mx5cartalk.com

So, what's the deal with mx5 batteries? The (I think) original battery in my NA6 has given up the ghost, so I need some advice on a new one.

My local mazda dealer wants $420 for an OE one they've had in stock for god knows how long...

My local battery shop has quoted me $240 for an Odyssey 680, which seems like a pretty good deal.

Any other brands or solutions I should look at?

search.

supercharge gold ftw
$120, calcium (no venting issues), 3yr warranty

You can also try a new brand called pulse which are fairly cheap for what you get. They are the same as odessey just cheaper. Had mine for a good 6 months now with no problems at all

Ben

Locutus wrote:search.

supercharge gold ftw
$120, calcium (no venting issues), 3yr warranty

I did search, just obviously not hard enough...

So the Calcium ones are definitely safe to use in the boot?

Yes they're fine for our cars. You should check the fit to the battery tray underneath - mine needed trimming to fit properly.

I replaced my original Panasonic with \"top-of-the-line-whoop-de-doo\" Odyssey and it lasted all of 5 friggin years. They should last at least 7.
In other words, don't get caught up in the hype of Odyssey, Optima etc batteries. Too expensive.

Pulse is good value, last I saw, Autobarn sells them for not much more than $120 as meanmx said.

As Locutus wrote, I replaced mine with the Gold something-or-rather 6 months ago (they have a couple of names I think). $95 from Autobarn and I got an extra year's warranty (4 years).

It doesn't matter what the internals are made of, as long as it's a sealed/maintenance-free type.

1red5 wrote:It doesn't matter what the internals are made of, as long as it's a sealed/maintenance-free type.

... and as long as the vent/s can be connected to the tube which vents the gas to the outside so it doesn't rot your boot. Note that sealed maintenance free batteries aren't totally sealed, as they need to accommodate outgassing during overcharge - else they'll explode.

And alsways check a used MX-5 has a properly vented battery before you buy it, paying careful attention to the smallest of rusty spots in and around the battery compartment.

Cheers,
Alf

1red5 wrote:
Pulse is good value, last I saw, Autobarn sells them for not much more than $120 as meanmx said.

Hmm - we don't have autobarns in WA. I checked, and the only dealer I could find for the Pulse batteries was 'battery world'. They wanted $210 for the appropriate model.

The appropriate sealed Federal they had was $190.

But since I was quoted $240 for an Odyssey, I reckon that's a safer bet..

We'll see if they honour that price when it comes in stock.

Cheers for the advice - even though it seems I'm getting ripped off over here.

No Autobarn in WA? Dang.
$240 is expensive even for Odyssey as the model that is appropriate for our car should be just under $200. Keep in mind though, unless they brought out new models and dimensions, you have to mount it on it's side and thus it's a little trickier to connect the terminals.
Best bet is to take your old battery with you when you go shopping.

Think laterally mate, why don't you visit or ring around motorbike and boat stores and see what they have in stock.

If money is not as much of an object, and you can't be bothered doing any more research, then go for the Odyssey.

Battery World worked for me.

1red5 wrote:$240 is expensive even for Odyssey as the model that is appropriate for our car should be just under $200.

MX5 Mania sells it for 280


I might get a new battery for my car too

It looks kinda weak and the battery has some oily crap over the top

I'll probably get which ever cheapest between Odyssey and Pulse

Must say I'm amazed at the brand 'snobbery' the battery question brings up here. So long as it a. fits, b. supplies a reliable current and c. doesn't vent gas or acid to the boot, it will do the job. Why spend $240-300 on an Oddesey or Federal etc when a $100 Supercharge Calcium will do exactly the same job, guaranteed for three years??? Others have already told how their odessey's failed after 5 years, so it is not a case of twice the life... but then I don't buy designer clothes either so what would I know

agree with Bigdog, unless the expensive battery has a longer warranty & more CCA's (cold crank amps) there is probably bugger all difference in them apart from the price......but hey, i'm old 'n busted like Bigdog, what would i know?

thirded.

the supercharge i have fitted has more CCA than both my previously fitted optima (by last owner, which lasted around 4 years) and the equivelant gel battery supercheap stocks, and is less than half the price.

adding to my other 2cents: I have no idea about the Cold Cranking Amps of the Supercharge/Gold-whatever, but the others have hit the nail right on the head as to the reason why I (as I'm sure others) bought the Odyssey.

It's supposed to have more than twice the life than others, more CCA, better vibration resistance, ability to be mounted any way but inverted etc.

It only lived up to the mounting claim.

All of us on here are helping each other out in many ways, financially being but one of them.
Just think about what else you can buy for your car with the $150 or so saved

And BD doesn't wear designer clothes cause none of them fit his \"beeefcaaake\" bod