SEAT Ibiza......USED

It looks great and can be yours for a bargain – but what should you watch out for on the Spanish supermini...?

Make sure the SEAT Ibiza is on your shortlist if you are in the market for a second-hand supermini. It’s stylish and affordable, and shares its chassis and mechanicals with the Volks­wagen Polo and Skoda Fabia. You get a wide choice of powerplants, a huge variety of trim levels and the option of three or five-door bodyshells. The fun three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol is very common, yet larger-capacity Ibizas are equally desirable. Our comprehensive guide helps take you through the maze of models.HistoryThe Ibiza dates back to the Eighties, but the current generation arrived in April 2002, with a choice of 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines or a 1.9 TDI diesel. A year later, the 1.4 TDI joined the range, and within a month there was a 2.0 Sport, too. The hot FR (For­mula Racing) was added in February 2004, with the option of 150bhp 1.8T petrol or 130bhp 1.9 TDI power. In May of the same year, an even faster Cupra appeared in showrooms, with 178bhp 1.8T petrol or 158bhp 1.9 TDI engines. At the same time, the line-up was comprehensively revised, with the original S and SE renamed Reference and Stylance respectively. A facelifted car was launched in April 2006; it had improved standard equipment, yet cost less than before.What to look forIf you’re considering an early, low-mileage car, get the cambelt changed straight away. Although replacement schedules are based on mileage rather than age, a five-year-old belt is bad news. If you do have a new one fitted, ensure the tensioner is renewed, too, because they can fail and throw the belt off. The torquey diesels offer excellent economy, but command a hefty premium, so don’t overlook cheaper petrol models, supply of which is much more plentiful.AlternativesThe Honda Jazz has long been our class favourite. It was voted the best car in Driver Power 2004, and has consistently finished in the overall top 10 ever since. A firm ride and rarity on used forecourts count against it, but it’s still hard to beat. The Ibiza’s Skoda Fabia brother is another great car. It’s reliable and very cheap to run – attributes shared with the Toyota Yaris, Fiat Panda and Hyundai Getz.

Etra Info:
RecallsFeb 2005: There is a problem with the bolts breaking on the Ibiza’s fuel pump cover. Many have been reported as faulty on examples built from March 2004 to the end of August 2004.Driver Power 2007 verdict The SEAT finished 87th out of 100 in our Driver Power 2007 owner satisfaction survey. Key complaints related to the car’s bone-shaking suspension – which is explained by the super-firm set-up of the popular FR and Cupra models.
Reader reviewRuth Harris from Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire has owned her 2004 Ibiza 1.4 from new, racking up 22,000 miles in that time. “On balance, I’m a fan of the Ibiza,” she told us. “But it hasn’t been perfect.“Squeaky trim has proved a nightmare to fix, and the electrics have been tricky, too – although the dealer has been utterly professional. It’s good to drive, and well equipped for the money, but the 1999 VW Polo I had before was a quieter and more reliable car.” Running costsAll versions of the Ibiza need servicing every 10,000 miles or 12 months, and maintenance alternates between minor and major check-ups. A minor service for a petrol model will cost around £125, while diesel checks are likely to set you back slightly more, at £170. Equivalent prices for major attention are £160 and £200 respectively. However, expect to pay more at the 40,000-mile mark (£220-£240 depending on the unit). While the 1.2-litre petrol engine is chain-driven, all other powerplants have cambelts. These have to be replaced at 80,000 miles on the FR diesel, at a cost of £289, at 40,000 miles on PD oil-burners (£280) and at 60,000 miles on all other cars (£212-£313).

from: www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews

GMC Canyon Review

Though not as popular in terms of sales as full-size pickups, compact and midsize pickups fulfill an important role. For the many new truck buyers whose towing and hauling needs don't require the capabilities of a full-size, these more nimble and fuel-efficient trucks are the perfect choice. GMC's entrant in this segment is the Canyon.

One of the GMC Canyon's biggest assets is its choice of several well-sorted suspension setups that provide impressive capability off-road or sporty handling dynamics on twisty blacktop. The Canyon is also handsome-looking, thanks to its square jaw and broad-shouldered stance, and its impressive crash test scores offer peace of mind to owners.

When it comes to negatives, however, the Canyon is plagued with more than its fair share. For much of this truck's life, its engines have been lacking in the power department, which has limited the truck's ability to comfortably haul cargo or tow heavy loads. Build quality is average at best, and many items within the truck's cabin -- like its door handles and shifter -- feel flimsy and cheap.
Though the snazzy, affordably priced GMC Canyon will no doubt hold a certain charm for budget-conscious shoppers with an eye for style, we think most compact or midsize pickup truck buyers will be better served by other more powerful and capable entries in this segment, such as the Nissan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma.

Current GMC Canyon

Three configurations are available for the GMC Canyon: standard cab, extended cab and crew cab. Extended-cab and crew-cab models feature four doors; crew-cab Canyons have four standard-sized doors and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat that can seat three adults, while extended-cab versions offer two small reverse-opening doors and rear jump seats. Canyon crew cabs haul loads with a 5-foot bed, while the other two configurations get the job done with a bed that measures 6 feet.
Three trim levels are available. WT and SL models offer features like air-conditioning, cruise control and an AM/FM stereo, with SL models substituting cloth upholstery for the WT's vinyl. Premium Canyon SLE models add an improved stereo, upgraded upholstery and a more extensive options list. All three trims are offered on standard and extended-cab models, but crew cab models come only in SLE trim. Major options, depending on the trim, include a sunroof, side curtain airbags and satellite radio. There are also two optional suspension packages. The Z71 suspension improves the off-road performance of 4WD trucks, while the ZQ8 package for 2WD trucks enhances on-road handling and grip.
GMC Canyon buyers have a choice of two engines. A 2.9-liter inline four-cylinder produces 185 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, and is standard on all Canyons, save for the four-wheel-drive crew cab. The 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder is more robust, offering 242 hp and 242 lb-ft of torque. Both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission are available. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are offered; the 4WD system has a dual-range transfer case and push-button controls.
The GMC Canyon has met with middling reviews on the editorial front -- its interior has been criticized for being below average in build and material quality. Its engines, too, have been panned as lackluster, though the current Canyon is certainly better in this regard than previous years. In consumer reviews, owners praise the truck for its stylish exterior and quiet ride; gripes primarily concern build quality.
Past GMC Canyons
The GMC Canyon was launched for the 2004 model year. Though still in its first generation, the Canyon has seen a few changes over the years. Originally, the pickup truck debuted with less powerful engines: a 175-hp, 2.8-liter inline four-cylinder and a 220-hp 3.5-liter inline five-cylinder. The ZQ8 package didn't become available until 2006, and the engine power upgrades, along with a revised four-speed automatic transmission with better shift quality, occurred for the 2007 model year.
Consumers shopping for a used GMC Canyon would probably be wise to expand their search to include its corporate twin, the Chevrolet Colorado, which offers basically the same attributes.

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