2 comments about Pontiac Muscle Cars (Enthusiast Color).

1. This book gives you a high level overview of most of Pontiac's performance cars. It is not all inclusive but is very good for people who don't need extensive detail on every fast Pontiac ever built. The text is accompanied by several nice color pictures.



2. This is a nice overview of Pontiacs of 50's 60's and early 70's. A lot of nice full color pictures and several nice facts in an easy to read format. Many of the cars are "real" and not picture perfect collectors, this adds a nice touch. A good book for light reading and to see different models and options of Pontiacs!

No comments about Collector's Originality Guide Pontiac GTO 1964-1974 (Collector's Originality Guide).

4 comments about Standard Catalog of Firebird 1967-2002 (Standard Catalog of Pontiac).

1. The book is probably the most complete coverage of the Firebird line that is available at this time. Several books cover the Firebird up to the 2000 model year, but this is the first to include 2002. This is a first edition, and it does contain some errors; i.e. erroneous engine data, 2 photos were incorrect for the model year they represented, etc. All small details that are easily outweighed by the quality of the photos and text. Excellent job detailing the differences and all the anniversary models. Also contains production numbers, values, etc. Highly recommended to anyone who loves Firebirds. I own a 2000 WS6 Formula and consider this required reading!



2. The amount of misinformation in this book is unbelievable. John Gunnell needs to do a LOT more research before printing a book like this. This should be a very nice source of information on the Firebird but I have found so many incorrect statements that it makes everything in this book suspect.
   I sent an email to Krause Publications describing the numerous errors and they responded to me in a very inappropriate way.
   
   Example: The book states that the 98+ LS1 Ram Air engine had a cast iron block and heads and the LS1 engine came with an aluminum intake. This is completely incorrect. When I first opened the book and skimed through the pages I found many, many more incorrect statements like this.



3. This is a very good guide to the illustrious Pontiac Firebird. Having owned two versions of the original 1967 Firebird, I found this to be a nostalgic examination of one of my favorite sports cars.
   
   The photographs in this text are really well done. Many of the unusual versions of this great car illustrated. There are great little tips for someone looking to invest in one of these fine rides. The book is worth the money.



4. This is truly the best and most complete book on Firebird's. There are very few errors. All of the photos are of un-modified cars, my personal preference in car collecting. I currently own the following Trans-Am's: 1970 Ram Air III 400 4 Speed, 1974 SD-455 Auto, 1976 455 4 Speed, 1977 T/A 6.6 400 4 Speed

4 comments about Pontiac Fiero, 1984-1988 (Haynes Manuals).

1. This book is a disaster. The author seems to cover only what is easily explainable and leaves the rest to the reader to figure out. The supplement for the 1988 models is weak at best. Buy the Chilton manual. It is by no means perfect, but it is better than this.



2. As our Fieros are all getting rather old, I appreciate having as much information as possible. While not perfect,I prefer this book to the Chilton manual as it contains photos and instructions from an actual repair. The Chilton book mostly bases its information on the Pontiac shop manuals. Over the years (I have owned Fieros since 1984) I have used both this book and Chilton, as neither one has all the information required. So the best solution may be to get both books....



3. While the Chilton is okay, this book is much better as it has better pictures.



4. This is a generalized manual. It lacks the detail to perform any major work. Some of the photographs of parts are not of the vehicle specifed.
   Save your money and get the Chilton. Specs in the book are pretty accurate but if your have a big job to do, don't expect the detail you need to accomplish the task.

5 comments about Pontiac GTO.

1. I've just purchaed a 1973 GTO and bought 5 books on the subject. This is by far the best one. The pictures are wonderful and the analysis is both insightful and inspirational in an entrepreneurial sense (getting the GTO done over GM's massive corporate bureaucracy.) A must-read for the true GTO or musclecar fan.



2. This book is definitely one of the best books written on the Pontiac GTO. It combines great photography with a good chronological story on all the GTO's from 1964 to 1974. Excellent read! Caution to other buyers: the recently released paperback titled Pontiac GTO: Four Decades of Muscle by Steve Statham (published May 2003) has exactly the same content as this book. So if you own this book already, don't bother buying Four Decades of Muscle



3. Decent coverage and review of the GTO for most enthusiasts. Background information and pictures are clear and well presented. Another great addition to my collection.



4. First, you need to know that I owned two new GTO's. I absolutely loved them. Especially the first one, a 1966 GTO Convertible; the first year the GTO was its own car.
   This book is great. It has great pictures of all of the different GTO's. Even the '73 which few people even know existed. It actually had some information I did not know!
   Good history of how the legend started and how GM reacted to it both before and after the totally unexpected popularity.
   This car is considered the definitive muscle can. It was new, fast and a looker to boot. It lead the way for all of the other muscle cars.
   If you were (are) into cars of the late 60's and early 70's you will like this book.



5. If you think you know about GTO's from reading wikipedia, this book has plenty MORE information that you'll be interested in. Definitely worth buying used (at the very least,) good information and nice pictures. Tells about insider information, how Pontiac and the GTO came to be, and who was behind it all. I'll definitely be reading it again and again. If you own or have owned an old GTO, get this book. Also contains information about GTO's competitors, even within the GM division

2 comments about Pontiac Firebird V8, 1970-1981 (Haynes Manuals).

1. This is a great book to read for the real Firebird addict. I couldn't get enough of this book. If your in love with the Firebird, then buy this book.



2. Terrible, as far as manuals
   
   I own a 1979 trans am, well over 100,000 of these were produced that year alone. this manual has a few, maybe 3 or 4 things that I could use to work on my car. There was no engine harness diagram drawing. Most, if not all of the pictures are for a second gen Camaro.
   My advise is to save your money, pick one up at a yard sale, but don't pay more than 2 bucks for it.

3 comments about Chevrolet Camaro Pontiac Firebird: 1993 thru 2002 (Haynes Repair Manual).

1. This book is helpful if you already know what you need to fix and where it's located. It was very helpful in showing how to remove the door panels to get at the power window motor. Unfortunately, when it came to find where the relay for the motor was located, I needed to get a Chilton's manual. You're better off with Chilton's if you need the detail.



2. I drive a Chevrolet Camaro Z28 '96 which (currently) needs a transmission service, replaced distributor etc. This called for a good technical manual. Haynes Manuals are among the best. It's easy to follow with just enough info to get the job done! It really helped me out.



3. This book is almost exactly the same as the Chiltons manual, just a lot cheaper. Same pictures, same author, same text, in the same order. The Chiltons is bigger, although that mostly has to do with more blank space. There may be a few minor differences, but there is no reason to own both that I can see.
   
   It's still not very detailed. In some instances it will show photographs of the 93-97 version while explaining the 98-02 version. Sometimes it tells you what size tool you need, sometimes it doesn't.
   
   It's still a useful reference guide for the home mechanic.

1 comments about General Motors Chevrolet Venture, Oldsmobile Silhouette, Pontiac Trans Sport & Montana 1997 thru 2005 (Haynes Repair Manual).

1. The dealer said my wheel bearings and tie rod ends were "going" and I needed new ones. The estimate was well over $800. I bought the book & read what I had to do. I am already fairly mechanically inclined so I understood the somewhat simple (disassembly) instructions.
   
   Long story short - I changed the wheel bearings, front brake pads & rotors for a total of $300 in 1 afternoon on the weekend.

3 comments about GM Century/Regal/Lumina/Monte Carlo/Cutlass Supreme/Grand Prix 1997-00 (Chilton's Total Car Care Repair Manual).

1. I recently ordered this book to help me troubleshoot an electrical problem with my 1997 Grand Prix. I am quite
   disappointed with the quality of this book. It is printed on newprint paper (very low quality), and feels quite flimsy.
   More importantly, since this book covers such a wide range of GM "W cars", it contains very little specific information to
   help me with my problem. All in all I found this to be a waste of money.



2. This is more a repair/replace manual than a trouble shooting manual. So much of these cars is now so computer driven and electrical that a shop that has the right instruments really needs to trouble shoot problems via the computer. Otherwise, this manual is great for a lot of basics as well as wiring and capacities. I use the manual (and the other ones I have for my other cars) for brakes, transmission, cooling, etc., all the time. Good book to have for the "oak tree" mechanic.



3. I don't know what the deal with the 1 star review is from the person who wanted a trouble shotting guide. thats not what these are. these are manuals that show you basically how to take apart and fix everything on the car. with that said, its pretty good but has flaws. i have been doing a lot of repairs on my 2000 regal lately now that its 8 years old and everything is getting to that age. One complaint i have is some of the routes they have you take to repair certain problems aren't that great. for example i replaced my cv axles. the chilton way is a lot harder because of them telling you to undo and knock out the ball joint from the steering knuckle which requires a tool no local auto store sells or even the special tools that they rent. when they make these books they have a brand new car to take apart...not one that is older and has a little rust and stuck parts issues. I found myself still having to log onto the car forums to get help from people that have done the job before. so i learned from them not to undo the ball joint but to undo the strut instead and the steering knuckle then swings down to push out the axle which is so much easier. Another issue i found is its made for multiple cars so it "forgets" certain extras your car might have....replacing the water pump it completely leaves out how to remove some pulleys in the way i have because my car is supercharged (which by the way anyone reading this with a supercharged gm this book does NOT cover rebuilding or servicing one like i had hoped. It does show you how to remove and install one but simple says they are none user serviceable and you need to buy a new or reburbed one...this is crap because they sell kits on the net and its just a matter of pressing out a few bearings and couplers and is probably easier to do than other things on these cars). A big issue I have is they tell you to remove bolts and such but NEVER tell you what size they are and some are odd sizes and special bits like torx sockets, which i have made several trip to return and buy different sizes. its just things like this that makes a job take so much longer because you have to hunt around for answers on the net. BUT for what these books cost you get more than enough information out of them considering diagnotics and repairs from a garage cost so much now.

1 comments about Haynes Repair Manual (Buick, Oldsmobile & Pontiac Full Size Models, 1985-2000).

1. I have found incorrect descriptions of procedures that have made the job more difficult. The instruction for removing a clip-on windshield wiper was the opposite of what should be done. There are references to a picture showing removal of the panel trim in front of the radio. The picture does not exist. These errors came up with the first 2 jobs that I referred to the manual about. That is a poor batting average!