Your take on an aftermarket battery...

[Dave C]

I am wondering what everyone think of aftermarket batteries. Is it worth it? Is there a noticeable difference from a normal battery? What brand(s) would you recommend? Specifically I'd get the Optima Red Top, mostly because it would go with my color theme (ok, not the best reason but whatever), how well does it work?

Any other comments related would be helpful.

[pyro]

yellow top is best for cars with systems, but if you just need a longer life and more power for normal stuff then get red.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive.html

[Dave C]

I have a system, but it is a small one consisting of a 220W MTX amp... also higher output fogs, a couple neons and some LED's. Is that enough to justify needing the yellow-top?


oh, and thanks for the above link

[Chain]

Here is a ranking chart.

http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/

[pyro]

you might as well save yourself and get a redtop.

[Matt95GT]

The Yellowtop is really only necessary if you plan on "Deep cycling" - running the system or accessories when the car is not running. My Redtop has proven to withstand the occasional deep cycle... a couple times a year. I know it has saved me a few times, and I treat it badly - the car isn't driven daily, sat for over a month a few times, driven 30 miles with broken alternator, etc. And it's over 3 years old to boot. All the "traditional" batteries I've tried haven't lasted with any abuse like that.

[magyver]

i talk to our car install guys 4 times daily, red/yello tops are a waste of money, get the interstate MTP-75 700 cold cranking amps and 875 cranking amps... and thats all you need... next step would be a battery in the trunk... its been a sweet battery and im running a FEW light mods... not worth the extra for a red or yellow... straight from me and 3 seasoned high end car audio installers...

[matts]

optima is a good battery, but im with dave. i think you're paying for the name more so than anything else. there are so many people that make virtually the same battery.....sealed, dry cell, deep cycle, vibration resistant, etc.

if you're just wanting a good battery for under the hood you dont necissarily need all that stuff. if you've got extra money then by all means go with an optima. ive got a wal-mart battery on my truck, and i've treated that thing pretty rough and it's still going strong after 3 years. and it was a fraction of the cost of a optima

[2K SE]

I got a DieHard three years ago and it's still strong No system though.

[RocketFast321]

I run a red top.

[Trancer]

I am on my 3rd Die Hard battery from Walmart in the past 3 months... My last one only lasted me like 2 months. It failed on me in, nonother than, the walmart parking lot. How convienient.

[b2089]

All the talk about batteries, but a battery is just along for the ride mostly after the car is started. You need an aftermarket high output alternator if you have excessive drain on the car and a second battery if you are using the system with the car off. Beyond that a good wal-mart battery should be fine. I can't remember who makes them but it was a good brand if I recall. I think it's the same batteries that Sears sells.

[JoeyK]

Originally posted by magyver
i talk to our car install guys 4 times daily, red/yello tops are a waste of money, get the interstate MTP-75 700 cold cranking amps and 875 cranking amps... and thats all you need... next step would be a battery in the trunk... its been a sweet battery and im running a FEW light mods... not worth the extra for a red or yellow... straight from me and 3 seasoned high end car audio installers...

B2089 makes a very good point; Why would you want an extra battery in your trunk unless you're running sound competitions & need the extra reserve. What Dave would need is just one good battery. Interstate is a great reg. battery. I used to run them exclusively but the warranty is way better with optima & they take alot more abuse, not to mention my red top cranks my car alot better & faster in the coldest of winter than my old 1000cca Interstate did. If it's a daily driver & you're not running mega watts for a stereo system That's all you need is one good battery, that & a better alternator if you're a little underpowered, remember, as soon as that extra battery is exhausted it's just another parasite for the already overlabored alternator.

Anyways, Dave; I'd say since you're up in Michigan I'd go for the Optima redtop. You'll be amazed how much quicker your GA will trun over in the dead of winter when your oil has turned to molassis.;) That & like I said, they have the best warranty I've seen on a battery. For the 1st 3 years mine will be replaced, not pro rated & then the last 3 years are. Not too many batteries are full replacement past the 1st year. Hell some are just 6 months. I got sold on them when my brother in law had one in his race car & I asked him about it. He told me he just had it left over from his Dodge charger & decided to throw it in his sportsman camaro. The battery was alreay 4 years old at that point. That was a good 3 years ago & it's now in his Dodge ram he got 6 months ago & it's still going strong. (It was also in his Jeep for a short time & we took that sucker on some pretty serious ground pounding off road trips)I'm amazed, try that with a regular battery. Very few regular batteries make it past 6 years, this Optima of his is well into 7 & it was in some abusive situations at times with all the vibrations of the offroading. Anyways, go to thier website & read up. It is very informative about thier batteries.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/brand.html

[RocketFast321]

i think the duralast gold battery in our malibu is 5 or 6 years old.