I'm looking at the Canyon too, in a similar situation as you (replacing my ForesterXT) but I'll probably get the quad cab for more secure storage space. I drive a Silverado 2500HD occasionally and that thing feels massive. The Canyon is much more manageable in size. Even the regular duty full size trucks I've been in are huge now.
As far as gas vs diesel, make sure you do the math on it. It's a $4,000 option and with the prices of diesel where I'm at (generally a $0.60/gal increase over regular unleaded), I'd never make up the difference in purchase price with savings on fuel (assuming 19 vs 24mpg and 15k miles per year). Even if I assume I'd get 30mpg with the Duramax (which I won't according to the mpg figures people post at the forums) it'd be a 10 year payback.
I swear they offered a regular cab model but the websites all list extended/crew cabs. You should still consider that, I wouldn't want to park somewhere with my laptop backpack on the front seat, it's less conspicuous in the back.
As far as gas vs diesel, make sure you do the math on it. It's a $4,000 option and with the prices of diesel where I'm at (generally a $0.60/gal increase over regular unleaded), I'd never make up the difference in purchase price with savings on fuel (assuming 19 vs 24mpg and 15k miles per year). Even if I assume I'd get 30mpg with the Duramax (which I won't according to the mpg figures people post at the forums) it'd be a 10 year payback.
I swear they offered a regular cab model but the websites all list extended/crew cabs. You should still consider that, I wouldn't want to park somewhere with my laptop backpack on the front seat, it's less conspicuous in the back.