dfinnegan

Is the Optima Red Top still considered to be the best battery for our cars?

The reason I ask is because Sears stop carrying them due to quality issues. They said they had too many warranty claims.

Also, is the correct model the "Group 35"?

Thanks

Nine11

I've had mine for a few years and no problems so far. It's kept on trickle charge when sitting for long periods of time. I did have it drained when it sat for a very long time (didn't have time to drive) but a quick re-charge and it was good as gold.

Bearclaw

I'm not sure it ever was. They do have a fan club, but I'm not in it.
I had a red top and a yellow top go bad on me, both within a year of purchase. I went back to a plain ol' NAPA battery (for half the price), no more battery problems. Interesting to hear other seem to have had the same experience.

911URGE

FWIW - Im on my second Optima Red Top in 4 yrs. First one died after 3 yrs and was replaced by Pep Boys for no charge due to bad cell. I drive my C4 at least 2-3x a week and I dont use a trickle charger.

Wachuko

No issues here, I do keep it on a battery tender...

ricster

no problem here 7 years and its strong. Its on a battery maintainer

Indycam

The Sears Platinum battery is made by Odyssey .
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/

Duck

I had problems with red top but it probably was a electrical drain. I have a yellow top now.

springer3

Isn't the yellow top for deep cycling (low current, long drain) applications? The red is a starter battery (high cold cranking amps, but not designed for deep discharge).

No harm. I used a yellow top for a tractor battery when they did not have the correct red. It was still working great when I sold the tracter 10 years later.

darth

Dear Dfinnegan

Get the biggest badest (i.e. highest cold cranking amps or whatever they use to determine a batteries strength ... I think it's reserve power or something like that) flat plate battery that will physically fit. The spiral cells is just a gimmick to justify doubling the price. If you can get a good warranty that's a plus.

Bill

wellcraft290

i have the interstate 85 month battery. been good so far for me after a few years

dfinnegan

I ended up with an Interstate MTP-91 Mega-Tron Plus, 85 Months, 700 CCA, $124 plus tx.

Thanks, all, for the input!

Cheers

wellcraft290

dfinn that is the one i have and been good to me so far... knock on wood!!

J richard

I put red tops in all my pcars, lead acid is no friend to the chassis or wiring. The red tops are fine but do not tollerate complete drain, they need to be kept charged or they will have a short lifespan. A hint; I buy mine at costco, they tend to last about three years, when they no longer take a charge I take them back they give me a fresh battery and a new 5 year warranty...haven't bought more than one per car in a looooonnng time. (and yes I did check that it was a kosher policy!...)

Nine11

I got mine from Costco too....and I think it's all about how one maintains it.