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Battery question

OK, I've started acting in earnest and am actively seeking a Miata. In fact I have 2 very nice ones to check thoroughly by the end of the week.

Meantime, as the battery sits in the truck I understand it's a lead-acid free battery, and Panasonic manufacture (at least for the recent ones?).

So...when Miata batteries need replacing, what are the brands and specific types, and average prices?

For my truck I go strictly with Optima, but I couldn't tell you if it's lead-acid free, I've never had to look for that. My cars and truck have kept the batter under the hood, with the exception of my old VW Beetle which had it under the rear seat (and "any old battery" seemed to be just fine in that).

TIA

Reply to
Rivergoat
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Actually most of the later Miatas have a "glass mat" battery, not a gel cell. There are several companies that sell a glass mat battery with the correct vent and post arrangement for the Miata. If you want to order one by mail, look at the miata.net website. A popular battery brand for the Miata is Westco. Optima also makes a compatable battery, for a lot more money. My local battery specialty shop even carries a private label glass mat battery that is built for the Miata configuration. Gel cells are a good battery, but not the best type of battery for starting a car.

Reply to
chuckk

They never had a gel cell, though it is commonly called one.

Leon

Reply to
Leon van Dommelen

Thanks, guys. Yeah, I went to miata.net and printed out the whole story of the battery, along with info on the WestCo replacement. I see it's about $90 on the website. The Optima for my truck was $130.

I examined and test drove a 2001 today. Nice condition, though when I checked the battery it didn't say Panasonic, but Mazda on it; and I noticed a small amount of corrosion on a holding bracket. If I read right, Mazda has created a lead-acid sealed type? They expect it to be OK in the Miata? Just seeing a tiny bit of corrosion made me uncomfortable. If I buy this one I'd try to hit the owner for at least $100 off so I could get an AGM replacement.

Many thanks to the Miata.net site, I may have scared the owner a bit with my complete checklist :) When I started to crawl under the front and rear he asked, "...what are you looking for?" I just said "anything out of the ordinary." I think I was thorough. It's on the list as a possible candidate.

I've got a 2003 to look at Saturday, then I could likely make a decision.

Got my loan approved no problem, and thanks to another great source of information I opted for a credit union and got a very nice APR.

You'll hear more from me when I settle on a Miata!

Reply to
Rivergoat

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