I noticed in the 11/08 issue of a prominent Consumer magazine that it reports the following Best Buys for batteries:
1. Kirkland Signature 12866
2. Everstart Maxx-65N for you northern folks
3. Everstart Maxx-65 for us folks in more temperate climates.

#1 was Diehard Platinum 50065 @ $150.- retail, then Duralast Gold 65-DLG. Other batteries in descending order were NAPA, Autocraft, Interstate Mega Tron Plus, Diehard gold (south), Duralast, Diehard gold (north), Interstate Mega Tron II, Diehard 30065 (North), and Diehard 30365 (south)

 

I put in the Duralast Golds at about $140 for both around 18 months ago. They're doing great so far...

 

The Everstat Maxx is a wally battery that is pretty far down on my list
They are failt cheap and easy to warranty but you never know when they will fail,never had one start sounding weak just all of a sudden grave yard dead
the last 2 sets in my truck lasted about a year,the longest 13 mos
one in my '86 just over a year
one in my jeep 10 mos
one in wife merc 38 mos on 7 yr battery cost $30 to replace
all these were replaced in the last 10 mos

 

I have the duralast gold for about 20 months now with no problems!

 

I needed to replace my batteries and did so just this week. I want to relocate them to the passenger frame rail, so I needed the dry cell type. Reading here about the drop in quality of the Optimas, I went with the Odyessys. High price but we'll see how they work out; keeping my fingers crossed.

*I also got the in-tank kit from ITP, Pete's filter cover, air horns, trans bypass filter and Stancor GPR. I plan on ordering the CCK kit and the OilGuard bypass filter system when my check to the credit card clears!

CedricR.

 

I just got two Optima's and I hope the quality is good. I never heard that there quality went down? I have had no problem yet, it was pricey!

 

My truck is approximately 7 years old and I had the original Ford batteries. I just had a friend get stranded because unbeknownst to him he was only on one battery and it suddenly died and he was in the New Mexico desert 75 miles from civilization.

Because of this I just changed them both out. They seemed to be doing okay according to my Voltage gauge, but with winter coming I didn't want to push it. I stuck with Motorcraft 850 CCAs for $110.00 each since the originals lasted so long.

 

I honestly have to say that any battery you can get (@ least 850 CCA) w/ minimum 3 year warranty that is READILY available- is the way to go.

#2 & #3 from the OP list are sold at wally world, and those things are everywhere. I hate to conform, lol, but I am sure my next set of tires and batteries will be from there.

 

I'm going either NAPA or DieHard. It will depend on price, warranty, and how much I like dealing with the people working there. If the same NAPA battery is offered at CarQuest, I'll be buying from my local CarQuest. The people there are awesome, they take care of me, and they can speak/understand English.

 

I installed two Optima Redtops this past spring... not a problem since then. Got them at Sam's Club.

I, too, have not seen or heard about a drop in Optima quality. I'll have to keep my eyes on mine, especially with the colder weather coming in.

 

i have had to yellow Top Optimas in my truck for almost 4 years now, and no problems whatsoever! pricey but worth it

 

That's what I wanted to hear, Thanks!

 

Yep -- ALWAYS replace both, Chief. Mine started acting funny, and I found one MotorCraft battery was about a year old, the other was original (5+ years old). I didn't bother screwing with it -- I went with two new DL Golds.