Who makes the best batteries for our cars I’m thinking about Optima yellow tops
01-09-2024, 08:42 PM
#1
Who makes the best batteries for our cars I’m thinking about Optima yellow tops
I’m a firm believer in paying for quality so who makes the best AGM battery for our cars. Optima or any other company. I know AC Delco comes from the factory but I would rather pay twice as much for a quality battery.
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01-09-2024, 08:58 PM
Scientific Negotiator
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
Optima isn’t what they used to be. I just use the OEM and they work well for these cars.
We used Optima red tops on the C5 mostly because back then we were all worried about acid getting on the computer below it. Not an issue on the C7
We used Optima red tops on the C5 mostly because back then we were all worried about acid getting on the computer below it. Not an issue on the C7
01-09-2024, 08:56 PM
#2
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I don’t think a “best” battery exists. Over the years and across multiple Corvettes, I’ve tried AC Delco, Optima Red tops, and other brands. Living in Florida, I’ve noticed heat beats them down harder than the cold Chicago winters I lived through so I now buy the least cost option that has a 36-month warranty and then religiously swap them out every four years if they make it that long. Some make it and some don’t. Even the more expensive ones fail as I’m on my 2nd warranty comped Optima Red Top.
01-09-2024, 08:58 PM
#3
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
Optima isn’t what they used to be. I just use the OEM and they work well for these cars.
We used Optima red tops on the C5 mostly because back then we were all worried about acid getting on the computer below it. Not an issue on the C7
We used Optima red tops on the C5 mostly because back then we were all worried about acid getting on the computer below it. Not an issue on the C7
01-09-2024, 09:09 PM
#4
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I have not had any problems with the AC Delco batteries in my car. I have replaced the battery once (the OEM one) but got 5+ years out of that one and replaced it as a preventative measure, not because it was causing problems.
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01-09-2024, 09:58 PM
#5
I use walmart everstart AGM's. Have 3 in cars.
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c6tech (01-12-2024)
01-09-2024, 10:02 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
My OEM DELCO lasted 6 years and I changed it because I felt I was pushing my luck. Not because I was experiencing any problems. I always had it on the maintainer when I wasn’t driving it. So maybe that helped it along. I decided to get the same battery and hopefully this one is just as good
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blkvet6 (01-15-2024)
01-09-2024, 11:06 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
My OEM DELCO lasted 6 years and I changed it because I felt I was pushing my luck. Not because I was experiencing any problems. I always had it on the maintainer when I wasn’t driving it. So maybe that helped it along. I decided to get the same battery and hopefully this one is just as good
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blkvet6 (01-15-2024)
01-10-2024, 12:54 AM
#10
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OEM AC Delco really is the best choice.. I wouldn't waste the $$ on optima.. they were great back in the 1990's..
01-10-2024, 07:08 AM
#11
I had the same thoughts about the Optima batteries because of the great luck I had with them in the past. After my car being in service for 4 years, I decided to replace my battery with an Optima. With my car being a weekend driver, I tried to start my car after sitting 5 days idle and it was dead so I had to jump it. Under warranty, Optima replaced my battery and that battery was just as bad. So I bit the bullet and after reading about batteries here on the forum, I bought an AC Delco and it works great! I can let the car sit at least 2 weeks before I have to put the tender on.
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blkvet6 (01-15-2024)
01-10-2024, 12:19 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Go to YouTube and search for the "Best battery for a C7" video and the guy goes through all of the arguments. He comes up with a wet lead/acid battery and prefers AC Delco. He covers them all including the gels and the AGMs.
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01-10-2024, 01:09 PM
#14
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The original battery in my C7 Z went 7 + years before it needed to be replaced. The original battery in my wife's 2015 GMC Terrain went 7 years. Since the mid 90s, I have seen similar results with AC Delco batteries that I had in my two C5s, my C6, two Tahoes and a Malibu. I don't see any reason to change to something better if there is something better.
Bill
Bill
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01-10-2024, 01:24 PM
#15
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AC Delco and Die Hard are my favs
Too many optima failures after 3 years
Too many optima failures after 3 years
01-10-2024, 01:32 PM
#16
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16, '21
I just changed mine to the Walmart EverStart, also. 760 CCA, 950 CA, 120 min reserve capacity, and 4 year free replacement warranty.
All this for $180.00.
Oh, one more thing, it has a handle!
All this for $180.00.
Oh, one more thing, it has a handle!
Last edited by H Watkins; 01-10-2024 at 03:00 PM.
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Dougyfd (01-10-2024)
01-10-2024, 02:57 PM
#17
Brand name batteries are all the same regarding the quality to do "work"... They ALL fail. We've used them all... They all fail... so any ol battery will work.... Because eventually you're gonna be stuck without a battery because they all fail. Dealing with GM electric power is crap shoot.
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H Watkins (01-11-2024)
01-10-2024, 10:16 PM
#18
Pro
There are only a few battery manufacturers. For the right group size and CCA rating, the sticker on the outside is what changes.
01-10-2024, 10:27 PM
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I am not sure if folks noticed, but they changed something in manufacturing USA batteries or something.. none of them last like they used to. An example would be the Yuasa Battery in my Hayabusa The OEM lasted years.. all the replacements I am lucky to get a year out of them.. weird.. maybe EPA or something stopped some hazardous thing that older batteries used or something like that
01-11-2024, 02:54 AM
#20
Ac Delco gold