It's been a while since I checked in. I have been doing some detailing on the aging paint on my 2010 XD, but I had a thought the other day to check the battery.

I didn't realize how much time had slipped away, as my battery is kept clean and hasn't given me any problems, but it's time to replace it; it's going on five plus years since installation.

When that much time passes, of course, things just get more expensive, and car batteries,k even for the humble SCION, have increased in price to the 200 to 400 plus range, which for the average working class person is insanely expensive.

I went down an opinion and information rabbit hole and found that, while price points have dramatically risen, quality and reliability, even in the $ 400 price range, have not.

I don't know if this is true, but I keep seeing people say there are only three manufacturers that make batteries in the US. Quality has decreased, but price is going up. It's just the same batteries with different stickers.

Anyway, I think I'm going to go with an AGM-type battery by WEIZE, as I don't have the financial resources to pay a premium price to replace the flooded lead-acid battery type I have been running in the vehicle.

If anyone has had a recent, similar experience, please comment.

 

I'd completely agree that battery pricing has gotten stupid...

 

According to AI, traditional flooded lead-acid batteries and the materials needed for manufacture are the culprit, and AGM type are decreasing. Of course, that supposition is based on "market trends". Still doing some research on this, but I see a lot of people in their reviews for AGM purchased online and delivered say they have been turned off by in-store retail prices.

 

Well, just installed a fresh flooded lead-acid battery early this morning and turned in the core for my old AAA-branded battery—3-year warranty.

AI says they are manufactured by East Penn.

I guess every time you turn a wrench, you learn something, and in this case, I learned not to over-tighten the J bar that puts pressure on the SCION battery holder, which hooks into the body.

Also, AGM-type batteries are for cars with stop/start electronics; they can be used in the SCION, but the stock alternator allegedly undercharges this battery, causing premature failure.

I got five years of service from the old battery, and with my AAA discount, I got a replacement flooded lead acid exact fit for around 190.

Also, my cheap meter from Harbor Freight is not reading DC voltage accurately, as the NEW battery had the same under-voltage resting reading as the old battery.

Anyway, no problems so far, and I hope this one lasts as long as the other, that is if anyone can afford gas going into the future.