The $40 battery from Champion is not that good a battery simply due to
poor quality. Some last a good long time, some do not. The warranty from
Wal-Mart though can not be beat. As for the Optima, unless you need the
ability to turn it upside down and want the hassle to get it under the
seat, I would stay with a quality, flooded wet cell battery. The
standard group 41 has more than enough power to start a Vanagon.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Matthew
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 8:56 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: is the Optima really better?

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
86 syncro