Please post:

What battery is installed in your car (brand/model)
Where it's installed (stock location, under seat, trunk, etc)
How long it's lasted so far
What kind of conditions do you use it in (commuting, up to the snow, track, rallyx, etc)

I'm trying to determine what's right for me. Problem is, the "normal" replacements are usually "more power" (more CCA, etc) but are HEAVIER. And the "light weights" are too unreliable for my DD needs. The OEM is stupid expensive for what you're getting. The Optima Red Top seems to be my best choice as it's close to OEM weight, reliable, can but kept under hood, and shake proof. But it's expensive. And I can't find the 35R anywhere, only the 35. I don't want to buy an extender if I don't have too.

BTW... where are you guys buying your Red Tops? I don't trust Amazon because people have complained about damaged shipping and return problems

 

02 Forester

Stock battery
Stock location
80k (then I traded it in) still ran strong

2003 Baja

stock battery
stock location
75k then it got in a wreck but that battery was probably still good

2007 WRX

stock battery
stock location
43k and still going strong.

Conditions for all were all temp extremes. Very hot and very cold. Lots of snow, dirt, rally, etc.

 

braille 15lb stock location

3 years track snow ralley X daily driver

I daily drive it. when you dont thats when you have problems

 

red top since 50k before that iwas on the stock one

 

60K

Stock battery, stock location.

I couldn't start it for the 1st time on halloween night, before that lights were getting dimmer, I knew it was slowly going. I just had it recharged to max, and it's losing charge again. Took 2x as long to crank, longer intervals between the cranks too. I'm anxious to see people's battery choice as I'm going to replace it soon. BTW I'm all stock, no gauges, sound system etc.

Snow, seems you have good luck with your batteries!

 

02 wrx
Optima Red Top
Stock Location
I've had the red top for the past 30k plus miles. I haven't had any problems with it and never have to worry about battery fluid levels.

 

02 wrx
braille 11.5 lbs
stock location, but on it's side
Had it since summer -- sometimes go up to a week without driving and it doesn't die

 

06 sti
stock battery till 76k
yellow top to current

02 tacoma(sold)
stock until 60k
red top till 130k

04 grand cherokee
yellow top 120k

03 f350 diesel
dual red tops 235k

97 f250

dual red tops 300k

 

Die hard gold?

 

this is what i plan on soon. at over 350 a battery it will be a while.

 

--Bosch Deep Cycle - no model name
--Stock location 3 years so far All conditions.
--Daily driven, never tracked or auto-x'd, but LOTS of miles and starts


Note: just ordered a yellow top Optima today for no reason other than to be flossy, and I get a great deal on them through one of our suppliers at work.

 

Stock Location for both
OEM until ~ 65K (Only replaced it because winter was coming and it was cranking slower, didn't want to get stuck somewhere in the snow)
Optima Redtop now

Conditions: DD, Auto-X, lots of snow here too.

I bought my redtop at summit racing since it was semi local for me (Reno)

I thought about going lightweight as well, but was worried about the snow/cold so just decided to deal with the added weight.

 

I've used Optima's over the years and they've never really impressed me.
Just a plain old Exide seems to do me best

 

14.4 lb motorcycle battery. Been running it for 6 months. Can let the car sit for a week with no problems.

 

Person before me got it replaced with an OEM one. Stock location.