2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission What is up with Optima battery prices?

[smokinhole]

1999, 168,000 mi, Original batteries! Oo. Cranks like new but, for who knows how much longer

 

[TLarsen]

The OEM's in my '98 lasted about 105k miles. I replaced them 2 years ago with Car Quest heavy duty's.

I've had a red top Optima in my rock crawler since 1994, 12 years and still works like new (the first 6 years were in my daily driver).

Last year my brother was looking for a red top and was told by a local battery shop that Optima had a factory fire, and that was why prices had sky rocketed, and the batteries were hard to find, may shops were on back order on the Optimas.

 

[JGK]

As of this month, just hit 6 years on my red top Interstates. My truck sits outside all winter. Just plug it in at night (comes on with a timer about 3 hrs before I leave for work in the morning). Low temps often get into the single digits now and again during the winter. Occasionally, below 0. They'll get me through until fall. Not sure they'll make another winter, though.



-Jay

 

[CToney]

My brother just runs one optima in his '01. And it seems to run just fine. You think that the batteries price has gone nuts. This "Ethanol" craze has caused the price of Urea (Nitrogen fertilizer) to go from $380 in the fall to $580 CDN this spring. The funny thing is that a pile of natural gas is used in the manufacture of urea so I don't really see the benefit to the environment. Biodiesel is a better choice.

 

[RPMDodge]

6 years and 168,000 miles later still on orginals. I should replace them soon. Think i will go with interstate. Rick M

 

[BTowler]

All batteries are going up, but Optima seems to be gouging. They are going up much quicker than the rest.

 

[MistaMike]

6 years and 168,000 miles later still on orginals. I should replace them soon. Think i will go with interstate. Rick M

For the best price on Interstate batteries, buy them right off the Interstate truck. Don't buy from a 2nd party, like a repair shop. Those batteries are marked up (my shop almost 2x as much!!?) and have been sitting around for awhile.

 

[RWatson]

7 years... 100,000 miles on original batteries. Have been thinking on replacing soon and was giving thought to Optima Red Tops,, but not at these prices... OUCH!

 

[Neibe]

My 97 has 205,000 miles and I still have the original batteries that's 10 Michigan winters. I'm the original owner.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

WOW... . I have 4 optima red tops sitting in my garage in the trunk of my 64 impala that power up my amplifiers. I am gonna have to pull them out & sell them if the prices go any higher.

Would you take $1200 cash for your 4 Optimas? :-laf

 

[tlgdiesel]

I know its hot in AZ. spent 13 weeks there in 2003 (with my wife and my truck, she worked as a traveling nurse ) But battery longevity is a matter of maintainance not luck. If you clean your terminals at least 2 times a year and keep those little red and green felt oil impregnated rings on the terminal base's, your battery will last a long time.

And it's warm here in Fla. too.

I dont care what kind of maintainance you do. I live in Las Vegas and have for all my life and even three years out of a battery is rare here. The heat kills standard batteries fast. On the other hand I have a seven year old optima Im still running. Maintainance helps but the heat is unavoidable.

 

[Highfinance97]

I get Optimas for $100 bucks a pop no matter what color top





Michael

 

[CSnyder]

My 2000 has the originals yet at 240,000 but it gets started and run 360 days a year.

 

[MMeier]

I get Optimas for $100 bucks a pop no matter what color top





Michael

Sounds like time for another group buy !!!

 

[Highfinance97]

Sounds like time for another group buy !!!

Shipping whould be outtragous



Michael

 

[IanF]

I was thinking about Optimas, but at these prices... ouch...



Anyone have experience wish Bosch batteries? They are the only size 27 batteries I've found so far and also have a higher CCA rating than the red tops.

 

[6BT-Dakota]

I put a Red Top Optima in the Dakota because it had to be mounted sideways. I only have one battery in my truck and even in 30 deg wether for a week and with no grid heaters the battery kept the engine turning like and old time diesel starting and eventually the truck started. I would not hesitate to use a Optima again I love it.

 

[SKargo]

Optimas, overpriced, overhyped GARBAGE!



Walmart Everstart Maxx's last a LONG time and cost $62 each.

 

[6BT-Dakota]

But you cant mount a Walmart Everstart Maxx's 90 degrees and sideways / upsidedown. Besides Optima's look cool . . . .

 

[SKargo]

But you cant mount a Walmart Everstart Maxx's 90 degrees and sideways / upsidedown. Besides Optima's look cool . . . .

If that's the only advantage, I think I'm fine. I mount all my batteries in their stock location.

And buying something for looks?!?!? :-laf