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Does that mean I won't be able to put that Aztek camping package to good use in the park across from the library like in the commercial?
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
But in all fairness, I wouldn't touch a Ford Escape with a ten-foot pole. We test drove it in December, and the interior fit/finish was just too cheap. And you failed to mention one of the biggest problems with it that a lot of Escape owners are reporting, fuel fumes in the interior. This has been directly attributed to bad gaskets and manufacturing problems, but Ford has yet the guts to issue an official recall.
Why can't he simply give up here... he's said 100+ times how much he loves his Aztek... great... but he's not adding any useful information here. Yet, when a new poster makes a comment about what he/she thinks about the Aztek, there's always attacks on other cars.
Again, people shopping for explorers don't cross shop Escape... different vehicle, different size, WAY different price. You can't even get into an explorer for the price of a LOADED escape... so I doubt people are buying escapes because they are scared of the explorer's safety.
People here should post FACTS... Again, Few if ANY Escape/Tribute owners got recall notices... the problems were MOSTLY with cars yet to be sold/delivered to dealers.
Post FACTS. If you thing the Aztek is ugly and you've posted that already, thanks... but just read now.. you've participated. The same goes for those who LIKE their azteks. KissFan... you bought an Aztek... are you REALLY shocked that most people find the car ugly? You seem to take it personally and attack others cars... look, if you're gonna buy an Aztek, you need thick skin.. otherwise buy a Montana... it's a better buy.
With all due respect.......I am an owner of the PONTIAC AZTEK. I shopped for the vehicle and I drive the vehicle on a daily basis.
1. I discounted the false door issue by taking the time to check false allegations about the apparent defect on door handles. I took the time to track down budget operation manager in Orlando and confirm false allegations.
2. I post proper gas mileage stats cause I use the onboard computer and report my findings.
3. I talk to other owners both here on the net and when I meet them. I report their "total client satisfaction"
4. I brought info about rebate and the phone call I recieved from GM with their rationale behind the rebate.
5. I do not DRONE on about the UGLY factor. I know the AZTEK has over the top styling and when I bought the car I was not satisfied with look of the rear of the vehicle. But the vehicle offers a versatility while not being a mini van. ( As for your posts about the Tribute/Escape...you are simply wrong.)
Yes I enjoy the AZTEK. Yes I'm totally satisfied with both the buying experience and the support offered by both the dealership and GM. Those are real facts from a real owner.
By the way I monitor the performance of the AZTEK on a daily basis. If something so tiny as a loose screw or poorly placed ill fitting carpeting shows up in my AZTEK..........I WILL REPORT IT HERE with total honesty. To date the vehicle is nothing short of perfect.
Real news from a real owner.
You SIR are the one DRONING with no real facts and no first hand experiences and just a solid HATE for the vehicle. You SIR bring little to no real first hand value.
(Would you like to discusses my brother in laws PASSIT......which has been a piece of crap since he bought it. With poor dealer support and timing belt that exploded after 60K. He is happy he has PASSIT to another sucker)
owner
JAN 30 '01
Pros: Versatility with a mad-max look and James Bond type
gadgetry with Swiss army like functionality
Cons: Where's the hitch? Where's the rear wiper?
Recommended: Yes
My lease was up on my 1998 'think different' SUV; a
10-mile-to-the-gallon, 6 times recalled, 8 times in the shop,
still back-firing at trade in time status symbol.
It was apparent, it was time to search for a new vehicle. The
good news, I had approximately three months to find the
vehicle, the bad news, my last name isn't Carnegie or
Rockefeller, nor are there any relationships through
marriage through those names or those people.
I spent a good three months researching replacement
vehicles to no avail.
At the dealer, I was looking at the pontiac mini-van, I needed
versatility, convenience and functionality; everything a 37
year-old outdoorsy type male with 2 young children dies to
look at. Gone were the days of 70's muscle cars and 80's
come-backs, nope, I was soon to be another Dad in a
mini-van. Getting ready to sign the papers in defeat, I saw
out of the corner of my eye a mad-max like vehicle with a
tent stuck to the back of it.
Could this ugly duckling be the proverbial beautiful black
swan?
Yes!
Pro's on outside:
The Pontiac Aztec GT model (1SC option package) was on
display. Looking at the outside skin of the vehicle, I noticed
some very intriguing and innovative features. I first noticed
the lower charcoal body side molding / cladding wrapped
around the vehicle, it comes up a good foot and a half and
has integrated rub-strips; around here, road work is always
being performed and I automatically thought that the goo on
the road would no longer mar or chip or scratch the paint of
the vehicle. The paint and clearcoat seemed to be very well
applied and 'thick', it seemed to have more paint than the
other vehicles I noticed, I know this is probably an inaccurate
statement, but it IS what I thought. I also noticed that the
antenna was integrated in to the windshield, a plus around
here with mischievous kids roaming around. The glass is
deep tinted (rear of vehicle) for privacy. The turning lamps
are mounted high on the front of the vehicle and high on the
back of the vehicle. On- coming and behind-you vehicles will
have no trouble knowing your intentions. Headlamps and
foglights are bright. I think the SRV looks cool from the front,
this vehicle has 16 inch puncture sealing tires, with sporty
aluminum 3 spoke rims. From the front the Aztek looks like
it's kind of smiling at you, in a tough 'mad-max' kind of
ominous way.
Con's on outside:
*No rear wiper
*Though this vehicle is equipped with the optional towing
provision package,(3500 pound capacity, wiring harness,
engine oil cooler, high output alternator, HD engine cooling
system and an automatic air-leveling controlled shock
system) it came without a trailer hitch ! I am not sure why
Pontiac chose to omit this, I am in the process of
determining if an OEM hitch is available.
Interior:
Pro's:
*The vehicle shines here. First let's discuss safety. I
immediately noticed that the middle passenger in the back
seat has a shoulder harness assembly. I noticed that there
are 4 airbags in the vehicle, two in front and two for side
impact, integrated into the front seats. There is also a safety
cage for impacts built into the vehicle. Since I have two kids,
their comfort is critical to their sanity and mine; there are
child comfort guides built into each belt ( a true system for
comfort)
* this is a big interior, great head room, leg room, hip room,
ample room for all kinds of stuff, kids, dogs, camping and
fishing and skiing equipment. The rear seats are
light-weight, about 40 pounds and easily come out. This
vehicle has a wider stance that the Durango, that 'think
different' SUV.
* When entering or exiting the vehic
dim out, this is a nice feature.
* I would recommend the 1SC option package. The package
comes with Plado leather seating (extremely comfortable,
more comfortable than the hang-glide premium cloth). 1SC
comes with dual zone air and heat, power outside mirrors,
cruise, remote entry fobs, roof rack, traction control, power
seat, leather wheel with funky stereo and CD control buttons
on the wheel, vehicle theft system, a head-up display (really
cool) and a sliding rear cargo tray (A MUST IN THIS
VEHICLE)
* There is a computer that monitors all kinds of things on this
vehicle, gas, oil-low levels, traction control activation, light
bulb burn-outs, all kinds of things, the display is large and
clear.
* This vehicle had some other great options which included
the (UC6)in-dash CDX receiver with AM/FM and multi-CD
storage (6) with RDS, random disk search and function,
speed compensated volume control, graphic equalizer,
clock, Theftlock, and rear audio controls.
*The system houses a Pioneer premium 10 speaker system,
the rear speakers point outward of the rear of the vehicle,
you can really hear the system well outside, believe me !!
* A power moon roof that cracks open or fully opens
* A tent with an inflatable air mattress, in fact you can inflate
the air mattress with the built-into-the-vehicle air
compressor!! This is a great feature of this vehicle, You can
inflate bike tires, pool toys, footballs, soccer balls, heck, I
used it to inflate my wheelbarrow tire today. The Aztek
comes with a 20 foot hose that attaches to all kinds of
devices.
* A hiking package that includes 2 backpacks that hook onto
the front seats, vinyl seat covers for the front and back,
(they fit tight and will help keep the car clean) and heavy
duty mud catching floor mats.
* A reconfigurable cargo net: This gets in the way of the
sliding tray, but I think the dealer added it to show potential
customers all of the Aztek's goodies, I am using the net in
my wife's vehicle.
Con's of interior
*Some Azteks have deleted the rear sliding tray. DO NOT
buy one without the rear tray. It would be very tough getting
stuff from the back of the car without the sliding tray. The
tray holds 400 pounds and is a real life saver. I believe it
would be too hard getting stuff out of the Aztek without it.
*The center armrest (An igloo style 6-pack cooler) is not
easy to remove and put back in. It sticks a little. This is a
minor issue
* Since this model has a sunroof, Pontiac has decided to
delete the rear radio controller for passengers (not the rear
radio buttons in the trunk) This controller allows rear seat
passengers to listen through headsets to music OTHER
than what the front passengers are listening. So let's say I
am listening to NPR on the FM radio, the kids could be
listening to any one of the 6 CD's in the cd player, they hear
Barnie and other sing-a-longs, I hear NPR; this is a great
concept, providing you DON'T have the sunroof.
*Rear cup holders are integrated into the door and can only
hold smaller cups, it is very tough to get the drinks out of the
rear cupholder, you almost want to open the rear doors to
get to the drinks.
* There is no rear armrest, I would like to see an integrated
armrest and cupholder, a welcomed parental feature in
other SUV's.
I really love the economy of this vehicle, I get about 23 miles
to the gallon in the city, that is 16 miles per gallon more than
what I am used to. I do very little highway driving.
The vehicle drives like a Park Avenue, Caddy or a Lincoln,
and I am willing to bet it has more goodies and function than
any of those. It is very impressive and quiet.
If you like versatility with a mad-max look and James Bond
type gadgetry with Swiss army like functionality, let's not
forget at an incredible price, the 007 Aztek GT is for you.
In sum, I drive my black swan daily, to me, the rest of the
vehicles are over priced 'under-capable' ugly duckings !
Signed a positive contributor
your AZTEK PAL
My take on the Aztek? Its not my cup of tea, but I dont think its completely repulsive. If I may make an immature analogy for a second, when I first met my buddies new girlfriend for the first time, I said to myself.. YEESH.. I didn't even find her remotely attractive physically. But after I got to know her after a while I found out she was a really sweet girl with a good sense of humor. From what I've heard, to many the Aztek is similarly "revealing" to those who take the time to dig below the surface.
Anyways, I'm curious to those who have seen the Azteks HUD up close; does it have the new Dot Matrix HUD display or does it use the seven segment displays for speed/radio, etc... in the windshield? I heard they were coming out with a new HUD for the Aztek.
I tell her.... "No it is the all new PONTIAC AZTEK!!!"
She says..." Wow what an interesting cool vehicle. Is it hard to get into (she was a big lady)."
I offer her to have a seat.....and listen to VIVALDI. She says sure and I walk her through the interior of the AZTEK. Well , she says that she is in the market and now she'll check the AZTEK out.
Parting shot......By the way she says as she walks away..."What am I looking at to purchase $45K-$50K (Canadian)"
I say no way the AZTEK GT will only run you between $30-$35 K Cdn. Wow she exclaims and thanks me for the little tour of my COOL vehicle. (She wants a White one)
True account from an AZTEK owner
Signed
your AZTEK pal
Re: the lady. There exists an old saying: there is a sucker born...
Another inane drone with little "positive" input.
These are real TRUE stories.
Not the hate dribble........Alot of people luv this vehicle. And I'll bring you their stories. The negatives only can spout mindless hate based upon looks. You probably beat up the nerds in grade school. Those nerds are now the Bill Gates.
This is my AZTEK ......and these are it's stories!!
And they are true!! REAL STORIES from REAL PEOPLE!!
Signed.....your AZTEK pal
I drive it and people cross parking lots in SUB ZERO temperatures just to talk about the car. They are fascinated and most like it. It may be still too radical for their tastes but they still have positive comments.
signed your AZTEK pal
He, don't knock it until you drive it.
Great purchase......you will be happy.
Different is good.......want to be the same go buy a passit or camry!!
Feels great being trail blazer.
signed
your AZTEK pal
P.S. NOT!
it's most recent issue, Oh and SUPRISE the AZTEK was not listed as a SUV..It was not even tested..
The Astek is NOT a SUV it's based on the MONTANA MINIVAN platform..IT IS A DRESSED UP MINIVAN>>>
I have no idea why Edmunds put it into the SUV chat room and not the MINIVAN chat room...
THE ASTEK IS A MINIVAN WITH A CAMPING PACKAGE, OF course they should also sell a cover to put over it in the driveway so it would not lower property values in the neighborhood....!
I personally don't put any stock in any magazine that employes writers who cannot tell the difference between a metric and a standard bolt. They may know how to take a few bucks from a manufacturer and give them an award but until they prove they understand the mechanics of a vehicle, I won't waste my time reading their drible.
From what I've seen here in Utah, there are only a handful of 4WD Azteks in dealerships, and from previous posts the mfg. plant in Mexico is temporarily shut down. Does anyone know where there are a number of these in stock? I wonder how long it would realistically take to special order one in? Also, as I understand it, a person can get the SC1 package with the CD/Cassette unit with premium speakers included but would have to pay another $600 just to get a CD changer mechanism in it. Does anyone know if a GPS navigational system can be incorporated into the HUD?
Louis
Aztekpal, all I can say is that you should get out more, stop hanging around the CNIB (Canadians will know what that is)...
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
By the way, that middle aged woman knew what she liked. Just because she did not agree with you IS NO CRIME. Keep your hate to yourself. As I say most Naysayers bring little new or valuable information.......and the inane posts reflect that.
Signed AZTEK pal
It's too late to take mine back now, I'll have to pray she doesn't go out and buy one too. ( or want me back, UGH!}
Scene 1 : Large middle aged woman approaches stranger at mall:
"Would my substantial beam fit through the door of of that Audi minivan?"
Tightly wound stranger:
"Let ME help YOU fit IT through the DOOR ; Wanna Listen to MY VIVAlDI?"
Woman: "It's been a long time since I've been in a van with a strange man I just met in a parking lot. Do You have the camping package? If you do; please deploy it immediately"
Isn't that more realistic than the real ads featuring the Gen-Xer's getting active everyplace they stop?
You obviously never read my other one. Burlington Mall......22 year old college kid. Stops at the AZTEK. Another WOW cool vehicle. (all types)
Real Stories about Real Vehicle........Keep up your INANE post......Gonzo.
Add something of value ....please!
signed your AZTEK pal
Concept & Hybrid Vans
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
kissfan : Don't get too upset. There seem to be a few people who just want to get you all worked up. I guess they have nothing better to do. While I don't like the Aztek's looks much, I am interested in the Rendezvous. Good Aztek reliability probably means Rendezvous will be also.
of their ship by the pool??? And a fat lady
singing opera wanted to get in it so the owner played classical music and then the ship hit an iceberg?? But the owner of the Aztec saved everyone because Aztecs double as lifeboats that fly!!!!
(Even after finding out is wasn't an Audi)
This was viewed a source of pride by IT's owner.
Not exactly the demographic group featured in the commercials.
To each his own.
YET, kissfan STILL has to attack other cars. Again, he goes and blasts the VW Passat (why, I don't know....) because his brother in law or something had a timing belt go at 68K miles. SO, what he's saying is, since HIS car is "Perfect" and without a problem, then ALL Azteks are perfect and it is the ultimate vehicle. YET... somebody he knows has a bad timing belt and that means VW Passats are "crap" (his words, not mine). Unbelievable. I'm not going to waste my time defending my Passat to this person because he is obviously not interested in anything but himself and his car. BUT when he lies....
VW Service is not known to be the best in the industry, true, BUT Pontiac Service is no better based on MY GM experiences. Also, if I listed the number of Pontiac Sunfire and Grand-am owners (on the Edmunds boards ALONE) with problems FAR MORE EXTREME than a timing belt failure it would take up an entire page. BUT... if YOUR timing chain should break in that aztek at 68K miles, you're going to have to cough up the $$$$ to fix it. In the unlikely event my timing belt breaks at 99,000 miles 9 years from now on my Passat, I get it fixed FREE. 10 year/100,000 Mile warrenty with no deduct. I doubt your passat owning friend would be very happy in a Pontiac Sunfire. And don't bother with "Hey, a sunfire isn't in the same class as a Passat so it's not fair to compare the two". YOU'RE the one comparing a Passat to an Aztek. If your Timing Chain broke tomorrow, I wouldn't instantly come to believe all Azteks are "crap". I would simply think "the guy got a bad chain... mass production... it happens".
And for what it's worth, I've driven 3 Azteks and I can tell you that, while it's a an ok ride, it's by no means a German Engineered Sports Sedan... which is what I choose to drive. To each his own. Do yourself a favor and Drive a new 2001 passat 4-motion. It'll knock your socks off.
The Aztek and Montana share suspensions, engines, transmissions, brakes, steering and most other mechanicals.
Just SOME of the complaints listed are:
Fuel Leaks
3.4L V6 Engine Overheating
Steering Wheel Failure (unable to turn wheel)
3.4L V6 Engine Stalls without warning
Brake Failures (resulting in accidents)
Transmission Failures (most common)
Lets remember, the Aztek has been on sale for just about 6 months and the miles are just starting to "rack up". As for your report of a "perfect car", that's Super! Check back in 6 more months and lets see what crops up at NHTSA.
Although I think the Aztec in ugly, (lovingly referred to by my wife as the ASStek), to each his own. I know a few people who have purchased them, got great deals, and are happy.
Desparately trying to find fault with a vehicle. Scratching & Scraping to find a fault. Your obsession borders on what would come from a disgruntled "postal" worker.
Listen .....you still bring little first hand experience with this vehicle and the source of your obsession is unknown. Did GM lay you off??
See at least I have an excuse........I'm a satisfied owner of a vehicle that to date not one client has had a problem with. No recalls.....a' la ESCAPE. No problems with fine German engineered vehicles (x.5......by the way that fine German engineered car has a whole page on Edmunds dedicated to discussing it's assorted problems.)
Spend your time on the passit page ......something you have real first hand knowledge about.
Thanks Dindak......I know these people have little clue of which they speak. Either laid off GM workers or frustrated Subaru drivers who wish they had an AZTEK. ; )
Signed
youe AZTEK pal
You must have quite the database to be able to report that no one has EVER had ANY problem with an Aztek.
I was just at my local GMC/Pontiac dealer. Most of the many Azteks thay have in stock have been sitting since they arrived on 7/11/00 and 7/18/00.
Damed if I do.......Damed if I don't.
Listen we all know you hate the vehicle......the company and all associated with it. Good for you. But you still deliver little or no first hand knowledge of this vehicle.
Your time better spent elswhere ........unless you can say something new.
See my MATRON.......story is the view of a real person. And I will continue to offer them up..
Signed
your AZTEK pal
Accroding to Motor Trend,
The Redesigned 2002 Aztek will cost less, look better and have 17' wheels as standard equipment.
BTW I was getting my oli changed at the Pont./GMC dealer and I was looking at the new GMC trucks. I asked the salesman how the Azteks were moving. He, jokingly of course, said "Want one? If they were free, we'd still be stuck with them". That's when he showed me how to read the dealer's inventory tag showing when the vehicle arrived at the dealer. Most of his Azteks have been sitting since July.
Your AZTEK pal
you know you'll get a good vehicle
I think you're barking up the wrong tree when you lay into jmatero. I haven't seen him give ONE SINGLE "slam" on the Aztek. He's mearly pointed out the crash tests, low sales numbers, and general public disdane for the thing. Of ANYONE, he has been the most polite "detracter." Certainly some of the other guys can get a bit more ridiculous in their comments, but I just haven't seen jmatero say those types of things.
Yet you absolutely LEAP down his throat with every post. You seem blind to the astoundingly low sales numbers and weakness of the platform the Aztek is built on... it's like you're sitting in a corner with your hands over your ears singing... "LALALALALALA" so as to filter out the GENUINE negatives and concerns about your beloved car. I just don't get it.
Reading every response, I find myself chuckling at YOURS mostly. You are just go so over-the-top against ANYONE saying any sort of negative about the Aztek, no matter how constructive and polite they do it... it's nearly fanatical.
Try and separate the jibes and pokes from the honest critisism and comments... there is a HUGE difference and both are represented here. It's just that you react to them all the same way, even when that reaction is not warranted.
That's all I want to say, I'm sure the Net-nannies will delete this despite it's calm and non-accusatory tone. I hope you will take this post in the tone it is written, thank you.