Batteries?

"ZHP Sparky, the 5th" (e30s2k) 02/24/2020 at 15:25 • Filed to: None

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Where do you folks buy yours?

Battery on our 2016 Outback seems to have crapped out - looking at all the regular auto part stores they seem to just have their own “store brand”. Not sure I trust those?

So what do you say, Oppo? There is a repair shop near me that seems to be an Interstate dealer which is the next best thing I was leaning towards. 

CB > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 15:30

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I have a Napa battery because Canadian Tire didn’t have any.

Honestly, they probably all come from the same supplier with different labels.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 15:31

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Costco sells Interstate batteries and is where I got the last one I needed. 

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 15:32

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NAPA has an 18-month warranty that I've never had to take advantage of.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 02/24/2020 at 15:33

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Yeah was considering that. Will they just sell you one to carry out, or did they make you have them install it for you? Don’t want to have to deal with a whole Costco trip but if it’s just in and out to grab it then might as well .

HammerheadFistpunch > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 15:34

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I like DEKA

Duracell, deka, and what used to be oriely house brand but I think they’ve changed. Anything made by east penn

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 15:36

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I just went to NAPA and I think they only had one that would fit. It’s been two or three years and it’s still working fine. (2013 outback) The battery at the dealer was like $50 more. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > CB 02/24/2020 at 15:38

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True, and most of you seem to have gone the same route. There is a NAPA down the street from my work, so maybe I shouldn’t overthink it. 

Tripper > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 15:44

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I go for whatever is cheap unless its some ridiculous scenario like it is with modern BMWs (E90 +). 

TorqueToYield > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 15:57

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They’ll sell you one to carry out with a core charge and you just bring your old battery back.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 16:00

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I don’t really care if it’s Duralast or Interstate. Never had problems with either.

For Sweden > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 16:13

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Step 1: Wait until battery completely dies

Step 2: Buy battery from towing company or closest store within walking distance

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 16:18

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You can carry it out and install it yourself.

VincentMalamute-Kim > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 16:54

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Consumer Reports tested 80 of them last year: “Most aftermarket car batteries sold in the U.S. are made by three companies that build them for retailers: Johnson Controls, which supplies more than half of the market; Exide; and East Penn. They are sold under various names and built to the specifications of retailers, so performance can vary.”

Results varied with size but Super Start, Interstate, Odyssey, DieHard, EverStart, Duralast, NAPA, Autocraft, Bosch usually show up somewhere in their Recommended lists. Walmart’s Everstart shows up as Best Buy in some sizes.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > For Sweden 02/24/2020 at 17:16

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This is what I have typically done, but for some reason the wife doesn’t like that. (And battery actually died today while she was out shopping - thankfully she had her dad with her and a jumpstart battery in the trunk). 

For Sweden > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 17:18

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Tell her these hard-scrabble stories will play well when she runs for office.

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 17:21

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From the dealer I work for. Got one for my Xterra for $58.

slipperysallylikespenguins > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 17:35

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Autozone or Walmart because of convenience. Here is a pretty neat comparison from project farm.

Captain of the Enterprise > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 18:50

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One thing I’ve heard is it’s better to get one from somewhere that you can get to easily. Like not special ordered so that if you have to use the warranty you can just go to the local store. 

Shoop > CB 02/24/2020 at 19:52

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All i was told by the guy at the auto zone is that optimas don't do well in really cold weather. I got the autzone silver or whatever 

CB > Shoop 02/24/2020 at 20:14

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Optimas are a waste of money. A year and a half at Canadian Tire, never sold one.

Old-Busted-Hotness > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 21:25

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If you have a Federated Auto Parts store near you, look at their batteries. The battery itself may be no better or worse than the others, but their warranty kicks ass. No pro-rated  bullshit, if it fails inside the warranty period, you get a new one, gratis.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/24/2020 at 21:35

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tonight i had to have the crz jumped.. seems to be  that time of year

Thisismydisplayname > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/25/2020 at 11:27

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I wait for a 20% promo code at advance auto and then order the battery online and either pickup or ship to my door. I normally go with the biggest AGM I can fit. They aren’t cheap, but no need to pay for the optima name anymore. Lots of good AGM options out there.

Also have bought used batteries at the salvage yard, $20 or so.  If it’s an easy battery to replace, might go that route.  Cheapest way to go. 

But the AAA prices aren’t too out of line either, and they will install it for you.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Thisismydisplayname 02/25/2020 at 12:51

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I had a similar discount code from O’Reilly but it was ship to home only, and they don’t seem to ship batteries (which I kind of understand). So I just drove to the store and bought it, didn’t want to overthink it.