Dead Battery

[kimona]

Car wouldn't start yesterday afternoon. Battery would barely turn the motor. Strange... no warnings, no slow starts... just a dead battery.

Suddenly the battery came to life just enough to start the car.

Drove to the local Toyota dealer where the battery was declared DOA. I was shocked when the service writer quoted $185 to install a new battery. Yikes!

Anyway, with some negotiation, I ended up paying $145 and was on my way about 2 hours later. Ouch.

[David C]

Was it a California "lead-free" battery?

Joke aside, more info on the old battery ? Size, specs, age, make ?

Since a decent group 35 battery will cost you close to $100, $145 including labor isn't that bad.

[kimona]

^^^ I replaced the original Toyota battery with around 57K miles on it.

AAA = $115 plus tax for their own label battery (?) installed.
Pep Boys = $110 (with current promotion) plus tax installed for a Champion battery.

So, you're right, David C., $145 OTD for the Toyota battery seems reasonable after all.