Hi guys,

I have AAA insurance and roadside assistance here in CA which is great. I got a mailer from AAA about their car care shop which is pretty close to me. I guess it's basically an auto repair shop that gives pretty nice discounts for its AAA members. So my questions is if any of you have AAA and had them perform any work on your Porsche?

 

AAA is good for emergency but always take your car to a Porsche specialist. I get mine towed to my garage since I am my mechanic.

 

I fully agree. AAA is okay for emergency assistance if you get stranded.

Always make sure that you ask them for a bed truck. You don't want your Porsche car hanging with chains from a tow truck.

Yves

 

+1000
To rephrase, when you call ALWAYS ask for a flatbed. You don't want to wait 30-60 minutes and you get told by the AAA driver that he might wreck your car and that you need to wait in the queue again for a flatbed.

If the operator ask why, tell them "the car is too low for a sling truck."

I think it costs more for AAA when a flatbed gets called in.

 

AAA is invaluable, it's saved my *ss many times. Well worth the price. My wife's previous car was an S4 quattro so we always demanded a flat bed; good to know it's the far better choice for her 911S Cab and how to request one.

 

Get AAA Plus with the extended towing distance which I believe is 400 miles and the rider for trailer towing. This way you can get you car to a good mechanic from the middle of nowhere. The trailer rider insures that your trailer is not left by the side of the road when the car has a problem. These two items have saved me a couple of times.

 

Second this.

I didn't have this coverage when I had a problem - as in hit a mule deer -- with my 996 Turbo in Ely NV. I ended up having to pay $1500 to have the car towed 600 miles to Livermore CA. (Damn insurance wouldn't pay. Told me to have the car repaired at a local garage and drive the car home. I have to stop now or I get so mad...)

More recently, I had to have my Boxster towed and while it was just 10 miles it was nice to not have to fork out for the tow.

Added: Actually I do not think AAA covers towing in case of an accident. It would have towed the car had the engine failed or something like that.

 

Yep. I agree with what everyone has said so far about AAA towing. I think I have used their towing 3 or 4 times already. Anyway, I think I'll stick with the dealership or maybe an indy Porsche shop for repairs.

 

Hmmmm? I thought it was like 200. Still, 200 or 400 has been plenty for me.










And don't forget their extra motor vehicle services: registration, title transfers, maps, etc.


Note: AAA could actually terminate your membership if you use your towing privileges too many times.

 

Luckily here in the SF Bay Area most of the AAA trucks are now flatbeds. I have the extended coverage which goes for 200 miles per incident and will allow them to tow the car anywhere for any reason w/in that mileage. I would never let a traditional tow truck touch one of my cars. I also make sure they tie the car down with their nylon webbing straps over the tires and not through the rims. I do not want my cars damaged or scratched when towed.

 

Here is the $6,000,000 question:

Do you tip the driver?

Per the tipping guide, you aren't suposed to unless they go above and beyond.

 

I always tip people that provide me with good service….always. I used to be a bartender so I'm a bit biased to tipping!!

Tom

 

AAA Basic is 7 miles on towing
AAA Plus is 100 miles on towing
AAA Premier is 200 miles on towing just to clarify.

 

My friend's McLaren had a flat tire, and he called AAA to have the car flatbed towed. After waiting 30 mins, AAA showed up, told him his car was too expensive for them to touch, then drove away. How's that for AAA service!

 

I hope your friend called AAA and spoke with a supervisor on the idiot in the tow truck who refused to tow it McLaren or not!