After 7+ yrs. A New Battery

[Shora]

It's been a long time (7+ yrs.) and the OEM battery never failed or needed to be jumped. In fact, she jumped a few for others.

While she never failed, she was getting old and it just seemed like time to replace here.

At first, I was only considering two batteries:

-Motorcraft (bxt-65-850) @ $124.99

-Interstate Mega Tron Plus (MTP-65) @ $119.99

Since I wasn't in a hurry to buy I took my time and did some research. I found out that there are only 3 major battery manufactures in the US and that Johnson Controls (who makes the Motorcraft Batteries, as well as Optima, Interstate, and others) also makes the Ever Start batteries for Walmart.

I ended up buying the Ever Start MAXX (850 CCA) @ $75.00.

How could it be wrong?

It's made by Johnson Controls.
It's rated higher than my OE Motorcraft.
It has a 3 yr. free replacement and an 84 month Warranty.
It's about $50 cheaper than the competition.

And lastly, it's from Walmart. When and if a battery fails where would "you" like to return/ exchange it? A Ford Dealership (one that you may have never even been to before if you are out of town when it failed) or Walmart who is everywhere doesn't care about the details and will give you a new one no questions asked?

Personally, I would have bought the EverStart from Walmart even if it was the same price as the Motorcraft just because of the hassle free returns.

I think those in the market should really consider the EverStart Maxx.

I think this is the longest post about a battery. :D

OLDIE:

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http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t327/ShoraMarauder/IMG_0908.jpg

Newbie:

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t327/ShoraMarauder/IMG_0901.jpg

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[ImpalaSlayer]

i just picked up a group 58 battery from napa

[dohc324ci]

I just replaced mine last May 6years! I picked up another Motorcraft $99 850cranking amps.

[Shora]

i just picked up a group 58 battery from napa

Is a group 58 bigger than the 65? Does it fit without issue(s)? How many CCA?


I just replaced mine last May 6years! I picked up another Motorcraft $99 850cranking amps.

Great price. Lowest price I got was $124.99.

[ImpalaSlayer]

Is a group 58 bigger than the 65? Does it fit without issue(s)? How many CCA?



Great price. Lowest price I got was $124.99.

no its smaller, i need it for my app to get the washer bottle back in. i also bought a 97 mustang tray to make it work. i wana say it has 750? i dont remember off the top of my head.

[Phrog_gunner]

I found out that there are only 3 major battery manufactures in the US and that Johnson Controls (who makes the Motorcraft Batteries, as well as Optima, Interstate, and others) also makes the Ever Start batteries for Walmart.

How could it be wrong?


Chevy made both the Corvette and the Chevette, that does not mean the quality is comparable. I worked in a retail auto parts store for 9 yrs and would only put a Motorcraft/AC Delco or Interstate battery in any of my cars.


because of the hassle free returns.

That is probably the only redeeming quality of that battery. I hope it treats you well, though.

[FordNut]

I put a Bosch in mine. It has 1000 cca.

[Shora]

Chevy made both the Corvette and the Chevette, that does not mean the quality is comparable. I worked in a retail auto parts store for 9 yrs and would only put a Motorcraft/AC Delco or Interstate battery in any of my cars.



That is probably the only redeeming quality of that battery. I hope it treats you well, though.

Walmart negotiates with their suppliers and like it or not, Walmart has the upper hand. I am SURE that they let Johnson Controls know with no uncertain terms that every battery returned to Walmart will be returned to them no questions asked.

Should Johnson Controls not live up to their obligations, they will be sued and lose all of Walmart's business.

Given those facts, I don't think it is in Johnson Control's interest to supply Walmart with lower quality batteries since THEY and only THEY are the ones who are going to suffer replacing them.

I am also sure that Walmart is going to be up Johnson Control's A$$ if they give the EverStart Batteries a bad name by supplying low quality batteries that get bad reviews.

Just my 2 Cents.

It's easy to hate Walmart. Trust me, I can understand the Anti-Walmart Bandwagon, but the fact is, they have some great prices and deals for consumers.

[Wires]

Walmart negotiates with their suppliers and like it or not, Walmart has the upper hand. I am SURE that they let Johnson Controls know with no uncertain terms that every battery returned to Walmart will be returned to them no questions asked.

Should Johnson Controls not live up to their obligations, they will be sued and lose all of Walmart's business.

Given those facts, I don't think it is in Johnson Control's interest to supply Walmart with lower quality batteries since THEY and only THEY are the ones who are going to suffer replacing them.

I am also sure that Walmart is going to be up Johnson Control's A$$ if they give the EverStart Batteries a bad name by supplying low quality batteries that get bad reviews.

Just my 2 Cents.

It's easy to hate Walmart. Trust me, I can understand the Anti-Walmart Bandwagon, but the fact is, they have some great prices and deals for consumers.

Yep. My wife works for a company that sells to Wal-Mart. You accept returns, at your expense, or you don't sell to Wal-Mart.

I've got the same battery in my MM, and in my truck.

The Die Hard I took out of my truck looks exactly like the battery I put in.

It's not a car, it's lead plates in a plastic box. I doubt one could build two batteries with as much difference as there is between a Chevette and Corvette without it being immediately obvious physically, or performance wise. (ie not working at all)

[tbone]

It's all MARKETING!!!!!

I just bought Riken tires for my son's car. Never heard of them? Me either. Made by MICHELIN. Same exact tire for HALF THE PRICE! HALF!!!!

Unbelievable!

[Spectragod]

Just bought a replacement BXT-65 for my cargo van today, $92.00 for Motorcraft. I know there are more Wally Worlds than Ford dealers, but I prefer OEM.

[scruff]

ive tried wallyworld batteries before and they were not up to snuff so from then on its either OEM or Interstate nothing else will last as long

[Wires]

ive tried wallyworld batteries before and they were not up to snuff so from then on its either OEM or Interstate nothing else will last as long

You may have gotten a bad one from a wal-mart that didn't rotate stock, or put a return back on the shelf or something. It could have just been a random bad one from the manufacturer, it happens.

It simply doesn't make sense for a battery manufacturer, Johnson Controls in this case, to maintain several different batteries. They have a "regular" and a "premium" battery, and put a Die Hard, Everstart, Interstate, or whatever label on it. That way, they can economize by not buying and stocking parts for several versions. They don't have to worry about whether Wal-Mart or Sears will order more or fewer batteries than they projected. That's the only way they can be competitively priced, and Wal-Mart or Sears won't buy if the price isn't rock-bottom low.

We aren't talking expensive, exotic battery technologies here, these are wet-cell, lead-acid batteries - lead plates and insulators in a plastic box filled with acid. Plastic molding equipment is expensive - there's no way they can make anything but very small, inconsequential differences between the different brands. My Die Hard that I foolishly bought looks just like the EverStart that I bought to replace it.

The differences are in marketing, and, in the case of wal-mart, the skill and motivation of the retail workers to properly maintain the product. Fortunately, most have dates on them, so you can be sure to get a fresh one. If it's worth the cost difference to buy the same battery somewhere else, then do it, but know what you are getting for your money.

Sorry for the diatribe. Remember, the bottom line is, buy what you want. It's your car. This goes for batteries, oil, car polish, and superchargers.

[william s]

After 7 years i replaced battery with a Motorcraft from my dealer $102.00 installed.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I have used the Everstart batteries too but a couple things

#1 on nice cars, when people see "everstart" under the hood they instantly know you're cheap

and

#2 just because the same company makes the battery doesn't mean it's held to the same level of quality as the OE part (my brother would go on a rant here about plate thickness or something)

[cougar9150]

When the OE one goes I'll just pick up an Interstate. They have always held up to the abuse, the elements in Massachusetts or Florida, and beating the crap out of them with high power stereo systems.

There is just something comforting to me about seeing the green cap under the hood. I'm like a dog with certain things, just loyal.

[Bluerauder]

Replaced my battery today at 7.5 years with an OEM Motorcraft BXT-65-650. $109.95 less core charge.

[fastblackmerc]

Optima Red Top FTW!

[Shora]

Optima Red Top FTW!

The Optimas sure look good both on paper and in form, but I have seen a number of people claiming 7-8-9 and even 10 years on the Motorcraft.

Haven't heard the same about the Reds or Yellows.

[babbage]

^^^ yep - I went with Motorcraft 850 cca - just got one this summer. They also have more reserve than optima, so when you WOT and the alt cuts out you have more juice. Plus the factory hold down design is nice.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

I purchased mine at Costco. It took 5 minutes to install.

[Bluerauder]

I purchased mine at Costco. It took 5 minutes to install.
Then you didn't clean the gunk out of the battery tray. :P That's at least a 10 minute job.