Johnsons Controls is the leader manufacturing of lead acid automotive batteries, they make most of the well known batteries we see at all auto parts stores. The difference lies in what the client requests by personalizing same batteries for them. For example, Duralast Gold(Yellow+Black), Interstate(Green+White), Its all just an appearance factor, many even carry the same cranking ratings. Johnsons Controls bought and aquired Optima batteries in the year 2000.

I have an Optima red top on my t/a, I have never had any problems with it, but I must say I bought it more for looks since it matches the engine and body color of my trans am. It is a reliable battery.

As a replacement, I would recommend any battery that offers at least 2 years free replacement. Theres no trick to it, the more cranking amps the battery has, the more confidence you can have since it will last as long as it exceeds the demand the car requires.

 

Excellent post ^

 

Anyone using Advance Auto gold battery? with the coupons codes they really have good pricing.

 

The battery in my beater 96 Grand Prix started to go dead the same winter I bought the car once it got below 30*. Then i noticed it was a 7 1/2 years old 5yr Interstate battery. I've also always had good luck with Wal Mart batteries and always did figure they and most all other batteries were made buy the same company.

 

i have a wall mart battery and it works fine. even with the car having an electrical problem for a while and killing the battery every day.

 

I went ahead and just bought the Duralast Gold. I figured if its goes bad there is about an autozone every where I go.

 

ive had an auto zone battery for 5 years, died several times because of wifey leaving the lights on, or myself, but it always survives, and i have amps and stuff running and its always at 14.0 volts when running. best 80 bucks i ever spent. and they have a gaurantee. optima may be awsome, but for the price autozone has done it for me.

 

Pretty sure that's what I have also, the only problem I've had is the + stud got stripped out, went and bought a longer one and it seems fine