I own Lexus ES 300 2001.I have been driving this car in NYS for the past 5 1/2 years(mostly 60 miles a day nonstop)I never had any problem with the battery.Should I replace the battery anyway as a preventive measure? If this is the case is it worth to pay $150 for Optima battery rather than approx $70 for highly rated by Consumers Report Napa or Duralast?

I never had a battery go that long. Could be all my short trip driving kills them as well as some other stuff. Winter is coming, and jumping a car or being towed is a pain. Why not? I would expect the Napa or Duralast to last as well as the OEM. To be worth it, the Optima would need to last over twice as long. Do you expect to still have the car after it is 11 years old?

I am driving a 77 truck. I only bought one battery for it. Firestone made the mistake of selling me one with a lifetime guarantee when the OEM went bad.

I think you would be wise to replace the battery, on your terms, now. I would opt for the $70 NAPA or Duralast battery.

I will agree I have never had a car battery last that long myself.

I put a lot of stock in what Consumer Reports rate things, if they rate the 70 dollar one high, I would say that is where my money goes.

At least here it is getting ready to start cold weather. I would change it myself.

You're at about the limit on time for a good battery in a cold weather climate.
Although I've had some batteries that were well maintained go 6-7 years but why take the
chance most avg 4-6 yrs. I would put the Napa or equivalent in. Most batteries now use
a pro rate warranty. The $ 150 batteries will probably be gel and thus can be mounted on
it's side or upside down, maybe offer a reserve amt of power and a longer warranty but
if those factors don't matter to you why spend the x-tra $. A batt with 850-950 cca should suit you fine for cold weather starts.

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Originally Posted by ghbogen

I own Lexus ES 300 2001.I have been driving this car in NYS for the past 5 1/2 years(mostly 60 miles a day nonstop)I never had any problem with the battery.Should I replace the battery anyway as a preventive measure? If this is the case is it worth to pay $150 for Optima battery rather than approx $70 for highly rated by Consumers Report Napa or Duralast?

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Another vote to replace your battery. These days, batteries tend to go dead without giving out warning signs. It happened to me several times. Once, I had to pay for towing.

I own a 2004 Volo. Battery is original equipment. What is the best replacement

Drwatson, I would recommend a Sears DieHard Gold battery. Make sure to fully charge whatever battery you select, prior to installation. This eases the strain on the alternator.