the pesky battery question again

[Tom7227]

Time to get a new a new battery. I went to the FF and for $70 they have a battery with a 82 month warranty. The staff person didn't know anything about batteries other than that the one I wanted wasn't in stock. I then went to an O'Reily store and they wanted $130 for a battery with a 3 year replacement 72 month pro-rated warranty. The salesman couldn't explain to me why I should buy his battery but started to tell me about the fact that there are only 3 companies that make batteries. Maybe I cut him off but I want to hear about better plates, stronger acid, super dooper casing - something.

So can anyone give me input on why I should spend twice as much? FYI it's the wife's Saturn Vue, 06, garaged all the time and driven 7 miles to work each day. Factory battery still functions but I figure I am pushing it.

Thanks for your time.

Tom

[Scott K]

I would ask for an Interstate battery. They tend to be a good battery for the dollar. Also pick up the battery, if it is heavy, you have a heavier duty battery. If it seems light, they skimped on the material.

[Jeremy airjer W]

The top three batteries that that we replace quite often are the werker, everstart, and other "off" brands.

Interstates seem to have a pretty solid battery. A/C delco's would also be good. The NAPA brand is also a good choice.

I have a Fleet Farm deep cycle and it is by far the best battery I have had. I don't know if the car batteries are made by the same manufacturer?

East Penn is the manufacturer for the NAPA brand.

[Tom7227]

I have had FF batteries for a number of years and the only ones that I have been concerned about were a couple of motor cycle batteries - which I could blame my daughter for screwing up. In the past I have thought that access to a warranty while on a trip to be a big issue but this vehicle has a 0 chance of getting more than 25 miles from home.

[K_Josh87]

most guys I know are running interstates in there trucks or heavy equipment around here... I put a set in my duty last winter and have had an interstate deep cycle that has treated me well

[delcecchi]

I have ff batteries in both my cars (and my riding mower) and they have been fine. No complaints at all since I put them in.

Might also look at sam's club or costco.

[Gus]

I've had good luck with my fleet farm batteries.

Just started to count...

1 in the truck, 5 years old

1 in the Van, 3 years old.

Deep cycle for the boat and fish house. 4 years

marine cranking for the boat, 5 years

Garden tractor 3 years (OEM lasted 1)

AGM in the sled, 4 years plus! Never had one last this long in the sled!

AGM in the ATV, 5 years! EFI Polaris. Factory battery left me stranded the first winter I owned it.

The deep cycle still holds a charge, but I can tell it's not as good as it used to be. other than that, the others are all perfectly fine.

Just my experience, but I'll keep going to Fleet farm until they prove to me otherwise.