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My Tacoma is a 2000. Bought it new and it's still got the factory battery. This is not the norm but obviously it can happen. Typically batteries last 7-8 yrs if the car is driven regularly.
Just beware that as the battery ages, it requires more charge from the alternator, eventually to the point where the alternator is running full-field. This causes excess wear on your alternator which will need to be replaced prematurely.
Ask me how I know... Now I replace the battery every 3 years whether it needs it or not.
Seven or eight... 1999 Accord, had to replace the battery in 2006/7, can't remember which I just know it was while I was in college and I couldn't afford it so I drove around with jumper cables for two months.
We keep cars for 13 years. I don't know why that is the magic number, it just seems that after 13 years we're ready for a new one. BTW the highest mileage on them was a little over 65K.
I think Mrs. Tek is going to get a new car before hers is 13 though. Since we are retiring and will be traveling a lot we are going to get a highway cruiser.
Edit: Apparently I have a reading disability today.... I'll leave this post so you can all have a good chuckle.
Last edited by Tek_Freek; 07-30-2011 at 02:43 PM..
We keep cars for 13 years. I don't know why that is the magic number, it just seems that after 13 years we're ready for a new one. BTW the highest mileage on them was a little over 65K.
I think Mrs. Tek is going to get a new car before hers is 13 though. Since we are retiring and will be traveling a lot we are going to get a highway cruiser.
The question was about the battery, not the car. But your cars are what I look for. Low miles but old enough that the price has pretty much bottomed out.
If I get 4 years out of a battery, I'm happy, regardless of what the battery life is supposed to be. But I seldom keep a vehicle more than 5 years, and my vehicles always have aftermarket sound systems, alarms, and other electronic devices.
Other than a warranty swap, I can only remember putting more than one battery in one vehicle, and that was the '87 Ranger I had for 12 years.
I just replaced a 10 year old battery and the one in my 2002 Tacoma is original. As for replacing a battery every 3 years, that's just a waste of money.
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Now I replace the battery every 3 years whether it needs it or not.
But your cars are what I look for. Low miles but old enough that the price has pretty much bottomed out. 
