at the honda book store at honda.com they list a service and a shop manual for 96-00 civics. what is the difference and what would you recommend getting?

 

not seeing the contents of each manual id hazard a guess that the service manual is for the general public to perform small jobs in the driveways..from changing bulb to lubes..and the shop manual for those a little more mechanicly inclined

 

How much do they want for each? You can get a Haynes manual for about $10-$15. I've used Haynes manuals for all 3 of my cars and they cover it all, maintance to motor rebuilding to bodywork.