Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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(everyone, labrador4 is seeking opinions, not flames)
Steve_
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I'm a little surprised at you Steve - why would you think we'd be anything other than objective and helpful?
theiceman
Steve_
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
theiceman
Leasing is long-term renting, with a set residual value after a certain number of years and miles. Would you give AVIS a hundred bucks to lower your daily rental fee on an airport Taurus? Of couse not... why would you put down money on something you're NOT BUYING? That $4k is liquid, it's equity you've earned, putting it into a lease is like giving it away.
I always pay NOTHING down, no cap cost reduction at all, I pay my taxes out of pocket and I roll my security deposit and misc. fees into the payment (very small amount). If you need to pay $4k down to get a lease payment you are comfortable with then you should be looking at a cheaper car.
Take that $4k and put it down on a new $20k car and you'll get payments of around $325/month depending on your interest rate. If you really want a lease so you can get out easy in 3 years then just suck up the higher monthly payments and put that $4k into your IRA.
That's my advice. :-)
I agree, if a person is going to lease, by all means, don't give'm money on the front end. From what I have seen, leasing seems to work best if you can write off the car for business purposes.
Mark
I would add 2 more factors: the lease rate vs. financing rate and the potential depreciation.
All other things being equally, if you suspect poor depreciation, then leasing is a good idea. But you should still compare the residual (usually 60% after 3 years) with what you expect the car will be worth in three years. If they're setting the residual high, then leasing is usually a good deal.
theiceman
'96 Mazda 626 DX
'99 VW Passat GLS 1.8T (current)
theiceman
theiceman
Actually, if it weren't for the rear hatch, this thing wouldn't evoke such strong (adverse) reactions. I wondered what other SUV has a similar sloping rear, and I remembered it is the BMW X5. It's rear doesn't start sloping down as early as the Aztek, and it stops closer to the belt line of the car (Aztek stops above the belt, and awkwardly drops down leaving an angle above the main horizontal design line, creating a corner that doesn't belong). In any event, even though the BMW X5 looks good, it doesn't conform to the conventional SUV styling due to it's rear hatch slope. It is a clear effort to differentiate from the rest of the pack and to justify it's price positioning. This type of mold-breaking can work if done right - the X5 is very popular. The Aztek seems to not be so popular because they over-did it.
Have you had any electrical problems with your Aztek? Yesterday, I started my 2001 black, AWD Aztek, and the dashboard seems to have shorted out. The fuel, speed, and RPM gages are not working along with the blue "high beam" light, start-up lights (like ABS brakes + air bags) and the computerized message system (ie "door ajar, low fuel," etc...) Everything else works - the red dashboard lights, the exterior + interior lights of the car, the radio. It is just the dashboard that is dead. I am taking it to the shop today to see what's wrong, but I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this problem. I bought this Aztek in New Hampshire, where I live, at the beginning of Feb. (There's a post somewhere back saying this.) The car has just over 2500 miles on it.
Regards,
MAK
On an unrelated topic.... did KissFan ever get back from FL? I wonder if he got that window fixed?
Be that as it may, I'm still interested in an Aztek purchase - but my wife wants me to get a PT Cruiser, which I like - but wouldn't work any magic when it comes to getting a good price.
Any thoughts on what I might look to pay for a dealer demo GT (MSRP = 26,500) w/ 5000 miles on it....there are a few at a dealer nearby? I tried to compare on cars.com, but didn't find that to be a good means of gauging what I should pay. I'm thinkin' 18.
People who over pay for these things are just spending $$$ to get a bunch of curves in sheetmetal. Nothing special about the engine, performance, etc.
JMO, YMMV.
It's the Aztek that is experiencing very early "wouldn't be caught dead" syndrome. The customers have made their vote. And the PT is a big winner along with the Bug.
Mark
Whereas the Beetle, PT Cruiser, Miata, BMW M Coupe etc. are likely doomed to be "cute" cars with marginal sales - more useful as short-haul commuters or short weekend cruises than as practical family vehicles for trips to the kids' hockey practice, to the Home Depot, or long highway trips to visit the in-laws (the PT Cruiser being the most practical of the lot). Of course, the buyers of these cars don't do this sort of stuff.
theiceman
WOW this means that they have only achieved 20% of their goal..In my office you would be fired if you only met 20% of your objective..!!
Awesome vehicle.......period. This trip was awesome and the AZTEK performed flawlessly over
3,000 miles.
; )........the Aztek smile
Kissfan...glad to hear you had a good trip.
afternoon.
I was talking with a friend who's wife bought one, and she had the dash computer chip fail. All
sorts of random effects as you describe, even the horn going off until the battery was disconnected.
Dealer replaced the chip under warranty.
How many out there got the air inflator option? How well does it work? Is this a dealer installable
option?
Robyn
SE MI
Well, at least the other person with the Aztek Dash problem doesn't have that Horn issue! Yikes!
The NHTSA is starting to gather information for 2001 Model vehicles (Recalls, Defect investigations, owner complaints, etc.) and here is the current info on the Aztek:
Technical Service Bulletins:
#000849014
Component - INTERIOR SYSTEMS:INSTRUMENT PANEL:MATERIAL AND PADDING
Summary - SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS WARPED REARWARD OF THE DEFROSTER OUTLET
#000864013
STRUCTURE - TAILGATE ASSEMBLY
Summary - SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WILL NOT COME OFF THE SECONDARY LATCH POSITION WHEN OPENED AUTOMATICALLY ON 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK MODEL VEHICLES.
There are also 2 reports to the ODI (Office of Defects Investigation)
ODI# 736680:
Component - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Summary - VEHICLE HAS LOST ALL POWER 5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. NEW BATTERY INSTALLED BY DEALER AFTER FIRST INCIDENT WHERE CAR DIED TWICE IN ONE DAY--ONCE UPON BACKING UP
ODI# 883128:
Component - SUSPENSION
Summary - VEHICLE VIBRATES AT 65MPH AND HIGHER.
As for official investigations, GM only has 1 for 2001 vehicles.... it is for the GMC/Chevy Yukon/Tahoe... Apparently fires are breaking out near the rear A/C controls/vents.
That is not a defect, but the new mini-fireplace feature to give you that "cabin in the woods" feeling as you drive to the house on the lake.
Mark
I thought it was the perfect Minivan..
Adding the air compressor. Very difficult and would be somewhat costly. The air compressor is also working with the rear shocks for load leveling. If you just want an air pump, go to Pep boys for one of those ones that you plug into the cigarette lighter. Only 20 bucks or so.
Good to see you back Kissfan. Hope you had a good time.
Just for fun I did a search on the "doom and gloomers" that come to this board so often. They hate the Aztek so much, this is the only board they post on. Not that they have anything good to say about what they own, they just come here to add their positive comments. They must be great fun to be around. Wonder how many times the sky has fallen in their presence? Since I've started a rant, may as well go on. It's far easier to look for the bad in anything. Everybody and everything has a fault. But just as yesterday and the day before the sun came up and went down. Didn't change a thing. Some people go through their day and try to make things better. Some people don't. I'm really trying hard to get under the skin of the bashers here. Can't do it by insulting them. That's their game. Just like virtually everyone else, I've had the religious "messengers" knock on my door. That's their personal belief. I don't hold it against them. I let them talk. Is that the wrong thing to do? I can accept the fact that they have their philosophy. If they came back over and over again, then I would have to wonder about them. I wonder about some on this board some times. Am I that bad that I need to be "saved"? And what am I being saved from? And by who? Why? I have no problem with the Aztek mechanically. There's nothing wrong with it. It is quietly gaining a reputation as a very well built vehicle. No BS about that. Those who own or have driven them are enjoying them. I'm not making things up or deliberately leaving postings open ended to mislead people. That's dirty pool. But hey, some people get pleasure out of being "right". Maybe I'll go to other boards that don't concern me. Make things up. Insult people I've never met. Maybe I'll just stay here. I must still have some guts. How about some of you? Gonna stay guttless?
While away I've made a resolution.......no arguing about the AZTEK with these individuals.
The AZTEK delivers Toyota/Honda quality. The fit finish and reliability are proving this daily.
Yes styling over the top and that affected commercial viability.
But it is great quality vehicle......period.
any rebuttal from naysayers will be ignored.....save your breath
Glad you had a good trip to Florida. How did you find the long highway distances in terms of comfort? Did you track mileage? A big concern for me if I'm looking at the Rendezvous is the gas consumption. Even down at 65 cents a liter.. fill ups are still painful.
The comfort was outstanding. We took 3 days going down. But coming back we left Orlando at 7:30 AM and drove straight through. I drove 21 straight hours....... I'll tell you......In terms of comfort it was outstanding and a blast to drive. I think that one of the reasons I drove straight was the fun of the vehicle.
The seats were very very comfortable and I was pleased with the gas mileage. The mountains in Virginia were handled in 3rd gear very comfortable.
While in Florida.....we met my wifes parents who flew in from Montreal. We criss - crossed the State with two adults and my 9 year old in the back seat. They all were very very comfortable.
The cruise control worked great and the highbeams were great in the darkness of Virginia mountains.
bdreggors: yeah we counted AZTEKS. It was our family game. Counted 93 AZTEKS. Tons in Orlando area. Alot of rentals. I took the time to talk to a few of the renters.......One story stands out:
I pull into spot at EPCOT......right beside a yellow AZTEK. Popped out spoke to the guy while splashing on sun screen. He told me that he disliked the AZTEK but decided to try the rental.
Well he said after a week with the vehicle.....living with it.......guess what he will be shopping for? You got it......AZTEK.
We chatted right up to the gates of EPCOT. So the strategy of getting the vehicle into peoples hands thru rentals will win over new fans.
We are close to buying our 'Tek this weekend. Prior to taking delivery, we'll be sure to check out the items that jmatero reported from NHTSA.
For what its worth....while a lot of 'Teks are on the road in SE Michigan, I spent ~4 hours driving the highways of SW Michigan (US-31, 94, 131, & 196) today and saw 1.
Also checked out three dealerships in the Kalamazoo area....saw 2,1 and 1 on the lots.
1. You hit the rear hatch open button (on remote or keyless) and the hatch releases. You try to open the hatch with your hand but hatch does not open. Hit rear hatch button a second time a it opens.
Brought it in.......got it fixed. Never happened again in 3000 mile journey to Florida.
2. Vibration over 65.......Never felt it. During the trip my top speed late at night on open dry road was 95MPH. It was rock solid no vibration no noises.
3. The loss of power issues......Isolated case that was fixed by new battery.
4. The warping of the panel near the defroster........is a curious one. Looked at mine......no such thing.
The FIRE that was refered to is a typical red herring tossed in to deliberately confuse those who don't read closely.........Has NOTHING to do with the AZTEK. But thrown in by naysayers to confuse (similar to the way the safety issues were manipulated)
Still NOT ONE OFFICIAL RECALL.......... and mine is Purrrrr-fect!!
DR ZOOM.......yours will be to. The MEXICAN plant is turning out great vehicles.
All the best....... get ready to wear an
Was at my dealership........doing my post TRIP oil change. My dealership sold 8 AZTEKS in last 12 days!! NOT BAD!!
; ) ..........wearing the AZTEK smile
I heard that Pontiac has idled the production line for Aztek in the Mexico plant to prepare for the 2002 redesign and to increase their production quota for Rendezvous. Given the sales statistics, I think this is wise. I sense the Rendezvous demand will exceed their initial planned production for 2001. Until Aztek sales catch up to inventory, I don't think they want to pump more precious capital into Aztek inventory.
I was interested in getting a Rendezvous myself, but couldn't wait (car was totaled) and ended up going back to my original choice (Trailblazer/Envoy/Bravda). Bravada's came in first, so that's what I ended up getting. I'm still loving it.
The vehicle has a Lexus type look. The front grille and rear shaping looks strikingly like the Lexus.
If I was shopping.......I would drive a hard bargain on the 2001 in advance of the 2002 remodel. Or I would wait for the 2002.
I do think the Rendezvous price might push me away. But lets wait and see.
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
theiceman
Has anybody else heard of the plant being idled?
We checked out the Rendevous at the auto show and thought it looked sharp. To be honest, I like the 'Tek styling better. The back end modifications to the Rendevous helps it blend in with the other 100 SUV's on the market (boring). All agree, like it our hate it, the 'Tek does not blend in. I've heard $25k for a very well equiped Rendevous base model. But if you add on the extras, you are very quickly into to the 30s. Plus, no initial Rendevous incentives (compared to $1,700 'Tek incentives). The 'Tek we are looking at is very well equiped and we will be purchasing for around $23,000. I would not be surprised if the Rendevous turns out to be more reliable, I'm sure GM is likely tweaking the line process.
Bottom line is the 'Tek is fun to drive, cool to look at, and has more gadgets than you can shake a stick at!