GMC Canyon - thoughts

[Slade]

Hey all,

So the lease on my 3 is up in a few weeks and im looking at replacing it with a 2008 GMC Canyon - CrewCab 4x4. We have decided that we can no longer survive with a car and need to move to a smaller truck.

We are stuck on a GMC Canyon / Chevy Colorado. Im a GM guy :headbang

We want black, 4x4, crew cab. I have found what matches what we want but thought I would ask for some input, apparently what I want isn't the easiest to find :)

It's a 2008 GMC Canyon, all power options, a/c, 4x4, crew cab, 3.5L. The dealership bought it from a rental company (so the truck is an ex rental). 60,000K on the odometer.

I have already started reading on a few forums and have an idea of what I want to do with it, but I want to see if any of the fellow TM3'ers have any input in regarding these trucks.

My dad has an Avalanche and has had no to minimal problems with it.

Maybe Dentinger can chime in on if he see's them in the shop often?

[PearlM3]

I would stay away from an ex-rental. Whenever I rent a vehicle I beat the snot out of it, along with probably most everyone on here.

[mazdaskit]

I would stay away from an ex-rental. Whenever I rent a vehicle I beat the snot out of it, along with probably most everyone on here.

1+ lol everyone i know does that too and if its a manual it most likely been a teachen car lol

[Slade]

thanks guys, I know, I was hesitant about the ex rental as well, no manual transmission at least. I took it out for a test drive and it drives good, the body has the normal wear and tear but they will need to fix any of that before it is picked up.

I plan on getting an extra warranty through GM.

[Pokey]

I don't think those were available with a stick...

[mazdaskit]

I don't think those were available with a stick...

i know but just an example of a rental car because i was even showed though a rental to drive stick

[Sean80]

What do you plan on using it for? My work just bought 4 new canyon's (no 4 x 4) and they are useless for hauling or carrying any payload. They basically bought them because they are better on gas then full-size pickups, so they only use them for people who don't have to carry much in the backs of them. I'd go Ford Ranger or Tacoma if I were looking for something in this class.

[Pokey]

I'd go Ford Ranger or Tacoma if I were looking for something in this class.

Both are much cheaper to buy :D

[Sean80]

Both are much cheaper to buy :D

and better :P

[cereal83]

I would also look at a Tacoma as it is bullet proof but more expensive. The GMC is ok but 60k and an ex rental scares me and yeah it will drive normal until you buy it and then you will start to notice stuff wrong with it and it's out of warranty. What budget do you have?

[Slade]

What do you plan on using it for? My work just bought 4 new canyon's (no 4 x 4) and they are useless for hauling or carrying any payload. They basically bought them because they are better on gas then full-size pickups, so they only use them for people who don't have to carry much in the backs of them. I'd go Ford Ranger or Tacoma if I were looking for something in this class.


Not planning on using for daily hauling or anything to that such. We go camping and cottaging multiple (10-15) times per summer and our car (sedan) can no longer fit all of our gear comfortably. We have a 18month old Golden Retriever, this is where the back seat goes leaving us the trunk only.

My father in law has a 16foot aluminum fishing boat that may be towed from time to time, and we plan on looking at a 10-14foot small camping trailer in a couple years.



Both are much cheaper to buy :D

Im not a fan of the Ranger or the Tacoma.



I would also look at a Tacoma as it is bullet proof but more expensive. The GMC is ok but 60k and an ex rental scares me and yeah it will drive normal until you buy it and then you will start to notice stuff wrong with it and it's out of warranty. What budget do you have?

I'm not fond of the looks, or the price for a used Tacoma.

Budget is around $17,000 , it's really hard for my to get good financing (credit history) and this place has worked some great to get it as low as it will go. I am also trying to get a tonneay cover thrown in.

[cereal83]

If your not into the other trucks then so be it. Check out some GMC or Chevy forums to see what common problems are with the truck and maybe ask if it's a good deal or not. I used to love the truck but ended up with a Mazda B4000 until it was stolen. I really enjoyed having a truck and being able to throw stuff into the back. Maybe test drive a few other trucks and if this one still seems good then go for it. Seems like your already set on it.

[Sean80]

Are you set on a truck? You could easily do all of that with a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4runner, or something in that class as well. More room, everything stays dry, and towing capabilities! $17,000 would buy you a pretty damn nice Jeep. I would never spend that kind of money on a used Canyon.... especially an ex-rental. I know how I drive rental cars....

[philipfreire]

Honestly... the Canyon/Colorado are not rated as the best mid-size pick ups. This coming from a guy who owns an s10, I would not pick up any of those. For towing capabilities, the dakota is an awesome truck. The v8 option is awesome. I personally like the look of the newer styles. The Ranger is a built strong and awesome truck. Downside is its space and lack of quad cab. The tacoma would be my second choice. Great pick up!

[pacmann33]

I'm a diehard GM guy also, but the canyon/colorado are not something I would buy. I'd go for a ranger or a Taco. The rangers can be had brand new for not much more than that, with the options you want, it is ugly and dated inside and out but it is one damn dependable truck. Cheap as heck to fix too!

If I had the cash I'd go for the Taco first, and the Ranger second. I have a 2009 Dodge Dakota as a company vehicle and I hate it, but I think even it is better than the Canyon/Colorado. Mine is not the V8 Dakota, but regardless I'd have to put it third in my ranking. Interior space is awesome, the 09/10's look fantastic and they are half decent for towing even with the underpowered 3.7l that I have. I HATE the 4 speed tranny though. The 4.7 V8 would be the one to try and find. Since it's a Dodge, it's resale is crap so you should have no trouble finding a used one at a decent price. I hat the look of the 07-08 ones, that is one ugly front grill!

[cereal83]

The Ranger is 10 year old technology basically and if you like a simple truck then a Ranger is ok but he already said he didn't like it. Like I said I had the B4000 which is the same thing as a ranger and it's so plain inside compared to some of the competition.

[shu5892001]

Tacoma!

[DruidB]

3.7L underpowered?
my STOCK 07 Canyon ran 14.94@92mph last year at TMP....

If anything the Ranger is the worst new truck available... seriously dated platform, rattle box, under powered V6 etc.. theres a reason its so cheap... its still based on the original 1983 platform.

My lease is up on the 19th of this month and my Canyon has been an excellent truck. If I still needed a truck i would not hesitate to lease another or buy this one out.

http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/7628/dsc00011j.jpg
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/7897/dsc00013kb.jpg

[Slade]

3.7L underpowered?
my STOCK 07 Canyon ran 14.94@92mph last year at TMP....

If anything the Ranger is the worst new truck available... seriously dated platform, rattle box, under powered V6 etc.. theres a reason its so cheap... its still based on the original 1983 platform.

My lease is up on the 19th of this month and my Canyon has been an excellent truck. If I still needed a truck i would not hesitate to lease another or buy this one out.


Anything you want to part from it? :chuckle , I picked mine up last Saturday :)

[aris]

3.7L underpowered?
my STOCK 07 Canyon ran 14.94@92mph last year at TMP....


Hmm..do you got the time slips to prove it??

My 2000 Dodge Dakota R/T ran high 15's at the track and that's with AEM cold air intake, throttle body spacer, headers, dual exahust and my truck had a 360(5.9L) motor

[cereal83]

Anything you want to part from it? :chuckle , I picked mine up last Saturday :)

Congrats on the purchase. How has it been so far?

pics?

[DruidB]

Hmm..do you got the time slips to prove it??

My 2000 Dodge Dakota R/T ran high 15's at the track and that's with AEM cold air intake, throttle body spacer, headers, dual exahust and my truck had a 360(5.9L) motor

I have the slips around here somewhere... im in the process of moving atm.

Is your truck a quad cab or extended? Did you have traction problems? Was is a very Hot day? Headwind? I think you should be faster than that.. Ive seen a 5.2l dakota run low 15's... though i believe it was a 5 speed truck.

My Canyon ran a best time of 14.94... the majority of my runs that day were 15.0 - 15.1's... A stock quad cab 3.7l canyon is a high 15sec truck. Mine is equipped with the optional 3.73's and eaton locker also.

Its really not that surprising for a 3400lb vehicle that makes 242hp with 3.73's to run a 14.90

[DruidB]

Anything you want to part from it? :chuckle , I picked mine up last Saturday :)
If i could i would lol.... but i dont think i could get away with that on a lease lol

[aris]

I have the slips around here somewhere... im in the process of moving atm.

Is your truck a quad cab or extended? Did you have traction problems? Was is a very Hot day? Headwind? I think you should be faster than that.. Ive seen a 5.2l dakota run low 15's... though i believe it was a 5 speed truck.

My Canyon ran a best time of 14.94... the majority of my runs that day were 15.0 - 15.1's... A stock quad cab 3.7l canyon is a high 15sec truck. Mine is equipped with the optional 3.73's and eaton locker also.

Its really not that surprising for a 3400lb vehicle that makes 242hp with 3.73's to run a 14.90

Mine was a regular cab

[dentinger]

Maybe Dentinger can chime in on if he see's them in the shop often?

hahaha
im a bit late to the game, but we dont see too many of them in the shop. mostly just for oil changes/tires/etests, as far as i know.
im not a bit fan of those trucks, so my opinion would be a tad biased, and a tad late haha

[DruidB]

Mine was a regular cab

Then maybe it just wasnt your day... or a dakota is heavy? What does it weigh? gear ratio? posi? what kind of power does it make?