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1. True good taste in styling never goes out of style: Examples: Porsche 911, Ferrari 356, or a more sedate sedan such as a VW Passat/Jetta Mercedes S-class, nearly any BMW. Very few people would say these are ugly cars, and none of them have changed a tremendous amount over the years in terms of the way they look.
2. understatement is good: excess flamboyancy is not . Pontiac seems to make cars with all show and no go. Think about it-- Does the Aztek really handle like it looks like it would (should)? It it really cutting edge in terms of technology and efiiciency? Or is is just an easy sell to the eye of the buyer who wants to be noticed?
3. what's going on with the tent? Can the "active lifestyle people" who buy one not sashay their steroid fueled buttocks out to a store that carries camping gear and buy an tent separately? How silly! That's a very mild term for it, really!
4.It looks like a child's toy, but not in a good way. So does the VW Beetle, you might say, but it was based on VW's own very original old-school Beetle. People loved those cars for good reason! The Beetle is rounded and still manages to look refined.It also is very unique in terms of offering 3 engine choices, including a turbo-gas or turbo-diesel. The Aztek looks like it doesn't fit together , somehow. It looks frumpy and ugly, no two ways about it as I see it. Yet it still seems kind of generic, a fate shared by most of Pontiac's cars with the exception of the soon -to be -killed Firebird. That's it, Pontiac--kill the only cool car in your lineup!
5. I hate the Aztec, (as if you didn't know).
Which begs the question, why are you on a Aztek Owner's Club message board then? The only obvious reason is to Troll.
Lighten up! The Aztek will forever illicit strong feelings on either side of the issue. If you can't deal w/this then you have no business owning an Aztek.
Stephen
To the rest of the Townhall population, it still looks like the "Aztek" folder on the SUV message board.
True "clubs" exist on Yahoo where folks can join and also get kicked out by the club founder or other members. If you want sanctuary, that's the place to be. If not, then this is the place to discuss the Aztek, good or bad.
I agree about the "Sanctuary" of the Club - that's kind what I had in mind. I come to THIS posting to read all the Positive AND negative posting. If there truly was a problem with someone's Tek in the club though, I'd want them to post it in the spirit of Information sharing - not so much "I like it" or "I don't".
<< http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/pontiacaztecowners" >>
Nope, wasn't me. When I want to express my negative view of a product, I'll back it up with personal insight or verifiable facts. And since I spent three hours last week at my Pontiac dealer (was in for service work) getting re-acquainted with the Aztek, I've got a doozy of a post coming here that many Aztek owners won't want to hear.
Glad you agree with me on the Yahoo Clubs. Most nay-sayers do respect the fact they are clubs and stay out. Edmunds is wide open, which can be a good and bad thing at the same time.
See the reason I bought the AZTEK was that I could find no other vehicle with the array of features the AZTEK GT offers.
1. Pure Comfort (compared to Xterra / Pathfinder)
2. Driving position and command of road. Again compared to Xterra/Pathfinder. (I did this during shopping...... after buying the AZTEK......... 6 months later I bought a Nissan Sentra SE. One condition of buying the Sentra........ The sales guy took me out in both the XTERRA and Pathfinder.) Let me tell you......I'm happy I own an AZTEK over those two other vehicles.
3. Features Bells and Whistles....... far outclass Xterra, Pathfinder, CRV (vehicles that were on par...... Honda Odysey & Sienna)
So I bought the versatility of the AZTEK........ Living with the vehicle daily has only enhanced the enjoyment.
Those who hate it...... Good for you!! Does it bother me..... not in the least......cause those who use the vehicle have loved it!!
; )........ Vive La Difference!!
I absolutely agree with you. It literally is a dumping ground for various GM technologies (I mean that in a good way), but at the same time it's disjointed. More to come...
Steve
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Drew
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Drew
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Steve
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What have you done to get restitution from GM. Are you in the USA or Canada. Let me know. I've come to know quite afew people at GM as a result of my luv of the TEK.
I would be glad to offer any help.
Rick
let me know!!!!
Not that I don't believe you......... It is remarkable. I have not heard of any complaints. If you are in Canada I know the Brand manager I could help.
; )
What a bummer. Have to take mine back. Got a notice that the BCM will need to be reprogrammed. Something about some gyrations will kill the battery after a couple weeks. No big deal.
Mileage?
Got home from a 1200 mile trip, got 27 mpg according to trip meter. Any other vehicle with this kind of room get anything close?
For all who own and love their Aztek, You better love them for a long time. There is a small market out there for this vehicle. With Pontiac making changes ( and I don't particular care for the looks of the 2002 ) and also lowering the price the resale value does not exist.
I know because I traded mine in and the dealer called a Pontiac dealer who said he would only give about 12K for it because he can't sell the ones he has, and that the factory gives him a rebate on new ones that's somewhere around 5K. I am not knocking the Aztek, my wife was sorry to see it go. I never had problems with it, except it came with black door handles on the right side and red on the left.
I too just got a letter about taking my Tek in to have the computer adjusted so the battery turns off under certain conditions. In order to fall victim to this problem - you would have to NOT DRIVE your Tek a full week according to this letter. No big.
PS. Tony - I was just joking when I asked if YOU were the one who made the "pee on tires" comment! ;-)
Re: the crash test ratings, I thought I would share what happened to me last night. I was driving home in Tek and I got tired and asked my boyfriend to drive. About 20 minutes later, we come around a bend and in the middle of the road stands a large deer. My boyfriend hits the brakes and swerves to its butt-end, and the stupid thing turns around and WHAM!!!! runs right into the passenger side. We pull over and I am dreading getting out. The dogs are in the back freaking
out. We get out and don't see any major damage, but it is dark and we can't see much. So, we drive another 15 miles to the nearest well-lighted parking lot and pull in. On the passenger side, back door, you can see where all the dirt is rubbed off. There is deer hair all over the side, including being embedded where the cladding meets the metal, and there is deer snot/spit all over the door. BUT - much to my surpirse - NO DAMAGE AT ALL! Not dented, not scratched, not even slightly bowed. Needless to say, I was extremely happy! Another thumbs up for Tek's quality as far as I'm concerned!!
Thx JEN for this example of the TEK's solid construction. I'm sure you are wearing the
; ) ............. Tekkers Smile!!!!!!!
Steve
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sorry all you aztek haters but aztek is unique and in a class of its own. just a note to other owners locking gas cap not yet available but hope one comes along soon let me know if you have any luck customer service no help Steve in his arctic white aztek in pa
Well, I'm an Aztek owner and I'm still waiting to see it. If you really do have information about the vehicle, good or bad, share it with us. If there are problems I want to know, and I'm sure my fellow Aztek owners feel the same way.
You're one of our favourite bashers on this forum. If you actually have some facts to back up your problems with the vehicle let's see it.
That's what happens when you buy something different from everything else out there. If a potential purchasers top priority is resale value he/she should buy something safe like a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, or any one of a hundred cookie-cutter look-alike vehicles. On the other hand, if you're looking for something fun and different, I think it's worth taking a chance that you may not get top dollar if you're looking for an early trade.
Since most people don't trade their vehicles for at least 3 years, it's the long term that will tell the story on the Aztek. While I'm pretty sure it won't take off with the masses, it just might eventually find enough of a niche market to provide a decent trade-in value. If not then at least we had the enjoyment of driving a cool machine (at least in our eyes).
Hey geochem, if you're in the Pacific NW, the Everett, WA Pontiac dealership has about 10 Azteks on the back lot. Might be able to get a good deal if you call them.
Hope this helps.
A few hundred posts ago I described my astonishment at the $40,800 sticker on an Aztek. Alas, the puke greener is an AWD and it remains (with a group of others) on the dealer's lot. Soon it will be destined for the Island of Misfit Cars, with the hope that Santa will charitably deliver it for Christmas to worthy people, along with some Kias. Why did the general drop prices in advertisements for the base(?) Aztek to $24,800+shipping (admittedly a reasonable price if you like the vehicle) but keep the AWD at 41,000? Answer: it is the same delusional greed that makes Toyota think they can get 45K (plus taxes, of course) for a loaded Highlander.
Believe it or not, I have a conscious and won't clutter up this board with anymore messages. If you want to read my last thoughts on it go here tonychrys "Pontiac Aztek, Ugliest Vehicle Ever Made?" May 25, 2001 8:03am
People who like the Aztek deserve it.
I purchased an AZTEK FWD GT (silver) in February and have never been happier with a new car. My wife and I love the fact that when we leave the car in an airport parking lot, we can always find it. We love the CD/stereo (premium 10 speaker with 6CD changer). We love the roll out portfolio and the heated seats. We also have the hitching add on, and although I will probably never use it to tow, I like the fact that the upgrade includes a leveler and an air compressor (no more flat tires on the side of the road...or bicycle flat tires for that matter). It handles great. The brakes work well. We have been getting excellent gas mileage for a car this size 26mpg.
All in all a very solid car. And not one real problem. We haven't had the trunk problem. Since I haven't received any info in the mail, I expect that I don't have the battery problem. We have the OnStar that allows us to do the phone thing (maybe someday in the future). We also have the leather seats which I find very comfortable. The only MINOR glitch has been that the information center always shows the gas tank amount to be 1 less than I have used. IE...if I have used 5 gallons, it only says I have used 4. When I fill up the tank, I always end up putting in exactly 1 more gallon than the amount I expect to use. I figure it's a calibration thing, and will ask them about it next time I bring it in.
We have put 5000 miles on it.
Considering that in the past I have purchased 3 cars all NEW and each had at least one or two minor glitches (I will describe below) I am entirely satisfied and thrilled with my AZTEK!
1982 Toyota Corolla : within 3000 miles, I needed a new muffler. The dashboard cracked within 5000 miles (Florida heat and poor plastics.
After 6 years, the seats were cracked and uncomfortable so I traded it in on a:
1988 Toyota Corolla FX-16 : I needed a new muffler within the first 1000 miles. Also two manufacturer defects that I can't remember. I kept this car for almost 10 years. When I could no longer drive it (steering problems that would have cost a fortune, only a prelude to a new transmission (because it was shot) I traded it in for a:
1997 Chevy Cavalier: this one takes the cake:
the carpet had to be replaced twice (in the front) in the first 10000miles. The rear brakes went bad after 120000. The radiator cracked after 4000miles. The windshield had been put in wrong. The ignition was recalled. BUT after all that it became a great car. Hasn't given me a problem since. My wife now drives it.
AZTEKLOVER
I'm kinda looking for a new SUV. Looked at the new Jeep Liberty.....not bad at all! It's smaller than my Jeep Grand Cherokee, but I like the looks of it and it sat very comfortably
front and back.
My car magazine had an article on the Buick Rendezvous. The third seat is a nice feature of which I'm surprised the Aztek doesn't have. I think that will be a big seller for Buick.
Mark
driving an AWD GT Aztek. The engine is just good enough to move the car. The two vehicles use the same powertrain
The Rendezvous is bigger and heavier. Figure this out.
When the Rendezvous is road tested. Most of the time, just two people are in the car. It gives the feeling tha ancient
3.4L V6 pushrod engine is adequate.
Fill up the Rendezvous with seven passengers plus the luggages. Imagine the car going uphill. It's a different story.
With the aging 3.4L V6 pushrod engine, be glad the Aztek does not have the extra two seats.
Granted the Rendezvous is 400 lbs. heavier than the Aztek and Venture, and I admit it is a little less peppy than those vehicles. However, in day-to-day driving, the power difference isn't really noticeable. How much difference do you think 400 lbs. really makes? Put two passengers in your Aztek and it weighs the same as the Rendezvous. I bet that with two passengers, you can't even tell the difference in day-to-day driving.
You said, "fill up the Rendezvous with seven passengers plus the luggages (sic). Imagine the car going uphill. It's a different story." Fair enough, maybe it won't race on up. OK, now fill up the Aztek with seven pass...oops, you can't do that.
Seriously, does a small ADVANTAGE in the 1/4 mile make the Aztek a better car? Maybe for you it does. For me, I would gladly sacrifice a little speed for the added style and capabilities of the Rendezvous.
To paraphrase, someone once said that GM could have scored a home run with the Rendezvous if they had given it a more powerful engine, instead they only hit a triple. I agree. But who's complaining about a triple? IMO, the Aztek is a base hit.
I can't think of a single thing that the Aztek does better than the Rendezvous. In fact, I can't think of any other vehicle that does as many things as well as the Rendezvous for $28,000. Can you?
Drew
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I should have put quotes around it rather then just thanking her.
I like the 2002 as well.
; ).........AZTEKIAN SMILE!!!!!!!!
Is anyone else having the same issue?
Does anyone know if there is an "Aztek Owner's Club" starting? I get the feeling we are gonna be the next Edsel owners. And I don't mean that in a bad way, we're just the only ones that 'get it'.
Someone in a yellow Aztek passed me in my red one yesterday. We just looked at each other, grinned and nodded. I slipped in behind him and we cruised like that for a couple of miles before I got off the highway.
Must have been quite a sight for all the non-'tek owners.
Enjoy your new 'Tek!