Group 25 vs Group 34? Costco Still Best?

[gathermewool]

Well, my 1 year old Costco Interstate battery died after only a year. My local Costco took it back with no questions asked, but sold the last Group 25 2 hrs before I got there! What’s worse, my wife called while I was at work, was told they had one left, and when she asked to make an appointment, they told her no need.

They gave me a full refund and confirmed that the next nearest Costco (an hour away) has 7 Group 25.

My local Costco has group 34 batteries.

Anyway, is Costco still the best? The whole no-questions-asked thing was great. I’m not sure if it’s standard practice, but I do recall being denied and told to charge it and come back for a test elsewhere; I did and it tested SAT enough to not be warrantied.

Group comparison (L/W/H):

25: 9.0625 X 6.9375 X 8.875 —> 558 in^3
34: 10.25 X 6.8125 X 7.875 —> 550 in^3

The stock location will accept the extra length, and the min bracket height is ~ 7.75”

Looking at CCA now, but the gist:

Buy a 34 tonight, 2 miles away or a 25 tomorrow, an hour away and through a major city (potential for tons of traffic)?

Edit: I‘m not really concerned that I’ll potentially lose the cheap heat shield thing. I can always cut one side off and part of the top. Thought?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Did they say when the 24 would be in stock?
I had a similar problem with a friend's later Ford Focus; it was an odd size, for Costco anyways. The good news is there are lotsa Costcos around here so they sent me to a store that had one.

To answer your question, I would use the 34 if it fits and they cannot get the 24 within a reasonable time.
That Costco no-questions-asked warranty is worth it to me. Good luck.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Lead acid battery is a lead acid battery - the question is will it fit.

I always stuff a bigger battery in if I can. Bigger is better right?

 

[gathermewool]

Walmart also has a group 25 Everstart Plus for about $10 more than Costco, but the free replacement warranty a year less at 2 years

 

[gathermewool]

Did they say when the 24 would be in stock?
I had a similar problem with a friend's later Ford Focus; it was an odd size, for Costco anyways. The good news is there are lotsa Costcos around here so they sent me to a store that had one.

To answer your question, I would use the 34 if it fits and they cannot get the 24 within a reasonable time.
That Costco no-questions-asked warranty is worth it to me. Good luck.

Did you mean 25 (my OE size) or 24?

My local Costco has 34s now, but the 25s won’t be in stock for over a week

It looks like the 34 at Costco is $10 more. That’s worth saving a 2 hr+ round trip to the next nearest Costco, unless you guys think the 25 is the way to go. I’m going to make the decision by the time I get off work tomorrow.

 

[gathermewool]

Lead acid battery is a lead acid battery - the question is will it fit.

I always stuff a bigger battery in if I can. Bigger is better right?

Bigger (and heavier) is usually better, in my opinion, but lead one battery is not the same as another. More CCA usually means thinner plates, which could make them less structurally durable. I would guess that heavier means more lead, which should also be better.

I also like battery caps, which some maintenance free, VRLA batteries don’t have.

In this case, Costco vs Costco (Interstate bs Interstate), the 34 has a tiny bit less area, but weighs more:

25: 35.7#
34: 37.7#

These weights are from two different websites, so take it for what it’s worth.

Edit: comparing Advance Auto’s Gold batteries, the 25 is actually a pound heavier. Interesting.

 

[Luftmasse]

In terms of Warranty, they are the leader for 3 years free replacement.

 

[bullwinkle]

If you have Sam's Club, they ALSO have 3 year free replacement on the EP made Duracell Golds, and they're currently $129.88 for a Group 35. They were recently $20 off, but I think that sale just ended.

 

[skyactiv]

No one learns anything if you get the same old battery most people use.
What I really want you to do is take one for the team, buy an EFB battery and keep us updated if and when it fails.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Not sure about your battery however I have a little story. I tried to start my 2012 Civic yesterday and it cranked slow with a no start. I took out the battery and went to my local Walmart. The salesman rang up my new battery $149 plus tax and he said that Interstate batteries were a lot better than Ever-Start which is what I bought. I said really? He said oh yes the Interstates are a lot better battery. I said well give me a credit right now I don't want this Ever-Start battery and I will go to Costco and get another Interstate which lasted 5 years. He said well you can return it before 30 days I said oh no, I don't want the battery if you are telling me Interstates are better. I went to Costco and obtained the same CCA 500 Interstate battery with the same warranty for a savings of $40. It was only $109 at Costco plus I get the Executive member points etc. I took a picture of my return battery but the guy a Costco did not even want to look at my phone picture he said it's ok I trust you brought it back. These salesmen are a piece of work in today's world.

 

[gathermewool]

If you have Sam's Club, they ALSO have 3 year free replacement on the EP made Duracell Golds, and they're currently $129.88 for a Group 35. They were recently $20 off, but I think that sale just ended.

No Sams Club, unfortunately. I believe the only EP batteries around me are at NAPA at pretty high price.

 

[gathermewool]

No one learns anything if you get the same old battery most people use.
What I really want you to do is take one for the team, buy an EFB battery and keep us updated if and when it fails.


View attachment 126409

That vs $90-100 with free 3 year replacement? No, thanks.

 

[gathermewool]

Not sure about your battery however I have a little story. I tried to start my 2012 Civic yesterday and it cranked slow with a no start. I took out the battery and went to my local Walmart. The salesman rang up my new battery $149 plus tax and he said that Interstate batteries were a lot better than Ever-Start which is what I bought. I said really? He said oh yes the Interstates are a lot better battery. I said well give me a credit right now I don't want this Ever-Start battery and I will go to Costco and get another Interstate which lasted 5 years. He said well you can return it before 30 days I said oh no, I don't want the battery if you are telling me Interstates are better. I went to Costco and obtained the same CCA 500 Interstate battery with the same warranty for a savings of $40. It was only $109 at Costco plus I get the Executive member points etc. I took a picture of my return battery but the guy a Costco did not even want to look at my phone picture he said it's ok I trust you brought it back. These salesmen are a piece of work in today's world.

You’re running the OE 51R? It’s amazing that that tiny battery costs more than the 25 and 34! Paying the Honda tax, I guess.

I think I’ll stick with Costco. We have the Executive membership and the CC.

 

[skyactiv]

That vs $90-100 with free 3 year replacement? No, thanks.

I totally agree with you. I don't expect you to buy such an expensive EFB battery.

However, I feel these battery threads are rather repetitive and why do we start one once a week? We know what we are going to do on our own merit. Some of us are looking for members to agree with what we already have on our mind. There isn't anything wrong with that.

I don't like giving the typical nice, like minded herd response as seen on many threads.

Maybe someone here has never heard of an EFB battery and learned something from me. They are starting to be used in some new vehicle's when an auto maker doesn't want to use an AGM battery but needs something that can hold up more reliable than a traditional flooded battery.

 

[gathermewool]

I totally agree with you. I don't expect you to buy such an expensive EFB battery.

However, I feel these battery threads are rather repetitive and why do we start one once a week? We know what we are going to do on our own merit. Some of us are looking for members to agree with what we already have on our mind. There isn't anything wrong with that.

I don't like giving the typical nice, like minded herd response as seen on many threads.

Maybe someone here has never heard of an EFB battery and learned something from me. They are starting to be used in some new vehicle's when an auto maker doesn't want to use an AGM battery but needs something that can hold up more reliable than a traditional flooded battery.

So, members post weekly asking both about battery return policy, whether to choose a 34 over a 25, and for considerations re: the heat shield AND provide data to for consideration? Ok…

Also, I didn’t ask generically, “mer bats der’d, halp!!!!” I provided actual, physical data and asked for those in the know to provide their opinion. I have not made any decision at this point, and if someone gave a good enough reason to choose either group, my decision would be weighted in that direction. If I has already made up my mind, as you allude to, I could have driven to either my local store and bought a 34 or an hour to buy a 25 earlier today. I decided to ask here while doing my own research before making a decision.

I drive ~22 miles round trip every day for work with a vehicle that provides 14.1VDC the entire time, as indicated g my radar detector and the 12VDV socket. I also use my NOCO or CTEK smart charger a couple of times per month or more frequently. I even use my PSU occasionally to apply 14.4VDC until the battery is full (minimal current charge rate. Any battery I own is well maintained maintained, btw.

Compared to a typical LA battery, I can’t imagine an EFB lasting long enough to justify the cost.

Finally, I’ve been away from the forum for a bit, but man, I can remember when you used to be friendlier and more helpful. You ok?. Why would you even mention your aversion to giving the typical, herd response, then post something devoid of advice or anecdotal evidence? It‘s like saying, “I have an opinion, but it’s none yo bees wax!”


Edited to be less harsh and to convey what I really meant.

 

[skyactiv]

So, members post weekly asking both about battery return policy, whether to choose a 34 over a 25, and for considerations re: the heat shield AND provide data to for consideration? Ok…

Also, I didn’t ask generically, “mer bats der’d, halp!!!!” I provided actual, physical data and asked for those in the know to provide their opinion. I have not made any decision at this point, and if someone gave a good enough reason to choose either group, my decision would be weighted in that direction. If I has already made up my mind, as you allude to, I could have driven to either my local store and bought a 34 or an hour to buy a 25 earlier today. I decided to ask here while doing my own research before making a decision.

I drive ~22 miles round trip every day for work with a vehicle that provides 14.1VDC the entire time, as indicated g my radar detector and the 12VDV socket. I also use my NOCO or CTEK smart charger a couple of times per month or more frequently. I even use my PSU occasionally to apply 14.4VDC until the battery is full (minimal current charge rate. Any battery I own is well maintained maintained, btw.

Compared to a typical LA battery, I can’t imagine an EFB lasting long enough to justify the cost.

Finally, I’ve been away from the forum for a bit, but man, I can remember when you used to be helpful. Why would you even mention your aversion to giving the typical, herd response, then post something devoid of advice or anecdotal evidence? It‘s like saying, “I have an opinion, but it’s none yo bees wax!”

Good point. BTW, I never heard of a group 25 battery until this thread.
My wife is away on business travel. I'm bored and lonely ATM. And grouchy.

 

[FordMan59]

I just put an EFB battery in my '97 Ford Escort last week. My old battery was still under warranty at Rural King and when I went to exchange it they were out of what I had and they weren't wanting to give me the correct amount of credit for my old battery so from home I called their corporate office and explained the issue I'd had at their store even with an assistant manager involved.. Soon afterward I received a call from the store manager wanting to make things right. I told him they didn't have the battery I had previously. That's when he said come on in I'll upgrade you to a better battery with a full 4 year free replacement warranty and a $25. gift card for your extra trouble. RuKing batteries are made by Exide and are not my favorite choice but their standard batteries are usually about $40-50 less expensive than competitors so usually worth it.

 

[gathermewool]

Good point. BTW, I never heard of a group 25 battery until this thread.
My wife is away on business travel. I'm bored and lonely ATM. And grouchy.

I edited my response to be less harsh. I get it, totally. I get ornery on off days. I don’t that it personally, especially coming from a member o respect. I was just taken a little aback

 

[JHZR2]

Bigger (and heavier) is usually better, in my opinion, but lead one battery is not the same as another. More CCA usually means thinner plates, which could make them less structurally durable. I would guess that heavier means more lead, which should also be better.

I also like battery caps, which some maintenance free, VRLA batteries don’t have.

In this case, Costco vs Costco (Interstate bs Interstate), the 34 has a tiny bit less area, but weighs more:

25: 35.7#
34: 37.7#

These weights are from two different websites, so take it for what it’s worth.

Edit: comparing Advance Auto’s Gold batteries, the 25 is actually a pound heavier. Interesting.

Buy the heavier one. More lead, more energy.

 

[gathermewool]

Buy the heavier one. More lead, more energy.

Can anyone give me an example of a vehicle that takes a group 34 stock?

That seems logical. Before Costco I used to base my purchase on weight and sometime maker, ie I preferred The Legend batteries from NAPA due to Deka make. I can’t really justify the much higher cost over the Costco battery these days, and the Costco warranty experience was great!

I think the 34 has better specs, but I wasn’t able to checked the 34 on the Costco website, because it only allows you to input your vehicle, not select by group, which is 25 for me. I had to Google elsewhere to get the specs for the 34, and the picture on that site appeared to be different than what’s at Costco.

Anyway, from what I found, the 34 CCA is a lot higher and the RC and weight are also higher than the 25.

Unless you guys can talk me out of it I’m going to give the 34 a try. My only concern is how much the battery cables are affected. If Im reading it right, the 34 is 2” shorter than the 25.