GMC Canyon - how terrible is it?

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
02/17/2016 at 20:49 • Filed to: None

I keep itching to get a smaller pickup truck, and just came across this:

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2009 GMC Canyon with 188,000 km on it, with an asking price just under $4,500. Ideally I’d rather have the regular cab and longer box, but eh, it still seems like it could be a decent deal. I had a friend who once had a Canyon/Colorado as a work truck, and he wasn’t a fan, but he also was pretty hard on GM. Any other Opponauts here have experience/opinions about the Canyon/Colorado?

DISCUSSION (18)

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/17/2016 at 21:00

Crap quality. Interior:Plastic Crap. Exterior:Not great looking IMO. Everything else:Junk. I would look more towards an early 2000s full size Chevy/GMC/Toyota instead. Will outlast this truck all day.

Lurch > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/17/2016 at 21:01

They were terribly overpriced new for the capability and reliability. But for that price as long as it runs well, has no CEL and shifts OK, I would call that a bargain.

boxrocket > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/17/2016 at 21:01

Avoid.

Want a small truck? Ranger, Sport Trac, Frontier, and Tacoma should more than suffice. Heck, even the ridgeline would.

Lurch > Lurch
02/17/2016 at 21:02

I should point out this is second hand opinion, I have never owned one. I do have a 2002 S10 ZR2 and love every fiber of it.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > boxrocket
02/17/2016 at 21:04

My hesitation with the Ranger: my brother has an older one (I think a ‘93). The front brake rotor set up is... interesting. It’s a sort of combination brake rotor/hub that supposedly requires replacing the bearings at the same time as the rotor. Not a fan.

I do like the idea of a Tacoma, but finding one for a reasonable price is proving to be a challenge. I certainly wouldn’t mind a Ridgeline either, but same problem - nothing within the price range I’d feel comfortable spending.

Saracen > boxrocket
02/17/2016 at 21:09

I would recommend a Ridgeline to anyone. My dad’s was borrowed a lot. It was very very good. Ugly yes, but for a light duty truck I don’t think think it gets any better. Or more reliable.

Now that he’s sold it, I find myself missing the thing.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Lurch
02/17/2016 at 21:09

Good to know. It does seem quite a bit cheaper than anything else I’ve seen. Although I’m thinking I might hold out for something with four wheel drive.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
02/17/2016 at 21:10

I’m leaning away from a full-sized for a few reasons. I like the idea of something a bit smaller and potentially more fuel efficient, although it wouldn’t likely be used for much more than garbage dump and home depot runs, and ideally I’d like something I could eventually use for overlanding.

Big Bubba Ray > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/17/2016 at 21:11

My brother’s girlfriend has one. She named it after the garage where it’s constantly being repaired haha

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Big Bubba Ray
02/17/2016 at 21:13

Ha ha, classy!

Ssfancyfresh > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/17/2016 at 21:16

I had a 2005 Colorado crew cab with 4x4 and 5 cylinder engine. Bought it new. Kept it 5 years and put 150,000 miles on it. Aside from regular maintenance, I replaced the u-joints at 120k. I think the repair at the dealer was under $200.

Maybe I got lucky, but it was one of the best vehicles I've owned. I would definitely get another if my circumstances changed and I needed a truck.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Ssfancyfresh
02/17/2016 at 21:18

Interesting, and good to know!

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/17/2016 at 21:21

Especially if it’s not going to get used a lot, go for full size. Fuel isn’t that big of a deal, 4wd will be better, the engine will be better, it won’t break while over landing. If you really want something smaller spend the extra money on a Taco. Event the Frontiers are not great. Or get a Ridgeline.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/17/2016 at 21:22

It’s a bit cheaper then everything else for a reason haha. Just saying.

Ssfancyfresh > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/17/2016 at 21:51

No problem. It’s interesting reading other peoples’ opinions in the comments. Its completely different from my experience.

It was great on the highway. Very comfortable. And it was the right size for 4 adults and all their camping / biking gear. It was like my wife’s Jeep Grand Cherokee but with a big trunk.

This is my truck when I sold it.

Kinja'd!!!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/17/2016 at 22:05

Cheap interior, love/hate exterior (love, personally), solid chassis, adequate tranny and good engines. 2.9 is economical, 3.7 is actually quite good once the oddities are tuned out of its torque curve but even stock is more powerful than the top of the line Ranger, 5.3 is just awesome. Drives reasonably well. Good compromise truck.

The impression I get from mine is that the engineers got a good start on an excellent truck, but just as they were getting to fine-tuning the suspension and before they got to the interior an accountant stepped in.

V8 makes up for the shortfalls in my case though :)

DoYouEvenShift > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/17/2016 at 22:22

My dad has a Z71 creq cab. He loves it. Also can be had with a V8!

boxrocket > Saracen
02/18/2016 at 14:05

My coworker has one and loves it.