Battery Rec's?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside CA
Battery Rec's?
Just got my 04 Coupe 
...
Has original battery... No evidence of a problem (no leaks, starts car fine)... even looks good...
But, based upon what I've read here, should I get a new battery anyway? After all, it IS 6 years old (car has 23k miles on it)...
Is the Optima RedTop the "best"??
Thanks in advance...
... Has original battery... No evidence of a problem (no leaks, starts car fine)... even looks good...
But, based upon what I've read here, should I get a new battery anyway? After all, it IS 6 years old (car has 23k miles on it)...
Is the Optima RedTop the "best"??
Thanks in advance...
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,386
Likes: 689
From: Boise ID
Many variables in trying to determine the length of a batteries life. If a battery was always properly maintained, never allowed to get low on a charge and no past alternator problems which could force a battery to “work” harder, it should last 6 or more years.
Which batter is best? I don’t know. I have a 4 or 5 year old red top and have had no issues but I always use a battery maintainer when not driven for an extended period of time. Other people have had problems with the red top.
Which batter is best? I don’t know. I have a 4 or 5 year old red top and have had no issues but I always use a battery maintainer when not driven for an extended period of time. Other people have had problems with the red top.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,699
Likes: 16
From: Sun City- Menifee Calif.
The orig. batteries will quit on you with no warning! Mine quit at 3 years almost to the day . I stopped car got out for 5 min. got back to go & NOTHING! Close to home so my wife came & I jumped it & drove home with the DIC & guages going crazy. Picked up a 7 year Duralast from Autozone Installed it & everything was back to normal. Car has sat as long as a month & started right up. I would replace the orig. ASAP! If I were you. Good luck 
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AC Delco 7 year Professional Series is the way to go in my opinion.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
VERY GOOD battery.
The OPTIMA is like $130. You can buy TWO and a half Walmart batteries for that price and the walmert will last just as long. I fell for the OPTIMA hype. Great battery but the ZO6 has NOT had to drive UP-SIDE DOWN yet.
Get a more convential less expensive battery and you will be happy. My next battery will be a walmart special.
BC
The OPTIMA is like $130. You can buy TWO and a half Walmart batteries for that price and the walmert will last just as long. I fell for the OPTIMA hype. Great battery but the ZO6 has NOT had to drive UP-SIDE DOWN yet.
Get a more convential less expensive battery and you will be happy. My next battery will be a walmart special.
BC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
If your existing battery lasted 6 years, why would you switch brands now?
I would stay with AC Delco Professional, which I think still has a 50 month free replacement warranty. Best you can get.
Plus, with a top post battery, you really don't have the leakage problems that the side post batteries used to have.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
The one in my 2004 lasted five years and then died,started it,drove it 10 miles,shut it off and when tried to restart 15 minutes later,nothing,not even a click.I would avoid the Optima and go with the Delco.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I had a 97 F-150 that I purchased in late 96. I sold it in 2009 as a trade in on my new JEEP. When I sold it,,,(ZERO BS) it had the ORGIONAL OEM Heavy Duty FORD Autolite battery in it. 
It was run down to ZIP POINT SH$* twice and recharged. It NEVER once gave me ANY issues. That was a VERRRRRRRRY GOOOOOOOD battery.
BC
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Just got my 04 Coupe ...
Has original battery... No evidence of a problem (no leaks, starts car fine)... even looks good...
But, based upon what I've read here, should I get a new battery anyway? After all, it IS 6 years old (car has 23k miles on it)...
Is the Optima RedTop the "best"??
Thanks in advance...
... Has original battery... No evidence of a problem (no leaks, starts car fine)... even looks good...
But, based upon what I've read here, should I get a new battery anyway? After all, it IS 6 years old (car has 23k miles on it)...
Is the Optima RedTop the "best"??
Thanks in advance...
I've also had great luck with Walmart batteries, but their best battery, the MAXX is bright yellow - good for a Millenium Yellow C5 perhaps, but not my Magnetic red. The Costco Kirkland is another good, really inexpensive battery.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside CA
If your existing battery lasted 6 years, why would you switch brands now?
I would stay with AC Delco Professional, which I think still has a 50 month free replacement warranty. Best you can get.
Plus, with a top post battery, you really don't have the leakage problems that the side post batteries used to have.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside CA
I'd say you should plan to replace the battery sometime in 2010. The battery you have could easily last 7 years, but I wouldn't push my luck beyond that. When I replaced my OEM battery (at 7 years of age), it was still doing okay. I went with the AC Delco Professional 7-year battery - the only one out there with a free-replacement warranty of 50 months. The rest of the 7 year warranty is pro-rated.
I've also had great luck with Walmart batteries, but their best battery, the MAXX is bright yellow - good for a Millenium Yellow C5 perhaps, but not my Magnetic red. The Costco Kirkland is another good, really inexpensive battery.
I've also had great luck with Walmart batteries, but their best battery, the MAXX is bright yellow - good for a Millenium Yellow C5 perhaps, but not my Magnetic red. The Costco Kirkland is another good, really inexpensive battery.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
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From: San Diego CA
I think we were on our way to Palomar mountain.....or maybe Palm Desert - can't remember. One thing is for sure, those SCMRs (Southern California Mountain Runs) were great times. I think every one of my hood's missing paint chips are out there somewhere!
Dave
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
Just got my 04 Coupe ...
Has original battery... No evidence of a problem (no leaks, starts car fine)... even looks good...
But, based upon what I've read here, should I get a new battery anyway? After all, it IS 6 years old (car has 23k miles on it)...
Is the Optima RedTop the "best"??
Thanks in advance...
... Has original battery... No evidence of a problem (no leaks, starts car fine)... even looks good...
But, based upon what I've read here, should I get a new battery anyway? After all, it IS 6 years old (car has 23k miles on it)...
Is the Optima RedTop the "best"??
Thanks in advance...
Don't worry about the leaking issue, it was solved by the time your car was built. No need at all for an Optima. I'd just use it until it showed signs of needing to be replaced, maybe bring it to an autozone or similar and have a free check done on it. When the time comes just buy the best rated battery that is the right size for the car.
No-one should think of an Optima for these cars, they are inferior in performance. There was a 2-3 year period (about 10 years ago) when the low chance of leak was helpful compared to stock battery but ANY new battery will be JUST FINE with concern for leaks. The Optima myth is fading
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Optima Battery experience
I bought an Optima yellow top from Autozone about 3 months ago, at the time my car was not running. I had some other stuff come up and never got around to installing it. Two weeks ago I finally put it in and it was a no-go, wouldn't even turn the car over. Since the battery was brand new I figured that I must have some other serious issue, so called my local dealership and had the 'Vette towed in, much to my amazement the dealership called back and said the Optima had a dead cell.
The dealer installed a brand new OEM battery and its been running fine ever since.
The dealer installed a brand new OEM battery and its been running fine ever since.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 653
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Autozone's Duralast Gold battery is made by Johnson Controls, and it has a great reputation. I researched replacement batteries for my truck last week and settled on the Duralast Gold based on my findings.
Plus, the top is yellow and would go nicely w/ a Mil Yellow C5!
Plus, the top is yellow and would go nicely w/ a Mil Yellow C5!
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 629
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From: Oceanside CA
Thanks to all for helping! 
I'm going to get the battery test done and if it's "anywhere near" it's final legs it will be replaced...
Your info has helped me decide that I don't need/want an "Optima".. Therefore my search has been made much easier!
will advise in the future...
I'm going to get the battery test done and if it's "anywhere near" it's final legs it will be replaced...Your info has helped me decide that I don't need/want an "Optima".. Therefore my search has been made much easier!
will advise in the future...
