1998 GMC Sonoma Consumer Reviews

Great little truck does a bunch well

Written by: metuttle on 11/15/2006

Vehicle

1998 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SL Standard Cab SB

Review

Owned this truck from new and man I wish I could get a new one when this ones time's up. About 110k and two repairs. One alternator at about75k ($250) and bad catalytic converter and tail pipe section about 110k ($400). Otherwise a great driving little truck.

Favorite Features

Interior. Ride. Versitality, quality, and simplicty

Suggested Improvements

More power would be nice and better gas mileage (gets 27 to 30mpg which is good)

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Last GM product I'll ever purchase

Written by: Jim F on 10/15/2006

Vehicle

1998 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLE Extended Cab SB

Review

Worst vehicle I ever purchased, and the last GM product I'll ever purchase. Rear bearings went after 3000 miles. Rear calipers and parking brakes went at 8000 miles. Had on again off again problems with the ABS braking system, the calipers, and the the rotors for the first first 5 years. Replaced the brakes pads 5 times, the rotor twice and the calipers twice all in 40,000 miles. Idler arms, tie rods, oil cooler lines and steering box all need to be replaced lines in the 6th and 7th years of ownership. $4000 in repairs since the 36,000 mile warranty ended and the truck only has 46,000 miles on it. Truck has never been abused and is driven by my 81 year old father.

Favorite Features

Good power from V6. Comfortable seats.

Suggested Improvements

None - discontinue the model.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Truck

Written by: rentaman9 on 08/27/2006

Vehicle

1998 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SL Standard Cab LB

Review

The truck runs and looks good. I have enjoyed having it. It is good on gas. And it has done well for me.

Favorite Features

Power brakes, CD stereo, power steering

Suggested Improvements

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One Tight Truck!

Written by: Dave Lauber on 12/15/2005

Vehicle

1998 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SL Standard Cab SB

Review

This truck now has 118,000 miles on it. I bought it used when it had about 30,000 miles, and today it drives exactly the same as the day I bought it. I am a heavy driver, and I beat the living daylights out of this truck. I use it to haul heavy musical gear every weekend for shows approx. 200 miles round trip! The back is usually loaded to the hilt, and even with the 4-banger, I can hardly notice it's loaded. I have (in 5 years) replaced the serp. belt, radiator and drive-train control module. Everything else is original, and it looks new/used.

Favorite Features

5 speed, and nice AC makes it feel like a sports car. Handles like one, too. I love the turning radius!

Suggested Improvements

If I buy another truck, I will get the extended cab and power windows.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Why GM looses market share explained

Written by: jim4nier on 12/13/2005

Vehicle

1998 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLE 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

The last GM product my family and I will ever own. We purchased this truck for my 75 year old dad. My dad is a WWII veteran, and wanted to purchase an American made truck. His previous truck had been a 1985 Toyota 4x4 which he owned for eleven years and had no problems other than he had to replace the exhaust system twice. The problems with the Sonoma began shortly after driving it off the lot. The 4x4 system proved problematic for the 1st year and once fixed worked well (it's only used 4-5 a year for a mile or two each time). The rear bearings needed to replace at 18,000 miles. The calipers and brakes are the vehicles major weak points. Radio stinks too.

Favorite Features

V6 engine is powerful and runs well. Windshield washers are very good. Nice gauge set on dash board.

Suggested Improvements

Calipers and brake rotors! Get a new company to make all three. Center arm rest is as hard as a rock. Could the radio buttons be any smaller? The two tail gate cables are inferior quality. Gas mileage stinks - especially when the calipers won't release the pads from the rotors which occurs a lot !

1 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Mountain Truck

Written by: BCRuby on 12/01/2003

Vehicle

1998 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS Sport Extended Cab SB

Review

Bought the 2WD 4 cyl 5 spd truck new in '98 and put about 23.5k/year on it (now 128k). I live in Vail, CO and climb mountain passes and drive lots of snow. It does 60-65 MPH on the long grades (3rd gear, 5000 RPM) and 80-85 everywhere else. Performs impeccably with 4 studded snows (3rd set)--no need for 4WD, and I go everywhere. Has a fiberglass cap. Mileage never better than 23 MPG. Cruise, tilt, air, moon roof make for a nice low cost vehicle. Solid and very stable to drive.

Favorite Features

Love the extended cab. Interior is pleasant and well-built, good audio, cloth seats and dash are still like new. After nearly 6 years in the mountains even the exterior is still nice. Handles and drives very well.

Suggested Improvements

7 blade metal radiator fan has blown apart twice, a stupid and costly failure. Replaced catalytic converter and starter motor. Winter MPG about 20. Could be due to extremely stressful mountain pass driving at 5000 rpm and 8- 12000 feet. I do push this truck.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Trouble Free (so far)!

Written by: reb on 06/25/2003

Vehicle

1998 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS Sport Extended Cab SB

Review

Bought truck 11/2000 with 55k miles, put 20k miles on it so far, and haven't had to put a dime into it. Overall, a great little truck, and with the 2.2 4- cylinder and a 5-speed, it gets 27MPG highway on regular gas - which is hard to beat in a truck! Fun to drive and a great 2nd vehicle.

Favorite Features

5-speed, hot heat, cold A/C, decent factory CD system, good gas mileage

Suggested Improvements

A little more pep without having to go up to the less reliable / less efficient V6. Ride is a little bouncy (like a truck usually is).

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Good Truck!!!

Written by: Jennylm313 on 03/31/2003

Vehicle

1998 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS Sport Standard Cab SB

Review

Fun to drive, nice on gas!! affordable and a very nice looking truck.

Favorite Features

the small third seat with third seatbelt! nice cd player. good speakers.

Suggested Improvements

make the cd player read all cd's

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Nice Truck

Written by: Mike T on 01/26/2003

Vehicle

1998 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS Sport Standard Cab Stepside SB

Review

Great little truck and second car, owned a Toyota Truck before this one and would take this little GMC any day over the Toyota, better ride, fantastic interior, just a dang good truck and 3k less than the Toyota. Enough Said!

Favorite Features

Interior, smooth engine and good with the 5 speed manual trans, simple good layout, auto on Lights

Suggested Improvements

Little stronger engine would be nice.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Enjoyable Truck

Written by: Ryezenne on 01/24/2003

Vehicle

1998 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS Sport Standard Cab Stepside SB

Review

The sonoma originally caught my eye with the great looking sportside cab. The truck has less than 50,000 miles on it and hasn't needed anything major. Overall, I feel the truck is very economical and gets great gas mileage. I get more compliments than anything. I am happy with my purchase.

Favorite Features

The controls are easily accessible, and the cab is quiet from outside noise. Also the manual transmission is the way to go if your model has the 2.2L four cylinder.

Suggested Improvements

I don't particularly like the head rest height because it can be difficult to see behind the truck, even though im about 5'11". The plastic trim surrounding the controls is quite cheap looking and can make some noises in cold weather.

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