What kind of battery should I put in my car?

try the walmart EverStart Max good battery and around $65...

The battery should have at least 1 Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) per cubic inch of engine displacement. If I recall correctly the '96 Achieva has a 2.4L engine. Which means it has 146 cubic inches. So, you shouldn't get anything below 150 CCA. And, yes, the higher the CCA the better it is for colder weather or thicker oil or older cars. Also, you might get into a situation where you have to jumpstart a larger vehicle; so why not go a little larger in order to be a good samaritan if you have to be. Plus, I don't know if they make them that low to begin with.

You should also look for the battery manufacturers that have very good warranties that are practical (i.e. you can easily return the battery to the store). I have always been successful with Die Hard from Sears; but some other good brands are Interstate and Optima.

Gotta agree with the Wal*Mart recommendation. Get the most cold cranking amps that you can for the car - makes it start better, cold or hot weather. Wal*Mart stands behind their batteries really well.

I use the Exide Orbital batteries in my newer cars, since they tend to have the computers or Air Con components below the battery trays, and leakage will cause expensive problems. Take a look under your battery. If there are expensive bits underneath, look at the Orbital or other gel based batteries. Else, the Wal*Mart option is great, and since they are everywhere, if you need a replacement inside the warranty, you can get it easily.

My Delco and Motorcraft batteries haven't performed any better than the Exide Orbital (from NAPA) and Wal*Mart batteries.

GM and Ford don't make their own batteries anymore. They all come from a handful of makers, so I really do look at price and warranty. If you get more life than the warranty, it's good luck. If not, you want easy replacement, and Wal*Mart (love 'em or hate 'em) try to guard their reputation with consumers. And they're are everywhere - even little towns in the middle of nowhere.

For years, I used Sears Die-Hard batteries. They lasted and could be replaced in most locations. I've gone to the Wal*Mart batteries (even though I don't shop there for anything else) because they do stand behind them. I buy them for most of my cars - the 1984 Trans Am WS6, 1995 Buick Century, 1987 Saab, and 1995 GMC 4x4. If you aren't worried about "looking stock," those bright yellow batteries do work. Just get the top of the range from them.

If you want a battery that will last you 5-7 years get a Delco battery, thats what comes with GM vehicles from the factory. It will cost you up front, but you will be worry free for a while.

There are a lot of other brands at walmart and such, but in some cases you get what you pay for.

Interstate batteries are the longest lasting and most reliable batteries in my opinion but Popular Mechanics lists the Exide Orbital and Optima batteries as the best.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_car...

As long as it meets the requirement recommended by the car manufacturer, it doesn't matter which battery you use.

I'll say optima batteries are the really cool and expensive batteries out there... They are the one Cops use in their car.

Here is the link to the Optima batteries that would fit in your car:

http://www.batteriesplus.com/products/61-SLI/4842-...

Any battery will do.

If you want quality at a bit of a higher price Interstate batteries are the way to go

Try EVERSTART good battery its around 65 to 85.

650 - 800 cold cranking amps to get you through the winters. Do not go higher or lower.