I think that is an outrageous price, and hurts the company in the long run. Do they not want to have service information almost in the public domain so the cars are maintained and fixed properly which contributes to a perception of reliability for the brand?Bob Lincoln said:Correct. The dealer gives you a copy of the User's Guide. The Owner's Manual is more comprehensive and is free online as shown above.
The 2012 Chrysler 200 service manual is $135 online, in CD format only, through the Chrysler website.
well, the 1998 3 Volume Diagnostic Set for my Plymouth cost me just $65 from Chrysler/TechAuthority, (I actually found a 1999 JA FSM at a VERY Cheap Price at McKay's Used bookstore in Nashville, Charlie Probably knows what I'm talking about) but now they DO NOT Offer the Chassis or Body Diagnostic Manuals, so I'm Glad I bought them when I did! I also managed to snag from that same used bookstore a Full Four Volume FSM set for 1988 Chrysler cars!Bob Lincoln said:Well, 21 years ago it was $90 for the paper 3-volume set. There is a LOT of valuable information contained in an FSM, it has saved me thousands of dollars over the years. I don't see a $135 investment as a big deal, especially spread out over 10+ years. You could save the entire cost in one repair.
I just wish it were still paper. I carry the manuals out to the car and flip pages. I don't want to have to print out loose sheets for every job.
If you wait, the price does come down. But you risk unavailability, and not having it earlier in the car's life when you might need it. I bought my 92 Dakota in 2003, the manual was down to $67 by then.digitalrailroader said:well, the 1998 3 Volume Diagnostic Set for my Plymouth cost me just $65 from Chrysler/TechAuthority, (I actually found a 1999 JA FSM at a VERY Cheap Price at McKay's Used bookstore in Nashville, Charlie Probably knows what I'm talking about) but now they DO NOT Offer the Chassis or Body Diagnostic Manuals, so I'm Glad I bought them when I did! I also managed to snag from that same used bookstore a Full Four Volume FSM set for 1988 Chrysler cars!