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Pontiac Aztek

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Comments

  • zirconzircon Member Posts: 62
    The previous comment wasn't a slam. I agree with you that once you have 10,000 of anything out there, if it is problematic, you will know about it. The only thing I see posted here is the tailgate mechanism. Otherwise it would appear to be troublefree - a real tribute to the guys building them. I am the last person to defend Mercedes or BMW SUVs with the problems that they have been associated with. Imagine paying 60-90K ($Can) and having the bloody thing in the shop all the time. I once had a 626 that had one too many problems in the ist year. Nice car but it was time for Hasta la vista baby. No more Mazda's for this cowboy.

    BTW, it is REPRODUCIBLE. You Toronto guys must use those new-age dictionaries.
  • waymoresblueswaymoresblues Member Posts: 54
    DISLIKES:
    *Must raise arm-rest to connect the driver seat belt. > Agree - I don't think your missing anything. I guess they think of the armrest as being used for longer trips ?!?
    *Outside mirrors are not "bendable". > You're right, I'm just dreading turning too tightly or something then - CRASH! It's gone ! Not covered under warranty either - maybe this is a built in money maker...?mm? Wait! All this pessimism is starting to rub off!
    *No rear window wiper. > I don't miss it really. I just use Rain and haven't had a problem. Even snow melts off in a hurry with the rear defrost. Speaking of which, I wish the Rear Defrost covered more area on the back window... No baggy, it does melt off enough to see traffic.
    >> Ditto on your "likes", although I don't have 10 speakers (only 6) nor do I have a HAD - I wanted a sunroof!
  • drzoom1drzoom1 Member Posts: 86
    Good call waymoresblues...I'll pick some up next weekend and give it a try. Looking forward to a full week of "real-life" driving to break in the 'Tek.

    MPG this weekend (stop and go commercial district driving) was about 17.
  • tonychrystonychrys Member Posts: 1,310
    Sorry for the gripe, but I have a '99 Pontiac also that doesn't have folding mirrors. This is just plain stupid (every new vehicle I've had since '83 has had folding mirrors) and another example of GM milking old parts/technology over and over.

    Now my curiousity is up, I think I'll visit the Pontiac delaer and see if the mirrors on the Azzztek match my Grand Am's.
  • drzoom1drzoom1 Member Posts: 86
    Good call waymoresblues...I'll pick some up next weekend and give it a try. Looking forward to a full week of "real-life" driving to break in the 'Tek.

    MPG this weekend (stop and go commercial district driving) was about 17.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Chicago Tribune Jim Mateja Column

    Steve
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    Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,283
    ...from Ron Zarella. Incredible how the corporate mindset works to defend even the worst decisions once they are made. This is another example of GM designing a vehicle that totally misses the mark and then trying to place the blame for their ineptitude elsewhere. I like the line by the author about GM providing incentives to employees to drive Azteks... the incentive being, "you give up your current vehicle and take this one, or else you can walk." That's a real good incentive!!! And him saying he'll never walk away from certain GM nameplates... all I can say is, tell that to the Olds customers who saw GM (and him) walk away from that entire franchise. Zarella is not to be believed.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=3540


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  • rickroverrickrover Member Posts: 601
    I like the first Honorable Mention - the slightly restyled red Aztek. That's all it needs IMO - drop all the cladding, add more painted trim and change the wheels - done!

    I can live with the Aztek just the way it is though - I like it.

    Has it been crash tested yet? The only thing that's holding me back at the moment are the crash test results.
  • gizmo15gizmo15 Member Posts: 22
    I agree with the exec quoted in Car Connection - price was a huge deterrent, and not just for young people. Here in Canada, the list price of $31,000 to $40,000 kept a lot of people from getting serious about the vehicle. Once GM discounted the price and brought in some great financing/lease deals the sales picked right up.

    So I don't think it was the design - the car didn't change - the deal simply got better.

    I think GM should also look at marketing it more towards women and families. Virtually every female friend of ours loves our Aztek, while men seem to be more reluctant. I also think it's a great alternative for young families who need some room, but don't want to drive a dime-a-dozen mini-van.

    So my suggestion to Pontiac - don't spend a lot of time worrying about the design. Spend those energies on a better marketing campaign and some price efficiencies.
  • dichotomy1dichotomy1 Member Posts: 2
    It's been one week and I want to trade it in; I'm pushing that we reconsider this vehicle and return it for anything else. The seats are uncomfortable after 15 minutes and the steering doesn't have a solid feel ~ it may turn on a dime but I find it hard to get a proper feel of the road through the steering. She has great power and response up to 90 kmph, but then the van (sorry, I fail to see any SRV similarities here) strains to get past that benchmark. Once she does pick up power, such as in a passing lane, it's too late. Another gripe is the loooong breaking distance. As for space? It's the same as our previous car (Olds Cutlass); however the back seat is smaller.

    I'm seriously thinking of taking the bus.
  • lbthedoglbthedog Member Posts: 198
    >>>sad because once inside you experience very good ride, handling, room and comfort and a host of novel amenities, such as back packs in the doors and a center console that doubles as a portable cooler.<<

    Of course only some basher will cut and paste anything that makes themselves "look" (feel) better. Hey look, if you bought one and don't like it, complain. If you just want to complain,
    what's your point?
  • zirconzircon Member Posts: 62
    They should torch Zarrella and the famous 'brand (mis)managers' and hire every one of the dudes who drew the modifications to the car. The low-rider looks cool, as do most of the ones with toned-down front ends. I hope they get GM stock for those designs.

    Why is it women that like this vehicle? Is it that they can afford it much more than recent grads, or because they like the styling? Interesting how far off the mark the general was on their market with this vehicle.
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    http://www.auto.com/industry/elders24_20010424.htm
  • robynrrobynr Member Posts: 22
    I have the GT with the 1SC package (power seats on BOTH sides, not just the drivers).

    I've found that the adjustment of closeness, height and tilt need to be set just right, or I get
    a feeling of 'falling out' of the seat forwards. I've found that the back tilted down just a bit
    does the trick, with the whole seat at a somewhat low level.

    I'm 6-foot with long legs, so thigh support and knee room are usually an issue on most cars.
    My wife's Saturn 4-door drives me nuts in that the center console is right there, banging my
    right knee. The Aztek avoids this beautifully.

    Anyone else notice that the vertical glass on the tailgate gets really scummy quick?

    Robyn
    SE Michigan (Aztek GT)
  • tonychrystonychrys Member Posts: 1,310
    Latest news this morning: GM hires the designer of the PT Cruiser!
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    you didn't understand it correctly.

    The PT Cruiser guy ran away from DaimlerChrysler because the stupid Daimler managers have ruined Chrysler.
  • tonychrystonychrys Member Posts: 1,310
    hey, I don't write the news, I just regurgitate what I hear on the radio.

    Bottom line: GM and DC are both screwed up.
  • rotterdamronrotterdamron Member Posts: 10
    Hi all, Read a previous post that GM was offering AZTEK owners a $200. referral to anyone they send to the dealer that buys. As of yet I haven't received any paperwork from GM. Has anyone been made aware of this program? If so, please post. Thanks
  • steveswstevesw Member Posts: 5
    I've had my bright red GT Aztek for a week and a half now. Every time I get in it, I laugh a little, cause it's very far-out! I like the styling, detail, seat comfort, and the ride.

    I live near Worcester in Massachusetts. I'm one of those long-haired hippies from the '60s. I have 3 grown kids, live in the country next to the woods, and work as a software engineer for a large company.

    I've had a few (minor) problems at the outset. I had to have the BCM and SDM modules replaced. They are sensor type modules that involve the door locks and theft system, which the dealership promptly replaced. The hood latch is defective, which has caused the hood to slightly rattle, which will be replaced tomorrow.

    I calculated the mileage on my 2nd tank of gas to be 24.76, which was a little bit lower than the computerized calculation, but I am very pleased with the mpg, since it was a mixture of highway and country town driving. Every friend I have shown and let drive the vehicle has just about lusted after it.

    I can't wait to leave work today and drive! I am a even-tho-have-had-some-problems happy Aztek owner!
  • jmaterojmatero Member Posts: 253
    He left because he wasn't being promoted. GM dangled a carrot in front of him and the deal was done. Apparently, Chrysler counter-offered but he declined. Here's the story:
    http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b042301.htm
  • dichotomy1dichotomy1 Member Posts: 2
    Maybe the problem I have with the Aztek's seating (and I have the same problem with all GM vehicles, including the Saturn) is that I'm _not_ 6' tall but 5'3"! The seat tips upward at the edge and is too long for comfort; the edge presses on exactly the right part of the upper thighs to cause loss of circulation. We're currently looking for a second vehicle which hadn't been part of the original plan.

    As for the comment that women love the Aztek styling, I've yet to hear that from one of them! Our general consensus is that it's a car designed by a man to appeal to a man. If I want boxy, I'll buy a Volvo ;-)

    Does anyone have any idea why the speed seems to peak at 90kmph? Does the vehicle go into overdrive at this point, thus making it strain to move beyond that with any sort of force? Sluggish in the passing lanes, for sure and definitely mushy on sharp turns at any speed.
  • robynrrobynr Member Posts: 22
    Someone very close to me in GM Powertrain once told me that the ECM is programmed at the
    factory to top out the throttle at the speed rating of the 'tires' that the vehicle is delivered with


    So, if you have a set of tires that look like 205/60R17 80G, the last letter in this string is the speed.
    rating.


    From a table to be found here http://www.tireguides.com/tip2.html,
    this G rating would correspond to a speed rating of 90 kph.


    I'm not quite sure what my GT was delivered with, but I have no problems whatsoever reaching speeds in excess of
    75 MPH (passing in a hazardous situation only, of course).


    Your mileage may vary,
    Robyn
    SE Michigan (Aztek GT)
  • gizmo15gizmo15 Member Posts: 22
    If you're Aztek is peaking at 90kmph you should get it checked out. I have a base model that I routinely cruise at 120kmph on the highway with absolutely no problem. In fact, it zooms right up to that speed, sometimes too easily. I've even had it up to 140kmph (just to try it) and no problems, in fact, it was very smooth.

    Also all those Ford Escape fans who were bashing us Aztek owners may want to check out these new safety test findings.... very poor.

    Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
  • gizmo15gizmo15 Member Posts: 22
    Sorry about that first post...I thought it would copy over the url...but it just copied the name. Anyway here is the URL for those new Ford Escape test results


    http://www.highwaysafety.org/news_releases/2001/pr042301.htm

  • whitetekwhitetek Member Posts: 32
    For those of you who don't click to the above url, here is what The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said about the Ford Escape: 'Disappointing' debut of Ford Escape: There was moderate to major intrusion into the driver footwell area of the 2001 Ford Escape during the Institute's 40 mph crash test. Because of this, there was a high likelihood of right leg injury. The dummy's head struck the steering wheel through the airbag, and then during rebound its head struck the B-pillar. Both head impacts were hard. "Overall this is a disappointing showing," O'Neill says. "The Escape was Ford's joint program with Mazda, and clearly this cooperative effort didn't produce a particularly crashworthy design."

    Hyundai beats Ford in vehicle safety for an SUV... All those recalls, and now this disappointing crash test result...Ford should be embarrassed, and so should anyone who has intentionally bashed the safety of the Aztek.
    Some posters here basically have called the Aztek a death trap. Maybe they should go over the the Ford Escape Town Hall discussion and wreak some havic over there considering the above findings. Sorry about digging(real deep) up this dead horse, but after reading this today, I had to write something. ;)
  • drzoom1drzoom1 Member Posts: 86
    Good point! I checked the Escape Town Hall last night and nobody mentioned the test results. Perhaps some of our friends from this Town Hall could spread the safety gospel to our Ford brethern.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Saw an ad in the Toronto Star for Aztek GTs for C$27,998 cash purchase. Quite a deal. Also saw they are now offering no charge tent package on all Azteks "value priced" from C$24,998. Could probably get one for under C$24K cash.
  • jmaterojmatero Member Posts: 253
    I don't want to beat this dead horse either so I'll just make a quick comment and "be gone"...

    The Escape results are poor to say the least.

    BUT... I fail to see how WhiteTek can make the comment "anyone who has intentionally bashed the safety of the Aztek... should be embarrassed"

    They didn't test an Aztek, did they? No they didn't. I could understand the remark if the Aztek was tested and performed better than the others, but that is not the case.

    Here are some interesting facts...

    To date, EVERY Truck, SUV and Minivan tested by the NHTSA that received a 3-star Drivers Frontal Crash rating has received either a "Poor" or "Moderate" rating from the IIHS.

    The Pontiac Aztek received a 3-star Driver Frontal rating.

    The Ford Escape got a "Moderate" rating from the IIHS.

    The Ford Got 5-star driver frontal and rear side ratings vs. the Aztek's 3-stars.

    Therefore, based on all of the current data... including the IIHS results... the Escape STILL provides better driver and rear-seat passenger protection in a crash than the Pontiac Aztek.

    Facts are facts. I spoke to the Communications Director of the IIHS and she told me they had no plans to test the 2001 Aztek because there were too few sold and they felt the design was far too similar to the Transport/Montana to warrant the testing. Perhaps some Aztek owners could start a letter writing campaign to get them to test an Aztek and then we will can put this to rest.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Horse is dead again.
  • tonychrystonychrys Member Posts: 1,310
    ...nothing like good ol' dead horse. Yummy.
  • montanafanmontanafan Member Posts: 945
    The Aztek will actually be used in one of Thursday's show's challenges and will be awarded to one of the survivors during the actual show.
  • xmf314xmf314 Member Posts: 154
    I will be tuned in to see who the unlucky winner is.
  • joke34joke34 Member Posts: 2
    I received the paperwork in the mail. Basically a one page letter with two forms that can be submitted when friend(s) purchase an Aztek. The form requires your name and address and your friend's name, address, VIN #, Dealership Name, City, State, Date of Purchase/Lease. It says you can photocopy the form for additional referrals. The deal is for $200.00 in American Express Gift Cheques if a friend purchases or leases and takes delivery of an unused 2001 Aztek from participating dealer stock by 4/30/01.
  • robynrrobynr Member Posts: 22
    MMmmm... not to mention the flies.. ;)

    Robyn
  • lbthedoglbthedog Member Posts: 198
    Guess any testing agency that says the Aztek is too similar to the Transport just proved something, basically, they're wrong. GM can't do what they've done to validate a design, how can they? But you've brought up a very good point, none of the bashers will make any effort to post anything on the Escape board. Concern over safety? Hardly.

    What's the point of their posts?
  • tonychrystonychrys Member Posts: 1,310
    Just watched "Survivor" tonight.

    Last GM marketing meeting:

    GM Guy #1: "Well, the 'tek ain't selling so well"

    GM Guy #2: "yea, I know, we've done everything. Cut prices. Increased ads. Even gave money back to folks who bought it months ago."

    GM Guy #1: "I got it... the perfect customer... somone stranded in the middle of nowhere, hasn't slept on a mattress or in a tent in weeks, and would gladly take any vehicle in the middle of nowhere if we gave it to them for free."

    GM Guy #2: "Ohhh! You mean a Survivor contestant!"

    GM Guy #1: "Exactly."

    GM Guy #2: "I smell a promotion! Or at least a job offer from Chrysler...."
  • ludacrisludacris Member Posts: 185
    ..ill admit that at the beginning, i really thought the aztek was one funky looking SUV. i really disliked it a lot. but after a few months i must say its grown on me and i dont see why so many people hate it. is everyone just following each other? cause when i said on the "ugly new cars" board that i thought the aztek actually wasnt bad looking some people actually jumped boats. ive even been able to convince some of my friends that the aztek is not bad looking. but still, ive only seen 3 azteks in all of LA. not very good at all.
  • jkidd2jkidd2 Member Posts: 218
    Hey...who got kicked off tonight on Survivor? I missed it!
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Elisabeth did :-(


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  • tonychrystonychrys Member Posts: 1,310
    At this point in the "Survivor" game, you have to start eliminating folks that would easily win over you in a popularity contest. Elizabeth was the most likeable.

    The last winner, Richard, knew this exactly and made a brilliant move in the end by "losing" the last challenge and letting the last girl (forget her name) vote Rudy off who was very popular.

    We now return to our regulary scheduled marketing disaster....
  • jkidd2jkidd2 Member Posts: 218
    I loved Elizabeth! Did she cry? Poor thing!

    I guess, I want Colby to win now....his only chance is to keep winning immunity.
  • jmaterojmatero Member Posts: 253
    They voted her off because they couldn't let her be in the final 3 (and then the final 2). She was the only one from her tribe left so if she made it to the final 2, she would have received ALL of the votes from her tribe for sure. In that case, it would only take ONE from the other tribe to switch to Elizabeth to make her the winner. Strategy. Also, if they voted off Keith last night and elizabeth made it to the final 2, she would win because Keith AND the entire "other" tribe would then vote for Elizabeth.
  • zirconzircon Member Posts: 62
    How much were they trying to make on this thing, if they've dropped the price as much as they seem to have done? The price still seems a little high for the univ graduate crowd, but they are really close to their 'preceived' market now. Too bad they were so greedy in the first place - perhaps the Aztek would have been something other than a disappointment for the General. Its build quality is ignored because people focus only on the sales number and exterior appearance.

    Matero is, once again, correct. Trashing the poor build quality and safety record of the Escape has exactly zero to do with the safety record of the Aztek.

    Tell me, why can't the North Americans build consistently safe vehicles? Are they cutting corners or are the engineers just totally incompetent?
  • ultradrultradr Member Posts: 9
    Hi gang, my name is Tim, Just brought my Maple Red FAD GT home yesterday, with camping package. The dealer was a painless experience, they even gave me a full tank of gas (a first for me). Can't wait to enjoy the 'tek. Thanks for the info I've received from this list already.
  • ultradrultradr Member Posts: 9
    I guess that's FWD not FAD. Also, I'm from northern Illinois (no not Chicago, out in the sticks)
  • lbthedoglbthedog Member Posts: 198
    >>Tell me, why can't the North Americans build consistently safe vehicles? Are they cutting corners or are the engineers just totally incompetent?<<

    I'm trying to think of all those safety breakthroughs that can be attributed to other continents. Mercedes "claims" the "crumple zone" but that's total bull. ABS was pioneered by Ford on Lincolns in the sixties. GM developed the air bag, they were also doing barrier tests in the thirties. Hate to tell you this, the car companies primary concern is making money. "Safety" has moved up as a marketing issue. Along with that you're seeing results from shlocky test "institutes" being bantered around. The best indicator of a vehicle is the long term claims from the insurance companies. The rest is total bull. You don't get to see results from GM, Ford, the rest, and their testing. Can you imagine the havoc the lawyers could create? But then again some of these "institutes" have been known to strap model rocket engines to test vehicles to "get results".
    It's time to get the dead horse out of here.
  • rrsmith2rrsmith2 Member Posts: 8
    Greetings,

    We purchased an Aztek in January. After less than two weeks it was in the shop with a blown heater motor. Less than two weeks following its replacement, it was back in again with another blown heater motor (brown smoke came out of the front window defroster).

    It was back in the shop after Easter because water was dripping out from under the dashboard on the passenger side. The dealer said that a seam somewhere hadn't been properly sealed.

    We got the car back on a Tuesday, on Friday water started leaking out again. They have now had our car over a week and say that there is a drain in the air conditioner evaporator that is not draining which fills up one of the heater/AC ducts until it overflows into the passenger side floor duct.

    Has anyone else had these kinds of problems, or are we just "lucky"?

    The dealer has picked up the car at our house, left us a car to drive, and brought the car back to us each time after the work was done, so I can't complain about that. However, this is the first new car we've bought in 10 years and the first new American-made car in 15 years and the "excitement" of having a new car vanished with the second trip back to the dealer.

    Even with all the problems, we still like the car. We're just uneasy now about its reliability.
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Not to stray too far off-topic, but Mercedes-Benz did invent and patent the crumple zone. GM and Ford may have done barrier tests, but they didn't implement any crumple zones or safety cages into their designs for a long time (certainly after MB). This has been covered in various TLC and CBC programmes about vehicle crash safety, as well as the development of the crash test dummy. MB did also invented ABS in 1954 (developed with Bosch).


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  • lbthedoglbthedog Member Posts: 198
    Who puts more ABS on as standard equipment?

    Isn't it interesting that the same people who have tried to use the Montana as the standard for Aztek results are claiming the Escape results are meaningless. Sounds fishy to me.

    And the source of information for those programs wouldn't happen to be..... Mercedes.
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