hello all.
good news - OEM battery replaced and the VX is as good as new.

VROOM, VROOM, VROOOOMMMMM!

i replaced it with a Kirkland battery (model# 12860) CA 1000 CCA 900 which cost $60. available at Costco. it's got a 100 month limited warranty. first 3 yrs have a free replacement. months of useage and percent refunded breakdown is as follows (in case anyone wants to know):

37-45 mth 60% 46-55 mth 50% 56-65 mth 40%
66-75 mth 30% 76-85 mth 20% 86-95 mth 10%
96-100 mth 5%

thanks, again, to those who responded to my post.

-jose