Well Guys, based on the input from this forum, bought an Optima
for $100 at Costco. Doing great so far! Don't have to pump or even press the accelerator to start.

Plus no more leaking acid to deal with. The previous battery, supposedly 'no maintenance', failed during the first year due to low fluid level. Since then I have kept the fluid level up, but it seemed to have a persistant low-level acid leak. Wished I was aware of the Optima leak-proof earlier.

Thanks for the suggestions, JT