After 11 years my Red Top Optima crapped the bed. It just got up and died HARD. NO signs of going. I was very happy with it. I ran that sucker down to about 5V once and brought it back with a battery tender. I do love the red top too. Wanted to get another one but it looks like Johnson Controls is now making them in Mexico and they suck. Really really bad reviews from people. I am not going to chance it and buy another one so let me save you guys and gals about 4 hours worth of AGM battery searches. The Red Top is 38lbs. This is the 34/78 battery class.
In general the best battery is the Odyssey Extreme
Item #:
34-78-PC1500DT-A. It has a red top and goes for about $270. It is also pretty heavy at 53lbs. 880CCA
The Sears Die Hard Platinum P4 34/78DT is the same battery just repackaged. 850CCA. It comes in around $220. Also 53lbs. Grey top and will read backwards when in just like the Odyssey (positive on right side). They are both made by Enersys in Reading , PA.
Next up is the Deka Intimidator EAS9A78DT. 750CCA. It goes for about $170 and weighs 43lbs. The newer batteries are black, not yellow as in most pictures. CARQUEST has the same battery repackaged as the NGT Extreme. 775CCA. I was quoted $185 for one. Their website SUCKS. It is made by East Penn Mnfg. out of PA.
Is the Odyssey $40 better than the Deka. I think if you throw in the warranty of the Odyssey it is pretty impressive. But I really don't want to add more weight to the Buick so will go with the CARQUEST NGT. Hope this helps some people for the winter.
One more thing I learned is that you should really have a battey charger and keep the battery topped off when not in use. The battery tender and CTEK multi chargers are pretty awesome.
In general the best battery is the Odyssey Extreme
Item #:
34-78-PC1500DT-A. It has a red top and goes for about $270. It is also pretty heavy at 53lbs. 880CCA
The Sears Die Hard Platinum P4 34/78DT is the same battery just repackaged. 850CCA. It comes in around $220. Also 53lbs. Grey top and will read backwards when in just like the Odyssey (positive on right side). They are both made by Enersys in Reading , PA.
Next up is the Deka Intimidator EAS9A78DT. 750CCA. It goes for about $170 and weighs 43lbs. The newer batteries are black, not yellow as in most pictures. CARQUEST has the same battery repackaged as the NGT Extreme. 775CCA. I was quoted $185 for one. Their website SUCKS. It is made by East Penn Mnfg. out of PA.
Is the Odyssey $40 better than the Deka. I think if you throw in the warranty of the Odyssey it is pretty impressive. But I really don't want to add more weight to the Buick so will go with the CARQUEST NGT. Hope this helps some people for the winter.
One more thing I learned is that you should really have a battey charger and keep the battery topped off when not in use. The battery tender and CTEK multi chargers are pretty awesome.