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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 06:56 PM
  #1  
DieselFuelOnly's Avatar
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optima battery

Well, my original batteries are 7 going on 8 years old now. They're showing signs of failure so I'm looking into these optima's. To anybody who has them, is it worth the money? Comments?

Thanks
 
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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 07:10 PM
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I have one in my '93 Mustang (600hp supercharged 347).

It's been in there about 3 years & I LOVE it.

Put the car in storage last year, didnt even see the car for 6 months & when I got it out of storage this past summer it fired up like it had just been driven the day before.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 07:14 PM
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This is a common topic and question that comes up here. I don't have the Optima's. I've heard both pro's and con's to the batteries causing me to stay away from the Optima red top's(if that's your choice). For the price i would want to hear "...OH yea Man!!...best batteries on the planet" from everyone but i haven't heard it and i've read a lot of posts on the topic. Some love them and some think they're overpriced for what u get.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 07:23 PM
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I figured it had been discussed before, but searching on this forum is as rare as a Hollywood agent who does charity work on weekends.

Thanks for the input thus far. I'm thinking its probably not worth the $$$.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 07:23 PM
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I have a yellowtop in my s-10. It can't run the sound system without it. I loved how it cranked it. I was about to get two for my f250 when the manager of interstate batteries started telling me about these batteries. He told me that the yellowtop has a lot of reserve capacity, making it good for my s10, but bad for a truck like mine. He recommended this different red top that I hadn't seen before. (most likely different from the one psnut was talking about) It was like 30 bucks cheaper than the yellowtop, and its a new battery that optima came out with, from what I hear. I was unable to get any cuz they were on backorder at the time. But I guess they are suppose to be really good for diesels.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 07:27 PM
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The red-tops are designed for pure starting power. The yellow's are deep-cycle designed more for longevity. A yellow-top would have no problem turning over a Diesel... Their Cold Cranking Amp rating is only SLIGHTLY less.. My brother has had them in his Duramax for a few years and loves them (he's a firefighter so he has lights out the a**) but I'm looking for more opinions.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 07:29 PM
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I just replaced my two Motorcraft originals with the Walmart 850CCA Everstart
batteries for $65/ea. Highly rated in Consumer Reports and made by Johnson Controls, who makes the Optima's.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 09:35 PM
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I've been running red tops in my truck for a few years now. When and if they die, I will replace them with more red tops. I've probably run 5 or 6 different kinds of batteries and these are the best of those.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 09:37 PM
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interesting... good ol' wally world
 
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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by PSNut
I just replaced my two Motorcraft originals with the Walmart 850CCA Everstart
batteries for $65/ea. Highly rated in Consumer Reports and made by Johnson Controls, who makes the Optima's.
Ditto, plus 3 year free replacement and 9 year pro-rated warranty. Yep, the 65N are in mine and my Dads.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2006 | 11:20 PM
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i am running two wally word batteries now and they are performing great for me even better that i cleaned the terminals and connectors. i am in the military and have seen red tops abused like red headed step children in equipment and diesel trucks(ford and gm) they are fantastic from the desert heat to utah winters
 
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Old Dec 5, 2006 | 01:30 AM
  #12  
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Thumbs up Optima Yellow Tops ROCK!!

I had a problem with my old car not wanting to start a couple months ago. Turned out it was coroded terminals. But in troubleshooting I decided to have my 8-year old Optima Yellow Top tested. The guy put it on the meter and asked me how many months old the battery was. When I told him 8 he flipped! Said my battery was putting out like a brand new unit. It NEVER gave me trouble and I ran LOTS of stereo & lights. Sold me for when I need to do new batteries. I'll pay the $$ because they last and are sealed, so no worries about leaking fluid, low electrolyte, etc. Maintenance free = less to worry about and I like that!
 
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Old Dec 5, 2006 | 07:58 AM
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Have had two red tops in my 7.3 for over 2 years now and runing in the heat of Phoenix. Not one hiccup. So far, I recommend them.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2006 | 09:02 AM
  #14  
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The Red top comes with a lifetime warranty from Optima. not the dealer. Send in warranty card. Than if you have any problem call there 800 number. they called my dealer. I walk into nappa and exchange for new. no questions asked. Read the warranty well. If that don't sell ya on them than read my other post on same subject.
 
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 12:06 PM
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thanks for all the input fellas. Maybe I'll wait to see how much pocket change is left after the holidays.
 
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