VAWAS

For the second time I have had a optima red top battery go dead in less than 3 years. The corvette had no modifications that would impact the battery. At over $200 this battery is overrated. I have replaced it with an $80 battery with the same replacement warranty.

jrose7004

I've had 2 red tops in C5's and I've had good luck.

3RD-INF

I believe that they are now made South of the border. That is what I was told last week at the Battery Store. Thanks NAFTA.

nascar57

Going on 7 years with mine now. I run allot of shows with leds running and never had a problem. I think it helps to use a battery tender whenever I dont use the car for a few days.

MILLOYELLO

I keep a tender on mine. Just replaced one 7-8 years old in the fall with a new one shipped from a big on-line retailer at well below retail. I then got a $5.00 gift card from A-Zone for the old one.

Driver220

I paid 150 for mine a few months ago from amazon (with free shipping thanks to PRIME)...no problems with mine, its stored in a heated garage and started once a week.

Bill Vett

How long did it sit without running or on a tender?

Vetteman Jack

I had a Red Top in my '00 and it was there for 7.5 years when I sold the car and still working fine. When I bought my '03, it had a Red Top in it and at the 3 year mark, it failed. So I have mixed reviews on the Optima Batteries. I went with a Sears DieHard Platinum now and it has been in there for a little over 3 years. No problems yet.

lsxvette

they suck

RMB97LS1

I also had a diehard when I had my 95. Good battery but expensive.. Will probably bite the bullet again when its time.

rjs209

I agree. Optima is WAY over rated. I buy the AC Delco battery sized for C5 Corvettes from who ever gives me the best price. No dead batteries, no regrets. I use a Battery Tender (it's over 15 years old) for the 3 months I do not use the car.

knewblewkorvette

Here is a thread from OT about Optima's. Even a rep of Optima chimed in.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...batteries.html

My yellow top has lasted aaaaalllllllooooonnnnngggggg time

baxsom

just from my personal experience i will never spend that much on a battery. all 5 of my cars have an advance gold battery in them and sit there. my 00c5 has had its advance special for 4 years now and has never failed. my 72 vette and 68 mustang have the same battery and sit for months at a time without ever getting cranked and fire right up each time without a tender. my ford explorer gets driven once a month and has never failed me. even my wifes 07 mustang got the same battery when the factory one failed after 3 years. Even with deployments where the cars just sit they have always cranked right up when I got home. Each one cost my like 80 bucks. Maybe I just got lucky and got the only 5 good ones off the line but I doubt it.

Cirrus8

My OE battery lasted three years---replaced it with a Red Top from Costco----it failed before the "free replacement 3 year warranty"---Costco replaced it FREE---I have kept this one on a battery tender and it is 6 years old and working fine. I am convinced that Red Tops have a low RESERVE CAPACITY causing them to fail if they are not constantly on a maintainer.

sereneDelusions

I always wonder if manufacturing quality has really changed with Optima batteries. I've went through a few regular ones before I sprung for my yellow top many years ago. Swapped it out of my previous car and put it in the vette when the original battery failed.

My yellow top has been very resilient even when I thought it was completely dead. Don't know why others have problems, but I hope I don't start having them!

PHIL MEMPHIS

Red Tops are great for off road vehicles that get a lot of abuse.

Overkill for Corvettes.