[koates]

Optima batteries are at least as good as any other battery but better than most. I have a 12 volt red top optima in my Toyota Hi-Lux for 16 years and still OK. Several other of my cars for 10-12 years service. Like any item ever purchased you can be unlucky and get a bad one. The made in Mexico wingers are only sour grapes on the part of USA workers now out of a job spreading bad stories about optima quality. The best batteries in my opinion and I have fitted hundreds of them. The 6 volt optima in vintage cars works very well with 800 cranking amps on tap which is about double that of most car size batteries. Adapting them to fit standard battery carriers requires some fabrication. They will hold their charge much longer when sitting around unused than other batteries. All vintage cars that sit around for weeks and months unused should be fitted with a battery shut off switch to prevent any possible power drain. Regards, Kevin.