I am due for a new battery and short of an Optima, which is the best? I have heard that MotorCraft or Interstate are good. I have a 2005 2wd Screw Lariat.
Thanks

 

Interstate is a good brand as is Gould. More inportant than make is the number of Cold Cranking Amps in my opinion. Cold cranking amps get you strarted easier when it gets cold (anywhere from 800-950 cca). In a moderate temp zone(650 to 750 ccas)is sufficient in hot climates 800-950 is better. Hope this helps

 

Sears Diehard makes a gold and platinum series that both are higher CCA requirements than the Ford Motorcraft from the factory.

This is what I am eying come replacement time.

Keep an eye, Sears has sales or check the internet site for a lower price with price matching.

 

I just picked up a Duralast Gold. It has a 3 yr replacement and states up to 1000cca.

 

Gould was one of the very best batteries you could buy. They made batteries for a ton of people- made Motorcraft for ever. But unfortunately, they sold to Excide in '03 and Excide has ever since made the batteries that Gould made, now to Excides crap standards. Shame on them for destroying one of the best batteries you could find.

 

Thanks everyone, I may look to Sears, I had not thought of them.

 

Optimas suck..

Sears Platinum is made by Odyssey... One of the best batteries you can buy period. They are $208 out the door. The only other battery that could arguely be better then Odyssey is Kinetik. You will spend some money on those...

Search Optima's and just start reading. They are worthless garbage.

 

I was also in the market for a new battery after having a red top optima for 4 years...after comparing CCA's/RC/$$/Warranty...I found the Exide Marathon battery($108 out the door)...Got it at Kragens..(Oreily Auto)...

This was the best battery I found that compared to the Diehard Platinum P2 battery...its has been on for over a year and has been working great...just my 2c's...

 

I have had excellent service fro Interstate on all my vehicles. I get the highest amps at Sam's, I think it is 950, for $78.

 

Laugh all you want....but I went to Costco and picked up a Kirkland.
I think it's 850CCA, and it was around $60 bucks......

 

Have my serious doubts that's CCA's- maybe CA's and about 640 CCA's- around there anyway. I use Kirkland but not because they're a great battery- I don't think they're anything special at all- they have a 3 yr free replacement and 100 mo. overall. They seem to work fine, but I test my batteries all the time and they don't test very well at all. I just think the warrantee is really good for the price and they don't give you a hassle like some places do if you have to have one warranteed. Optima is one of the most overpriced junk batteries around. Odyssey is one of the best you can buy as far as quality build.

 

ive got a optima redtop in my truck, works great for what i use my truck for, handles offroad great, killed my duralast after 6 months. 850 cca 1000 ca...

 

Been buying batteries for my cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles for 50 years..
Bought 2 OPTIMAS (one for the car, one for the truck) neither lasted past 18 months.

Had the same problem with SEARS top batteries, although some people get good service out of them.....

I now buy INTERSTATE with a passion, the BEST IMHO.

Did have one from WALMART (LOLOL!), I think I paid $60.00 3 year replacement, it was still on the boat when I sold the boat 4 years later!