Haynes Workshop Manuals

Advantages: will help you save money on repairs
Disadvantages: you really think ill fix my own car?

...The reason for this, the Haynes Manual that the previous owner had pruchased and passed on to me when I bought her. Being somewhat of a technical idiot I knew nothing about the section of car which is covered by the bonnet, and in all honesty would struggle to point out the oil and water filler caps. But knowing that my baby had an oil leak it was a priority to check which was which in order to keep an eye on it, now being a young female living in ...
...between £12 and £15. Haynes also do manuals for motorbikes, pedal bikes, computer manauls, caravan books, home DIY, and even guides for travelling abroad. The range if it is as well written and containing as many pictures as this one is well worth a look for anything you might want to DIY, as I suspect if they do it then it will be one of the better options avaliable. ... Read review

Advantages: Learn a lot about your car and how it works, save a load of cash
Disadvantages: Some models can be hard to find

...scattered around the country. The Haynes manual is an absolutely essential tool for anyone considering their own repairs, it is also an invaluable guide to those who even though they do not want to do their own repairs may just want to have a little keek under the bonnet and see how the old girls works. For £14.99 you are getting a tremendously useful tool which will help you save loads of dosh and may even help you find a new hobby. I am not by ...
...you on the road and not some garage which has just screwed you out of £145 for a £25 job. If you do decide on doing some car DIY most of all have fun take your time and get a Haynes manual you will find it a positive gem ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap, easy to follow if you've got half a clue, saves you a fortune on labour charges.
Disadvantages: Photos in black and white, could explain things in a bit more detail.

...can safely assume that a Haynes workshop manual will be able to help with any problems you come across. Whatever car or motorbike (or boat for that matter) you own, chances are Haynes will have written a manual covering it. Just about every model from every major car manufacturer from the early sevenies to the present day has a manual dedicated to it with some earlier editions having recieved updates. Manuals for modern cars are always available ...
...these outlets or directly from Haynes using their website. Prices are roughly £12.99 for new manuals while older ones often recieve a discount to gat them off the shelves quicker. Inside the manual you will find all the technical specifications on your car in all its forms, as well as a general information section, a section on how to complete virtually every job imaginable broken down into sections (engine, transmission, electrics etc) as well as ... Read review

Advantages: Save you loads!
Disadvantages: Can be hard to understand.

...vehicle? Then you need a Haynes manual. Haynes manuals have been around for 30+ years, and have provided help for mechanics and car owners alike for that time, with relatively simple step-by-step instructions on what you’re trying to do. No matter what car or bike you own, Haynes are sure to stock a manual for it. The other manuals Haynes do (Boat, Plane etc.) are slightly more scarce, but you may get lucky! Unfortunately, the car I own ...
...exception. The newer Haynes manuals have numbers stating how hard the job you’re trying to do is. 1 is an easy job, say doing an oil change; and 5 is a hard job, say removing your big ends. To be honest, if you don’t really have much mechanical knowledge then tackling a job like the big ends would be too much, and best left to a qualified mechanic. Haynes manuals are designed to help, but they can’t give you the same skill as someone ... Read review

Advantages: Clear instructions on how to strip most things.
Disadvantages: Can be a little limited, vague pictures, pictograms needed.

The HAYNES series of manual have been with us for many years now, we have all used them. At one time they covered just cars, but now their repetoire includes caravans, decorating, washing machines, computers, bikes, and even racing engines. In fact they have one now covering "MAN - All models, shapes, sizes and colours. 120,000 BC to present day" It is number 3931 if you don't believe me! The books are produced by Haynes publishing in Yeovil, Somerset, ...
...worth a thousand words, although Haynes uses few of these, relying on small black and white photos, which tend to be a little grainy. The company does move with the times, and has it's own website, so you can check that the book you need is actually in production. The reason I say this, is because when a new model leaves the factory, it can take literally years to do the research needed to publish a comprehensive manual, based on a complete stripdown ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap, fun, eyecatcher
Disadvantages: some parts expensive or hard to get

...People have said it shouldn't be reved high..Not true. People have said it's not safe enough..Not true. Some have called it too slow..(Maybe true at times). Some have said that it has narrow tyres..Not true. Well, a lot of miles behind the steering wheel of a 2CV have taught me a few things: It's a great car, rust prone, but great. But it has it's flaws and not all mechanics understands the way it's designed, oh it's logical enough but the mechanics tries to make it difficult. So a typical do it yourself car. Buy one, join the 2CV-l group at yahoo and buy a Haynes workshop manual, also a good idea would be to join a 2CV or Citroen owners club.. Okay back to the car, so is it dangerous? Compared to a Toyota 626 Mondeo, then it's not as safe..But compared to a lot of other classics of it's era, then it's relatively safe... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Quick, fun, cheap
Disadvantages: Some niggles, interior quality

...amounts for anything if you go to a volvo dealer tho, i use them only as a last resort. They also try to enforce 400 series shame on you when asking for parts, be brave and don't let them scare you off! Overall the volvo has put up (mostly) with my abuse, and hasn't really been a pig to fix when things have gone wrong, as long as you've got a vaguely sensible head on your shoulders and a haynes workshop manual you should be able to have some very cheap, semi-quick, individual motoring for some years to come. I've just had mine MOT'd, it didnt pass first time, but nothing it failed on was particularly unreasonable, just replacing worn out parts, as you would have to with anything other than a brand new car. Ok so at times the electronics can be dodgy, but this should be very easy to spot on any test drive, the info-centre and popup lights... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Cheap n cheerful, reliable, nice to drive
Disadvantages: Rusts easily, far too common, tacky interior

...Ford Fiestas. I've owned, cherished and destroyed so many of these friendly little hatchbacks in my time that my life story would make similar reading to a Haynes workshop manual. I've learned to drive in one, learned to crash in one, and how to take care of one. I've driven every shape of Fiesta from the boxy late 70's Mk1 up to the newest Mk6 Zetec, and they've all been spot on little cars. The model in question here is the Mk3 Fiesta, of which I have owned two, a J reg 1.1LX and an N reg 1.1 Azura. The Mk3 was brought out in 1989 as a replacement for the immensely successful Mk2. Completely redesigned, it was a brand new car and not just a facelifted update. It is a vast improvement over the earlier models in virtually every department with several innovative features, this being reflected in the fact that the Mk4 and 5 Fiestas are... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful