Similar GMC Sonoma reviews

1997
USA Flag Canada Flag

Sonoma SLS

Economical, fun, looks good

48 words
USA Flag Canada Flag

Sonoma SLS

Sooooo Lame

45 words
1996
USA Flag Canada Flag

Sonoma SLS with the camper on back

This is the best truck in the world!

726 words
USA Flag Canada Flag

Sonoma SLS

A decent, economical daily driver truck

233 words
USA Flag Canada Flag

Sonoma SLS

Get something better if you can

203 words
USA Flag Canada Flag

Sonoma sls hirider

A fair truck for pavement use with no load

112 words
USA Flag Canada Flag

Sonoma SLS

Stealthy, trouble-free truck

111 words
All GMC Sonoma reviews

1996 GMC Sonoma SLS review from North America

"A decent, economical daily driver truck"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

Valve cover gasket needed to be replaced at 42000 miles due to leakage from original gasket.

U-joint needed to be replaced at 50000 miles due to normal wear.

Clutch needed to be replaced at 72000 miles due to improper installation of pilot bearing by previous owner.

Clutch master cylinder needed to be replaced at 89000 miles due to bad "O" rings on the piston within the unit.

Clutch slave cylinder needed to be replaced at 90000 miles due to the fact that the seals could not take increased pressure from new master cylinder.

Upper and lower ball joints needed replacement at 95000 miles due to normal wear.

General comments?

The light weight of this truck makes the 2.2l I4 engine seem adequate, however, highway passing speed is nowhere to be found.

Brakes work well on dry surfaces, but the ABS kicks in too frequently during short stops on damp surfaces.

Seating is comfortable, but could use more protection on the exterior seat hinge area to prevent fabric being worn though during entry and exit of the vehicle.

Access to certain components of the drivetrain can be very difficult for the do it yourself mechanic. To remove the manual transmission for repair, the cab must be jaked off of the frame to reach 2 top mounting bolts. Also, the clutch slave cylinder is inside the transmission housing, causing more work than should be necessary to replace.

3 comments

Recommended reviews

USA Flag Canada Flag

1996 - Sonoma SLS with the camper on back 2.2 four-cylinder

This is the best truck in the world!

USA Flag Canada Flag

1996 - Sonoma SLS 4.3

Get something better if you can

All 1996 GMC Sonoma reviews

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Year of manufacture1996
First year of ownership2000
Most recent year of ownership2003
Engine and transmission 2.2L I4 Manual
Performance marks 6 / 10
Reliability marks 7 / 10
Comfort marks 7 / 10
Dealer Service marks 2 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks) 5.8 / 10
Distance when acquired36600 miles
Most recent distance103300 miles
Previous carGMC Sonoma
Date of Entry 1st August, 2003

All GMC Sonoma reviews

Other CSDO Media Sites: Airline Flight Reviews | Mobile Phone Reviews | Motorcycle Reviews