Best Battery?

[GhostTX]

My battery died (2nd one) on my 2005 Mustang GT. First one died I got it covered on the warranty, so I currently have the Motorcraft BXT 40R in it.

What's a good replacement? I've called the local shops and this is what's in stock:
O'Reillys - Superstart 650CCA $96
Ford house - Motorcraft 590CCA $110
Sam's Club - Energizer 700CCA $75
Autozone - Duralast $97 590 CCA or Optima Yellow Top 620CCA $209
Sears - Diehard Gold $99 550CCA

Anybody with any experience with the brands? The Optima is a bit more than I want to spend.

[TENGRAM]

I've always had great luck with the Duralast Gold.

[turbos66coupe]

I've always had good luck with motorcraft, duralast gold, or interstate

[EW]

Why is your car using batteries? Does it sit for days/weeks/months at a time? Do you drive it daily? Alarm, audio, gps tracker, etc wired to car? Has the current battery been run low/dead prior to dying?

[GhostTX]

Why is your car using batteries? Does it sit for days/weeks/months at a time? Do you drive it daily? Alarm, audio, gps tracker, etc wired to car? Has the current battery been run low/dead prior to dying?

Sadly, it's a common problem with the S197s. The computers bleed off the juice. There's people with cars in the garage for a week and they go to drive it on the weekend and the battery is dead.

For me, I have a whopping 2.5 mile one-way commute each day, so that's definitely not a help.

[kingjason]

The best battery made hands down is Odyssey or the Diehard Platinum which is a rebadged Odyssey. They are a little more but get around 7 years.

[Trick Pony]

The best battery made hands down is Odyssey or the Diehard Platinum which is a rebadged Odyssey. They are a little more but get around 7 years.

Odyssey is actually made by Enersys. Hawker is the same battery as Odyssey as well. I've had a tiny Hawker PC680 in my stang for 5 years now but I keep it on a Battery Tender.

[Cannon88]

I have a Diehard platinum and have been real happy with it. The price was high, but if it last as long as they say it should, I will be fine with it.

[EW]

Any battery will die with a draw. A week is really too long for most modern cars. Yeah, your junk may start but it does not mean the battery is not really low. Whatever battery you buy, you should also buy a Battery Tender Plus or other maintainer and plug it in as often as possible (like daily). If you park in a garage and attach the quick disconnect plug, you don't even have to pop the hood. They work really well. As soon as I park my Cobra, I plug it in.

[GhostTX]

Any battery will die with a draw. A week is really too long for most modern cars. Yeah, your junk may start but it does not mean the battery is not really low. Whatever battery you buy, you should also buy a Battery Tender Plus or other maintainer and plug it in as often as possible (like daily). If you park in a garage and attach the quick disconnect plug, you don't even have to pop the hood. They work really well. As soon as I park my Cobra, I plug it in.

Next on the shopping trip...

Good idea.

[Rafa]

I have a duralast in mine now. The motorcraft it had in it didn't last long at all. Read a lot of issues with that battery. I had my duralast for a few years already and no issue at all. Stang sat for 3-3 1/2 weeks last month and it started right up. I do need to get me one of those battery tenders EW mentioned. 2006 Stang here

[dblack1]

My gt500 eats batteries, and it doesn't have a draw.

I use the tender on occasion, but I went a two months without driving and the battery wouldn't even come back to life after a trickle charge. Glad it has a 7 year warranty.

[GhostTX]

I went with the Super Start. Googling says it's made by East Penn which is supposedly pretty good and it was my better choice on the CCA, if that'll make a difference down the road.

[EW]

My gt500 eats batteries, and it doesn't have a draw.

Yes it does. Every computer in the car is drawing current all the time.

I use the tender on occasion, but I went a two months without driving and the battery wouldn't even come back to life after a trickle charge. Glad it has a 7 year warranty.

You must use the trickle charger before the battery is low. The Tender or maintainer keeps the battery fully charged. My Cobra sits for MONTHS (like 5-6) and the battery is still awesome after more than 6 years because of the Battery Tender Plus.

[streetscraper1]

Optimas are great, made by Interstate! I have 10 brand new Optimas for sale right now. 5 red tops and 5 yellow tops part #'s SC34U and SC34UD $120 a piece!