JSB LS3

I've been running into a couple strange issues the last couple days (no fobs detected, window indexing problems) and I know C6s are notorious for doing strange nonsensical stuff when the batteries are E.O.L.

I tested the battery and found one completely dead cell in it so I'm looking for a replacement now. My question is, are the Optimas (specifically the yellow top) worth the money?

I've always heard people praising them but I work for an auto parts distributor and can have a brand new Exide battery in the car today for cost. I can probably get a bit of a discount on a yellow top too but it would be a special order and it would still be about 3 times the price.

Anyone have an opinion? I'd like to procure SOMETHING today.

Thanks.

ErnieN85

depends on how much reliability and acid damage concern you.
Optimas do not leak

pahlbfishn

Not worth the extra $.

mksz51

I'd get the Exide. You're buying the warranty and the Exide should should have fine reliability.

360Rocket

absolutely worth it.

JKbride

Yes, they are worth it!

I put one in a 96 Trans Am in 2003. When I sold the car, I kept the battery and my son used it in his S10, then later his Eclipse and in 2007he put it in his Firebird, which he still drives today....our Optima has lasted nearly 9 years! God only knows how many start up's this battery has done.

From 2005 that battery has been in cars that were not parked over night in garages. It has endured 100+ Degree Georgia summers and at times temps in the teens with never so much as a jump start needed. We have never put a battery tender on this battery.

This is a "Red Top Optima" and when my AC/Delco dies that is what will go in my Vette....This battery will last years and years!

boraxman

I dont think so...JMO

TJay74

Only bad thing about the Optimas is that Johnson Controls bought them out a couple of years ago and moved the manufacturing from the USA to Mexico and now the quality has went downhill.

My dad has went thru 4 Optimas in the last 2 years in his boat. Each time they dead cell out and have to be replaced. I had the one in my 2001 Formula die after a year and had sears replace it under warranty.

luvlake

I just replaced my Delco in my 08 Convertible. I bought a yellow top Optima from Amazon for $143.00 I got it in 3 days, it was packed great, no damage. It fits better than the Delco, it is shorter which allows easier access to your cabin filter. I had great service from a yellow top in my 99 FRC,

BostonJoel

I installed a yellow top in my 1999 C5 back in 2000. Kept it on float charger when not driven. It was still going strong when I sold the car in Oct 2009.

lennieorr

I am not sure about recent Optimas but I put one in a Cobra replica in 05 and it has been great. Even with the considerable vibration it has not missed a beat. This is in a car that does not get driven much and does not have a battery tender.

need-for-speed

Is the Exide battery an AGM battery (like the Optima)?

I have an Optima red top in my Camaro and it's great, although it has an easy life. I had an Exide AGM battery in my C5 and it was great.

If I could get an Exide for 1/3 the price of an Optima - I would get the Exide.

Who Needs Turbo

We have an Optima red top in a 2002 Mazda Protege (2.0L), and I've not been that impressed by it's starting performance. And by that I mean it feels like any other battery.

For nearly twice the cost of a regular battery, it hardly seems worth it.

peter pan

Had zero issues with the Red Top I had in our C5 and if I had not had the factory one replaced under warranty I would have one in the C6

orca1946

Costco has some very highly rated bats for for vettes!

su8pack1

That's like asking which wax is better. It's a personal preference. I use Rejex and a Delco.

FrankTank

Go with the Excide. The majority of feedback I have read on the Optima's especially the crap-top..I mean "red" top is negative. I've also personally known of 3 different people that had Red-tops die on them.

Any battery that cannot sit at least for a week or two without having to be on a battery tender or it will die is Garbage

jackhall99

You'll get a 50/50 split on opinions, more or less. Not worth it, IMHO.

X25

I am also one of those who had bad experience. I replaced my '06 Z06's old OEM battery with a red top to cure the dead-battery issues I started having. It was good for a while, but then once failed to start the car. The charger also quit charging it stating the battery is short-circuited. I got it replaced, but the replacement did the same thing, too. It looks like these gel batteries are trickier to charge. When it died or had too low amp to crank, I had to trickle charge a few hours before I could charge it on a normal charger, or else the chargers would reject to charge.

And one more thing: It's unique shape did not fit well inside the battery compartment in the trunk. I had to modify the plastic frame that holds the battery compartment lid for a good fit.

If I were to get a new battery again, I'd just go with a good quality traditional battery. Sears' batteries fared well in my personal experience.

Dave S

IMHO any of the 'top line' batteries from the major brands will serve well. As noted in the various posts, you'll get very differing opinions, but I think a lot has to do with use & maintenance. My '05 is a weekend driver & the original Delco is still going strong after 6 years. It is garaged & I do keep a Battery Tender hooked up during the colder months, which I think that has a lot to do with extending battery life. If you can get a good price on the Exide, I'd go with that.