I still have my original battery in my 01 Grand Vitara Limited. Living in Toronto, the winters get really cold here sometimes and I know each year the battery sounds a bit weaker but then in the summer it cranks perfectly. Either way I should replace it before I get stranded. The original battery has been great for the last 8 years.

Can any one recommend a good replacement brand? What does the dealer sell? 

My 2 cents... with a V6 engine with all the electric power options (like power windows, etc), a battery that provides you somewhere around a 54-55 Amp Hour Capacity with 700-750 Cold Cranking Amps should turn your engine fine.  Tons of "labels" out there to choose from.  Anywhere from a Delco, to Walmart "label", Autozone, Optima, Prime, etc.  If you have additional power draws like aftermarket off-road lights and winch, I suppose you could use a battery with more CCAs to give you more reserve.  At some point the need is proportional to the size (output) and condition of your alternator and your wiring.

go with the optima

I put in a optima red top when i first got the truck.. I ran 4 hella's on it and stereo and a underdrive pulley with not one problem. Oh and -50 starts like a charm

Optima

  Growing up in the 50's and 60's in NW Ohio, I saw many cold morning problems with batteries not having enuf power to start a car.  Altho' it can be a bit more anxiety provoking with some of the cheap plastic battery cases of today, I have an interim solution that may help those in a pinch. 

Try pouring warm (hot tap maybe, no hotter) onto the battery.  If you remember your chemistry, this produces a much better molecular movement and the chemical reaction in a lead acid battery speeds up, thus providing more cold crank power.  I have done it more than once.  Works quite well.

Of course, making sure your battery, alternator and other cmponents are in good working order is the best.

YMMV

Pat
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I still have my original battery in my 01 Grand Vitara Limited. Living in Toronto, the winters get really cold here sometimes and I know each year the battery sounds a bit weaker but then in the summer it cranks perfectly. Either way I should replace it before I get stranded. The original battery has been great for the last 8 years.

Can any one recommend a good replacement brand? What does the dealer sell? 

my battery strategy is to buy a high month warranty battery from my local parts store.
i think they are all the same(except gel batteries).
i'm currently using(2yrs) one of those 1/2 pint things with no problems.
i run a bit of electronics.
if i do a winch i'll have to add some battery - mabe another little one.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I went to the Optima website and 2 batteries come up (red top series), the 34r and the 35 model. The 34r seems to be a bit bigger and has more power output. Do you think the 34r will fit ok or is it too big?

Not a lot of places sell this brand in my area (1 quote in Mississauga was for $210 CND) Is it really worth that kind of $$?

no.
just my opinion, of course.

eight years on the same battery. i would like it if i get 3 or 4 years and i'm in so. cal no cold here.i would get the same one and try for 8 more.

Where |removethispart|@ in SoCal?  I've been on this board a couple years, and just today I've ran into two of my neighboors.  Anywho, living in the desert, Interstate batteries are great.  Advice I got years back from a friend who owns an alternator/battery place in town and also does some insane wheeling (seriously, his rock crawler can run every Hammer trail in Johnson Valley).  Maybe a little pricier, but opt for the heavy duty one w/ the 60 month warranty. 

Thanks for the suggestions.

I went to the Optima website and 2 batteries come up (red top series), the 34r and the 35 model. The 34r seems to be a bit bigger and has more power output. Do you think the 34r will fit ok or is it too big?

Not a lot of places sell this brand in my area (1 quote in Mississauga was for $210 CND) Is it really worth that kind of $$?

If you are interested in an optima then check costco or sams club! One of them sells optima if not both. And under 200

Thanks Armour!
I was at Costco over the weekend and found a few Optima batteries, only one fit my GV, the yellow top! So I figured for $179 it's still expensive but less than the $210 quote I got for the red top, and this one pumps out 810 cold cranking amps vs the 700 in my original.

It is shorter and smaller than my original battery, but I guess thats because of the cylinder shape vs. boxy shape. With the included height adapter it fits better and it looks good under the hood, need to shampoo the engine this summer lol

By the way my original battery was a Delphi, I guess in 2001 GM owned Delphi and a good chunk of Suzuki so it makes sense. Great battery though, wonder if it would have lasted through this winter to mark a 9 year life!

Great battery though, wonder if it would have lasted through this winter to mark a 9 year life!

You're probably better off not knowing.  8 years is a helluva life for a car battery.  I think you made the right call.  It was time to put the old girl down.

Thanks Armour!
I was at Costco over the weekend and found a few Optima batteries, only one fit my GV, the yellow top! So I figured for $179 it's still expensive but less than the $210 quote I got for the red top, and this one pumps out 810 cold cranking amps vs the 700 in my original.

It is shorter and smaller than my original battery, but I guess thats because of the cylinder shape vs. boxy shape. With the included height adapter it fits better and it looks good under the hood, need to shampoo the engine this summer lol

By the way my original battery was a Delphi, I guess in 2001 GM owned Delphi and a good chunk of Suzuki so it makes sense. Great battery though, wonder if it would have lasted through this winter to mark a 9 year life!

No problem! I have a yellow top in mine and love it! By the way how is the weather up there? I moved down here to Texas from Toronto last Christmas! I miss the snow!