by Gabrielle DeSantis

The AAA roadside assistance team is always ready to jump to your rescue when you need them. It could be that you have a flat tire, your battery needs to be jump-started, or your car has broken down in the middle of nowhere. When you’re in an emergency that requires a roadside assistance provider, you know you can always count on AAA. 

The US has developed a tipping culture. You’re expected to tip people who provide services such as hairdressing, waitressing, valet services, etc. For most of these services, the expected tip is usually defined. However, the question remains when it comes to AAA: should you tip AAA roadside assistance drivers?

What benefits do AAA members get?

AAA has been in operation for more than a century, and currently, it’s one of the most reliable roadside assistance providers. It has 3 main membership tiers that offer varying benefits.

AAA Classic membership’s annual cost ranges from $38 to $74, and for each additional member, you pay a minimum of $25. With this membership tier, you get benefits such as 4 towing services for a maximum of 7 miles each year, a car lockout limit of $50, roadside assistance due to dead battery, car tire, and fuel. 

AAA Plus memberships cost $60 to $124, with each additional member costing you a minimum of $34. In addition to the classic membership benefits, the towing services are increased to 100 miles each, the lockout limits double to $100, and you also get free fuel delivery. 

AAA Premier membership members in this tier pay $77 to $164, and additional members cost you a minimum of $45. In addition to the plus membership benefits, the lockout limit is increased to $150, and you get three 100-miles tows and a 200-mile tow. You also get a $1,500 trip distribution coverage and a free rental car for a day with a tow. 

What discounts are associated with memberships?

AAA memberships also come with impressive discounts, including 10% off all auto bodies and repair shops that have been pre-approved by AAA. You also get discounts on entertainment spots such as museums and amusement parks, a 20% minimum discount on moving trucks and off-car rentals, and discounts on vision care and prescriptions.

Other benefits include 10% off on oil change, free AAA membership renewal, and discounts on electronics from selected companies. It’s important to note that these benefits vary based on region, and in some places, the limits are much more generous. 

Is it recommend to tip drivers?

If you call the AAA hotline and ask this question, they will tell you that you are not obligated to tip drivers because they’re already paid to offer roadside assistance. However, even though you’re not expected to tip, some situations might warrant it. For instance, if your car breaks down late at night in the middle of nowhere and there’s bad weather, it’s courteous to tip the driver. 

Yes, they’re doing their job, but they went into a lot of trouble to ensure you get the assistance you need, despite the circumstances.  Tipping is not only the right thing to do; it also shows that you’re happy with the services provided. 

The truth is offering roadside assistance is not easy. Most of these drivers go beyond what is expected of them to make sure you get home safely. A driver may even offer you a ride home after taking your car to an auto body shop. 

These drivers also work for long hours, often in difficult conditions. In one Reddit thread, AAA roadside assistance drivers highlighted that you’re not required to offset their tips, but it goes a long way in motivating them.

RELATED: AAA Says to Do This to Prevent Breakdowns on Road Trips

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re OK with buying used, getting behind the wheel of a Porsche doesn’t necessarily cost a fortune. That’s especially true if you skip over the 911 for one of Porsche’s mid-engine models, which are often just as fun to drive. Used Caymans, for example, often pop up for under $20K. And if you’re after the open-roof experience, there’s one up for sale on Bring a Trailer: a 2002 Porsche Boxster S.

A 986 Boxster S is the sportier version of the mid-engine sports car that saved Porsche

It’s not an overstatement to say that the Boxster saved the Porsche brand, Hagerty muses. Introduced 25 years ago as the ‘986’ Boxster, the two-seater convertible shared parts with the contemporary 996-gen 911. That made it affordable, giving Porsche a desperately-needed entry-level car. And its mid-engine layout helped it deliver “plenty of smiles,” Road & Track says.

Initially, though, some thought that the 986 Boxster was a bit underpowered, despite its 2800-lb curb weight. So, for the 2000 model year, the base Boxster swapped out its 201-hp 2.5-liter flat-six for a 217-hp 2.7-liter flat-six. And that same year, Porsche also introduced the 986 Boxster S.

The 986 Porsche Boxster S has several notable performance upgrades over the base model. Firstly, it has a 3.2-liter flat-six rated at 250 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque that revs to 7200 RPM rather than 6700 RPM. And instead of a standard five-speed manual, the 986 Boxster S has a six-speed manual. With more gears, more power, and more torque, the Boxster S goes 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds, roughly a second faster than the base car.

In addition, the 986 Porsche Boxster S has the contemporary 911’s wheels and larger cross-drilled brake rotors. Also, compared to the base Boxster, it has stiffer springs, retuned shocks, and different suspension geometry for improved high-speed stability, Autotrader notes. Plus, an extra radiator and a dual-exit exhaust. And in 2003, the Boxster S received stiffer sway bars as well as slightly more power and torque, R&T reports.

Given that the 550 Spyder racer was one of the 986 Boxster’s inspirations, early models were somewhat basic. A glovebox and a glass rear window weren’t available until the 2003 MY update, PCA says. However, for a mid-engine convertible, the 986 Porsche Boxster S has a surprisingly spacious cabin, Car and Driver reports, not to mention two usable trunks. And it offers “sublime handling,” Classic & Sports Car says, with solid, easy-to-modulate brakes, solid steering with plenty of feedback, and a well-damped ride.

In short, it’s a fun, exotic roadster that you could drive every day.

There’s a 2002 example for sale on Bring a Trailer

Being a 2002 model, the Porsche Boxster S currently listed on Bring a Trailer doesn’t have the later model year upgrades. However, it’s still a well-equipped example.

Besides the S model-specific features, this 2002 986 Boxster has a wind deflector, speed-activated spoiler, heated mirrors, and heated seats. It also has cruise control, automatic climate control, partial leather upholstery, and a Blaupunkt CD stereo with Bluetooth. And it has a replacement soft top. Plus, Porsche offers upgraded infotainment systems for its older cars.

Given its age, this 2002 Porsche Boxster S is in excellent condition and has less than 60,000 miles on the clock. It also has a zero-accident history, extensive service records, and a factory tool kit. In addition, the seller notes that the engine rear main seal, IMS seal, shaft housing, and shaft sealing ring were replaced in 2010.

Will this 2002 986 Porsche Boxster S be a reliable sports car bargain?

As of this writing, this 2002 Porsche Boxster S is listed at $10,250 with three days left in the auction. A good-to-excellent condition 986 Boxster S is easily a $15,000-$20,000 car, Hagerty says, making this roadster a bargain. And these days, $10,000 is essentially the bare minimum price for a 986 Boxster on Bring a Trailer.

Those schooled in Porsche lore might be worried about this car’s engine. The Boxster’s parts-sharing with the 996-gen 911 also extends to the engine, including the dreaded IMS bearing. Fortunately, it appears that a previous owner seemingly addressed that issue with this Boxster S. To be on the safe side, a pre-purchase inspection is recommended; an engine oil analysis also wouldn’t hurt.

However, it’s worth noting that permanent solutions to the IMS issue exist from companies like LN Engineering. And IMS bearing failure occurs in less than 10% of Boxsters from this generation. Furthermore, being a later 3.2-liter car, this Boxster S avoids the cylinder-scoring and liner failures that plagued the early 2.5-liter Porsche engines. The rear main seal replacement resolves another potential failure point.

In short, if you’re looking for the Porsche sports car experience at a bargain price, this 2002 Boxster S should be worth considering.  

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RELATED: Bring a Trailer Bargain of the Week: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

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