AAP Silver vs. Gold Batteries

[barlowc]

When it comes to AAP's Silver and Gold batteries, is there really much of a difference or is it mainly the 2-year versus 3-year replacement warranty?

I need a new battery for our 2007 Saturn VUE which has the 3.5-liter V6. It uses a Group Size 86 battery and AAP lists a Gold with Part No. 86-2 for it.

There's also a Silver Group Size 75/86 which has both side and top terminals. (I need top.) While AAP doesn't list this as an Exact Fit part for our VUE, the CCA is 650 versus 640 for the Group Size 86 Gold. The dimensions are very, very close and the 75/86 has a review from someone with the same vehicle and it's apparently just as suitable. Maybe not?

Anyway, if it is, and given that it has a higher CCA, I'm trying to determine if it makes any sense at all to pay an extra $27.50 for the Gold.

 

[JHZR2]

Most cats don't need max CCA, and often the necessary amperage from the spec is rather low. A lower CCA battery will have a more rugged grid which IMO is beneficial.

 

[TechnoLoGs]

Originally Posted By: barlowc
When it comes to AAP's Silver and Gold batteries, is there really much of a difference or is it mainly the 2-year versus 3-year replacement warranty?

I need a new battery for our 2007 Saturn VUE which has the 3.5-liter V6. It uses a Group Size 86 battery and AAP lists a Gold with Part No. 86-2 for it.

There's also a Silver Group Size 75/86 which has both side and top terminals. (I need top.) While AAP doesn't list this as an Exact Fit part for our VUE, the CCA is 650 versus 640 for the Group Size 86 Gold. The dimensions are very, very close and the 75/86 has a review from someone with the same vehicle and it's apparently just as suitable. Maybe not?

Anyway, if it is, and given that it has a higher CCA, I'm trying to determine if it makes any sense at all to pay an extra $27.50 for the Gold.


My answer would be "No." The Group 75/86DT battery looks attractive to me too, and it also is not an exact fit. AAP silver is pretty good.

Ypu may remember that NAPA -DID- replace my battery. Had they not, I would have gotten an AAP Silver.

 

[barlowc]

Originally Posted By: TechnoLoGs
AAP silver is pretty good.

Yeah, I put a Silver Group Size 61 in my MIL's Civic 2 years ago and it has not had any problems. But I wouldn't expect it to in just two year's time.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: barlowc
When it comes to AAP's Silver and Gold batteries, is there really much of a difference or is it mainly the 2-year versus 3-year replacement warranty?

I need a new battery for our 2007 Saturn VUE which has the 3.5-liter V6. It uses a Group Size 86 battery and AAP lists a Gold with Part No. 86-2 for it.

There's also a Silver Group Size 75/86 which has both side and top terminals. (I need top.) While AAP doesn't list this as an Exact Fit part for our VUE, the CCA is 650 versus 640 for the Group Size 86 Gold. The dimensions are very, very close and the 75/86 has a review from someone with the same vehicle and it's apparently just as suitable. Maybe not?

Anyway, if it is, and given that it has a higher CCA, I'm trying to determine if it makes any sense at all to pay an extra $27.50 for the Gold.


The best fit is the CCA of the battery that came from the factory. More CCA in same physical size = weaker plates. Now if you cannot get exact match, you go up.

The exception might be a car shipped new to the south and then moved up north.

 

[barlowc]

Originally Posted By: Donald
The best fit is the CCA of the battery that came from the factory. More CCA in same physical size = weaker plates. Now if you cannot get exact match, you go up.

I believe the OE battery is 600 CCA, but the AAP, AZ, etc. choices all generally appear to be 640 CCA.

 

[oggb]

Fiance's car has an AAP Silver battery. It's been discharged several times (flickering dash lights, weird sounding door chime) for 2-3 days at a time (doesn't get driven much) and it's still going strong. Seem like good batteries. Hers is the fifth battery I've bought. No complaints with any of them.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: Donald
More CCA in same physical size = weaker plates.
This.

If you don't NEED more capacity than the original, like for a mondo stereo, more isn't always better.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Looking for more reserved minutes ?

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: barlowc
Originally Posted By: Donald
The best fit is the CCA of the battery that came from the factory. More CCA in same physical size = weaker plates. Now if you cannot get exact match, you go up.

I believe the OE battery is 600 CCA, but the AAP, AZ, etc. choices all generally appear to be 640 CCA.


Thats in the ballpark. Its when people go from 600 to 800 where the issue is.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: Donald
More CCA in same physical size = weaker plates.
This.

If you don't NEED more capacity than the original, like for a mondo stereo, more isn't always better.


I would try for a larger physical battery if possible if I had a super powerful stereo. Which I do not have.

And then there is the Cummins with its dual batteries.