Replacing Battery in '03 Boxster

[986sport]

I got the Duralast 48 from Autozone and had my corner gas station install it.
Fits perfectly. $85 with your old battery. They know all about keeping a charge on the system installing the battery. Lots of cars like that these days. Memory seems OK after instal, including on-board computer and radio.

Walmart's Everlast 48-3 battery seems the same at $53, but it's made in China, and you don't know if it's a copy or the same battery as Autozone.

[Tool Pants]

The Everstart I saw at my local Walmart was made in Mexico. My Duralast is also made in Mexico. Both are made by Johnson Controls are are identical except for the color of the plastic case.

But your local Walmart could be sourcing batteries from a different place than mine.

[986sport]

Originally Posted by Tool Pants

The Everstart I saw at my local Walmart was made in Mexico. My Duralast is also made in Mexico. Both are made by Johnson Controls are are identical except for the color of the plastic case.

But your local Walmart could be sourcing batteries from a different place than mine.

Funny, the one I saw at the Walmart's near me said made in China and 650 CCA
instead of 700 CCA. Same price. $53 and change. They have zero customer service so you can't ask questions. Autozone is a car parts chain store and probably more reliable. Either way is a lot cheaper than a Porsche dealer. Who wants a battery you have to fill with water these days, anyways.

[Tool Pants]

Whatever. Walmart branded batteries are Everstart and Everlast.

In the link to Renntech I mentioned and posted pictures of the Everstart, as I did not see an Everlast at my local Walmart on the shelf that would fit a Boxster. So there was no reason for me to take pictures of the Everlast.

If the Everlast version is made in China then that might be good. A battery is made with lead and acid, after all....

[gstoli]

If you decide to remove your battery (it's not a problem anyway, you only need to reenter the radio code) you can take it to Autozone and check it for free (maybe you do not even need to remove it). I took mine (dead, because I was messing with the electrics) and they were honest enough to tell me that it's still good. If it's not buy a Duralast there, they know which one fits.

[986sport]

Originally Posted by gstoli

If you decide to remove your battery (it's not a problem anyway, you only need to reenter the radio code) you can take it to Autozone and check it for free (maybe you do not even need to remove it). I took mine (dead, because I was messing with the electrics) and they were honest enough to tell me that it's still good. If it's not buy a Duralast there, they know which one fits.

I replaced the OE battery with the Duralast, and still have the OE battery in my trunk. It worked OK for a week after recharging it, but we have had warm weather lately, in the 50s, and I don't know if it can hold a charge when it gets cold again. I don't know whether to hold onto it or trade it to Autozone for the $12 core credit. Does it make sense to hold onto it as a spare? It's 3.7 years old now, and 37K miles.

On a separate note, do you need a trickle charger on a new battery in the winter
(20s and 30s lows) when you use the car every 2-3 days? I had this problem with my old SC, and didn't need a trickle charger in the winter on a new battery
driving about once per week. The Boxster is a main car, and I'm a bit more concerned.

[986sport]

Originally Posted by Tool Pants

The Everstart I saw at my local Walmart was made in Mexico. My Duralast is also made in Mexico. Both are made by Johnson Controls are are identical except for the color of the plastic case.

But your local Walmart could be sourcing batteries from a different place than mine.

I was at Walmart's today, and checked the Everstart 48-3 battery. It is now $70. with your old battery in trade. Seems like it was $54. a couple of weeks ago.

I also noticed it is a regular water battery, not maintenence free, with six cells
and circular cell covers with cross grooves for a coin or screwdriver. It looks a lot like the Porsche OE battery, and even has the vent tubes on the side. Maybe it's the Interstate battery?

This isn't the same battery as the Autozone Duralast 48 I bought. The Duralast is maintenance free, sealed cell, and has the vent tube coming out of the back.
Price was $85 with old battery traded. Starting OK the last couple of days.
Fits the compartment perfectly.