Replacement owners manuals
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Replacement owners manuals
What is a good price to pay for a replacement manual? I have an '80 I just acquired and have seen prices from $6.00-$50.00 for a replacement manual for it. It always baffles me on how the manual and car become seperated. I have never had a car where the manual did not live with the car in the glove box. Anyway, I call on the "collective" wisdom on this as to where to get a decent manual for a good price as I am sure many of you have gone down this road before. I have been assimilated.
CVT4ME
CVT4ME
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From: Swords Check/Saws Check/Clubs Check/Claws Check/Hatred Check/Anger Check/Murmaid Check/Murder Check
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Replacement owners manuals (CVT4ME)
I guess the price really depends if they are reprints or originals. I paid like $10.00 for a reprint manual for my 74. You should be able to find those through most mail order places such as Ecklers, ZIP, etc.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Re: Replacement owners manuals (Tom73)
OK, I went to e-bay and found a re-print for the "buy it now" price of $12.95. I don't guess I care if I have an original or not, is that a fairly good price on those? Or do I hold out for an original if it can be had for about the same money? Your thoughts?
CVT4ME
CVT4ME
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 792
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From: Louisiana, It's Always Party Time!
Re: Replacement owners manuals (CVT4ME)
I think I paid around $10 for mine. I believe I got it from Mid-America. I don't think that an original manual is necessary unless you're trying to get points in a show. My reprint is very clear and easy to read.
:steering: & :seeya
[Modified by LABulldog, 12:54 PM 5/12/2003]
:steering: & :seeya
[Modified by LABulldog, 12:54 PM 5/12/2003]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Re: Replacement owners manuals (CVT4ME)
I should get the jackass of the year award! :bb After flipping through all of the paperwork that came with my Vette, lo and behold, an original owners manual. DOH! Thanks for your input anyway everybody.
CVT4ME
CVT4ME
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: Replacement owners manuals (CVT4ME)
I have a '78 and paid 13.00 at Vettefest. There are plenty out there. It depends if you want one to display for show or to use. I bought mine to use, so I didn't care if it had finger smudges or a little dirt on it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
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From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: Replacement owners manuals (CVT4ME)
Don't worry, you can always sell the spare on ebay! :D
But what you REALLY need is a 1980 Corvette Shop Manual (Hint: Use that exact term when doing an ebay search.) I picked one up for mine for about 20 bucks. Expect to pay up to $30+ depending upon supply & demand.
But what you REALLY need is a 1980 Corvette Shop Manual (Hint: Use that exact term when doing an ebay search.) I picked one up for mine for about 20 bucks. Expect to pay up to $30+ depending upon supply & demand.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Re: Replacement owners manuals (page62)
Page62
Luckily I hadn't purchased one yet, so I just have the original. A shop manual is definitely going to be on the list though. It has been interesting flipping through all the repair invoices to see what has been done to this car so far. I have about 60-70 miles on the car so far and am I enjoying every minute of it! Yes, I still owe you a couple of cold ones, I have not forgotten.
CVT4ME
Luckily I hadn't purchased one yet, so I just have the original. A shop manual is definitely going to be on the list though. It has been interesting flipping through all the repair invoices to see what has been done to this car so far. I have about 60-70 miles on the car so far and am I enjoying every minute of it! Yes, I still owe you a couple of cold ones, I have not forgotten.
CVT4ME
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
The quality of the reproduction manuals is so good it can be tricky to tell if you have an original or not. I naively thought the owners manual that came with my 68 was original; it looked original and certainly wasn't "new", but it is a repro. I would be very cautious about paying a premium for a so-called original owners manual on ebay. MJ
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
Re: Replacement owners manuals (CVT4ME)
Keep an eye out on eBay for the service manual as well...pretty common. Sometimes you can pick these up for the mid-teen range. Also try http://www.factoryautomanuals.com for a complete set or individual manuals.