Need a new battery

[Carson Dyle]

Need to buy a new battery today or tomorrow. Thought I'd make it through another winter, but she barely started last night, so it's time.

The car is an 05 Forester XT. The original battery lasted less than three years, replaced with an Interstate, which has lasted over seven. Right now I'm leaning toward another Interstate.

Any other recommendations?

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

Depends on what you're looking for. If there was a DieHard Platinum battery for my car, it would be in it. Those run in excess of $200, though.

 

[Carson Dyle]

No, I'm not looking to spend $200, but thanks. I seem to remember the Interstate was about $90. I expect to spend $100-125, not much more.

 

[cabri]

I just replace battery in my Jeep (OEM - 6 years) with the WalMart of the same specs - $150

3 year free replacement - + 2 additional years pro-rated.

AutoZone batteries were $50 more for same specs

 

[Jimzz]

Advance auto has coupons so order the battery online for pickup, add coupon, drive to store and replace battery. You can get a Gold battery (3 year free replacement) for around $100 or less for most cars with the coupons.

MISSUA5 = 35% off (up to $50)
TRT41 = $40 off $100+

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Can't go wrong with Costco batteries -

They will usually be stocked in the Tire center but are sometimes in the main store in the automotive/tools section.

 

[cabri]

Advance auto has coupons so order the battery online for pickup, add coupon, drive to store and replace battery. You can get a Gold battery (3 year free replacement) for around $100 or less for most cars with the coupons.

MISSUA5 = 35% off (up to $50)
TRT41 = $40 off $100+

Their Gold (same warranty) was $180
15% off - $27
+ $25 online only

Comes out to close to the same price as I paid; plus no hassle for ordering/installation

 

[Zenmervolt]

I've always gone with Interstate. Never had a problem or regret.

ZV

 

[tortillasoup]

If you're happy with the performance of the battery you purchased, just get another one of it and be done with it. Don't put too much thought into it.

 

[bryanl]

Johnson Controls manufactures most of the brands of batteries, including Interstate, Diehard, Walmart, Autozone, and Advance Auto.

 

[RLGL]

Johnson Controls manufactures most of the brands of batteries, including Interstate, Diehard, Walmart, Autozone, and Advance Auto.

Yeah they do, but the Interstate label is the best battery of the bunch, they are built to different spec's.

 

[evident]

just get the costco interstate ones and be done with it. they work well and are very cheap.

used to be kirkland branded but they've gone to just interstate branded ones. still made by johnson controls.

 

[Ketchup]

I just replace battery in my Jeep (OEM - 6 years) with the WalMart of the same specs - $150

3 year free replacement - + 2 additional years pro-rated.

AutoZone batteries were $50 more for same specs

This winter killed a battery for me as well. But I can't complain for 7 years out of the original AC Delco. And I did the same as you. The auto retailers want the same money as WalMart for a unit with virtually no warranty? Yeah, not a hard choice.

 

[QueBert]

Jonson Control batteries have gone way down hill. If you Google around a lot of people don't like Interstate or Optima's any more. Optima's use to be the battery. They're not complete junk but they suck now. I was a day away from ordering one, but talking to people who have them, outside of the name they shouldn't even be considered the same battery any more. If you don't want to spend $$$ get the Walmart, it will be as good as something more expensive like a Exide.

 

[evident]

Jonson Control batteries have gone way down hill. If you Google around a lot of people don't like Interstate or Optima's any more. Optima's use to be the battery. They're not complete junk but they suck now. I was a day away from ordering one, but talking to people who have them, outside of the name they shouldn't even be considered the same battery any more. If you don't want to spend $$$ get the Walmart, it will be as good as something more expensive like a Exide.

i swear, everyone bitches about every brand of battery. the costco interstate / kirklands that i've gone through have lasted about 3-4 years and haven't had any premature crap-outs. best part of getting it from costco is the warranty.

 

[bamx2]

I usually buy batteries at Sams or Costco about . If you need to buy at Advance Auto as matter of convenience look for coupon and cashback deals at FatWallet etc.

 

[7window]

When you are on the top or have the best review for batteries the quality control will not be as good as when your struggling to be the number one selling batteries.

Interstate/ kirkland is not a super battery but their old warranty or used to be warranty on kirklands are just awesome . Now costco interstate battery warranty is just meh. I think they were not making so much money on the old warranty.

 

[Jimzz]

When you are on the top or have the best review for batteries the quality control will not be as good as when your struggling to be the number one selling batteries.

Interstate/ kirkland is not a super battery but their old warranty or used to be warranty on kirklands are just awesome . Now costco interstate battery warranty is just meh. I think they were not making so much money on the old warranty.

What's the new warranty? I thought it would be the same but I have been buying Advance Gold batteries of late.

 

[RLGL]

Jonson Control batteries have gone way down hill. If you Google around a lot of people don't like Interstate or Optima's any more. Optima's use to be the battery. They're not complete junk but they suck now. I was a day away from ordering one, but talking to people who have them, outside of the name they shouldn't even be considered the same battery any more. If you don't want to spend $$$ get the Walmart, it will be as good as something more expensive like a Exide.

I hate to tell you,but Johnson Controls owns Exide

 

[*kjm]

I hate to tell you,but Johnson Controls owns Exide

I still think they make the best everyone has to remember they do make them to the specifications the companies rebranding them ask for.

 

[QueBert]

I hate to tell you,but Johnson Controls owns Exide

I understand that but they don't just slap a different label on the same battery. The Exide for my car is a good 4lb heavier than the Interstate. That doesn't instantly mean it's better but it's a sign it probably is at least somewhat better. They also make Duralast and Optima, Optima's are still okay but you couldn't pay me to put another Duralast in my car. I had nothing but problems with them in the past. Exide are still one of the better JC made batteries. I wouldn't touch them due to how they screwed over California. But as far as batteries they have decent ones.

 

[LTC8K6]

I hate to tell you,but Johnson Controls owns Exide

Got a link for that?

 

[rlswrestler]

Just a little know that i have to share because it is awesome. I literally got a new battery that was an everstart from walmart and it was 8 years old and it was still going it just couldn't handle the system i put in. But i had to share this because 8 years and still going it a BADASS battery.

 

[rlswrestler]

I didnt get another everstart that was what was in there first i actually got the Duralast Platinum. Which is an awesome battery by the way it compares to the yellow top great.

 

[bryanl]

I didnt get another everstart that was what was in there first i actually got the Duralast Platinum. Which is an awesome battery by the way it compares to the yellow top great.

Consumer Reports warns us that the Duralast Platinum have been failing their durability tests at high rates, group size 48 samples at 3, 5, and 6 weeks, and 4 group size 65 samples at 12 weeks. Apparently this is the worst for all batteries tested.