My Interstate brand battery was dying this week (I suspected as much because of the leaking acid), so I stopped into Sears and got a Diehard for cheap. They warrantee it as a full replacement for 3 years.

Anyway, at the shop they had a stack of dead batteries from cars that had been in the shop over the week - and most of them were Interstate brand. Some were Diehard replacements, and a bunch were random. After talking to the manager, I found out that they see certain brands die very often in the shop, but Optima is not one of them (ie. redtop, yellowtop). He did say the Optimas will crack and leak like any other battery when they wear out, so you can't count on the battery seal.

Hmmm - a number of folks have posted about having pretty good luck with the Interstate brand...

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+++ John's NJ Ride +++
'91 2+2 96k miles, Chromed OEM Wheels, Chrome Plenum, JSPEC Clear Corners, Toyo Proxes 4's, U/D Pulley, Custom Mod'd Control Pods - White LED Lighting with Blue LED Indicators

I know, I heard good things about Interstate when I bought it, but sure enough there were several on the pile. :( Of course, the frequency of batteries in the pile may just represent the popularity of the batteries by brand, not the reliability (if you are into statistics).

Chances are your Diehard battery was made by Interstate. Autozone's generic batteries are, I think Advance Auto's are as well. Interstate's warranty is great because you can exchange the battery anywhere that sells them.

Just about all batteries are made in the same facility with "rebranding". So, you're depending on the brander's specs or their choice of available generic designs to sell. You get what you pay for.

In the case of Optimas... You get less then what you paid for.;0)

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*-- Just some stuffy advice from an old fart who's too set in his ways. --*

There were less Optimas in the pile because there are less Optimas on the road, by percentage.

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-- I've had a few Zs --

^ agree with cmcneil

That is probably true. Anyway, the Diehard is working like a champ. The battery will probably outlast the car at this point.

Always had great luck with Interstate, not so much with Die Hard.

My Optima is still going strong after 4 years. I believe they are made by Interstate as well.

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'I'm not a guru but I've had my Z for 7 years'
1992 Charcoal Pearl 2+2 CONVERTED to TT: JWT Intake/ECU, HKS Exhaust, Hi-flow Cats,Underdrive Pulley, RPS Flywheel w/RPS Street Clutch, Aluminum Driveshaft, Silvertwin Shifter, Front/Rear Strut Tower Braces

Mine too! All 4 of them.

One bad Optima and One good one...after 1 year...so far.

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Veritas Aequitas


Chrome TT wheels 500.00 plus shipping

For those that have had good luck with the Optima batteries... Have you ever had one get badly discharged? If not, then that's probably why you've had good luck.

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*-- Just some stuffy advice from an old fart who's too set in his ways. --*

I have had 2 completely discharged for quite a while and they came back. One of them is sounding a little weak these days, it's the oldest one so not too concerned.

Yeah the one was discharged two maybe three times...

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Veritas Aequitas


Chrome TT wheels 500.00 plus shipping

Yep, that's been the common cause of Optima battery deaths. They just don't take kindly to deep discharges. Usually one is all it takes.

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*-- Just some stuffy advice from an old fart who's too set in his ways. --*

Mine was badly discharged twice (alternator issues) yet still shows no signs of age. If I'm lucky, I'll just be glad too.

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'I'm not a guru but I've had my Z for 7 years'
1992 Charcoal Pearl 2+2 CONVERTED to TT: JWT Intake/ECU, HKS Exhaust, Hi-flow Cats,Underdrive Pulley, RPS Flywheel w/RPS Street Clutch, Aluminum Driveshaft, Silvertwin Shifter, Front/Rear Strut Tower Braces

I agree on the optima's. I sell them as well as have one in the Z. The redtops work wonderful, usually as long as they never go dead. Once they get drained down, they're usually out for the count. The yellow tops are a different story but lets do the math.

Redtop- 800cca, 1000ca, 3yr free replacement, $140.
Yellowtop-700cca(or somewhere about), 875ca, 1yr free replacement, $180.

I'd say the redtop is hands down the winner by choice. Its what I have in my Z.

Yellowtops are considered deep cycle, which can be drawn down to nothing and charged repeatedly. But with only a 1yr is it worth the risk?

Why risk buying an Optima battery (Red or Yellow) at all? At $140 you can buy two conventional batteries.

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*-- Just some stuffy advice from an old fart who's too set in his ways. --*