Optima Batteries wants your input

[GregWeld]

I'm with Jody on this one -- I'd like to see them build a better mouse trap - because they do "support us" -- and apparently do care about trying to make it better... otherwise they wouldn't ask for the input.

I will say -- the other day I was having the car serviced (BMW) at the dealership -- I noticed (apparently for the first time) that many models on the floor had "discreetly" been hooked up to tenders. I asked why -- and the salesman told me that if they don't do this the batteries die in about 3 days - BUT he added - it's only because people are getting in and out of them all day... without starting them etc. I would have to agree somewhat - since NONE of the cars on the lot had tenders... so it made sense.

[DFRESH]

David, I tried 3 red tops on the race car within a year, (sometimes it sits for up to 2 months without use.) Even with the charger going on them, I couldn't keep them alive. After the 3rd attempt, I changed to a 16 volt system and have had that battery for 3 years now--it's a pretty common thing to hear this from the guys at the track (drag), especially about the red tops, from my experience. Funny, when I think of performance batteries, I still think Optima, however I won't put one in my PT car now since it was a real issue for me and others within my circle of racing. Would be glad to go back to using their product since they are so supportive of this hobby/sport, however this paticular product needs to meet the expectations.

They can pick talent though, given your position--LOL. Shameless plug for a ride at the shootout a week from this Sat---.

Doug

[rogue]

cure for your battery problems = drive your cars

[David Pozzi]

Originally Posted by camcojb

they're a great company with great management and marketing companies. If they can teach us how to take care of these batteries, or develop something to eliminate these issues that would be the best thing all around. I definitely want them to succeed.

Jody

Jody,
Same here, first of all they are great people, and they do a lot for the Pro-Touring/corner carving sector. I like the product too, we have a yellow top purchased from our local Costco in Mary's 73 Camaro and it's at least 5 years old!
Thanks, David

[T-Type]

seems like all the problems are fairly consistent. i used to swear by optimas back in the day. however starting a few years ago had problems consistent with everyone here. when not driving my vehicles regularly they were properly maintained.

i've tried both red and yellow tops. and i've had both crap out on me. even went through a couple of warranty claims. after the last yellow top left me stranded i refused to get warranty on it and switched to another brand altogether. no problems since.

[BritishGreen68]

Originally Posted by camaro2nv

Ive just never had any luck with them. I had the yellow one in a show car and truck and it was always dead within a week.

Ive had same problems. Ive had or seen at least 5 dead optimas and it seems like once they go dead the first time they never come back. I had one in my camaro and it lasted about a year with limited driving (yellow) and I bought an interstate and its been with me through three different cars and never had a problem.. I really like the fact you can put them inside the car or upside down and all that but I just don't trust em..

[CptKlutz]

Originally Posted by rwhite692

My message / feedback to Optima would be that they really should acknowledge the abnormally high failure rate on the red top and publish a tech bulletin that outlines the various reasons why early life failures were so rampant (surely they have done some failure analysis and production analysis, and know very well what the main deficiencies were (or are)).

What he said!

Also let us know how to maximize Optima battery life please.
I have no problems with the 2 Red Tops I have, they stand around for weeks and start right up. They only seem to last for around 2-3 seasons though?

[tyoneal]

Hello:

I have had two Red Tops in my Camaro, "Lateral-1", since I bought it from Mark. I got about 8 months out of the first one, and replaced it under warrantee. The second one I have to continually keep on a charger or it will be dead within a week.

It's great they are sealed, but the Performance vs. an Interstate Battery is a slam dunk for Interstate. (Sorry, but it really ticks me off to continually have to screw around with it.

Please, Please, make a better product even if it cost more.

I keep and Red Top AND a Yellow Top in my Truck, because I cannot take a chance of being stranded out in the middle of nowhere in 105*. They are both charged continually.

I'm not trying to dog your product at all, just trying to be honest. The place I have my cars serviced when I need a new battery try to talk me out of a Red Top for another brand, because evidently they get a lot of returns and it is a headache for them as a dealer.

I ALWAYS will support the sponsors of this Hobby, but I would like to meet you half way. I will pay more for one that will last, and not leave me stranded, if you will build it.

Dollars for fixing up our car are FINITE, please keep this in mind.

Thanks for your continued sponsorship of this hobby, I truly appreciate it, but We DO need a better product for our cars.

Thanks, and I look forward to doing business with you in the future.

Ty O'Neal

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by camcojb

they're a great company with great management and marketing companies.

Fortunately OPTIMA kicked Stir to the curb, they were horrible. I got so fed up, I called Cam directly to let him know what BS they were pulling. lol

DOE-ANDERSON is doing a MUCH better job and the people are quite pleasant to deal with. They are the company spear heading this grass roots, direct user feedback. For a large corporation, it's refreshing.

[BBC71Nova]

I have always thought highly of Optima as they came on the seen as an innovator to some extent. I have an Optima in my FFR and have had no problems even with extended periods of boring garage life .

However, I read on another forum back a few months that Optima had decided to move their manufacturing to Mexico. Is that true? Hearing about the move of manufacturing was sort of a ding against them from my perspective. I just hope they don't do like many seem to and become marketing powerhouses primarily, lose focus on being innovative and just build stuff as cheaply as possible. I guess that works out in the short term ... .

John