zagato27

My Interstate battery seems to be "pooping" out. Kind of slow starts lately. It is 4 yrs old so I guess I got my money's worth out of it. I need a new battery. I'm interested in the Optima Red Tops (Yellows are a bit too $). I've also seen some posts on guys (VW's) using a DEKA battery that looks interesting.....very light weight but very small like a motorcycle battery. Saw one post where a guy installed it in his Jetta(???) and he used a custom battery holder.....looked great but it was strickly for VW's. I've also heard a bit about Odyssey batteries. I'd be interested to hear other's views especially anyone that has one of these batteries. Oh yes, $ is important consideration. $100-150 max. Yes, I know that Optima has a rebate going on till the 9th or 15th of Sep and that would be nice. Cheapest I've seen an Optima Red top is Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...X0DER&v=glance

Thanks in advance. Cheers

bigpulve+

iTrader: (11)

A regular Die Hard from Auto Zone......

You dont seem to have much of an electrical strain on this vehicle.

AndrewR2442

iTrader: (1)

Check the Consumer Reports Article. The Red Top is rated pretty darn good. Most batteries that are better than it are larger in size and aren't maintenance free.

I went w/an Everstart 34fs which has 700 Cold Cranking Amps. It has good warranty and that's another reason i went w/it. It's not listed on Consumer Reports so i don't know if it's great or trash. Compared to the dieing battery i had in my car a week ago.... this is a miracle. My old battery was leaking and corroding. It's noticealbe faster starts, better electrical functions w/less strain... according to my voltage meter.

The optima red top is rated for 800 Cold Cranking Amps. But it is 150 which was about double what i paid for mine.

MorpheusZero

iTrader: (10)

It's like $25 more for a yellow top

I am not sure about Optima batteries, they're hyped up a lot but I have heard of them failing.

Anyway, how's your son liking his fit?

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

I have a Red Top and it is great...no problems with it at all. I would recommend it to you anyday...it also helps clean up the look of the engine bay

nitromax

4 yr old interstate still should some warranty left, which means you will pay less for it's replacement. pro rata. it is a good battery. i use the mtp megatron series

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Red Top or Yellow Top. Your choice. Both are awesome, or so I heard.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

I agree, I've been using Interstate batteries for years. Nevery had any problems with them. Some lasted almost 8 years.

I got just over 7 years on the original Nissan battery in my 99.

BLACKonBLACK98

iTrader: (42)

http://www.optimabatteries.com/find_...tery_popup.php

seriously, does anybody do any research anymore? if you want to make an even more informed decision take the time to learn what the specs mean and maybe even take measurements of you battery area.

zagato27

My son LOVES his Fit. Drove up to UGA with him(me in Max and he was loaded to the gills in his Fit....Fitti or Fitski). The drive was mostly back roads with some interstate. The back roads were about 60mph. He got 44.9 mpg and the car had only 600 miles on the odometer. Pretty sweet. He hasn't gotten as good mileage in Athens....hills and a lot of traffic but he really likes the car. Very good build quality and very versatile. His 92 Legend LS Coupe is for sale.....anyone interested????

Thought you might be interested in "The Rest of the Story" so to speak on my son's Fit. Here's a link to his side of the story.

http://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-p...two-years.html

zagato27

Actually I have been there. Found that I could satisfy my requirements with a group 35 w/ 720 cranking amps.....I believe that that is the one I found on Amazon and included the link.

My interest in the Optima is because of it's unique construction and maintenance free. Still waiting to see if anyone has any info on the Odyssey or DEKA batteries. Cheers

BLACKonBLACK98

iTrader: (42)

not sure why you would pic the lowest cranking amp and, more importantly, reserve capacity. personally i would get the biggest battery i could fit. d34 yellow top would be my choice of the optimas. i haven't tried the deka but on paper the group 34 intimidator looks like the winner and i have heard great things about them.

Gismo-T

iTrader: (38)

Die Hard's are Sears, Duralast are Autozone...

Have had my Optima Red top for 3 yrs... no problems here...


OPTIMA RED TOP +1

nafddur

I walked into a Sam's Club recently and saw these cheaper than anyplace I've found on the net so far (Red tops there are about $140). I'm in the market for a new batterry for my Murano to replace the original that is one going on 4 years old.

Trouble was, the Sam's Club had very few available (including the one I need). But then, it IS a New England (typically backwards, particularly where `foreign' cars are involved) store.

nemesys

go with the red top optima. I got one and haven't been happier with it. good pruduct for the price, you should have no issues with it.

zagato27

Well, finally made my decision. Bought the Deka Intimidator. Purchased it from Auto Barn. No problem with fit but did have to buy a new battery tie down. That involved some cutting of the rods that hold the tie down. Also, the terminals are located on the "lower" side of the battery when installed with the correct placement of the "+" and "-" terminals and the negative cable is pretty tight....no slack there. What a difference in starting. Yeah, could have gotten a cheaper battery from one of the local auto parts stores but am very happy with this one.
Heads up....while I was at Advance Auto the other day picking up some anti corrosion felt pads ran across a Mobil 1 deal. Through this month they have 5qts of Mobil 1 AND a Mobil 1 oil filter for $30. That's a deal! Wanted to get Mobil 1 0-30 in the green cap but they didn't carry it. Might wait a bit to see if they get any in but I will be taking advantage of this one

maxfever1987

iTrader: (93)

few months back i bought a battery from autozone Duralast Gold with 935 cold cranking amps paid 100 bucks with some kind of 8 yr waranty and 3 year FREE replacement my brother drained his battery completely some months back when warranty was going to expire and got a brand new battery for free!! no problems with autozne battery though