Optima Batteries, Which One?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
I have had two red tops drain & not take a charge. I went back to Sears Die Hard Gold. Great battery for the price Its sealed so it will not leak and w/a tender will last a very long time.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Had 2 Optima Red Tops fail in less than a year each in my 02Z. Switched over to a Delco and it has been going strong since (about 2 years). Also had a Red Top that was about 2 years old fail in my 96 track car. I replaced it with another one only because it has a battery box to specifically fit one of the Red Tops. Maybe I'm just unlucky with them...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
Neither...but if you wanna spend money on a battery brand that is covered on the internet with so many failures we all lost count then go for it...I love my original ACdelco which is now going on 7 years...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Have you ever researched the faliure rate of AC Delco Batteries?
Yep AC Delco is the way to go especially if you want them to leak all over your computer harness, GM/AC Delco was so nice to provide this service to people who bought new Corvettes with a battery leaking option.
All batteries fail.
If Optima was truly as bad as they say the company would be Bankrupt, didnt GM just do this? and GM and AC Delco are like the same?
Yep AC Delco is the way to go especially if you want them to leak all over your computer harness, GM/AC Delco was so nice to provide this service to people who bought new Corvettes with a battery leaking option.
All batteries fail.
If Optima was truly as bad as they say the company would be Bankrupt, didnt GM just do this? and GM and AC Delco are like the same?
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 6
From: Arroyo Grande CA
Have you ever researched the faliure rate of AC Delco Batteries?
Yep AC Delco is the way to go especially if you want them to leak all over your computer harness, GM/AC Delco was so nice to provide this service to people who bought new Corvettes with a battery leaking option.
All batteries fail.
If Optima was truly as bad as they say the company would be Bankrupt, didnt GM just do this? and GM and AC Delco are like the same?
Yep AC Delco is the way to go especially if you want them to leak all over your computer harness, GM/AC Delco was so nice to provide this service to people who bought new Corvettes with a battery leaking option.
All batteries fail.
If Optima was truly as bad as they say the company would be Bankrupt, didnt GM just do this? and GM and AC Delco are like the same?
Delco quit making the battery that had the tendency to leak after 2000 A.D.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 212
From: Winnipeg
My Z06 came with a yellow top Duralast Gold. Its been awesome for over a year now. When it went dead last month due to a mistake by me, it charged back up and been fine ever since. Records show my battery was installed back in April 2006. 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
http://www.complaints.com/directory/...tober/4/21.htm
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/...Off0127287.htm
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t590174.html
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/...Off0179696.htm
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/...Off0006105.htm
I never heard of any other battery doing as much damage as an AC Delco. $600 + for a repair after the damage, bet GM didnt warranty this either!
You will hear the same **** about every battery on the market so they all must be junk correct?
Whenever you ask what is better or the best than what you will always have mixed info.
I have had good luck with just about every car battery made and I have also had bad luck with almost every battery made, grow a pair and make your own decision.
The best battery I ever had was a Motorcraft and it lasted 9 years, if my Alternator didnt crap out who knows how long that battery would have lasted.
You will get the luck of the draw with a battery choice.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/...Off0127287.htm
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t590174.html
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/...Off0179696.htm
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/...Off0006105.htm
I never heard of any other battery doing as much damage as an AC Delco. $600 + for a repair after the damage, bet GM didnt warranty this either!
You will hear the same **** about every battery on the market so they all must be junk correct?
Whenever you ask what is better or the best than what you will always have mixed info.
I have had good luck with just about every car battery made and I have also had bad luck with almost every battery made, grow a pair and make your own decision.
The best battery I ever had was a Motorcraft and it lasted 9 years, if my Alternator didnt crap out who knows how long that battery would have lasted.
You will get the luck of the draw with a battery choice.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 6
From: Arroyo Grande CA
I never heard of any other battery doing as much damage as an AC Delco. $600 + for a repair after the damage, bet GM didnt warranty this either!
You will hear the same **** about every battery on the market so they all must be junk correct?
Whenever you ask what is better or the best than what you will always have mixed info.
I have had good luck with just about every car battery made and I have also had bad luck with almost every battery made, grow a pair and make your own decision.
The best battery I ever had was a Motorcraft and it lasted 9 years, if my Alternator didnt crap out who knows how long that battery would have lasted.
You will get the luck of the draw with a battery choice.
You will hear the same **** about every battery on the market so they all must be junk correct?
Whenever you ask what is better or the best than what you will always have mixed info.
I have had good luck with just about every car battery made and I have also had bad luck with almost every battery made, grow a pair and make your own decision.
The best battery I ever had was a Motorcraft and it lasted 9 years, if my Alternator didnt crap out who knows how long that battery would have lasted.
You will get the luck of the draw with a battery choice.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Optimas dont leak either..... Well except for one that was posted in this forum. So your saying Delcos will not leak again.... I think they will just cause mistakes in the mfg process and human error.
Still never heard of any other battery doing damage like a Delco...... See now I sound like a broken Record just like people saying Optimas are junk. Some people bought the wrong Optima for there driving type and blamed it on the battery when it was the purchasers error for buying a Red Top for a Garage Queen. Now because of these "Posts and Complaints on the Internet" people think this is true.
I just read on the Internet today Elvis is alive today living with Jim Morrison and Freddie Mercury is going to start a band with them!
Still never heard of any other battery doing damage like a Delco...... See now I sound like a broken Record just like people saying Optimas are junk. Some people bought the wrong Optima for there driving type and blamed it on the battery when it was the purchasers error for buying a Red Top for a Garage Queen. Now because of these "Posts and Complaints on the Internet" people think this is true.
I just read on the Internet today Elvis is alive today living with Jim Morrison and Freddie Mercury is going to start a band with them!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
Have you ever researched the faliure rate of AC Delco Batteries?
Yep AC Delco is the way to go especially if you want them to leak all over your computer harness, GM/AC Delco was so nice to provide this service to people who bought new Corvettes with a battery leaking option.
All batteries fail.
If Optima was truly as bad as they say the company would be Bankrupt, didnt GM just do this? and GM and AC Delco are like the same?
Yep AC Delco is the way to go especially if you want them to leak all over your computer harness, GM/AC Delco was so nice to provide this service to people who bought new Corvettes with a battery leaking option.
All batteries fail.
If Optima was truly as bad as they say the company would be Bankrupt, didnt GM just do this? and GM and AC Delco are like the same?
BTW...why is it that everyone that I know that has a Optima has to keep a tender on it when not driving it for even a week or 2? I don't even own a tender nor do I need one.
And for those that take some of my postings real seriously..its called yanking your chain.
Last edited by briann510; Jun 24, 2009 at 06:42 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,083
Likes: 35
From: Chicago IL
After reading this thread - I'm sorry I just bought a Red Top 3 weeks ago to replace my failed 6 year old original Delco.
I hope I have better luck with it then some of you have had.
What about the stats that are printed on the Optimas's when you buy them, like:
•Strongest 5 second starting burst
•Up to 2x longer life
•More than 15x the vibration resistance
•Completely spill-proof, mountable in many positions
•Maintenance free
•Faster recharging capabilities
•Optimal starting power, regardless of temperature
Has anyone tried the warranty that Optima provides? Any stories on that?
I hope I have better luck with it then some of you have had.
What about the stats that are printed on the Optimas's when you buy them, like:
•Strongest 5 second starting burst
•Up to 2x longer life
•More than 15x the vibration resistance
•Completely spill-proof, mountable in many positions
•Maintenance free
•Faster recharging capabilities
•Optimal starting power, regardless of temperature
Has anyone tried the warranty that Optima provides? Any stories on that?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18,048
Likes: 53
From: long Island NY
My 04 has the original Delco in it with no tender on it and has no issues and its a garage queen and will go sometimes months before starting,so until someone proves why the need to replace it with a high priced battery I won't.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
This is the problem with 95% of Optima complaints. For a car that is not daily driven or near it, a yellow is the proper choice. People also have *no* clue how to take care of these batteries either.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Yeah problem with that is some people claim their car is a Daily Driver cause they drive it like 10 miles a day and that is not good for a Red Top nor good for your car.
Also you have to remember Delco was original equipment so people have to have OEM type parts in their Corvettes too even though there are better batteries out there.
Optimas are like Corvettes..... They are not for everybody cause some people cant take care of them correctly.
Like I said I had a Motorcraft battery last 9 years, imagine a Motorcraft Battery in a Corvette and letting the Corvette purists see that!
Also you have to remember Delco was original equipment so people have to have OEM type parts in their Corvettes too even though there are better batteries out there.
Optimas are like Corvettes..... They are not for everybody cause some people cant take care of them correctly.
Like I said I had a Motorcraft battery last 9 years, imagine a Motorcraft Battery in a Corvette and letting the Corvette purists see that!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
... I gave up on Optimas. The last one I had leaked ... rare case, but it did. Went with the AC Delco Professional 7 year battery. Much cheaper than the Optima too.Optima batteries are too finicky (they like daily driving), and their quality and longevity just doesn't hold up to their so called "reputation" IMO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
It's probably rare that an Optima will leak ... but I got one that DID.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Jun 25, 2009 at 04:04 AM.