dude the optima is only like 30 bucks more than that, and batteries arent replaced everyday so the money shouldnt be that big of a deal. on removal and install take thefuse block cover off and remove the 4 bolts and then take the whole top of the fuse block it gives you alot more room to work. good luck with it.

 

Went with the Bosch. Total pain in the *** to remove the old one, which was heavy and bloated. Took about an hour and a half. I'm happy though. It's done and my car works again.

 

Wow, sounds like a PITA... I will have to go over to my neighbors to see what all the fuss is about.

I lost the battery in my 2002 last week, the only trouble with mine was the 3 mile walk back home to get the Trans am to go get a battery. I pulled into AutoZone at 7:30 with the old battery, they tested (for Free - Dealers suck) and said battery was bad. I said give me a new one, he had two to chose from I took one and and had it in the car in 5 minutes. I did have to remove the fuse cover and radiator cap to put in the new one in because it had handle slots on the side (the one I took out did not) but a twist here and shimmy there and it was in. I moved it across the street from my daughters daycare to a safe parking lot (daycare parking lot is a nightmare - distracted moms and kids swing doors as far as they can) and drove the TA to work. Picked it up that night and it has been great ever since. Total cost $100, not including the walk home time spent 25 minutes. I've had the car a year now and that is the first thing I've had to repair, and I wouldn't even count that as a repair, more like maintenance in my book.

 

Well then. I think since the 5.3L is so much bigger than the 3.8L it's just harder to get to. Plus finding a battery that would actually work was a PITA as well.