I haven't bought a car battery in about 7 years and I was wondering what a good dependable brand is today? I only have a 3.8L V6 Pontiac Grand Am so I don't need a workhorse battery. I heard that "Interstate" was pretty good??Thanks!

AC/Delco

i'd go to autozone, they'll test your alternator and battery cables while they install your battery. since they dont charge by the hour, i've never had them try to sell me something i didn't need

AC/Delco
A/C Delco's only last a few years. This one is 4 years old and it is turning slower each day. The replacement ones last longer.
i'd go to autozone, they'll test your alternator and battery cables while they install your battery. since they dont charge by the hour, i've never had them try to sell me something i didn't need
Ok but what brand(s) do they sell? My alternator & cables are fine and, since I do most of my own mechanic work, I'll replace it myself but I need a brand name that is long life dependable.

Interstate :yay:

Optima :yay:

Optima Battery - Red Top Info and Reviews (http://www.offroaders.com/directory/products/Optima-batteries-Redtop.htm)

I second the Optima. Nothin better.

A/C Delco's only last a few years. This one is 4 years old and it is turning slower each day. The replacement ones last longer.

Ok but what brand(s) do they sell? My alternator & cables are fine and, since I do most of my own mechanic work, I'll replace it myself but I need a brand name that is long life dependable.

Delco batteries have always lasted at least 5 years for me.:shrug:

Autozone is good and Interstate is way overated..

Die Hard

Car battery recommendation?


12V

Die Hard

That used to be my choice, but down here the summer heat kills just about anything, nothing seems to last any longer than anything else. I decided to stop going expensive and have gotten the last couple of batteries from WalMart. I get 4-5 years out of them, which is pretty respectable. Just make sure you get one with enough cold-crank amps to take you thru a bad winter.

Optima :yay:

Optima Battery - Red Top Info and Reviews (http://www.offroaders.com/directory/products/Optima-batteries-Redtop.htm)

:yeathat:

Car battery recommendation?


12V
Mine put out 12.43 volts when I measured it on a volt meter. Why should I settle for less Bob? :smack: :howdy:

Thanks for all the replies guys. Are the Optima batteries available in a store in So Md? It looks like they are only available online.

Thanks for all the replies guys. Are the Optima batteries available in a store in So Md? It looks like they are only available online.

Most of the Auto Parts (Advance Auto, Autozone, etc.) stores carry them, as does Speed Unlimited in Morningside.

Optima Batteries Dealer Locator (http://www.optimabatteries.com/dealer_locator/results.php?s_Dealer_Zip=20657&s_Dealer_Radius=50&s_Dealer_Category=00005&Button_DoSearch_x=55&Button_DoSearch_y=5)

I haven't bought a car battery in about 7 years and I was wondering what a good dependable brand is today? I only have a 3.8L V6 Pontiac Grand Am so I don't need a workhorse battery. I heard that "Interstate" was pretty good??Thanks!
Don't get a WalMart battery.

Mine put out 12.43 volts when I measured it on a volt meter. Why should I settle for less Bob? :smack: :howdy:

Why start doing things different now??

BUT, I will say, I agree with the Optima crowd. My battery on the bike is dying a slow death, and when I replace it, it will be an Optima.
OOPS, i was thinking Odyssey, and said Optima.

Odyssey is the bike battery.

Here is Consumer Reports test... I have always had good luck with Die Hards...

Most of the Auto Parts (Advance Auto, Autozone, etc.) stores carry them, as does Speed Unlimited in Morningside.

Great, thanks!
Don't get a WalMart battery.
I really didn't plan to but I did consider it because I've found that, in many cases, name brands aren't all that anymore. :shrug:
Why start doing things different now??
BUT, I will say, I agree with the Optima crowd. My battery on the bike is dying a slow death, and when I replace it, it will be an Optima.
Sounds good! I got a battery for my Harley last year but it was from the Harley shop ($85 later OUCH!)
Here is Consumer Reports test... I have always had good luck with Die Hards...
Me too but it's been 7 years since I bought one so I thought I'd ask.
Thanks again everyone!

Don't get a WalMart battery.
We bought a WalMart battery for the minivan 3 years ago. Right about this time of year. Had to replace it in October. It started going bad in August.

Most of the Auto Parts (Advance Auto, Autozone, etc.) stores carry them, as does Speed Unlimited in Morningside.

Optima Batteries Dealer Locator (http://www.optimabatteries.com/dealer_locator/results.php?s_Dealer_Zip=20657&s_Dealer_Radius=50&s_Dealer_Category=00005&Button_DoSearch_x=55&Button_DoSearch_y=5)

If he goes to speed, he needs to be sure to bring his lube with him too. They don't include that in there price, even though it should be free with how much stuff cost up there.

If he goes to speed, he needs to be sure to bring his lube with him too. They don't include that in there price, even though it should be free with how much stuff cost up there.

:lol: I worked there for five years.

I helped support Speed Unreasonable for MANY years in the 70's. Pete got to know me real well since I was in there every week. I'll try the auto places down here since I seriously avoid that part of the world.

:lol: I worked there for five years.

I have bought a lot of stuff there, usually because they have it in stock and I can't wait for it. :lol:

I have bought a lot of stuff there, usually because they have it in stock and I can't wait for it. :lol:

Me too, but usually only in instances where i really needed it that day.

Fo general daily use, Optima's are over kill. if you don't need a gell filled, high output battery, and most people don't, then don't spend the extra money.

Get a 60 or 72 month battery from a reputable dealer. That's all you need. if it dies before that, you get a pro-rated replacement. Manufacture is not all that important.

If you are hung on getting an Optima, the Yellow top will more than suffice. Red tops are for more demanding use (off-roading, racing, High end/ high output stereo use, etc) where numerous high drain/charge cycles are encountered.

Fo general daily use, Optima's are over kill. if you don't need a gell filled, high output battery, and most people don't, then don't spend the extra money.

Get a 60 or 72 month battery from a reputable dealer. That's all you need. if it dies before that, you get a pro-rated replacement. Manufacture is not all that important.

If you are hung on getting an Optima, the Yellow top will more than suffice. Red tops are for more demanding use (off-roading, racing, High end/ high output stereo use, etc) where numerous high drain/charge cycles are encountered.
:yeahthat:
No doubt the Optima is the best but it's a big dent in the wallet for no real benefit.

:yeahthat:
No doubt the Optima is the best but it's a big dent in the wallet for no real benefit.

I got mine for like a 100 bucks with trade in of my old battery. Then again this was for the 88 I had, which sat around some, but it started right up for the 5 years I had the red top with no problems. I think with an ordinary battery, and the car sitting around, it would have gone dead a few times.

Fo general daily use, Optima's are over kill. if you don't need a gell filled, high output battery, and most people don't, then don't spend the extra money.

Get a 60 or 72 month battery from a reputable dealer. That's all you need. if it dies before that, you get a pro-rated replacement. Manufacture is not all that important.

If you are hung on getting an Optima, the Yellow top will more than suffice. Red tops are for more demanding use (off-roading, racing, High end/ high output stereo use, etc) where numerous high drain/charge cycles are encountered.
I agree! I did some checking around but I didn't realize the price. :jameo: Those things are up there. Believe me I'm not a tight wad but I also don't like to waste money. Fortunately most of my batteries have given me some notice before they died so I have a few months left on this one. I'll check with autozone or advance parts next week. :yay:

I got mine for like a 100 bucks with trade in of my old battery. Then again this was for the 88 I had, which sat around some, but it started right up for the 5 years I had the red top with no problems. I think with an ordinary battery, and the car sitting around, it would have gone dead a few times.

The RedTop in my jeep has flat lined twice in 3 years. :/ Gotta have it for the winch though.

Ive never had problems with the advance auto brand. Have had them in both a 05 Toyota Highlander and a 78 Buick LeSabre.