I had this same problem with an optima red top. It was not a battery problem, it was my fouled plugs. Check coil, wires and plugs and see if you any codes.
couple things to check....
battery going flat...if its a stock mini battery check the little bubble for the color...if black replace
starter...if the brushes are worn down or if the connector is dirty it might not kick over
alternator...your battery might be fine but if the alternator is bad then no start and when your car was running it ran the battery down
starter switch...aka key tumber...the key is actually part of a switch...if that switch went then no start
when you turn the key do the status lights come on (oil,temp,ses,etc)...if no lights that means no power
check the power cables coming off the battery and make sure they arent pinched or damaged...
the needle jump your referring to is when the needle self calibrates upon turning the key in the ign
also check your fuses and relays...get one of those light testers and check to make sure you dont have a blown fuse...i believe also the starter and electrical system that takes power from the battery are some of the green relays(as the relays usually control the bigger and more critical systems like cooling and power) and if they havent been replaced and its a 03 chances are one might have blown...they arent that expensive and it might be a good idea to check them...
for these cars you can go from the battery to the jump post...to the underhood fuse panel to the interior kick panel fuse box to the BCM to the DME...
