2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

Optima vs House Brand Battery. Is it really worth the money?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #11  
Old 08-31-2008, 05:51 AM
HankL's Avatar
HankL
HankL is offline
Champion
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,313
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

whatever battery you choose
try to avoid one with the dual connections
that has those extra GM style tapped holes on the side

A previous battery like that leaked acid on my Ram
and I have seen others with similar leaks
 
  #12  
Old 08-31-2008, 10:34 AM
Visious 318's Avatar
Visious 318
Visious 318 is offline
Professional
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LaPlata
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have both a Duralast in my wifes car and a Optima in my truck the Duralast is 4 years old The Optima is 5 years old and has been in two trucks Both have been great just don't get a Exide battery. Exide battery Co. had to buy a complete vehical wiring harness, radiator, fan shroud, hood, fender, grill, paint job due to a new battery exploding in my 88 Dime. They deterimed it was defective and the plates shorted out cuzing a spark inside the battery witch cuzed it to explode.
 
  #13  
Old 08-31-2008, 04:34 PM
Trey318's Avatar
Trey318
Trey318 is offline
Captain
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Galveston, Texas
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well, I ended up buying an Oreilly SuperStart. Its rated at 750 CCA and is a 6 year battery, and I came out paying $86. The Optima I wanted was $169 or $179, and even with a $25 rebate, I'd be paying $60-70 for an extra 2 years. I'm not even sure I'll have this truck for 6 years, depending on the price of fuel. Thanks for all of your input. The truck will hopefully be started this afternoon after I finish reinstalling everything on the fenders, which is a pita..
 
  #14  
Old 08-31-2008, 08:19 PM
pcfixerpro's Avatar
pcfixerpro
pcfixerpro is offline
Champion
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Im a fan of DieHard Gold battery's.
 
  #15  
Old 09-01-2008, 12:13 AM
hometheaterman's Avatar
hometheaterman
hometheaterman is offline
Champion
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location:
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by Trey318
I never realized that. I googled reviews for em, but never came up with that. How much did the OEM run you? Do you happen to know the CCA rating on em?
I think the OEM was 750 CCA but I'm not 100% on that. I really think that's what it was though. They also listed a 700 CCA but I had the 750 one stock so wanted that again. I paid $100.52 or something similar. It was $100. something with tax and all. Our dealer is usually high. I called around and found one 3 hours away with the lowest price. Our dealer wouldn't match that but they came down quite a bit so I paid that rather than driving. Our dealer is a rip off but sometimes it's just better because it's soo close. I normally just look up prices online and tell them to match that retail and they usually will. They normally are way above retail if you don't haggle with them. I couldn't find the battery online so called around.
 
  #16  
Old 09-01-2008, 12:44 AM
Trey318's Avatar
Trey318
Trey318 is offline
Captain
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Galveston, Texas
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It helps if you buy through a shop, since they can usually get around a 30% discount. The battery I walked out with was 750 CCA and 800 or 850 Regular CA. It started up fine, so we'll see how long it lasts.
 
  #17  
Old 09-01-2008, 07:51 AM
HankL's Avatar
HankL
HankL is offline
Champion
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,313
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

another option:

http://www.milbatteries.com/hawker/index.html

link to more info on vehicle batteries

http://www.batteryfaq.org/
 



Quick Reply: Optima vs House Brand Battery. Is it really worth the money?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:38 PM.