Battery Prices seem 2x what they were 4 years ago

[jake75]

I am going into my 5th winter with the original battery on my 2007 Town & Country and into my 3rd winter on my 2009 Vibe. I have always replaced batteries proactively - before they fail. The last one I bought was for my 2003 Vibe in the fall of 2007 - it was a 84 mo. battery $55 at Costco. My limited research today shows that a similar top of the line battery is now about $108. As with many here my income isn't any more today (actually less) than it was in 2007. Since we are both retired and have two cars (if one fails to start we have the other) I think I may just wait until a battery fails. I have been working diligently to get my garage cleaned out and organized so both cars will have shelter this next winter.

[Caretaker]

yes, but it is still $55 at Costco, and the Kirkland battery is well rated. Why don't you just go back there and get another one?

[jake75]

Well I just started looking - and I am not a Costco member anymore. Might have to check what Sam's Club offers.

[06pvibe]

I had to replace the OE battery in my Mazda 2yrs ago and though I don't like doing business w/Wal-Mart and avoid it at all costs, but their batteries have almost always come out on top here in the South (CU.) So, I got 6 yr battery, the best they had at the time for $75.00.Fast forward to this summer and the OE battery in Wendy's '06 Vibe crapped out, w/o warning. Went back to Wal-Mart. Now the best battery they have is only warranted for 3yrs and the price was the same as mine two yrs ago?I have to wonder which of the two will give it up first. Remember that its heat that kills batteries, even if it usually rears its ugly head during colder weather when higher cranking amps are necessary. We've had plenty of hot, dry weather this summer.

[VforVIBE]

I just replaced my first battery for $200... it was a Optima Red Top.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by VforVIBE »I just replaced my first battery for $200... it was a Optima Red Top. :DI was going to say... for those prices I'd rather just get a Red Top (which I am planning on doing anyway ).V, do you have any pictures (I'm just curious to see how the red will look in our engine bays)? Also, which model number did you go with?

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by VforVIBE »I just replaced my first battery for $200... it was a Optima Red Top. :DV You should of called, texted, or PMed me as I could of saved you some cash... Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Well I just started looking - and I am not a Costco member anymore. Might have to check what Sam's Club offers.Jake,I sent you a PM...

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »I was going to say... for those prices I'd rather just get a Red Top (which I am planning on doing anyway ).V, do you have any pictures (I'm just curious to see how the red will look in our engine bays)? Also, which model number did you go with? I will get you that today...Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »V You should of called, texted, or PMed me as I could of saved you some cash... I didn't know you could do that.

[Baltovibe]

Check out KMart. They seem to have the lowest prices for their (Sears) Plus Start brand. I got my Vibe battery for $45.

[bull77]

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »V You should of called, texted, or PMed me as I could of saved you some cash... pm sent

[jake75]

For what it's worth - I was at Sam's Club tonight.Their batteries are $75 (Duracell brand?) for the "34" and "35". The "34" that fits my T&C is 800 CCA; The "35" that fits the Vibe is 750 CCA. Warranty is 36 mo. 100%; 84 month prorated. They install. Costco does not. That's worth at least $10 to me .Here is what I found out: East Penn Manufacturing has signed an exclusive agreement with Duracell (part of the Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE:PG]) to release batteries branded under the Duracell name. East Penn’s over 60-year tradition of producing the world’s highest quality lead-acid batteries is a logical fit for the Duracell name that has earned 40 years of consumer trust.

[jimincalif]

I agree prices seem to be up and/or warranties shorter. In the last three years I've bought 5 batteries - 2 for the van, 1 each Fiat, son's '03 Vibe, and the boat. All from Walmart just because they are close and were the only place open when the cars died. First van battery died and got the pro-rated warranty credit.So I have my own private consumer reports battery test going on Walmart batteries. We'll see how they do.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by VforVIBE »I will get you that today...Thanks !

[06pvibe]

I don't understand the point of spending twice as much money on a battery you don't need and is difficult to take care of? I considered a red top as a replacement for my Mazda, but after doing the research found that I would be wasting my money. They are not that good in the first place, are twice/three times as expensive to buy, and when dead, almost impossible to bring back to life. Their available cranking amps seem to die out fast, so in cold weather they will cause additional wear and tear on the starter motor and engine, due to longer cranking and less engine oiling.If you were building a rock crawler or race car and were liable to be in situations where battery acid might spill, the Optima's might be a good choice. But for a street car/daily driver, there is absolutely no reason to spend that kind of money on a battery.I wouldn't do it, and in fact changed my mind after reading about other people's experiences w/them.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe » I don't understand the point of spending twice as much money on a battery you don't need and is difficult to take care of? I considered a red top as a replacement for my Mazda, but after doing the research found that I would be wasting my money. They are not that good in the first place, are twice/three times as expensive to buy, and when dead, almost impossible to bring back to life. Their available cranking amps seem to die out fast, so in cold weather they will cause additional wear and tear on the starter motor and engine, due to longer cranking and less engine oiling.If you were building a rock crawler or race car and were liable to be in situations where battery acid might spill, the Optima's might be a good choice. But for a street car/daily driver, there is absolutely no reason to spend that kind of money on a battery.I wouldn't do it, and in fact changed my mind after reading about other people's experiences w/them. I long ago came to the same conclusion. But then I spend money on stuff that others might find illogical and/or wasteful.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »I don't understand the point of spending twice as much money on a battery you don't need and is difficult to take care of? I considered a red top as a replacement for my Mazda, but after doing the research found that I would be wasting my money. They are not that good in the first place, are twice/three times as expensive to buy, and when dead, almost impossible to bring back to life. Their available cranking amps seem to die out fast, so in cold weather they will cause additional wear and tear on the starter motor and engine, due to longer cranking and less engine oiling.If you were building a rock crawler or race car and were liable to be in situations where battery acid might spill, the Optima's might be a good choice. But for a street car/daily driver, there is absolutely no reason to spend that kind of money on a battery.I wouldn't do it, and in fact changed my mind after reading about other people's experiences w/them.Quote, originally posted by jake75 »I long ago came to the same conclusion. But then I spend money on stuff that others might find illogical and/or wasteful.I had Red Tops in both my former Sunfires and never had an issue with them dying, not starting, etc. They were excellent batteries for years in both vehicles. My previous personal experience is what I'm basing the decision to put them in our Vibes on. When reading things online there will always be at least one person who had a negative experience with something, but you don't know the entire backstory either so it's hard to judge whether their complaint is accurate or not.As far as the price goes, I can get a Red Top at Farm & Fleet for about $130.00 with a $7.00 core exchange (at least it was $7.00 the last time I bought a Red Top from there which was a few years ago). This to me is not a bad price at all when you consider what "regular" batteries cost these days.Just my $.02 .

[jake75]

Just checked Farm and Fleet website - $149.99 for red top and 189.99 for yellow top. Maybe when you go to the store it is lower.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Just checked Farm and Fleet website - $149.99 for red top and 189.99 for yellow top. Maybe when you go to the store it is lower.No, $149.99 is what a Red Top is at the store, but they are always having sales on them which make them around $130.00 with the core charge and all.