Optima Batteries
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Optima Batteries
After a recent parade with my club my battery in my 84 decided to die on me. (It was 5 yrs. old or better) I have heard that the Optima batteries were the one to buy. But the guys at the local auto store say they are having problems with them. Supposedly they didn't hold there charge. Anybody have any experience with them? It seemed to work OK in my wife's 76.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
I originally bought one back in 2001 for my 94 impala SS when I was having major battery problems. I had Underdrive pulleys on it and I just think the AC delco battery could handle the abuse. So if the car sat for a more than a day without running the battery would be dead and I would need a jump. After I put a "Yellow Top Optima" in it I never had to carry jumper cables in my car ever again. Best $180 I ever spent on that car and in fact when I sold the car last year it still had that battery in it and it was as strong as ever. So a little over a year and half ago I needed a battery for the Vette.
So i didnt even think twice about the battery I should get because of the luck I had with my Impala. I put it in and it was good for a little bit but now the battery is completely junk. It doesnt take a charge and if i jump the car and drive it around for an hour and then shut it off. It wont even start again. I have tried trickle charging it and everything the battery is toasted.
So to sum it up I would never buy an Optima ever again after the recent luck I have had with them. This battery didnt last even 2 years so I guess their quality has gone straight down the crapper.
So i didnt even think twice about the battery I should get because of the luck I had with my Impala. I put it in and it was good for a little bit but now the battery is completely junk. It doesnt take a charge and if i jump the car and drive it around for an hour and then shut it off. It wont even start again. I have tried trickle charging it and everything the battery is toasted.
So to sum it up I would never buy an Optima ever again after the recent luck I have had with them. This battery didnt last even 2 years so I guess their quality has gone straight down the crapper.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 2
I would also like to know what kind of battery I should put in my 87. I am a rookie and when I spend the money I want quality. That's why I bought the Vette. It is great when so many people have the same questions and passion toward this car. It helps all of us out. That is how all good friendships get started.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Az
I have the red one in my 06 jeep that also runs my winch and extra lights,
and gps, I put it in because its sealed and does not leak. I have had it for about 1.5 years and never had any issue with it.
the blue is for marine and the yellow i believe is not designed for everyday charge. guys i know have them in their jeeps run them in tandem with a red top. they run a switch that when their running extra loads on the battery, they switch it over to the yellow top. but for normal use just have it switched on the red, so the yellow isnt even being charged. This is the info I read from researching it for my jeep.
and gps, I put it in because its sealed and does not leak. I have had it for about 1.5 years and never had any issue with it.
the blue is for marine and the yellow i believe is not designed for everyday charge. guys i know have them in their jeeps run them in tandem with a red top. they run a switch that when their running extra loads on the battery, they switch it over to the yellow top. but for normal use just have it switched on the red, so the yellow isnt even being charged. This is the info I read from researching it for my jeep.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
From: Newark, New Jersey
I would also like to know what kind of battery I should put in my 87. I am a rookie and when I spend the money I want quality. That's why I bought the Vette. It is great when so many people have the same questions and passion toward this car. It helps all of us out. That is how all good friendships get started.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,284
Likes: 1
From: Whitehall Pa.
When I was at AutoZone the other day three of the Optimas were returned. Maybe their quality control just took a nose dive. That or they have the Chinese making them for them now,you know how their quality assurance is.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
I just swapped mine out the other day for a Die hard gold hopefully i can get better than 1.5 years out of it.... Optimas FTL
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 10
From: Apple Valley MN
I have a Fleet Farm battery in my Vette (PO had put it in). He said he'd had good luck with them - I believe this is its 3rd season. I kept it on a tender over the winter, works like a champ.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
First one died after one year...the free replacement lasted 5 months. I went to Pep Boys for an Energizer. Optimas new policy of requiring the dealer to send them back the battery for testing before replacing it has lost them a lot of dealers. I waited 7 days and Optima had not even picked up my dead one from the dealer. The dealer went ahead and gave me a replacement but I had already bought the Energizer. Anyone in Phx. area want a new Red top at a discount?
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 334
Likes: 23
From: Muskegon Michigan
Put a Sears Die Hard in mine two years ago. Great. Just got it out of storage last week. Sat for five months with starting about once every two months for about 20 minutes. No problems.
I will continue to purchase the Die Hard in the future.
I will continue to purchase the Die Hard in the future.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: knoxville tn
i believe Diehards do well in consumer reports testing.as my current battery's need replacing, thats what i buy.recently bought a battery tender/maintenance charger from sears.i move it around to my battery's that do not get daily use every couple days and that works great.when i get in and turn the key it starts!!!!! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
I run optima red tops in three vehicles: both corvettes and a conversion van. All three vehicles are stored for 5 months. All I do is disconnect the battery cable in the fall, then reconnect it in the spring. I have had them for 3, 4 and 5 years with no problems.