Choosing a shop manual for automotive powersports repair usually comes down to a simple trade-off: save money on a brand-new copy or pay more for a used book that looks barely touched. Two Tim Gilles hardcover textbooks illustrate the choice. The Third Edition lists at USD 42.49 and is described as Brand New, while the MindTap Course List edition lists at USD 64.99 and arrives in Like New condition. This head-to-head will help you decide which one fits your toolbox and your study habits.
Quick verdict
For most shoppers, the Third Edition at USD 42.49 is the easier pick. It is Brand New, it costs USD 22.50 less than the MindTap Course List edition, and it includes a revised edition with a Resource CD. The Like New MindTap edition costs more, but it is a clean hardcover with a clear ISBN for identification. If you want a complete new package for less money, go with the Third Edition. If you value a barely-used build and are willing to spend more, the MindTap edition is the one.
Comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | Condition | Format | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Third Edition Inspection Maintenance Repair by Tim Gilles NEW | USD 42.49 | Brand New | Hardcover | Revised with Resource CD | |
| Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair (MindTap Course List) by | USD 64.99 | Like New | Hardcover | Clean unmarked hardcover with ISBN |
Where each product wins
The Third Edition wins on listed price and on the bundled Resource CD. It is a Brand New hardcover, and the CD makes it a more complete self-contained study package right out of the box. The MindTap Course List edition wins on the seller's specific condition notes and the printed ISBN. It is described as Like New with no markings of any kind, so you know exactly what you are getting before you open it.
Product notes
Automotive Service Third Edition Inspection Maintenance Repair by Tim Gilles NEW
This is the lower-priced path into the same core material from Tim Gilles. The listing calls it a third edition, revised, and it comes with a Resource CD, so you get both the printed chapters and a companion disc in one package. The hardcover is described as Brand New and aimed at adult and further education, which makes sense for someone serious about automotive work. The trade-off is that the listing is a final sale, so you are accepting that limitation in exchange for the lower listed price. If you want a new, complete hardcover without spending nearly as much, this is the one to choose.
Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair (MindTap Course List) by
This edition asks for a higher listed price because the physical copy is described as Like New. The seller notes a firm page block, clean binding, unblemished boards, and no markings, which is exactly what you want if you dislike dog-eared pages. The listing includes the ISBN 9781305110595, a useful reference number when matching coursework or ordering study aids. The obvious drawback is the higher listed price compared with the Third Edition. You are paying extra for a cleaner used hardcover rather than a brand-new one. For a reader who wants a more polished copy for studying and doesn't mind the higher price, this edition makes sense.
Final choice by use case
Pick the Third Edition if you want a Brand New hardcover with a Resource CD and a lower listed price. Pick the MindTap Course List edition if you want a Like New, unmarked hardcover and the clarity of a printed ISBN. Both are by Tim Gilles, both are hardcover, and both belong in an automotive powersports repair learning library. The real difference is whether you would rather keep the extra USD 22.50 or pay it for a cleaner used copy.
