Battery Bosch or Deka
Deka batteries are still good quality. They are somewhat harder to find than other brands.
Fall 2016 Update: I just installed a new battery. It is a Deka Group 47 AGM. Cost was about 135$ at Battery Mart, 20$ more than the standard battery the store offered. It is odd in that the carry handle is square to the battery length. The specs say it weights 37-1/2 lbs. 600 CCA at 0 F. Two minor things: The battery foot flange is not thick enough to match the battery holding channel or the holding clamp. Some sort of wedge needs to be used. There are probably height adapters or spacers sold for that. Second, the hood release cable will need to run on top of the battery corner, unless you slide the battery out toward the radiator more than I want to.
I've been buying Deka batteries for awhile now and they have been great to me as a customer.
I just ordered a Deka EXT20L, from what ive read everyone loves it. At $87 from Lowes its worth the gamble. Its a sealed AGM battery so it can be mounted anywhere, ill be putting it under the rear seat.
I have personal experience with with both battery technology and the litium ones put the conventional small battery to shame. If I left my car with the small Deka that's in it for a few weeks without starting, or turning off the cut-off switch, the alarm and small draw I have from a wacky door switch would completely drain it.
FYI I went with the Bosch 96R. It weights about 34 lbs and fits no problem although I did need to add a small wedge on top of the bottom lip to lock it down with the stock mount. It has a 3 year free replacement warranty and cost me just about $87 OTD @ PepBoys after turning in my $15 core. It's been more than a year and the battery has been rock solid with very little use.
My current dead battery is a Deka - lasted 3.5 yrs, can't complain.
The last two batteries I bought for my GTi, were specified for a Mk4 Golf/Jetta. Both of them were Bosch and they are both different sizes. Both of them ran me about $150 I went with the Mk4 batteries because Pepboys didnt carry for a Mk3. But both of them are fine
I find that the Bosch batteries I regularly sell last 5-7 years or 5-7 months.
Bosch batteries are no poorly made in china
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