Aftermarket is fine, there are plenty of recommendations on the site if you do a search. Most recommend an AGM battery.

 

You should NOT get the battery form the dealer, unless your goal is to overpay for poor quality.

 

Duralast works just fine.

 

What is the consensus on antigravity batteries? I had to replace my battery in the first week of new car ownership! I actually just bought the battery from the parts counter and installed it myself. I never work on my own cars, but I really cannot understand why a grown man would put his car on a flatbed instead of changing a battery. Just sayin.

Anyway, thinking of going to an antigravity battery next. Are there any issues with doing that?

 

I think there are a few guys on here using them, the only drawback is the price. I want to say the one that fits the Giulia is about $950.
I run them in all my motorcycle because the weight and size makes a big difference there.
They do get lazy in the cold weather but I've been out in temps down to 20 f on bike trips and have never had an issue with starting ..worse case they crank slow for a few seconds.
on the pro side, they discharge very slowly so a tender is not normally needed

 

Antigravity is just a brand of Lithium battery. I would NOT put a Li battery in a car. They are next to useless in very cold weather. They work great above 50F. Also they are reliant on a built in BMS and there is no way of knowing the quality of the BMS or how it will interact with the cars BMS. Finally, the cells in Li batteries come from unknown sources mostly in China. Quality is highly variable.

They do have their place. I have them in my MX bikes and Waverunners, but neither ever gets started in cold weather. The weight savings is important on the MX bikes and the resistance to self discharge is great for things that aren't used for 4-6 months.

 

Consensus seems to like the Interstate MTX-49/H8 (900 CCA) battery as a replacement.

 

Or the identical Costco Interstate 65-49/H8-AGM.

 

They have 100% identical specs and the Costco one is only $4 cheaper. Do you have any evidence to back up your claim that the Interstate Costco Battery is made cheaper than the retail Interstate one?

 

Johnson Controls makes 3 tiers of batteries..The Costco batteries are the cheapest.
I didn't think this was news to anyone.

 

OK, I guess your word is proof.

I'm sure you think Walmart sell a different Mobil 1 too.

 

OK, I guess your word is proof.

LOL, just like yours right?

You should NOT get the battery form the dealer, unless your goal is to overpay for poor quality.

I won't bother telling you who makes Mopar batteries....

 

I contacted Interstate Batteries and asked the following:

Is there any difference between the retail MTX-49/H8 and the Costco 65/49-H8-AGM other than stickers and distribution channel?

Thier answer:

Hello Todd,

Thank you for inquiry here at the home office of Interstate Batteries, Inc. The only difference is the part numbers and the warranties.

My guess is Crosshairs body of knowledge on this subject comes from this post on BITOG:

"Tried to purchase a group 75 Interstate Battery at Costco for an Anniversary 1993 Corvette. I went to Interstate's website and found the correct battery application. Went to Costco and was told that they don't stock it nor can they order it. I went to the local Interstate Battery Dealer and met with the Manager. Manager stated that Costco buys Interstate batteries in bulk and get lower tier quality batteries. He further stated that you could only return the battery to the original Costco (No other Costco) for purchase. Interstate batteries do not warranty Costco Interstate Batteries purchased at Costco, per the Manager. Any truth to this? I like Interstate Batteries and Costco has great return policies. IDK?"

In any case, now that this is settled and Crosshairs is proven to be a know-it-all that isn't, sadly time to put him on ignore.

 

In any case, now that this is settled and Crosshairs is proven to be a know-it-all that isn't, sadly time to put him on ignore.

I think this is a fantastic idea .

 

Whoa dude. That’s a lot of drama over a battery. I can’t believe you were even still thinking of this.

 

I didn't start it. I got feed BS and admonished for not knowing Costco batteries are inferior crap. Just setting the record straight.

 

Obviously the OEM battery is the crappiest. Lol.

 

Most dealers are replacing the OEM Varta battery with a Mopar battery.... people are having a lot better luck with the Mopar battery