Performance & Maintenance Engine, forced induction, intakes, exhausts, torque converters, transmissions, etc.

Best Battery

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-03-11, 05:07 PM
  #1  
Arkansas
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
Arkansas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: AR
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Best Battery

Ok...gotta replace the battery on my lexus. Dont really want to go with one from Wal-Mart. Thinkin a Braille battery but cost a bit out of my range. Whats u alls opinion on best battery for the sc400s? might give an optima yellow top a try...never heard a bad thing about them. What are u all running and do I need the 850 cold cranking amps that it comes factory with?
Old 11-03-11, 05:31 PM
  #2  
BenStoked
Lead Lap

iTrader: (3)
 
BenStoked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Okc, OK
Posts: 663
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I've heard plenty of things about the current optima line; That high-quality, Chinese type of stuff...
Keep hearing raves on Odyssey, though.
Old 11-03-11, 05:34 PM
  #3  
peelsSC300
Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
peelsSC300's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ga
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

optima
/thread
Old 11-03-11, 05:52 PM
  #4  
One HoT
Lexus Fanatic

iTrader: (5)
 
One HoT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NY
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Duralast from sears or Interstate batteries...They are best in terms of durability for daily driving and a good warranty to match...I would not go dry cell unless you absolutely need it...Don't let the fancy case fool you, dry cell batteries don't tend to last as long...
Old 11-03-11, 05:59 PM
  #5  
BenStoked
Lead Lap

iTrader: (3)
 
BenStoked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Okc, OK
Posts: 663
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

nope, got a dead optima sitting in my garage, right now. used less than six months by a friend of mine.
Old 11-03-11, 06:07 PM
  #6  
Arkansas
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
Arkansas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: AR
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

My lexus is my toy thankfully. My daily is a 2004 Hyundai Elantra aka "The Dork Mobile". Id like to lighten up my lexus and saw how light some of the braille and odysseys r...but cant really find one with enough cca, thats why I was wondering about a lower amp battery.
Old 11-03-11, 06:41 PM
  #7  
SC_coupe
Racer
 
SC_coupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1,345
Received 43 Likes on 27 Posts
Default

I've had good success with a standard Exide battery. (Sold here under Motomaster brand). Lasted 2002-2009 until needing replacement...

nope, got a dead optima sitting in my garage, right now. used less than six months by a friend of mine.
Sounds somewhat familiar.

Used an Optima Red top for one year in my SC400, and it's cactus already. It dies if I let the car sit for 2 days, then requires a charge. Hopefully I can still get some sort of warranty on it. Quite disappointed, considering they charge quite a lot for their product (likely to leverage the 'premium' image). Never again.

My recommendation goes to VARTA. I got one in my Soarer with an unknown history and have been very impressed thus far. I disconnected it last November for storage, and in late-April when it was re-connected the car started immediately - as if sitting overnight. I do know Johnson Controls manufactures them, but unsure where to buy them. It's in my SC400 now and the Optima is on the garage floor. The car feels more eager to crank and starts quicker than it ever did with the Exide or Optima.

Last edited by SC_coupe; 11-03-11 at 06:45 PM.
Old 11-03-11, 07:46 PM
  #8  
CantSeeMe
Lead Lap
 
CantSeeMe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ca
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by One HoT
Duralast from sears or Interstate batteries...They are best in terms of durability for daily driving and a good warranty to match...I would not go dry cell unless you absolutely need it...Don't let the fancy case fool you, dry cell batteries don't tend to last as long...
I was expecting this to be end up being a thread praising Optima red tops, so I was glad to see your reply. I bought in to the hype in the past and went through 2 Optimas in a year with poor results. The Kirkland I have has been perfectly fine with no issues.
Old 11-03-11, 08:44 PM
  #9  
SEXC
Pole Position
iTrader: (2)
 
SEXC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: California
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I use an odyssey battery and never had any problems with it. I had a pc680 in my sc300 and had no problems but it is too small for our cars and it probably won't work in the colder states. I'm using a PC1200 without any issues. If your car has an amperage draw it will drain your battery within 2-3 weeks though. If you completely drain your battery a couple of times it won't ever hold a good charge no matter what battery it is.
Old 11-03-11, 08:56 PM
  #10  
Arkansas
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
Arkansas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: AR
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Whats the specs on the pc1200 (dimensions and weight too please)? And what did it cost?
Old 11-03-11, 09:56 PM
  #11  
levie
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
levie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: alberta
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

herd a ton of positive things about the optima yellow top.
Old 11-03-11, 11:23 PM
  #12  
LEX_MAN
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
 
LEX_MAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: IN
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Yellow top is worse than a red top , optimas are junk. Got a yellow top dead in the garage ,was only good for 2 years.
Old 11-06-11, 08:17 AM
  #13  
Ali SC3
Lexus Champion

iTrader: (10)
 
Ali SC3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: CO
Posts: 10,755
Received 438 Likes on 368 Posts
Default

Deka ETX18L and put it in the trunk.
Old 11-06-11, 08:20 AM
  #14  
xwingzero2
Pole Position
iTrader: (2)
 
xwingzero2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: US-TX
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

a kinetek is pretty good if u have a system going
Old 11-06-11, 09:45 AM
  #15  
xspsi6
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (31)
 
xspsi6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Leesburg FL
Posts: 2,776
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Odyssey pc680 is small and light which starts my v8 sc400 right up with no issues thus far.


Quick Reply: Best Battery



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:42 AM.