What top notch battery do you recommend?

[XLR8]

Two years ago when my Wal Mart battery died I was mad because I thought it was only a couple of years old. When I pulled the battery the sales slip from over 8 years ago was with the battery! So I am on my second under $40 Wal Mart battery.

 

[krom]

Years ago Optimas were good, my old Mustang still is going strong with a 6 year old redtop, Since then they are crap and last maybe 2 years in the Az heat.

 

[Ross L]

Optima(several years old best I can tell) in my Syclone, truck starts right up
Delco(about two years old) in my GN, starts right up. I like to put a trickle charge on every month or so for a few days. When I see a Optima battery in a car, the first thing "I" think is "this person belives in using the best parts". Which is a good sign when used car shopping. When I see a walmart special(even though they may be GREAT batteries) I think, this person cuts corners, uses cheap parts ect...and apply that thinking to the rest of the car/truck. Probably not right to think that way, but I do. Personally, I would have a hard time justifing a $160 battery although the Delco's are getting on up there.

 

[ttypewhite]

I got mine from the wreckers for $30. Been in the car for 4 years now and no problems. Its a no name brand, but works well.

 

[garyk1970]

When I see a Optima battery in a car, the first thing "I" think is "this person belives in using the best parts".


ive never thought about this,but its true .I do the same thing ( judge the care of the owner by the quality of the parts)

 

[TURBOELKY]

we have already had a thread on optima batteries. I personally bought one, the next day it died. Replaced it with another red top optima, have had it for 5 years, sits all winter, starts the car right up, big audio system etc. no problems. But I will not buy another. I will stick with the a/c delco as big as you can fit. My buddy always buys those, and he's never had a problem, and has twice the audio system as me.

 

[BMF_Racing]

9 years on my Yellow Top Optima in my WE4. :smile:

Driven all year even the cold winters.

Gn driven 3 seasons also has a Yellow Top Optima.

Good batteries. :smile:

All the Delcos and Sears I have had didn't last half as long, not even close. :frown:

I did have a blue top go bad however, (boat) , one bad cell in that one. Someday I'll try to take it apart.

I have to agree the yellow top in the cutlass is going on 8 yrs now and I've never had to jump it, and the car only get driven once a month at best and never started in the winters. the red on in the srt-4 is 3 yrs old now, also with no issues.


no complaints here.
:smile:

 

[TurboMonte 2]

Interstate or Die-Hard...

 

[artrenee10]

60 buck Advanced Auto Special.....
Works for me just fine....

 

[white88montess]

interstate cranks the gtp flawlessly

 

[chopped39]

I had a red top in my buick always gave me problems . Put two in my dads 96 diesel suburban never had a problem with them even after alternator went bad and killed both of them charged them and they are still going after ten years. Interstate is what i use alot. Maybe because my neighbor works for them:biggrin: Consumer reports says autozone sells best battery johnson controls makes that battery. My buddy says they make alot of batteries for differant companies

 

[TURBOELKY]

I too have killed my optima red top on many occasions in the garage adjusting the sterio and amps, but they take a charge over and over again.

 

[terrible-T]

My 3 month old red top optima would not start my race car in the 5'th round in the gamblers race @ the BPG, Horsepower Nats.I had to forfit the race and a chance at $300.oo . I say they are JUNK!!

 

[turbo nasty]

At work (US military) we go through optimas like crazy! Red tops mostly, and the reason the goverment likes them since they dont require lead acid, vibration resistance, etc. We use them for start batteries in out generators (mil and comm) all of our standby gensets have a batt chrg to maint the batteries all the time and we can get about 2 years average out of em. I am not that impressed with them for the cost and they seem to not be able to be recharged and get the power back in them from a dead condition vs. the lead acid type.

So when the time came recently for me to buy a battery for the Buford I bought the Best AGM battery that Oreilys had and it was lighter, cheaper, same capacity and had a 5 year warranty (3 yr direct replacement and 2 prorate), vs the optimas 2 year. It is Yellow and is maint free gell type also.

 

[turbojd]

I too have had good luck with the diehard batterys.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

all these different batteries here... does anyone know that there's only a few battery makers around, and that most brands are identical batteries, with just different names stamped on them? I used to know how many there were, and their makers, but I cant remember now. Anyone know? I thought there was only like 3 makers period. Everything else is just different graphics.