>Battery is dead. Is the Optima *really* a better option (red top)? Give
>me some good evidence why it is better, including actual use. None of
>this arm-chair-expert crap.  100$ for this versus $40 for a regular
>battery is a big deal.
>-matthew

Not sure what you are looking for here, because its not clear if you want
to start your van with it, or use it as a house battery when you are
parked.

If all you want to do is start the van, then the $40 battery is the way to
go, but its good to remember that a starter battery, and a 'deep cycle'
battery are two different beasts as far as application goes. The optima
can do both jobs, but the starting battery is really only good for
starting the car, in most cases.

No arm-chair-expert-crap :-) What do you want to use the Optima for?

John