This is good information, I've only heard good things about Optima batteries...but I also haven't asked anybody about it in a long time. I considered one briefly for my VW recently, but went with the OEM battery (1/2 the cost & a 5 year warranty).
Otima is an AGM battery (compared to cheaper lead-acid batteries). Thre are plenty of options for AGM batteries, so don't feel compelled to stick w/Optima.
If you're looking to get high-tech, there are now lithium ion batteries available via aftermarket. They're pricey, but light. (+$800)
Antigravity Batteries is a GRM sponsor. I entered the raffle, but didn't win (sad face).
TIL learned about Odyssey batteries.
Any opinions on the house brand AGM batteries from Autozone?
They run about 25% cheaper than Optima, and I can get a discount on top of that.
Mainly I want to put a battery in the back of my '81 RX-7 but don't want to put it in a marine case.
I've had a number of Optimas in recent years and never had any issues. The Red Top in my e30 stage rally car lasted about 6 years, but that thing is basically getting jarred, vibrated, and banged around all the time. I'm on Year 3 of a Yellow Top replacing it. Got 9 years out of the Red Top in my WRX.
Optimas are terrible. I've had 3 of them and zero were satisfactory.
I've had fantastic luck with shorais, they weigh nothing (like less than five pounds). I had one fail but it served me well for a decade of daily use and when it failed, I had left it to sit (connected) in the car for a winter and the alarm sucked it dry, it never recovered. Great batteries.
