustang can be unpredictable; my buddy's classic Camaro overheated once and we ended up improvising with bottled water and electrical tape just to limp home. Not ideal.
So yeah, I'm cautious enough to carry some essentials now, but realistically, there's only so much you can prepare for. Curious though—has anyone here actually had success fixing something serious roadside with just basic tools and ingenuity? Seems like those stories always involve equal parts skill and luck...