Pontiac Aztek

rkuehn

I know this is somewhat off-topic but this is a huge peeve of mine. Chrysler's current misfortunes are not the fault of the Germans. A big reason for the current situation is that the 2-year old Grand Cherokee and brand-new minivan are not competitive, due to product decisions made years ago, before the acquisition. Revisionist thinkers think Eaton was brilliant for knowing Chrysler could not maintain its competitive advantage and getting himself bought out.

JGC is small & inferior compared to its competition, has lousy reliability & quality (just read the Edmunds boards), and is inferior in every way to various competition: MDX, RX300, new Envoy/TrailBlazer/Envoy, new Explorer/Mountaineer, Highlander, Escape/Tribure. Had (American-led) not underinvested a few years back JGC would not have the shrinking sales & margins it has today. I'm not a fan of Aztek at all but I'd take one over JGC (well, preferably the Rendezvous-- it starts ~$25k, not much more than Aztek.)

As for the minivan the Honda Odyssey came out a few years ago with a five-star safety rating and a fold-away third row. New Chrysler minivans don't. Again this is flawed American management, "sins of the father" if you will.

Sorry for the vent, at least I mentioned Aztek & Rendezvous in this.

juancho1

My perfect Aztek is not so perfect anymore. Actually I just wanted to report a couple of minor problems I am having. The wiper jets do not work. When I push the lever the motor goes on but nothing comes out. Also, the latch on the glove compartment needs to be replaced. It doesn't close unless I fiddle with it first, (the latch) and then slam the glove comparment door closed.

dindak

rkuehn : I disagree with your Chrysler comments. The shots are being called from Germany not from Detroit. The new vans are very competitive, the problem is DC decided to flood the market with old models before the new ones came out. This caused a huge glut of vans and hurt profits BIG.

juancho : Not big issues. I figure if the car runs properly and starts.. it's nothing serious.

juancho1

You are easy to please! Would you like to buy my '72 VW Microbus? It starts every time and runs real good.

ruteger

Isn't the theory that if it's a fast moving Aztek, no one will notice how stylistically challenged it is, sort of like putting Rosanne Arnold on a jet-powered skateboard?

"Damn, what was that?"
"Don't know, but it sure was moving fast, and it sure was ugly..."

p0926

Thought I'd throw a couple of observations in....

As has been pointed out repeatedly, the Aztek is not an SUV (even GM agrees) so comparing its cargo capacity to actual SUVs is pointless. A more appropriate comparison would be with other minivans (I’m guessing the Aztek would lose out). However, I suspect that there are a number of Aztek owners that hate minivan comparisons since they bought the Aztek because they really needed a minivan but couldn't get over the psychological hurdle of owning one.

Kissfan- I'm sure that there's at least one horror story out there somewhere regarding the Forester, though I've not seen it. However, I have seen hundreds of posts from satisfied owners. I’ll agree that the Forester lacks rear seat leg room and isn't going to win any styling prizes but driver visibility, performance, handling, gas mileage, reliability and safety are all excellent.

Meanwhile you claim to have heard from "hundreds" of satisfied Aztek owners. They sure haven't been posting on Edmunds. Also, your reporting that the Aztek is a hit with the parking lot attendant set awes me. Reminds me of the Aztek owner who reported a while back that a bunch of 13-year olds thought it was "neat".

In any case, I'm sincerely glad that you like your Aztek and hope it gives you many years of enjoyment. Please continue to post your pro-Aztek impressions since this forum needs more balance.

FYI: Still awaiting my first Aztek on the road sighting. It's been how many months now?

-Frank P.

p0926

Question for the Hosts- Under the old software, one could tell a post or posts had been deleted as there would be a skip in the sequence numbers. That doesn’t seem to be the case any longer? I found it to be a useful feature since it gave you a sense of how much censorship was occurring (FYI: I’m all in favor of inappropriate posts being deleted).

-Frank P.

p0926

2nd question for Hosts- Why is it again that this new software does not like apostrophes? And how do I avoid repeating the above mistake?

-Frank P.

drew_

The new software has dynamic post numbers, so you won't really be able to tell. This really helps us because when we were running the previous software platform, newbies would very often ask why the post numbers were missing.

It looks like you're typing your messages in a word processor and pasting them in the post box. This is why the apostrophes come out as alphanumeric strings. Type directly into the post box, or use an ASCII compatible text editor (such as Notepad) if you absolutely must type your messages offline or in a seperate window.


Drew
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p0926

Drew- Thanks for the info.

lbthedog

Jurgen Schremp has openly admitted that his "merger of equals" wasn't. His words not mine. If the stockholders of Chrysler were told his true intentions at the time of this "deal" I seriously doubt that many would have accepted it. Two years ago Chrysler had one of the best cash positions of the "Big three". Now they have nothing and twenty per cent of the workers are being told to hit the road. Kirk Kerkorian who was the largest single stockholder has liquidated his holdings. Before he did that he filed suit against the current "leadership" on the grounds they misled him and the other stockholders.

I've done my homework. I'm in this business. I do not rely upon sources like AutoweAk for information. People around Detroit are angry and I think they are justified.

dindak

VW bus would be way cool! I would love one of those. Unfortunately I have no space on my driveway at this time.

kissfan1

Yes P a parking lot attendant......A guy who sees 1000's of vehicles claims AZTEK is cool.

Got something againest parking lot attendants. Last I checked a PARKING LOT attendant has puts on their pants same as you.

PS: two worldcom VP's saw vehicle today! Luved it.

As for 13 year olds.....what they think is cool today will be tomorrows product.

Guess you like bavarian water works......Go see the myriad of troubles on their x.5 board.

AZTEK cool , different & reliable.

HEY JUAN......gotta put fluid in (even AZTEK can't solve that problem ; )

Signed

your AZTEK pal (still purrfect approaching 10K)

buoyant

Saw an Aztek on 394 headed into Minneapolis the other day.

It didn't have dealer plates, so apparently Pontiac has now sold one.

isellpotiac

at Daytona should not concern anyone. %90 percent of all rollovers are due to "tripping" That is when a vehicle gets sideways and hits a stationary object(like a curb) There are no curbs at Daytona and the other %10 is most likely caused by driver stupidity. "tripping" of course was left out of the new "rollover probabilty formula" But what the heck you can make numbers say anything you want.

p0926

kissfan- Hey, it's okay with me if you aspire to be a parking lot attendant. Everybody has to make a living one way or another. And yes 13 year olds are tomorrow's car buyers. However, at 13 their ideas of what is aesthetically pleasing are still being formed. I'm sure given the choice; most would opt to ride around in a full-size Tonka toy (Hey! No wonder they like the Aztek).

I do have one question for you: have you ever walked up to somebody and told them that you thought their car, house, clothes, etc was ugly?

My point (in case you missed it) is that you only hear from those people who like said item. The ones who think it looks stupid or ugly will only comment among themselves or, if they are very polite, will say they like it in order to not hurt your feelings.

I'm glad that you think the Aztek is cool. It certainly is different and may very well be reliable. But you've got to realize that there are a lot of folks out there that don't agree with you.

-Frank P.

lbthedog

All you will hear is how rotten an item is. Go ahead and search these boards. No matter who's vehicle it is, the majority of the comments seem to be negative. There's something about immunity courtesy the internet.

I've had people approach me and talk to me about my Aztek. none negative. The most common response being "the people who write about it are wrong". I'm not going to run around telling somebody his/her spouse is ugly/fat/stupid. It's none of my business. If I were to make comments to somebody about a vehicle, I'd act the same way.

The strangest thing about the Aztek is not the styling. Those of us who own them are (and I hate to use the word)"bonding". We talk to each other in parking lots. We wave to each other. And since I have decided to go on my own personal crusade supporting it, we actually commit the incredible act of letting people into traffic. Call it reverse road rage. The other owners seem to be pretty nice people. More than can be said about stereotypes of other vehicle drivers. We give our vehicles names. We are having fun! That alone is a rarity on the road.

So all you who choose to "make the sky fall" can go away now. You've proven your point. You wouldn't drive one and I for one don't care. Go back to "owning the road". We won't bother you, you don't bother us.

kissfan1

What a contrast.

Two Human beings with very different perspectives. One insulting, arrogant and elitest.

The other far more understanding.

As far as opinions......I ask people's opinions. People I know & people I don't. I ask them by letting them know there is a common perception that this vehicle is ugly. "What is your opinion?" is my question.

Resoundingly..... probably 7-3 says the vehicle is cool. By the way..I usually tell them the vehicle is rented and not mine.

By the WAY........Talk to a parking lot attendant. A lot of them are good HUMAN beings with families goals and aspirations.

I personnally think the Forester an ugly vehicle....that is a tiny box. and a visit to the Forester site will uncover a host of "horror" stories.

Signed

your AZTEK pal

drew_

As Steve and I have said in the past, please keep your messages on-topic and regarding the Aztek. No more bashing other vehicles from other topics or we will get rid of them.

kissfan1, FYI, there are Subaru of America and Subaru of Canada representatives in the Subaru Crew Meet the owners topic in the Owner's club area of Townhall. The Subaru of America representative, in particular reads the suggestions (passes it on to Subaru Product Planning) and posts frequently in that topic. She even took the time to meet with the Edmunds.com Subaru Crew members at the '01 Philly auto show. Now that is going above and beyond the call of duty. If you read through the messages in there, you'll find that just about every is happy with their vehicle and almost no-one has any problems.

'nuff said

Thanks for your co-operation.

Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards

kissfan1

I am not BASHING.

For your benefit and for the benefit of SUBARU of America.

I WILL QUOTE THE POST on the OTHER BOARDS.

LAST TIME I QUOTED THE POST.......YOU DELETED MY POST.

If they are that interested then I'll quote the POSTS.

Your WELCOME

drew_

As we have mentioned before, the Aztek should be the main topic of conversation here. Only the occasional off-topic posts are tolerated.


Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards

kiiwii

perhaps it's just a test drive~ =P

tonychrys

Full disclosure: I own a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am SE2.

First, you folks are hilarious here, highly entertaining. Keep up the good work.

My wife and I were driving on a parkway yesterday. All of a sudden I see what looks like to be an Aztek in my rearview mirror. Having not seen one in a LONG TIME, I pull to the right and slow down so that it will catch up. My wife has never seen an Aztek, as it approaches I say to my wife, "on my left, there's an Aztek coming up, check it out."

As it goes by, my lovely, mature wife utters one word: Ewe!

True story.

larryn2

eek!!!! i say agan eek !!!!!!!!!

kissfan1

"Just the best built new model vehicle out there."

Wow she said!!.......Wish we had one instead of this problem filled Escape or Bavarian Waterwoerks x5

skidmarks

As a decendent of Aztec ancestry. I am highly perturbed over Pontiac naming their no-framed,no-frills, no taste model car after my proud ancient warrior predicesors. I will be petitioning GM to rename this model something more politically correct,like "Chiepton" or "Ventura"{sorry Jessie}
I am hoping that this name change will come with the 2003 major face lift that it deserves!

janes5

well...I already said what I thought of Aztec on Sedan-new ugly cars:why? section. Mess#596. Sorry Aztec owners, couldnt resist either. heh..heh...Ciao!

ab348

Now that this forum has been deemed to be an Aztek love-in, I thought I should get with he program too. No more talk about how ugly it is. No more cheap shots. No more one-liners. Time for something positive, I say.

So I got to thinking, what are the advantages to Aztek ownership? I found a surprising number. Maybe you can add more. But if you own an Aztek you enjoy:

1. No problem finding your vehicle in crowded parking lots. Not only is it visually obvious, but no one will park within 3 spots of you.
2. Theft insurance premium waived by insurance company.
3. Pontiac dealer not only adds you to Christmas card list, but will be eternally grateful for taking it off the lot as long as you don't try to trade it in a few years down the road.
4. No need for costly washing, waxing and maintenance to protect resale value, since there is none.
5. No need for costly Viper anti theft security system.
6. You can explain away door dings and minor accident damage as factory "styling" feature.

skidmarks

Yes.......the new name for this chickmobile should be Pontiac "Hiwaywatha" or maybe "Sackajajunka"( Not to be confused with the useless gold colored dollar coins)

waymoresblues

< http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/killtheaztek >

For those with nothing better to do with their

time other that [non-permissible content removed].

willeis

I was so impressed with the all the carping about the Aztec appearance that I bought one. It sounds to me that I was hearing a bunch of Democrats with too much time on their hands now that Linda Trip and the others has faded away. A lot of talk about appearance, very little about what I consider the solid engineering in the Aztec.

orangelebaron

If the Aztec is such a bastion of solid engineering, how come Pontiac didn't think it was necessary to have those huge stick out mirrors foldable? When you walk into them in your garage at night you won't be so pleased.

I noticed that Dodge has decided for 2001 to make the mirrors on their Durango fixed as well. Perhaps they want to save a few bucks on each vehicle and think no one will notice. Makes you wonder where else they're cutting corners.

And if you don't think it's important, find out how much they cost to replace after someone or something knocks one off.

dindak

Stopped by the local dealer to see the Aztek's with my wife today (just for fun). The part she objects to the most is the rear end. I have to agree, this is the worst part of the Aztek. Anyway, if anyone from Pontiac is reading this.. work on the rear for 2002 and get rid of the cladding. I will take a closer inside look next week at the car show.

drew_

Leave politics out of your messages, folks. They have no place in an automobile based discussion board such as Townhall. No need to add more fuel to the fire, so to speak.

Thanks!

Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards

smart99

Has anyone else heard that GM is going to double the number of Buick Rendevous because of the Aztec's disappointing sales numbers??

eieieio

I find the body style of the Aztek almost humorous, however, I pick mine up this week. Yes, its true, another fool buying the car everyone is so anxious to describe as ugly. I couldn't resist it, try and find another small suv with a 6 cylinder, great sound system( I love the radio controls on the steering wheel) the size, cargo room, and gas mileage in any other suv. Sure, I could buy a mini van, but no thanks. I'll take a trendy if not unpopular style suv over a mini van.

kissfan1

It is very obvious what your BIAS is.

Any insulting ignorant comment regarding the AZTEK gets by however when one defends the PRODUCT via comparison. (Because when talking vehicles comparision is the only tool.)

It is obvious your luv of Subaru product and Bavarian Water Woerks has blinded you.

You continue to let ignorant insulting remarks thru. It is NO WONDER AZTEK owners have abandoned this site en masse.

My POSTS that have been deleted are a testament to your bias. The people should know.

signed

your AZTEK pal

Sporin

rkuehn,

Your welcome to read the book "Taken for a Ride: How Daimler-Benz Drove off with Chrysler" by Bill Vlasic, et al

Daimler swooped in with a hostile take-over, broke every public promise they made to the people who worked at Chrysler and are in the process of gutting the company. Anything else you've heared is spin and fluff. target=_blank

dindak

Yup... double the Rendezvous production. It was announced a few weeks ago. The Buick should sell better as it's not nearly as polarizing. It's still a bit quirky though.

jmatero

A friend of mine is in Orlando for a convention and the whole company rented cars for the week. They requested Mid-sized sedans but when they got there they were all told they were being "upgraded at no cost" to Azteks. He tells me the lot was full of azteks for rent. His is yellow and he had a couple of funny stories. The first is how he was flagged down 2x while heading for dinner because people thought it was a taxi! Anyway, he returned the yellow one this morning because the drivers inside door handle broke off... the rental agent said this has been common but it's been the kids in the back who have broken them off in the past... this was the first front handle to snap. The only other real complaints (other than the looks) he had with both was that there is a buzzing/rattle coming from the right side of the dash that stops when you hit the top of the dashboard. He had an observation though which I verified today (pontiac dealer here in Stamford, CT near by). The opening at the top of the hood where the wipers are hidden is HUGE and CAVERNOUS... Has anybody had a problem with snow getting packed in there and losing fresh air intake? Check it out... it's huge.

By the way, if you're in the Connecticut area (stamford) and looking for an Aztek there are 23 OF THEM... 23...at the dealer here and a truck was in the lot with 5 more. They have a lot of the beige ones, but black, green and red are also there.

ab348

I really think someone should buy one of the lime-green ones and put it in dry storage for about 30 years. It would be totally unique when it came out in 2031, just like one of those late-60s paisley vinyl-top and upholstery cars are today. "They actually made them like that???", would be the comment when it was put on display. You'd make quite a splash at a car show.

dindak

The aren't very many places renting Azteks. I could not find one place renting in the Toronto area. As for the local dealership, they only had three on the lot and they were all base models.

kissfan : which dealership sold you your Aztek?

jmatero

This dealer in Connecticut had all kinds... base and GT. Few had leather and/or the heads-up. about 5 or 6 were AWD. Is this the norm? I mean, this isn't a HUGE dealership by any means but close to 30 in-stock? Is that what the rest of you are seeing? I have to admit, I have only seen 1 on the road in CT and 2 in NY state so I know they're not selling. Geez, the new VW Passat just came out last week and I've seen 4 on the road since last Friday.

kissfan1

Nice second hand strories about those rental AZTEKS. The two user groups I belong to have not experienced those concerns.

My AZTEK has not had any of those issues. As well.......I live in Toronto and we have had a lot of snow this year.......The wells at the Front have not caused any concerns whatsoever.

In fact I've not had a vehicle......whose heating system works as effectively as the AZTEK.

MIRRORS that don't fold.........never been a problem. However maybe for older drivers with eroding motor skills.

DINDAK: I bought from LAURIE WILLIAMSON in the Auto Mall between Erin Mills and Winston Churchill. Great service by the way.

signed

your AZTEK pal

jmatero

Uh... just because YOUR handles are fine doesn't mean they're ALL fine. My business partner volunteered this info... I didn't even ask about his rental car. The fact is, maybe it's because they're abused by kids all day and the handles can't take it. It's been posted on here a number of times... even by other owners... that the interior door handles seemed "cheap". Don't shoot the messenger. If a guy on the Passat forum I frequent told me his interior door handle broke off I wouldn't attack him with "second hand stories" implying he's lying. I'm glad you like your car, really I am, but it's not PERFECT... no car is. When you're buying an aztek, you know that you're setting yourself up for massive ridicule... if you can't stand the heat, buy a montana.

dindak

kissfan : Ya I know that place. Hard to see the cars there though as they are parked in a locked cage. I like going to dealerships when they are closed.

jmatero : Some dealers hold cars for a while. My dealer had 22 Intrigues on the lot, but only 5 were theirs. The others were headed for other dealers.

jmatero

That's true... it's right off I-95

ab348

We have 2 Pontiac dealers here locally. One has 11 Azteks in stock, all FWD models. The other has 34 (!), 23 FWD and 11 AWD. I have only seen a couple on the road and they had either dealer or out-of-province plates.

kissfan1

Talk about who is sensitive.

If you have little positive to add maybe you should spend your time talking about your passit on the passat site.

Second hand stories are wonderfull things. A friend of mine told me about his friend who's passat blew a timing belt after 10,000 miles. So he pass-it to another owner.

By the WAY........ to date......the vehicle is purrfect. I know that makes the critics on this board upset because a LEMON would play right into the critics hands.

If you must KNOW GMDRONE ....a regular positive contributor on the other board has confirmed that the AZTEK as a vehicle has less manufacturing faults then virtually any vehicle in GM history and that it bodes well for the up coming RENDEZVOUS.

Signed

your AZTEK pal

PS: Talk to owners.......You know what happens when vehicles get rented don't you. Scraping the bottom of the barrel for second hand stories on rental vehicles to substantiate your "feelings" about a vehicle.

The Vehicle that people luv to hate would surely be all the more "hateable" if stories could be found. Go to the ESCAPE.....

orangelebaron

I made a mistake on my last post.
Fixed mirrors are standard on the Durango.
You CAN get folding mirrors with the extra cost
towing package.

Is a towing package available with the Aztec?