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GMC Canyon - READ ONLY

199 messages,  Last post on Oct 17, 2006 at 9:06 PM

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What is this discussion about? GMC Canyon, Truck

Messages Page 5 of 20

#40 of 199 GMC Canyon Meet the Owners and Experiences by orwoody

Feb 29, 2004 (1:01 pm)

Would like to solicit new owners and their experiences. I just purchased a 2004 Canyon Crew Cab 4WD SLE. I consolidated from a small pickup and midsize sedan to the crew cab and so far I am very pleased. Drives well, pretty quiet and plenty of room. First gas fill up in mixed driving was just over 20mpg with the I-5 motor.
Cherry Red with off road package and this rig gets a lot of looks and compliments. (which I didn't expect from associates who are Ford and Toyota owners.)

#41 of 199 Just looked at some pics by hotrodlincoln1

Mar 03, 2004 (9:13 am)

That is one UGLY truck.

#42 of 199 And the by joe3891

Mar 03, 2004 (10:46 am)

size is so close to the old truck that auto writers are still calling it a compact while GM is calling it a midsize.Looking at the old and new specs it about 1 inch wider and 2 inches longer hardly a midsize.

#43 of 199 by orwoody

Mar 03, 2004 (10:36 pm)

Depends on if you use wheelbase or interior dimensions to determine midsize. Interior of the Canyon vs the Dakota crew cab, all dimensions are within an inch or so(shoulders, hips, leg room...) and the box on the Canyon Crew has greater capacity than the dakota.
Having owned a Sonoma Ext cab and now the Crew Cab Canyon I can say the interior up front is larger. (no not just cause I have a crew cab) The box also seems wider and the Canyon drives like a larger vehicle, smoother, quieter and not as harsh as the Sonoma. If you drive a Sonoma and then a Canyon you'll notice much difference.

#44 of 199 Canyon Size by sporttbird

Mar 05, 2004 (7:49 am)

I just ordered one last week, Canyon Crew Cab SLE, standard suspension. The interior is definitely on par with the Dakota, and much larger that my current S-10 Extended cab in width. We checked out both the Dakota and Canyon with our 2 car seats in the back and there was slightly better hip room in the Canyon if you wanted to put a 3rd passenger in the rear seat. They did this without making the vehicle much larger on the outside. I am not sure that this was the best route to go, as if they had bumped it up on the exterior a bit more, they could have had an even more spacious interior.
 
I probably would have waited a bit longer on the purchase if we didn't need the extra room for a new baby on the way. My impressions so far, with only test drives under my belt, is that the drivetrain package is perfect for my needs, the exterior styling is great, The interior styling is good but could be a bit "softer" to the touch. The door handle and center console padding is practically non-existant. I was very impressed with the overall build quality. The gaps in the sheet metal are consistent and not large. Definitely a much more quality feel when opening and closing doors and turning switches/controls, than my current S-10.
 
Things I would have liked to see:
Nicer Interior Padding on door arm rests and center console.
Heated exterior mirrors for these Minnesota Winters.
More Wheel/Tire options. How about some 17" wheels.
A Driveline package like the Silverado SS. All Wheel Drive, 17" wheels, sportier(and Lower suspension) I would have bought this package in a heart beat.
 
I'll give you an update after I've been driving it for a while.

#45 of 199 by orwoody

Mar 27, 2004 (4:32 pm)

Well After over 6 weeks and 2100 miles of ownership I say that GMC did a good job on this truck. I’ve owned the new generation Sierra and a Sonoma, as well as test drove Dakota and Tacoma crew cabs. I am very happy with my choice of Canyon 4WD Crew Cab Z71 SLE in Cherry Red. It’s loaded and I keep comparing it to the Sierra as opposed to the Sonoma so I think GM succeeded in taking a quantum leap over the Sonoma as a replacement. I’ve been spoiled so perhaps my expectations are now too high for a “compact/midsize” truck.
 
First What I’d change(well maybe it ain’t supposed to be that good for this $$ range):
- The wheels: they aren’t that attractive and very tedious to clean. I replaced mine with a nice set of 16” chrome Niche wheels after the first wash.
- Find a way to offer OnStar, XM radio AND the IRVM (rearview) mirror together. Currently you have to trade off the OnStar vs. the Mirror/XM. “Due to them having interference problems” I was told by GMC – funny I replied – you can get all three options on a Sierra or Yukon!
- A little less hard plastic. I’d like a softer armrest on the door so I could rest my knee against it more comfortably.
- More lateral support in the bucket seats.
 
My Likes and Impressions:
- Good mileage. My commute is 30+ miles one way. Although running in 2WD, ~75% freeway I’ve gotten just over 20mpg on the last 3 tanks.
- Ride is smooth and handles the bumps, washboard, and expansion joints well. There is a bit more road feel through the steering than I’d like.
- The I-5 motor is smooth and has good power. I’ve eyeballed 0-60 times in the 8+ seconds. Not back for a crew cab truck.
- Good cruiser, pretty quiet and stable at 65-75mph. Taking our first road trip in a couple of weeks.
- Solid, doesn’t shimmy or jounce over the bumps and breaks. Got a comment from the owner of a Jeep Grand Cherokee & BMW 325 that my Canyon sure was “solid” for a truck. It also felt more solid than the Dakota or Tacoma crew cabs durig test drives.
- Comfortable interior with room for 4 adults comfortably. Ergonomics are good.
- I’ve come to like the XM radio quite a lot.
- You can option this out almost like a “higher class” truck…leather, power options, 6 CD changer, XM Radio, IRVM…
- The Cherry Red gets a lot of positive nods. The look has really grown on me and more than several people have complimented it.
 
Bottom Line – Would I buy this truck again now that I’ve owned it for a little while:
A firm Yes.

#46 of 199 orwoody by durango5o8

Mar 28, 2004 (4:53 am)

Glad to hear your Canyon is giving you no troubles! I test drove a 2WD, I-5, crew Canyon several weekends ago and also test drove a Dodge Dakota 2WD Crew with the V6. The Canyon seemed solid with good fit and finish and drove well. The Canyon seemed to have a little less room in the back than the Dodge, but that seemed to be because the front seat went farther back than the Dodge. The V-6 in the Dodge seemed loud compared to the I-5 and was most uncomfortable. I was really surprised by this being we used to own a Durango with bucket seats, and the room was adequate. I am pretty tall and pretty big. The Dakota had the split bench, and the fold down armrest didn't seem to leave me enough room to sit. I felt like I was pushing against the driver's side door and it would burst open going around a corner. I may look into a Canyon starting next month. Just kind of depends on the deals to be had and if I can find what I am looking for without too many more options.
 
Also, have you used an XM receiver anywhere besides your truck? I am wondering if the little receiver with the boom box would work in an office. I am considering it, especially if I get the truck with the XM radio, but would hate for it to not work in my office after spending the money.
 
Thanks, glad to hear you are enjoying your truck!

#47 of 199 durango XM by orwoody

Mar 30, 2004 (10:29 pm)

No, the XM in the Canyon is the first I've experienced. What I have noticed in driving around is that the XM radio does not seem to suffer from the shadowing and directional fading as with std AM/FM broadcasts. The sound seems clearer and cleaner too.

#48 of 199 by orwoody

Apr 17, 2004 (3:57 pm)

Well several months and about 3500 miles I am still very pleased with the Crew Cab Canyon 4WD. We just returned from out first road trip. It wasn't a long one but first time I've gotten several hours on a highway and also some dirt back roads. I got 21-22+mpg on several tanks which were ~90% highway. We bumped around on some back roads where I had to run in 4WD Hi a couple of times. I did notice that running in 4WD does tax the I5, but it seemed adequate.
We're waiting now for the accessory mfrs to offer a locking cover for the bed (Crew cab cover isn't out yet) so we can really travel more conveniently.
No issues yet and no creaks or buzzes. I do get a little engine vibration through the steering column at idle, but nothing unusual.

#49 of 199 2044 Canyon by wheel_man

May 01, 2004 (5:29 am)

Picked up my 04 Canyon, Black off road package, full loaded without ordering body side moldings(not a big deal) The problem with the truck is there is no vanity mirror on the drivers side, the carpet is loose on top of the tranny hump, the paint quality is poor(orange peal on the cab by the third brake light, on the tail gate, on the "b" pillor. Have you looked underneath this truck? It's primer"no paint"How cheap is GM. Where are the skid plates on this thing, I'm not sure if I want to drive it down a gravel road, the fuel lines, brake lines and shifting linkage are wide open. Who built this thing a woman who drives it to the store? Where the heck is a ashtray. I'm already thinking of taking it back. I am a GM fan but this truck is poor at best. What is GM thinking,maybe I should have waited a year or 2 before buying this vehicle. I was way happier with my 1997 GMC Sonoma 4x4. At least it had skid plates, lit vanity mirrors(driver/pass) ashtray, a full instrument panel,and even room in the dash for a couple of cd's. Very dissapointed owner of a Canyon..............Wheel

Messages Page 5 of 20

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