Hey guys, I wanted to start doing some of my own work on my car and I was wondering if you guys might be able to shed some light on which of these manuals--from Haynes, CHilton or the actual Nissan book (which is very expensive I heard) is pretty good and concise in explaining things to a beginner. I am not an idiot (at least I hope I am not)--but I am inexperienced--so if you guys have any good tips (either these or other books), It'd be most helpful...
btw, how are the other two--chiltons and haynes compared to the Nissan book --cover the same information?
thanks again

Brian

 

For the $$$, Haynes is fine. Chilton's sucks, so don't waste your time. The detail is terrible (especially if you're a beginner) and sometimes the instructions are just plain wrong. For the cost difference between Haynes and Nissan, you can go get some mods (about $100 worth last time I checked). If you're serious about really taking the car apart, Nissan may give you some more detailed information, but Haynes has been great for me on everything I've ever tried to do on any car.

-kev

 

I got chilton's and I love it..although I have never seen any others to compare it to.

 

think I'm gonna walk into my dealership's workshop and convieniently take one home...=) NOT!!!

 

Check ebay.com for Nissan FSM's. There are usually 1 or 2. Good prices too.

 

I think your off on that one buddy.. we sell haynes and they are POS's with little specific detail.. most are made for very GENERAL applications.. the Chiltons I own is at least twice as thick as the haynes we sell. the diagrams/exploded parts assemblies are great.. yes not as many actual pics as haynes.. but still..
either way there is NO REPLACEMENT for the FSM.. spend the $$ its worth it

 

i got the haynes for my max, my truck, and every car i had in the last 6 years. Works good for me. Pictures make alot of difference. The chiltons usu try to span too many years and assume you have alot of general mechanical knowledge to start, fsm is the bomb, if you can afford it get it.

 

chilton has misinformation, i believe jeff megamax's page (the correct directions) contrasted the book.
i found the '93-'98 version to be confusion because it attempts to cover 2 generations of car and three different engines in that span

i enjoyed haynes for their "pre-repair diagnostic lists" on my previous ride.