Good replacement battery? ver. no Optima

TeckNeon · Post by **TeckNeon** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:36 pm

It's been 5 good long years with my stocker, but I want to get a new one before winter. Who makes a good one in our 2003+ size? Even a crappy Walmart battery is a cheap 1 year version. I'd rather have a good one that is not a store brand.

Any input?

Post by **racer12306** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:44 pm

Should be able to get Interstate or you could just go get another Mopar one.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:33 pm

TeckNeon wrote:It's been 5 good long years with my stocker, but I want to get a new one before winter. Who makes a good one in our 2003+ size? Even a crappy Walmart battery is a cheap 1 year version. I'd rather have a good one that is not a store brand.

Any input?

The Walmart batteries are not so crappy...

They are made by Johnson Controls which manufactures the best batteries around.

The biggest problem with purchasing a new battery is getting one that has been sitting around on the shelves for a while. Check the date code and make sure you get a recent one.

excon · Post by **excon** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:08 pm

I don't like mopar batteries, and there are a few others on here that will back me up. I went through 2 mopar batteries in 2 years. I finally just went to NAPA and got one with a 3 year warranty on it.

Keep your receipt.

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:34 pm

IDK i my stock one is still running strong, I might stick with mopar or go with an Odyssey drycell.

Jerome Adams · Post by **Jerome Adams** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:29 pm

why no Optima? I just put a red top in mine. Does't quite fit in the tray but I will fix that later.

TeckNeon · Post by **TeckNeon** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:13 am

No Optima because they are extremely over priced and they don't fit. I had one in my 1997 and it was great but it crapped out like any other battery in the same amount of time. I didn't see the point of spending nearly twice as much on something that wasn't going to be used for a huge stereo or something special. The only reason I got my first one because I got it on sale, with a discount from my buddy who was working at Sears, plus I had a gift card...out the door it was like $75 at the time (6 years ago or more...it was done after about 4 years)

I'd rather not buy a battery with just a 1 year warranty. A Mopar battery would be fine but seems like there would be a better option out there. I'll see if I can't scrounge up an Interstate battery in our odd ball size.

And it's a 5 year old daily driver with over 100K. A Braille or Oddessey battery would be way, way over kill for my basic application.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:16 am

To be honest, walmart batteries are just as good a any auto parts store battery aside from high quality ones like optima.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:46 am

I bought a month-old, by the date code, Wal-Mart (Everstart) 975CCA battery for my truck back in 10th grade of High School. It is still going very strong what, about 7 years later with absolutely no signs of going anytime soon either. For the price, I'll go with them again.

lilolneon · Post by **lilolneon** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:13 am

I have an optima yellow top, i had to have it replaced early because it was damaged in the wreck of my 1st neon. It lasted a good while in my new neon till it started to take a crap. I replaced it with another yellowtop and havent had a problem since. car starts right up, power is strong. (yes i have a system)

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:51 am

If you have a system that draws lots of power (over 1k watts) then the optima is worth it, otherwise it's just a waste of money.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:37 am

I have an 8 year old Optima in my Jeep. Still going strong, and never once have I had to clean corrosion. Yes the first one died after two and a half years, but it only cost about $20 to replace it.

Back then, it wasn't that much more than the prices of lead acid batteries, for the same warranty.

The lack of corroded terminals makes AGM type batteries worth it, in my book. Other than cleaning the dust off, it is the only maintenance needed.
No matter what type of battery, it needs to be clean. Dirt and grime does conduct small amounts electricity, and will slowly bleed your battery to death.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:43 am

What's wrong with a Mopar battery? The one that my dealership installed a few months back came with a good warranty and is American-made to boot.

superdan · Post by **superdan** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 11:26 am

where can you get the mopar battery besides the dealer? How much are they?

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 11:30 am

4793359AB $71.60

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:12 pm

Midnight_Rider wrote:and is American-made to boot.

I <3 your logic, Gramps.

Chris04sxt · Post by **Chris04sxt** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:36 pm

JeffM wrote:
Midnight_Rider wrote:and is American-made to boot.
I <3 your logic, Gramps.

Says the man who drives an Audi.

J/K man.

I do try to buy American when I can, but it's just about impossible these days.

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:21 pm

I have an Optima from the factory.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:50 pm

Chris04sxt wrote:I do try to buy American when I can, but it's just about impossible these days.

Not if you really look when shopping. It can be done.[off-topic]

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:44 pm

Didn't we have another topic like this about two months ago.

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:47 pm

I like the red tops

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:53 pm

Swordfish2Cowboy wrote:Didn't we have another topic like this about two months ago.

Bill Murray has Groundhog Day, we haz Optima Day, amongst a few others...

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:19 pm

Swordfish2Cowboy wrote:Didn't we have another topic like this about two months ago.

That might have been my topic... and after lots of research and fuss over a replacement battery I went with the Walmart Energizer as they call it here in Canada.

Why?

It is made by Johnston Controls... says right on it... and I trust batteries made by them.

It has an excellent warranty.

There is a Walmart in everytown should I need to replace.

How has it been?

The car starts and the electrical devices function as they should. What more can I say.

Ask me about it in the spring should I end up spending another winter in Canada freezing my blah blah off.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:26 pm

I thought you were South Bound. What did I miss?

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:45 pm

occasional demons wrote:I thought you were South Bound. What did I miss?

I still am... but government immigration departments and lawyers sometimes have their own pace of working.

Very much still in the works, but who knows... I might still be here when the snow starts flying in November.

At this point it would not surprise me if I'm finally heading down sometime in the spring.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:33 pm

Paul56 wrote:
TeckNeon wrote:It's been 5 good long years with my stocker, but I want to get a new one before winter. Who makes a good one in our 2003+ size? Even a crappy Walmart battery is a cheap 1 year version. I'd rather have a good one that is not a store brand.

Any input?
The Walmart batteries are not so crappy...

They are made by Johnson Controls which manufactures the best batteries around.
The biggest problem with purchasing a new battery is getting one that has been sitting around on the shelves for a while. Check the date code and make sure you get a recent one.

http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx? ... id=4023696
Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries. Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names. Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models. Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts.
So most of them are made by Johnson Control?

Also remember to get one that has been sitting on the shelf for a max of 6 months.

There is a code that is a string of letters and numbers, but all the real information that is needed is in the first two characters. Usually it starts with a letter that corresponds with the month. 'A' for January. "l" through December. Some omit the "I" so M will be December. second character is for the year.. So A2 would be January 92. Some Delcom batteries are reversed. So 2C would be MArch 92.

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 2:30 pm

Gravedigger..

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:46 pm

I know, I almost replied to this thread with advice earlier.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to say my stocker is still kicking around, it's at the 10 and a half year mark.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:44 pm

My "crappy" Everstart batteries are still going too, including the two new ones I bought a bit ago for two other vehicles.

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:48 pm

my redtop has been going strong since 2004 and it's taken alot more abuse than any other battery I have ever used....

2GN.ORG

Good replacement battery? ver. no Optima

Good replacement battery? ver. no Optima

Re: Good replacement battery? ver. no Optima

Re: Good replacement battery? ver. no Optima