Author Topic: Roadside services (Read 7927 times)

dkaz · « **Reply #20 on:** June 23, 2017, 01:37:59 pm »

CAA to me is the cost of owning an older vehicle, which is still way cheaper than a newer one. It's even more critical on motorcycles -- I can't just slap a spare on if I get a flat tire.

johngenx · « **Reply #21 on:** June 23, 2017, 01:41:42 pm »

If you're mostly a city dweller, then you will for sure come out ahead if you pay for tows out of pocket and drive fairly new vehicles. A friend of mine needed a tow from Nordegg - 300km - and it was over $1K - and that's not a scamming price, that's what a longer distance tow costs these days.

Honestly, we'd be better off self-insuring than buying CAA every year. But, I'm a little risk averse in this area, and the missus frequently travels by herself to BC, and she really likes knowing that she can make a call for assistance no matter what. So, for the two hundred and some odd bucks a year, that alone is worth it.

Fobroader · « **Reply #22 on:** June 23, 2017, 01:43:23 pm »

I guess I have enough friends with car trailers and trucks that hauling my vehicle from anywhere is cheaper than paying every year. I would much rather give a buddy a few hundred bucks in diesel once, than pay every year.

dkaz · « **Reply #23 on:** June 23, 2017, 01:59:43 pm »

That's one thing CAA is useless at, it will not pull people out of snow if the area is not clear of snow. Thank goodness for friendly strangers who drive pickup trucks and carry a tow cable. I want to be that good stranger one day.

Fobroader · « **Reply #24 on:** June 23, 2017, 02:03:22 pm »

Having always had a 4x4 and a recovery strap, Ive pulled lots of people out of ditches and snow banks. I always hear the tow trucks 5 or 6 hours away.....even worse for a boost.

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Noto · « **Reply #25 on:** June 23, 2017, 02:13:37 pm »

Quote from: johngenx on June 23, 2017, 01:41:42 pm

If you're mostly a city dweller, then you will for sure come out ahead if you pay for tows out of pocket and drive fairly new vehicles. A friend of mine needed a tow from Nordegg - 300km - and it was over $1K - and that's not a scamming price, that's what a longer distance tow costs these days.

Honestly, we'd be better off self-insuring than buying CAA every year. But, I'm a little risk averse in this area, and the missus frequently travels by herself to BC, and she really likes knowing that she can make a call for assistance no matter what. So, for the two hundred and some odd bucks a year, that alone is worth it.

My commuting will be between Guelph and Toronto. Always in "some" city, sure, but >10km from the closest "authorized repair centre" almost certainly. The wife's commute? Not so much. Rather than get coverage on the vehicle, I'd rather get coverage on the person as we're never really that far apart.

Still not really sure what's right for us. I think CAA's plus, but I don't want to pay $128 (HST incl) that technically doesn't cover my wife. Now I'm leaning more towards the whole, "meh, let's roll the dice"

Gurgie · « **Reply #26 on:** June 23, 2017, 02:15:46 pm »

Just roll the dice buddy, it will all workout fine

Thought the wife's commute is super short in Guelph? Besides, you've got Weels nearby to help out

my2cents · « **Reply #27 on:** June 23, 2017, 02:17:21 pm »

Canadian Tire Gold is $50 (half price) at the moment. It may also include a free oil change.
on the car not driver - can add 3 cars at discount
250 km tow 5 calls/yr
flatbed and dolly wheels
extracation/winching 2 trucks for 60 mins.

http://roadsideassistance.canadiantire.ca/en.html

7 page discussion here

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/canadian-tire-canadian-tire-50-off-gold-roadside-assistance-starts-june-22nd-2107628/

Noto · « **Reply #28 on:** June 23, 2017, 02:55:12 pm »

Quote from: my2cents on June 23, 2017, 02:17:21 pm

Canadian Tire Gold is $50 (half price) at the moment. It may also include a free oil change.
on the car not driver - can add 3 cars at discount
250 km tow 5 calls/yr
flatbed and dolly wheels
extracation/winching 2 trucks for 60 mins.

http://roadsideassistance.canadiantire.ca/en.html

That helps for one year, though still, it's "per car" and not per person. I'd rather it be on the person than on the car. Hmm...

it, I'll buy it.

...and next year I'm sure it'll be back up to $99.95, at which point Costco's SOS option through CT would be cheaper for two vehicles - or maybe there will be another promotion

Gurgie · « **Reply #29 on:** June 23, 2017, 03:06:20 pm »

^or it'll be on sale again next year around this same time and you can buy it for $50 again, ya cheap little b@stard!

Noto · « **Reply #30 on:** June 23, 2017, 03:09:43 pm »

Yeah - I went for it x2. It's $100 + tax, but gives me 2 free oil changes, 2 oil changes at $19.99, and 2 "road ready packages" - which include:

Quote

•   Oil change; battery test; tire rotation and inflation
•   Fluid top-ups (windshield washer, power steering and transmission)
•   Lubrication of door locks and hinges
•   Visual inspection of brakes, steering and suspension, drive axle boots/seals
•   Analysis of timing belt (based on mileage)
•   A printout of your vehicle inspection report

The battery test is useless, as is the tire rotation and inflation, but the fluid top up is worth a couple of bucks

The door lock/hinge lube is decent, and hey, at least I'll figure out if the steering/suspension is all good or something.

I wonder what the analysis of my timing belt will show considering the Mazda 3 has a timing chain?

I obviously don't need 6 oil changes (though Mazda does make it close) - I put synthetic in the Fozzie, so these "freebies" won't apply (unless I can do it as a reasonable "upcharge" to synthetic). I'll use up the 3, and the other 3 I can give to my dad or brothers or something.

blur911 · « **Reply #31 on:** March 24, 2018, 01:41:26 pm »

http://www.napaautopro.com/uploads/files/napa-roadside-assistance-q-a_03-14-2018.pdf

A friend was telling me about this, only $20 for 6 months,

Quote

• If your vehicle is within 40 km, it will be towed back to your original NAPA service centre
OR, in the event that there is no authorized NAPA service centre within 40 km, to another
fully licensed service and repair facility or to the nearest dealer of the vehicle's original
manufacturer.

Noto · « **Reply #32 on:** March 24, 2018, 02:26:48 pm »

I got the Home Trust Preferred Visa, which offers free roadside assistance on a no-fee card. Free towing is limited to 5km, $3 thereafter. I've nevertheless actually called for roadside, so if I'm saving $100/year and then have to pay even $300, I'll likely be ahead.

ArticSteve · « **Reply #33 on:** March 24, 2018, 02:50:40 pm »

Quote from: 84im on June 23, 2017, 09:56:17 am

We have BCAA's premium membership, which allows for three tows each year (250km each tow).

For years I never needed to have any of my vehicles towed, and then I bought a V8 Miata.
In the next two years I had to have the car towed 5 times. Three tows were for overheating, one tow was for a broken drive shaft U joint while at my local drag strip, and the last tow was for a broken axle.

A couple of days ago I used my BCAA membership to have my Thing towed to an auto repair shop, so I'm still getting my money's worth.

^^
Anyone with hobby cars just loves CAA Premium. PPl driving beaters also need it but they don't have excess income. Up to about 10 years ago CAA didn't even require the vehicle to be plated. Then they upped that and can ask for proof of insurance an attempt to eliminate the hobby and restoration guys.

As for regular drivers, particularly men, it's fairly useless in relation to the cost. Men can change a flat in 15 minutes (breaker bar is recommended). Generally, the wait is going to be 1 hour min.

tpl · « **Reply #34 on:** March 24, 2018, 04:28:50 pm »

Most of the time at least one car is under the manufacturers roadside assistance. Beginning of May when the Q5 is out of warranty will be the first time since 2000 that neither car is...

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dkaz · « **Reply #35 on:** March 24, 2018, 06:16:39 pm »

Since I joined in 2015, I made the following service calls:

2015 - Odyssey starter went, BCAA tech was able to start the car and I drove it to a mechanic.
2015 - Vino 125 scooter tire blowout on highway.
2016 - Mazda3 locked out of running car while delivering newspapers when door lock failed to auto unlock.
2016 - Friend locked key in car
2016 - Vino 125 scooter CVT belt broke
2016 - Vino 125 scooter engine blew up
2017 - Vino 125 scooter wouldn't start after filling up from assumed empty fuel tank. Spark plug came off.
2018 - Sienna battery drained, unable to use key to unlock door.

EV-Light · « **Reply #36 on:** March 26, 2018, 01:18:55 am »

Quote from: DKaz on March 24, 2018, 06:16:39 pm

Since I joined in 2015, I made the following service calls:

2015 - Odyssey starter went, BCAA tech was able to start the car and I drove it to a mechanic.
2015 - Vino 125 scooter tire blowout on highway.
2016 - Mazda3 locked out of running car while delivering newspapers when door lock failed to auto unlock.
2016 - Friend locked key in car
2016 - Vino 125 scooter CVT belt broke
2016 - Vino 125 scooter engine blew up
2017 - Vino 125 scooter wouldn't start after filling up from assumed empty fuel tank. Spark plug came off.
2018 - Sienna battery drained, unable to use key to unlock door.

My gosh!!!!

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rrocket · « **Reply #37 on:** March 26, 2018, 01:33:35 am »

FWIW, many credit card companies and your car insurance company offer roadside assistance plans.

Noto · « **Reply #38 on:** March 26, 2018, 08:58:18 am »

Quote from: rrocket on March 26, 2018, 01:33:35 am

FWIW, many credit card companies and your car insurance company offer roadside assistance plans.

The car insurance programs are not usually very good. IIRC, TD wanted over $100/year for it, in which case I'd be better off with CAA or CT.

...but free is always better (with many, many exceptions)

my2cents · « **Reply #39 on:** April 17, 2018, 02:17:11 pm »

For those interested the Gold Plan is half price again in the upcoming flyer.

Promo code is D117-18 at checkout.

I buy at the cashier and activate online within 1 year. So I activated last Nov 2017. I'll probably buy another card and activate it when the other expires.

They are also easy to deal with by phone if you want to add this to a current plan.

RFD discussion about it possibly being on the vehicle or on the driver here

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/canadian-tire-1-2-price-canadian-tire-gold-roadside-assistance-49-95-2187038/