YACT: help me choose a new battery. ***final update in 1st post***

gotsmack

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2001
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FINAL UPDATE

The pin that holds in the battery broke off so I had to go to a mechanic/ tireshop/oil change place that I trust.

They wouldn't drill out the bent pin for me but they rigged up a piece of wood that made the BOSCH battery they sold me fit in really nice. Warrenty kinda sucks 18 month full replacement and 60 month pro-rated.

the 700 CCA was impressive since the other battreies were only 590 CCA I think it's a truck battery

Price after tax came to $90.05


**New Q**
the autozone battery -duralast- is made by Johnson Controls so is the Diehard.

Now the question is: Do I pay the extra $30 for the diehard over the Autozone battery?
The diehard has 1 year full warrenty EXTRA and 4 months extra pro-rated warrenty over the Autozone one, so that might justify part of the extra $30.


Is it a different label only or are the Autozone batteries the ones that are at the ends of the tolerance curve when they are testing them? Does the longer full warrenty suggest that the Diehard has a higher MTBF?

******



****UPDATE****

You optima whores! I am not modding the battery well in my car! Getting the diehard because it seems most reliable of the list.
******

I need a new battery soon. I have the oem Volvo battery in there now but I know a dealership mechanic and he said that their batteries aren;t that great and to get an aftermarket one. So here are my choices.

NO OPTIMA because they don;t make one for my old but in great condition car, I looked. I am NOT going to MAKE and optima battery fit. I don;lt care how good it is, I'm not screwing around with the spacing of the battery well in my car.

Which one is the best? I live in Northern NJ so cold weather start is the most important part of chosing a battery for me.

NAPA brand, 75 months warranty. 595 Cold cranking amps $99.63

Autozone brand -Duralast, 2 full year warrenty +5 pro rated 7 years total 590 CCA $69.49

Strauss Auto- Ultra Silver, made by XI? 47 months warrenty? 600 CCA $54.99

Sears- Diehard International, 3 years full warrenty 100 month pro rated. 590 CCA $99



Are the other brands as good as Diehard? I've heard of Diehard but don't know if they are really good or just hype.


Thanks in advance


 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
All of the batteries are the same.

They go down a line and they slap different labels on them.

3 will get Napa label, next 3 get Autozone, etc etc and they are the same battery.

I am not kidding.
 

DingDingDao

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2004
3,044
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Originally posted by: dmcowen674
All of the batteries are the same.

They go down a line and they slap different labels on them.

3 will get Napa label, next 3 get Autozone, etc etc and they are the same battery.

I am not kidding.

You might be right about the Napa, Diehard, Interstate, etc. but I'm pretty sure the Optima batteries are a completely different type of battery altogether.

 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: DingDingDao
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
All of the batteries are the same.

They go down a line and they slap different labels on them.

3 will get Napa label, next 3 get Autozone, etc etc and they are the same battery.

I am not kidding.

You might be right about the Napa, Diehard, Interstate, etc. but I'm pretty sure the Optima batteries are a completely different type of battery altogether.

They are odd looking batteries.

I haven't checked to see if they are a different technology or just a different style case.
 

CRXican

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2004
9,062
1
0
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Originally posted by: DingDingDao
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
All of the batteries are the same.

They go down a line and they slap different labels on them.

3 will get Napa label, next 3 get Autozone, etc etc and they are the same battery.

I am not kidding.

You might be right about the Napa, Diehard, Interstate, etc. but I'm pretty sure the Optima batteries are a completely different type of battery altogether.

They are odd looking batteries.

I haven't checked to see if they are a different technology or just a different style case.

hell yes they're different

they're sealed also
 

gotsmack

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2001
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Sears doesn't have the diehard gold for my car, I've checked both by calling in at the local store and online.

I also checked Optima and results were this

Please enter the following information about your car,
and find which OPTIMA is right for you.
There are no matches available for this vehicle.

VOLVO
All Models
1988 240, 740, 760
 

DingDingDao

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2004
3,044
0
71
Originally posted by: gotsmack
Sears doesn't have the diehard gold for my car, I've checked both by calling in at the local store and online.

I also checked Optima and results were this

Please enter the following information about your car,
and find which OPTIMA is right for you.
There are no matches available for this vehicle.

VOLVO
All Models
1988 240, 740, 760

A lot of times this is what you get, since Optima batteries are generally smaller than the batteries they replace. Just find the right post orientation and CCA to find the right battery, or check on a Volvo forum somewhere. I had this same thing happen on my Audi A4, and a lot of the guys on the Audi forums just fashioned a metal bracket to hold the battery in place.
 

TwoBills

Senior member
Apr 11, 2004
734
0
76
Get an Interstate from one of their supply depots. My 1st Interstate lasted 9 years. Paid the same + $6 to jump to the next size up (1000 cca) when I replaced it (under $80).
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
81
Sears- Diehard International, 2 years full warrenty 100 month pro rated. 590 CCA $99

We used to run diehards in our dragster and then took a beating in pride.
 

Nutdotnet

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2000
7,721
3
81
Originally posted by: amdskip
Sears- Diehard International, 2 years full warrenty 100 month pro rated. 590 CCA $99

We used to run diehards in our dragster and then took a beating in pride.

Yup...I was going to suggest this one two.

Great batteries.

 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Did you try Walmart? I doubt you'll find better bang for the buck. Just look at the cost per Cold Cranking Amp.
 

SuperSix

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,872
2
0
Don't buy one with more CCA than needed, and get the one with the longest free swap warranty, some are as high as 3 years.
 

ManyBeers

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2004
2,519
1
81
I have had a Sears Diehard in my Ford Aerostar for 7-8 years and it is still working flawlessly. I will buy another Diehard if I ever get another battery...for any car.
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
How awesome of a battery do you REALLY think you need? I'm betting your car is around five years old with the original, two bit battery just about to give up the ghost. Is that not long enough service? You think a super, duper, awesome battery is going to last much longer? Think it will be worth the price premium for an extra year or two? Are you even keeping the car that long?
 

gotsmack

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2001
5,768
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71
I don't want to spend more then $150 for the battery. I plan to keep the car for another 2 years and then give it to my sibling, so I guess the car has to last another 6 years? I take good care of it and it has <90K on it.

I think I'll just buy the diehard, unless someone knows better
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
I don't want to spend more then $150 for the battery.

You have GOT to be joking, right? The battery that lasted till today, can be replaced by another, with identical specs, for about $40.00. I'd certainly like to hear any rational explanation why this new one should cost any more than that!
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
What the hell do you mean they "don't make one for your car"?

I must be missing something.. that's like saying they don't make a battery for your flash light, lol.