Customer Reviews

Ford Festiva and Aspire, 1988-1997 (Haynes Manuals)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a goldmine of information about the Ford Festiva. There are many simple fixes, tips and tricks which can save you hundreds if not thousands in repair shop costs by doing it on your own. It is well organized and contains enough information to keep your Festy running like a charm. If you own a Festiva, this book is the best investment in the vehicle you will ever make.

Haynes offers the only currently available non-factory printed repair service manuals in existence for the Ford Festiva.A good reference manual to help someone maintain their own car. Many of the procedures are accompanied by pictures and given explanations that sometimes are more extensive than the factory Ford shop manuals. Think of the Haynes manual as a supplement to the factory manuals, not a replacement. Upon reading, it will be clear the information is geared to the "shadetree mechanic". The Haynes manual covers the North American Ford Festiva from 1988 to 1993 and the Ford Aspire from 1994-97. With such broadbased coverage, you can expect some information not included in this book. For example, step by step transaxle overhaul, you will not find in the Haynes manual. Typical of Haynes, some generalization also applies with respect to certain diagnosis symptoms, which may or may not be attributed to the Festiva/Aspire coverage. Also, there is lots of pictorial emphasis on the Aspire which Festiva owners might find frustrating. In fact, some info can be misleading if not care is taken to differentiate between the two cars. Still, this manual has too much valuable data to pass up. A definite must-have for the Festiva owner.

Haynes in my opinion makes the best repair manuals for any vehicle I have ever owned, hands down. They even have sections on specialty tools and problem diagnosis. From fixing the handle to roll up your windshield to engine rebuild, this manual shows you how to to do about every procedure and every car owner should have one.

I am very pleased with the manual. My only complaint is in the shipping. As I noted in an earlier email, to which I have received no response, I chose the manual from Woody's in NJ, as I figured they were closer to me in Maine, and it would arrive more quickly. A total of $14.98 was deducted from my checking account VISA card. However, when the manual arrived, it was from Goodwill Discount Books in Las Vegas, and was accompanied by an invoice that indicated "HALF", and the amount charged was $4.49. I believe that I am due a credit to my VISA account, and an explanation of the discrepancy. If this is not done in a timely manner, I shall return the manual and expect a full refund.

Cordially,

Maria Sepers

It's really very good made and helpful book. The problem for me is that there is no parts number at all so it's a problem to find or buy the proper thing.

I own a 1997 Ford Aspire and recently got this book. So far I have not used it much, though it has helped me with some simple procedures like changing the air filter. However, while flipping through parts of this manual I have found that it is definately useful to have a basic knowledge of automobile mechanics in order to correctly complete some of the procedures.

As a person who has learned most of what I know about working on cars by taking something apart on a lazy day, I don't have some of the experience that I think this book assumes the reader has. For example, the section on repacking the wheel bearings confused me within the first few steps. I definately recommend reading through an entire procedure and making sure you understand it all before getting started, to avoid getting into trouble.

The only gripe I have, which is fairly minor, is the ten-year coverage contained in the book, resulting in plenty of pictures with captions like "Typical engine compartment components".

All in all, I think this is a useful book to have, though extremely amateur mechanics like myself may get confused by the lack of very detailed step-by-step instructions.

Who knew? The Ford Festiva has a sense of humor lacking in almost any other automobile. The insight this book gave me on one of history's most complex characters almost brought me to tears. A must for any home library, this book is much better than sodomy.