Optima Batteries worth the cost?

So the 'Burb needs batteries, (6.2 diesel, so dual battery setup) and I want to get the biggest/heaviest duty ones I can. Also long-lasting would be a big plus. It looks like I can get an optima red top, same size, CCA, for about $60 more than the "platinum" series. So my question is it worth the extra for the Optimas? Do they really last 8-10 years? Or will the Platinum do the job and last long enough? Not that I'm made of money, but got to put the stimulus $$$ to good use before it goes to something wasteful like groceries, lol...

No man... I have been a fan of Optimas in the past. But they suck now a days.
I have warrantied my current one three times in the last 4 years. I have a Kragen agm in my 73 and it’s holding up better than my gmt400s optima for sure.

I think most batteries are made by just two or three companies. For instance, my optima says Johnson Controls right on it—so do a bunch of other batteries I see.

My buddy who’s pretty smart about mechanical stuff likes Interstate batteries. I can’t remember if it’s because he gets a great deal on them or if they’re well made...

I have used Intestate batteries now for a least the past 25 years. Haven't had any trouble with them and the one time one give up before time they dealt with it immediately and fairly pro-rated it! Once I find something that works well for me I tend to stay with it. That's one reason all my vehicles are Chevys!!

those gel batteries are junk in my book, when you compare the amp hours on them to a regular battery there is no comparision.

higher cranking amp batteries do not last as long, they have thinner plates in them to allow more plates to be stacked and tend to warp easier and begin loosing power quickly.

I always buy the battery that is heaviest, i pick up what tje have to offer at the parts house I buy whatever I think is the heaviest and rated at whatever cranking amperage that the vehicle calls for.

Ive had bad luck with newer optimas too. Use to love them back in the 90's...no longer the case. I ran the agm batteries of all types when working in the car audio and alarm business. Never had any problems until the last 2 optimas i bought both crapping out after a winter cycle. Never had that issue til recently and ran them hard on and off the road.
Ive done some research recently and the best dollar per lead battery is the walmart brand per project farms test.

Swearbody said:

Ive had bad luck with newer optimas too. Use to love them back in the 90's...no longer the case. I ran the agm batteries of all types when working in the car audio and alarm business. Never had any problems until the last 2 optimas i bought both crapping out after a winter cycle. Never had that issue til recently and ran them hard on and off the road.
Ive done some research recently and the best dollar per lead battery is the walmart brand per project farms test.

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I have used Wally ones but I feel like they corrode faster than most.
But if price was a factor I wouldn’t hesitate to install one. Or even the Home Depot ones... whoever they’re using this year. Also hear good things about Costco batteries.

eskimomann209 said:

I have used Wally ones but I feel like they corrode faster than most.
But if price was a factor I wouldn’t hesitate to install one. Or even the Home Depot ones... whoever they’re using this year. Also hear good things about Costco batteries.

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I havent gotten around to trying them yet. i have a value battery from advanced. It hesitates a bit but is only rated 650cca so thats expected. really should be around 800 for my motor. once it dies i may try the walmart 800cca one.

my cars northstar agm rated 950cca instead of 780 or whatever the label cclaimed. 1000+ cranking amps. its been 3 years discharged heavy 3 times and still turns it on fast i can also use the battery for hours depending what im using wasting juice on. worked great sub -20 with 10w30 it was slower yes but you could tell it could crank for minutes

good and nice quality brass posts so you dont have corrosion. pair with brass connectors to truck and it would be golden.

In the past I've had good luck with Optima batteries with them lasting over ten years. I used to go to a battery warehouse that sold "blems" with scratches and other finish issues. They were less than half the price of a pretty one. Optimas have more than doubled in the last 10-15 years. I don't think I'd pay the $200 plus they are now.

Academy sports sells an AGM starting battery that some friends have used for right around $100.

I like AGM's for their safety properties. If a battery leaked or outgassed would it be an issue? If not save some money. If its an offroad vehicle that vibrates, in the trunk or on a show car where you have to worry about underhood paint I'd go AGM. I've seen lots of batteries leak and explode, especially in car accidents, but never an AGM.

For cars that sit, I use a solar charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter that's less than $20 at HF that charges them at 0.5 amps. Always keeps them fresh.

Of all the batteries I've used, Interstate batteries have held up the best.

Got a battery guy down the road that sells new batteries and refurbished ones. $80 for new and $40 for refurbished ones. Don't know the brand. I just get the $40 ones and give him my old ones for 15 dollar core charge. They've lasted a few years like 4 every time.

I have a red top in the SS but, I didn't buy that one. Think they're too much. I'll stick with the cheap ones because I'm a cheap bastard. Lol

I don't see how they can be worth the money unless the battery needs to be mounted on its side.

The PO of my last truck installed a "Budget Battery" (actual name on label) with a 24 month warranty and it lasted 7 years. Even in the end, it never did totally die and leave me stranded, it just wouldn't hold a charge very long.

I replaced it with a Interstate from Costco, which I think is as good as it gets.

MikeB said:

I don't see how they can be worth the money unless the battery needs to be mounted on its side.

The PO of my last truck installed a "Budget Battery" (actual name on label) with a 24 month warranty and it lasted 7 years. Even in the end, it never did totally die and leave me stranded, it just wouldn't hold a charge very long.

I replaced it with a Interstate from Costco, which I think is as good as it gets.

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Reason I keep with the gel is because of the amount of acid damage I had in my inner fender and radiator support.
The gels don’t puke acid.

Frankenchevy said:

I think most batteries are made by just two or three companies. For instance, my optima says Johnson Controls right on it—so do a bunch of other batteries I see.

My buddy who’s pretty smart about mechanical stuff likes Interstate batteries. I can’t remember if it’s because he gets a great deal on them or if they’re well made...

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Johnson Controls which is now Clarion, Exide and Interstate all make batteries. JC now Clarion is who makes Die Hard and IMO have always been the better batteries. All Walmart batteries used to be Exide unless it was an Interstate branded battery. Now the most of the Gold batteries are made by Clarion and are cheap compared to everyone else. I used to say avoid Walmart batteries like the COVID, now days I say get the Walmart Gold. Look on the label, it'll say Mfr by Clarion. That's the ones to get now days for the money IMO.