Battery
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Battery
Need to replace. Had 2 mechanics I trust tell me about these Optima's, but they don't fit our car. What is the best one I can get? Not trying to throw money out the window, so I guess all I really care about is the CCAs. Thinking in the 800 range. Advice?
Kerry
Kerry
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 42
From: Sierra Foothills, State of Jefferson
I am done with Optimas. Replaced the one in my '02 Camaro. The new one leaked, not happy about that.
Quality has decreased- just do a search.
Using an AC Delco Professional flooded battery in my '94 Vette with a battery maintainer.
Quality has decreased- just do a search.
Using an AC Delco Professional flooded battery in my '94 Vette with a battery maintainer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,032
Likes: 204
From: Greenwood Indiana
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The Optima battery I bought for my old 63 Nova didn't do any better or last any longer than a regular battery did.
If you have a Rural King around you, that's the place to go. Many of their car batteries are only $49. I think the one I put in my Vette was $74.
Way cheaper than any other stores by me.(Indy)
If you have a Rural King around you, that's the place to go. Many of their car batteries are only $49. I think the one I put in my Vette was $74.
Way cheaper than any other stores by me.(Indy)
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 428
Likes: 182
From: Green Bay WI
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Do some research, and you will learn that most/many batteries are made by Johnson Controls or their affiliates.
The 'Gold' series batteries found in many auto stores are all similar in specs and price. Basically, the same battery.
If you are a Costco member, they only carry Interstate now at a very good price. Interstate is made by Johnson Controls.
Costco does not install batteries, but they do provide a core charge refund.
The 'Gold' series batteries found in many auto stores are all similar in specs and price. Basically, the same battery.
If you are a Costco member, they only carry Interstate now at a very good price. Interstate is made by Johnson Controls.
Costco does not install batteries, but they do provide a core charge refund.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
Forget about a light weight racing battery...unless you actually race. I replaced mine (DIY) with a Bosch battery I purchased at PepBoys. I got the most CCA that they made which fit my Vette. My Vette starts on first crank even after sitting for 16 days in the garage. AND I don't use any "trickle charge", to maintain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 381
From: Lunenburg MA
Costco no longer carries the group 75 battery. I needed one for my '90 and ended up with a Walmart one. They are made by Johnson Controls just like most of the others and way cheaper than the parts stores. Just don't let it go completely flat too many times. That's a killer for batteries in cars that sit a lot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Last year I bought NAPA Legend Premium Battery, it was going for $135 at the time and then I had a 10% off coupon that I used so price seem reasonable to me.
I just check and they are pretty expensive now $159, not sure I'd pay that today, but seems like a good battery.
I just check and they are pretty expensive now $159, not sure I'd pay that today, but seems like a good battery.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 42
From: Sierra Foothills, State of Jefferson
Costco no longer carries the group 75 battery. I needed one for my '90 and ended up with a Walmart one. They are made by Johnson Controls just like most of the others and way cheaper than the parts stores. Just don't let it go completely flat too many times. That's a killer for batteries in cars that sit a lot.
Last edited by KurtK; Jul 1, 2020 at 10:32 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I used an AGM battery from Farm and Fleet in my C5. I wanted it because I wanted an AGM for vibration resistance and better chances of recovery after a deep discharge. It also was one of the few that had a higher reserve capacity (RC120) that may be important for a C5 that has a known issue with parasitic drain. Well, that battery finally died after about 10 years and a long deep discharge from sitting for about 6 months completely dead. (I normally used a maintainer, but didn't this year.)
When shopping for a new one, I found that the battery I liked was made by East Penn. They market batteries under a lot of names. I found that Sams Club carries the same battery I had, but with a different label (Duracell). I was happy to find it and bought it last week.
While I was looking for batteries, I was also looking for what battery I would use to replace in my C4's and found they have a Duracell AGM group 75 battery. It has dual terminals (top and side), but I think that could still work. It was $110. I plan on getting that when my current batteries die, but they were new last year and hopefully it will be a while.
Good luck.
When shopping for a new one, I found that the battery I liked was made by East Penn. They market batteries under a lot of names. I found that Sams Club carries the same battery I had, but with a different label (Duracell). I was happy to find it and bought it last week.
While I was looking for batteries, I was also looking for what battery I would use to replace in my C4's and found they have a Duracell AGM group 75 battery. It has dual terminals (top and side), but I think that could still work. It was $110. I plan on getting that when my current batteries die, but they were new last year and hopefully it will be a while.
Good luck.