C-5 battery replacement ?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 25, 2008 | 03:34 PM

killain

Thread Starter

Race Director

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 11,113

Likes: 669

From: SE Pennsylvania

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

Oldtimer

C-5 battery replacement ?

I was interested in replacing the battery in my 2003 50th AE and was interested in the Optima gel red top for this car. I was kinda disappointed when I called the Optima hot line and asked about the warranty for a Optima gel Red Top and was told it's three years and three years pro-rated. I thought a battery that cost $279.00 would come with a longer warranty than three years. What do you think, is three years normal for a battery warranty?

Apr 25, 2008 | 03:36 PM

fireman591

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 2,001

Likes: 2

From: Auburn Michigan

Optimas are over rated and over priced. Just my 2cents.
Get a regular battery and save your money for some mods

Apr 25, 2008 | 03:50 PM

Wicked Weasel

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 24,652

Likes: 298

From: NJ

St. Jude Donor '05-'08

$279

They usually cost in the $140 range.

Apr 25, 2008 | 03:51 PM

Dave98

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 211

Likes: 1

From: Noblesville IN

My battery is 5 years old so, I was looking at the red top mainly because it's not suppose to leak. But a Die Hard Platinum has 4-Year Free Replacement and 100-Month Prorated.

Apr 25, 2008 | 04:07 PM

killain

Thread Starter

Race Director

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 11,113

Likes: 669

From: SE Pennsylvania

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

Oldtimer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel @ ECS

$279

They usually cost in the $140 range.

That's what the shop quoted me for the battery. I seem to remember buying a battery that came with a four or five year warranty, I think it was a Die Hard.

Apr 25, 2008 | 04:17 PM

Wheelboyo

Racer

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 452

Likes: 0

From: Woodstock Ontario

$279? Heck Wallymart had 'em up here in Canada for about $180ish and our stuff is always more money than in 'Merrica. For $279 I'd want the kiss as well.

Apr 25, 2008 | 04:19 PM

MagRedConv

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 21,915

Likes: 61

From: Miami Beach FL

FWIW I've had a redtop for three years no issues. As far as the price, don't wear the Rolex when you go to a parts store.

Apr 25, 2008 | 04:45 PM

AmpedC3

Racer

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 274

Likes: 0

From: Schaumburg IL

I bought a red top in 01. It had to replace it in January. I killed the battery at least 50 times. Replaced it with another red top.

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Joe Kucinski

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Brett Foote

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Michael S. Palmer

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Joe Kucinski

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Michael S. Palmer

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Joe Kucinski

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Joe Kucinski

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Joe Kucinski

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Joe Kucinski

Apr 25, 2008 | 05:46 PM

vette2k1

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 153

Likes: 0

From: east amherst ny

A friend of mine owns a repair shop and he put an Interstate battery in my 01 about three or four years ago. I have had no problems with it.

Apr 25, 2008 | 06:05 PM

#10

Vetteman Jack

Administrator

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 367,680

Likes: 24,667

From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.

C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021

MO Events Coordinator

St. Jude Co-Organizer

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25

NCM Sinkhole Donor

CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran

First of all, $279 is way, way too high for that battery. Should be able to get it for about half that. I've had my red top in my car for 6.5 years and it still works just fine. I do keep it on a battery tender when the car sits for a while.

Apr 25, 2008 | 06:51 PM

#11

screw991le

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 17,786

Likes: 4

From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!

St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12

$279 is about double. Did they give you a kiss first.

Second, any AGM battery would do fine. My Megatron has been perfect for 5 years now.

Apr 25, 2008 | 07:31 PM

#12

killain

Thread Starter

Race Director

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 11,113

Likes: 669

From: SE Pennsylvania

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

Oldtimer

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmpedC3

I bought a red top in 01. It had to replace it in January. I killed the battery at least 50 times. Replaced it with another red top.

How do you kill it 50 times?

Apr 25, 2008 | 07:35 PM

#13

Bob CTS

Race Director

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 17,640

Likes: 1

From: Lenoir City TN

St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman591

Optimas are over rated and over priced. Just my 2cents.
Get a regular battery and save your money for some mods

Apr 25, 2008 | 07:35 PM

#14

10U 99

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 2,336

Likes: 4

From: NW Arkansas

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

didn't I read posts concerning warranty replacement only at place of purchase? no nation wide replacement?

Apr 25, 2008 | 09:32 PM

#15

ytwokc5

Racer

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 397

Likes: 3

AutoZone near me carries the Optimas... I decided instead to go with their brand, Autocraft Titanium for $89, 3 year free replacement, 72month pro-rated. How can you go wrong?

Apr 25, 2008 | 09:45 PM

#16

C5naples

Safety Car

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 4,487

Likes: 5

From: Naples Florida

$279 is way too much. you can get it much much cheaper. It is a good battery

Apr 25, 2008 | 10:16 PM

#17

Sponge Vette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 2,887

Likes: 2

From: Macomb MI

St. Jude Contributor

I paid $129 a couple of years ago, prices couldn't of jumped that much You better find a new store to buy it from.

Apr 25, 2008 | 10:46 PM

#18

bestvettever

Pro

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 735

Likes: 7

From: Bucks County Pa

Redtop High Priced

Hello, I agree 279- seems like way to high. Bought one for my Chrysler at advance last august for 169-. As for the warranty 3+3 isn't bad compared to some.
FWIW AC Delco pro series warranties their battery for the vette at 50 months free and the balance of 7 years pro rata. The cost is about 120.00. I put one in my 2003 AE last august. Bought it at Pep Boys. No problems with either so far, although I use a proper maintainer whenever I'm not using the car for more than a few days.
Good Luck

Last edited by bestvettever; Apr 25, 2008 at 10:48 PM.

Apr 25, 2008 | 11:44 PM

#19

The NNIAL8R

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 24,310

Likes: 0

From: Canon City Co

St. Jude Donor '11,'13

"I voluntarily took 60 days off from OT"

I have Optimas in both my C5s, with Battery Tenders on them ANYTIME the car will be sitting for more than a few days...Optimas dont hold up as well as "wet" batteries when they sit for long periods of time....but I absolutely WILL NOT use a conventional "wet" battery in a C5....The computer and other EXPENSIVE components lie directly below the battery tray....In the event the battery leaks, your problems can be enormously expensive....It's just not worth the risk to me........If you insist on using a "wet" battery..."at least" use an acid absorbing mat in the battery tray...Hopefully this will neutralize any acid that leaks...but in the event your battery has a cracked case or something similar, forget it....Just hope you notice it before the damage is done....
Dan Samento
Canon City, Co
www.dansamento.com