wamara

I haven't been following what's new technology-wise (assuming there is anything new)... What are you using to replace the OEM battery? What has your experience been with what's out there? I'm familiar with the Optima, slightly with the Exide Orbital, and other brands I know nothing. Thanks for your help!

vettelover84

I like my Optima... Never had an issue. I have let it sit for over 3 weeks, started right up...

flyzlow

The Forum highly recommended the Optima. After my 3rd failed one in 2 years(one lasted 3months) I went to Pep boys and bought one that is now over 1year old without a hiccup. I don't feel I should have to buy a battery tender to keep a high-end priced battery from dying. I drive my C5 10 times more than my C4 and the Delco in my stored C4 always starts the car and is 4 years old. (I start and /or drive it every 3-4 weeks) Good Luck, you will find mixed opinions for sure.

rickko

My factory installed battery hasn't bit the dust yet (Jan 04) but if I were to go out shopping for a new battery right now I'd replace it with the OEM battery (1st choice), an Interstate (2nd choice), Red Top Optima (never again).

I believe there is a higher incidence of bad batteries off the shelf than you find other parts because I've heard or read many stories of people who buy a new battery (any brand) and they have bad luck with it within a month or so.

My experience with my GM cars is, the Delco's always work as advertised, so I stay with OEM.

I've had experience w/Interstate on a car I bought used once. I believe it is superior to Delco but I like to keep everything OEM in the vette so you see my bias.

I've had experience w/Optima as well. I don't like the fine print in their warranty that says, if you don't remove it/disconnect it from the vehicle and bench charge it for 24 hours every 6 mos. the warranty is no good! I use to do that the Optima I had in an off-road vehicle and it served me well, but I don't think too many people read that fine print, then they have problems with their Optimas.

..rickko..

homewrecker

I'm lucky, same red top for almost 5 yearrs with no problems...crossing my fingers!

dixonk

I went back to the OEM after 2 Optimas failed on me. Never have a problem out of the DELCO

Tom/99

When I replace mine, it will be with another Delco. I've had very good luck with Delco batteries over the yeras.

08 ATOMIC-Z

Save your self some trouble and go buy a SEARS DIEHARD PLATINUM. No battery tender required. Its guaranteed to hold a charge for 2 years plus.

6SPD98

Interstate.....

whiteboy

Optima Red Top
Optima Yellow Top, Expensive , but much better than the Red Top.
Sears Gold, Interstate, Both excellant batterys, Excellant warranty, I think 5 year free replacement Cost around $100.00 ,
Delco OEM, lasted over 5 years in the 98 Pace Car.

steve8

Unless you had one of the leaky batteries, I'm surprised at the emotion these battery threads bring out.
OE still going strong on my 04, which is 5 years old now.

YO-EL

I'll second that..

The Sears Platinum Diehard (same battery as Odyessy & Stinger brands) has much better specs that ANY other battery out there today, is made exclusively by Enersys.

I had an Optima Yellow for years (with no problems), but after 7 yrs I changed to the Platinum Diehard, and honestly, my car starts instantly with like 2 cranks, and my stereo system sounds much better, cleaner.
No issues with lights, A/C, idle at all..

So that seems to be the latest & greatest on batterys for now..

rcs128

Ah, it's just a Chevrolet... I have mid-level Energizer-branded battery that I bought at Pep Boys for $79 two years ago. It's perfectly fine, and even if it only gives me 3-4 years of service it's still a better value than an expensive fancy battery.

RyanR0101

I work with a guy who used to work for Johnson Controls testing batteries (both theirs and the competition's). He said the Delcos always beat every other battery, hands down. The top of the line Delco has a 50 month replacement warranty, and pro rated for the rest of the time. Works for me.

damilleniumboy

I have one from Auto Zone, and it has held pretty good. I have left the vette parked for about a month, and when I turned the key, it cranked right up.

powderski13

Optima Yellow Top ! The OEM on my 02 vert lasted less than 2.5 years. Replaced with Optima Yellow Top and have not had any issues. I usually connect a battery tender for about a month during the winter season when the car isn't driven for about 4 months.

Johnny_B_Good

OEM battery for me. I replaced the original OEM before it failed and it was 7 years old. Too many bad stories about the Red Tops. Go with the AC/Delco.

rainman750

I've heard good/bad things about every battery brand there is. My car had a red top in it when I bought it used and after it started to go I replaced it with a Yellow Top and love it. It's the deep cycle Optima and they are more likely to recover after a discharge, like leaving your lights on inside the car for 2 days I've done this twice now(I know, I'm a retard) and it has recovered fine after a jump, and within minutes of driving it around it was up to 14.3 volts charging and cranked right back up after shutting down. I also have aftermarket stereo equipment and the yellow has been good with handling the load. Go with what your comfortable with, there are a lot of good choices in this thread.

Vetteman Jack

When I had my C5, I ran an Optima Red Top. Was very pleased with its performance.

Dave68

My experience has been that if you drive your car fairly consistently and far enough each time to keep the battery fully charged, you can do well with almost any battery. However, if you tend to let your car sit for two weeks at a time and you don't want to have to throw a battery tender on it, you might want to stay away from AGM batteries.
My OEM AGM was 7 years old when I replaced it with an AC Delco Professional battery. It came with the best free-replacement warranty in the business (50 months). And at just a bit over $100, this battery represents a very good deal. It fits in the battery compartment perfectly and I fully expect to get another 7 years out of it.