My truck still has the original battery from the build date of 05/05/97. I plan on replacing it before it gets too cold up here and have been debating between NAPA and MotorCraft. The MotorCraft battery has lasted a long time and has not leaked so I may buy another. But, I can buy the NAPA battery at cost, for about have the price of the OEM battery.

Anyone have any "bad" experiences with a NAPA battery???

Item#: NBR7565

Attributes:
Attributes: Battery - NAPA Legend 75 Month
# of Volts: 12 Volts
Wet or Dry: Wet
Application: Automotive
BCI Group #: 65
Post Type: Top Mount
C.C.A. at 0 Degrees F.: 850 CCA
C.A.at 32 Degrees F.: 1000 CA
Load Test Amps: 425 Amps
Reserve Capacity: 160 Minutes
Length: 11 3/8''
Width: 7 1/2''
Height: 7 1/2''
Weight: 44 lbs

Warranty: 75 Months/18 Months Free Replacement


Comments:

. Best Fit Estimate, Check Clearance & Polarity

. 850 CCA

. 18 Month Free Replacement Period

 

I also have the origianal motorcraft in my 97.

At the local Sams Club around here, you can get one with a 3 year free replacement & 75 m pro-rate for $59.00


That is what i am going with.

 

When this question came up last time someone pointed out that there are only a handful of battery plants in North America in the first place. The point is that your NAPA battery is a "house-brand" label that was manufactured by one of these plants. Can you spend top dollar for longer life/more CCA/ maint-free? YES. Is the funtionality you gain from a DIE-HARD over a ZAPMASTER worth $47 to you? Maybe not.

Pick a battery that fits the space available (SIZE CODE), and provides the CCA your vehicle requires. Anything past that is between you and your wallet. If you have a lot of electric add-ons, live in a harsh climate, etc bigger is always better, but any premium battery house or name brand should give you good performance.

 

I have allways had good luck with Napa products. I have never used their batteries, but as flafonman said there are only a few manufactures.

I say go with the Napa and save a few bucks.

 

There are Batteries and there are re-manufactured Batteries. They will all carry a difference in price, obviously. Your Original equipment, regardless of the 'Case-Stamping' is a NEW Battery, made with new materials/guts. Your discount stores offer re-manufactured batteries to support the discount market. So I advise you to ASK before passing out the green, and you will either get the 'deer-in-the-headlight-look' or the guy will tell you directly what you are paying for. Be advised that NAPA also offers a re-manufactured battery, at a lower co$t. I live in MAINE -and I do not take ANY chance; I buy a new battery when I need a replacement, not a re-manufactured battery. New units from NAPA have served me well, and I have had my share of trouble with Die Hards when I was younger and didn't know of the difference as I have stated above.

 

I replaced my Motorcraft original (2/98) a few months ago with a Champion from Sams. The new battery is about 1000 CCC. My Motorcraft battery was fine with no signs of weakness, but it was 4.5 years old and I didn't want to take any chances of getting stranded.

 

NAPA batteries are great and you can't beat the warranty. Never had a problem with one. I believe they were made by Exide but I am not sure if that is still the case.

 

Thanks for sharing.

I know my father has used them for years and he didn't have any problems. I was just concerned because I'd purchased a battery for my motorcyle from NAPA and it leaked all over It really made an awful mess and it was their most costly motorcycle battery.

 

The only battery advice I have for anybody is, "Don't get suckered into the DieHard scheme."

Sears suckers you into buying their battery with a long warranty and a competitive price and a very good sale price. The batteries tend to poop out before the warranty runs out. You go back to Sears because of the warranty and get a replacement at a pro-rated price. Thing is, Sears expects you to use that warranty and they actually make a profit on that pro-rated price. They hope you keep your car long enough to keep going back to get that pro-rated battery.