Battery OPTIMA or Deka

On my Porsche I run an Optima which lasts 7+ years and is a very strong battery.

I like them and that's what I use in my Toyota (Lexus). Had it a couple of years and so far so good. One neat thing about the Optimas is that since it's 100% sealed there's no worry about tipping it or having to wear gloves during transport and installation. It's also lighter.

Get an Optima battery and the battery minder - it's just a trickle charger that slow charges the battery to a certain voltage and then turns itself off. That's what I use in my S2000.

I'm using Deka. But it's a good choice. I haven't any problems with it.

Agreed with others, weigh your usage and environment/climate into the equation. We will personally be replacing ours with a deep discharge battery like the Optima Yellow, since I've noticed that of recent we've been running a lot quick errands that involve one person running in while everyone else hangs out in the car with A/C on.

Deka batteries are still good quality. They are somewhat harder to find than other brands.

Fall 2016 Update: I just installed a new battery. It is a Deka Group 47 AGM. Cost was about 135$ at Battery Mart, 20$ more than the standard battery the store offered. It is odd in that the carry handle is square to the battery length. The specs say it weights 37-1/2 lbs. 600 CCA at 0 F. Two minor things: The battery foot flange is not thick enough to match the battery holding channel or the holding clamp. Some sort of wedge needs to be used. There are probably height adapters or spacers sold for that. Second, the hood release cable will need to run on top of the battery corner, unless you slide the battery out toward the radiator more than I want to.

Had an Optima once. It was fine til it died, and it died hard. These days I stick with Interstate blemished units, since you can get them with cosmetic blems for about $35 from your local dealer. Cable wise, I updated them with the ones from a Mk3 VR6. I like the connectors better. Cables seem to be identical otherwise. Thicker alternator wire from Autotech is a must.

Once Johnson Controls bought them, they've become worse and worse.

My optima failed after 1.5 years