I'm Done with Redtops!
Thread Starter
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,811
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From: Bloomingdale, IL
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
I'm Done with Redtops!
My second Optima died last week after 14 months. 
That makes two Redtops in 3 years and two months. 
I know there are opinions on both sides, but I don't want to worry about starting up. For those of you who have never had any issues, congratulations, but I'm done! 
That makes two Redtops in 3 years and two months. I know there are opinions on both sides, but I don't want to worry about starting up. For those of you who have never had any issues, congratulations, but I'm done!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 340
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I picked one up about 2 years ago and it starts strong every time. I never use a charger and it is driven one day a week on average. Sometimes it goes 2-3 weeks without being driven. After sitting 2-3 weeks, it still starts strong.
Andy
Last edited by Andy 53; Jul 15, 2011 at 07:59 AM. Reason: typo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,475
Likes: 718
From: Black Forest CO
I wonder of they have changed something with the Red Tops. The one in my Vette is 6 years old and still works great. I was even a bone head and killed it twice in years past and it came back fine.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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IMO the Optima batteries are the most over rated over hyped batteries on the market with the highest rate of premature failure. The only product that gets more unwarranted, unsubstantiated hype is Royal Purple 
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
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From: Beaumont Texas
We need to petition a LIKE feature similar to Facebook because this quote deserves it.
Thread Starter
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Bloomingdale, IL
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
No, it was in my 2005 Corvette (see avatar). The original delco lasted about 3 years, went to the first Optima that lasted a little over 2 years and now the 2nd Optima that died last week. I used a trickle charger on the last Redtop based on some posts from CF that it would help. It was a good battery when it was working. 
Thread Starter
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
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Likes: 21
From: Bloomingdale, IL
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
You may be on to something there. One mechanic told me that the first generation of Optimas were the best. Since then its been touch and go.
Thread Starter
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Bloomingdale, IL
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Funny you should say that, I was just thinking of switching my trans fluid to Royal Purple. What is your perference?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,507
Likes: 722
From: Sausalito CA
I had my OEM Delco last from 2005 to 2011 and I only changed it as preventative maintenance.
Bought another Delco from GM dealer and the price was @$100 plus or minus.
Considered the Sear's $200 battery mentioned above yet Delco worked for me at 1/2 the price - plus fit was guaranteed.
Redtop Optima in my C5 lasted for years and I sold the car with this battery. Yes maybe Optima changed something as this forum has too many Redtop failure stories.
Bought another Delco from GM dealer and the price was @$100 plus or minus.
Considered the Sear's $200 battery mentioned above yet Delco worked for me at 1/2 the price - plus fit was guaranteed.
Redtop Optima in my C5 lasted for years and I sold the car with this battery. Yes maybe Optima changed something as this forum has too many Redtop failure stories.
Safety Car
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From: TEXOMA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
-Carl
CF Community Team
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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I like to stick with what it came with from the factory. Sometimes I think we try too hard to out think the engineers that designed these cars. Alot of money is wasted on "boutique" oils that in most cases don't perform as well as the fluids the vehicle came with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
I've had very good luck with Optima batteries over the years. We use the blue tops in the race cars and they are the first battery we've found that can take the severe vibration. I have a red top in my C6 and it also works well. I had to use a battery maintainer with the OEM Delco, but the Optima can sit for weeks and still start.