My brother needs a new car battery for his beater Ford Escort. It just needs a decent non high performance battery. Any recommendations on where to get one?
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Feb. 6, 2011 9:07 a.m. 92dxman HalfDork
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Feb. 6, 2011 9:19 a.m. porksboy SuperDork
I've bought my last few at WalMart. They all lasted 3+ years so far.
Others on here reccomend Interstate blemish batteries, available at your local Interstate battery store. Not the local shop that sells and installs.
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Feb. 6, 2011 10:05 a.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork
I would just to Walmart.
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Feb. 6, 2011 10:15 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork
Advance Auto...hell anything off the shelf.
I tend to buy the highest CCA I can afford at the time as the car is winter/rain transportation only
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Feb. 6, 2011 10:15 a.m. stuart in mn SuperDork
I've had good luck with Batteries Plus stores, if there's one in your area.
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Feb. 6, 2011 10:21 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork
Last one I bought from Walmart had sat on the shelf for 4 years, it was DOA, I vote Advance Auto
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Feb. 6, 2011 10:28 a.m. m4ff3w SuperDork
Autozone is where I always buy mine. Never had a problem.
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Feb. 6, 2011 10:52 a.m. PubBurgers Dork
I just replaced the 7 year old interstate battery in my Volvo. Thought that was a pretty good run.
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Feb. 6, 2011 12:34 p.m. EricM Dork
Autozone Duralast.
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Feb. 6, 2011 12:36 p.m. oldtin Dork
interstate battery distribution center - they have cosmetic seconds they sell for $20
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Feb. 6, 2011 12:58 p.m. belteshazzar SuperDork
I have great luck with actual motorcraft batteries.
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Feb. 6, 2011 1:36 p.m. amg_rx7 HalfDork
Sears
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Feb. 6, 2011 4:31 p.m. spitfirebill Dork
m4ff3w wrote:
Autozone is where I always buy mine. Never had a problem.
+1 The Autozone battery in my 4runner is 6 years old.
I wouldn't take a Walmart battery if you gave it to me after my previous experience with one.
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Feb. 6, 2011 4:56 p.m. Toyman01 SuperDork
I've been running Walmart batteries forever with out problems. I also have Autozone batteries in several of the work trucks. For a beater buy whatever is cheap.
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Feb. 6, 2011 6:11 p.m. porksboy SuperDork
If you do the research you will find there are only a few battery factories in the states. They make batteries to the spec that retailors contract for and then slap on a sticker with the appropriate name. What that boils down to is the chances of the Walmart, Autozone, Advance, O'Reilley et all being made in the same factory are quite good. The differences will be small and most likely cosmetic.
I'm not saying that there arent any differences betweene the discount and premium brands, just minor differences betweene the various discount brands.
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Feb. 6, 2011 6:11 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork
I buy the cheapest thing my supplier has that meets the minimum specs
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Feb. 6, 2011 7:11 p.m. wbjones Dork
my Integra's OEM bat finally started showing signs of failure last yr (it's an '01) ... with that kind of performance I bit the bullet and went to the Honda place for a replacement .... otherwise it's pepszoneadvanceo'riley..........
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Feb. 6, 2011 7:27 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork
porksboy wrote:
If you do the research you will find there are only a few battery factories in the states. They make batteries to the spec that retailors contract for and then slap on a sticker with the appropriate name. What that boils down to is the chances of the Walmart, Autozone, Advance, O'Reilley et all being made in the same factory are quite good. The differences will be small and most likely cosmetic.
I'm not saying that there arent any differences betweene the discount and premium brands, just minor differences betweene the various discount brands.
My B-I-L works at one of those factories owned by Johnston Controls. They make many OEM brands as well as private labels. I think they make Diehard as well. What it means to me is I can get $15 no label, no warranty batteries in typically popular sizes. I think he is allowed about 5 per year. Of course, he needs about 2 days notice and then I have to drive 1 hr to his house. Really not that convenient if you wake up to find your car dead. The one he got me for my Volvo 4 years ago is still going strong.
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Feb. 6, 2011 7:46 p.m. DeadSkunk HalfDork
I know several people that work for the largest battery manufacturer, and they tell me that the batteries are all built to the retailers specs. So,the best way to get quality/dollar is to buy the heaviest battery at a given price point. The higher quality batteries have more lead plates in them. Take your bathroom scale to the battery store !!
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Feb. 7, 2011 5:20 p.m. Bench Racer (BowtieBandit) Reader
Now I know that not all stores are the same, but at my Advance we will prorate your battery even without proof you purchased it, like if it was on the car when you bought it. We also sell used batteries, ad they're usually one of ours that someone ran completely dead, like a bad alternator or something. We put em on the battery tender, re-test them and sell them used at $35.00 plus core. Great deal for a beater, and we won't sell them if they don't get back to what they're rated at.
So yeah, go to Advance!!
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Feb. 7, 2011 5:27 p.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork
Any comments/love for the batteries at Costco?
