What's a reasonable price for a replacement Battery?

So? I'd buy the cheap one, who keeps a car long enough to get the benefit? I'm not paying for the next owner of my car to have a good battery when I trade it in after a few years...

But an optima or hawker wouldnt have deteriorated over the four years due to the cars natural systems discharging the non deep cycle battery. Plus it would still have had the go to spin it over anyway due to the low voltage drop/internal resistance even though a bit flat. Luck never entered into it. Its why those that know spend the extra.

That personal choice in action!

And theres nothing stopping you.

The reply was to the "optimas are a con" guy, when clearly its not. AGM batteries are just a dearer but better option! And its not just longevity.

"Burgerman" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Gotcha.

What benefits come from them being recombinant?

Instead of using calcium etc to allow them to be "maintainance free" (no gassing ish while charging) which impacts performance and longevity amongst other things, so pure lead can be used. (And no lead "sponge" coating to fall off as in standard starter batteries!). Pure lead allows better faster charging and discharging and lower internal resistance and so gives improved CCA especialy when discharged a lot. Plus they can be used or tipped upside down and (rolled?) or cut in half without spillage. Useful in motorsport if you are a hooligan... No escaped acid. And lower sulphation rates when less than fully charged.

But not your GF, obviously.