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I have to tell you, Aztek was not even on our list. We only went to the Pontiac/GMC dealer to look that the Envoy (which my wife didn't like because it reminded her of the blazer).
Anyway, we drove the GMC Envoy, Chevy Trailblazer, Jeep Liberty (cute! but too small), Ford Escape (and it's Mazda counterpart), Subaru Forester, Buick Rendezvous, and a Mitsubishi Montero sport.
While waiting for the salesman to get the tag for the Envoy, I hopped in an aztek and could not believe how roomy it was and how comfortable the seat is (i'm 6'1" and 240 lbs).
I asked my wife to try it and she felt the same way. After getting back from a test drive on the Envoy and crossing it off our list, we asked to drive an Aztek. This has to be the most comfortable riding car..umm..SRV in this price range.
We asked for some numbers and since my father retired from GMC, we are able to get the GMS price.
We ended up getting a white aztek GT with most options including the leather seats, rear radio controls..HUD, onstar...etc.... The dealer even threw in the camping package (although it wont be in until Thursday).
They also "lost" the remotes (Thursday as well for that) and the radio came in from the manufacturer wrong (no CD player...OOPS), but we are assured that it will be in Thursday as well.
Neither of us initially cared for the exterior looks but after driving it and enjoying the spacious interior (wife LOVES the reclining rear seat) we both feel that it makes up for it in handling, performance and comfort.
Acceleration from 0 to 60:
Acura MDX - 8.5 sec.
Lexus RX300 - 8.8 sec.
Mercedes ML320 - 9.0 sec.
Infinity QX4 - 9.1 sec.
Pontiac Aztek - 9.2 sec.
I remember not too long ago that 0-60 in ten seconds was something of a milestone for sports cars. My 1979 Alfa Romeo Spider did it in 9.5 seconds and it was a thrill!
2002 V6 Explorer - 9.0 sec
Honda Odyssey - 9.2 sec
Lexus RX300 - 9.0 sec
I am beginning to see a pattern here. The Aztek performs just as well as the imports with high-tech, multi-valve, vvt engines.
My point? Most SUV's and minivans strive to break the 10 second 0-60 barrier. It is a benchmark that has been reached and exceeded by all the manufacturers, including Pontiac. The Aztek's performance compares well with other SUV's. No more bashing the horsepower or low-tech drivetrain allowed!
Would I rather drive the Aztek or an RX300? Of course I prefer the Lexus. But if you like the looks, the Aztek will give you a lot of vehicle for your money and you can keep $10,000 in your pocket.
Further.. you seem to be the only Aztek owner with these problems. What are you doing with the thing, driving it through swamps??
A lot of what you are saying sounds odd.
Also if could be helpful to Aztek owners if when someone posts with a problem if they could include the last 5 digits of their VINs so others could see if there cars are near in production sequence.
Because my wife wanted one. At first, I flat out told her no, but you know how well women listen to that word. I wanted her to buy Xterra.
Your right dindak, my wife must have done something terrible to it, like drive it for 5000 miles. Only 50,000 more to go before I will need to replace the tranny. American cars are awesome!!!
Montanafan:
Why should I check out the Toyota boards when I have owned 2 Toyota’s myself? Toyota’s are great cars. The worst Toyota is still 10 times better than the best American car.
The new brand manager seems to be a bit more realistic than the previous.
It is an SRV, not SUV. How often do people use their 4 wd? And how rarely is ground clearance a factor in their driving? One study shows that less than 1% of SUV / 4 wd owners ever really use their 4wd capability.
It is the MOST Versatile Vehicle on the Damn Planet short of the Hummer - and I know the Hummer very well. After I got out of the Ranger Battalion, I was in the HTTB (High Technology Test Bed) that tested it, the dune buggy and several other vehicles.
Fifth, it is economical. My actual mpg (not off of the system computer) is 21.9 mpg city and 30.8 mpg highway. The city mpg was calculated several times and averaged. When driving to and from work and about town.
while highway mpg was similarly extracted from actual gas useage on the highway to and from Baltimore Md from PA and also to and from Pittsburgh and Massachussets. Then averaged.
It is reliable. Since October, have had no problems, and have over 15,000 miles accrued.
It is pretty well powered for what it is. See prior posts regarding 0-60 times.
All of you out there that bash the vehicle and their owners are wrong to solely base your opinions on how you think it looks. But that is your perogative.
For Details, e-mail Aztek@nni.com
Too Bad!!
; )...... Me Aztek Smile!!
thanks
rbitdog
CWJ
rbitdog
I understand your strong support of Toyota. All you have to do is look at the Edmunds boards to see people with great amounts of pride and joy for their cars. See them defend their brands. Just like in any other part of our lives. Anywhere you see American/Japanese, CM/Ford, or Toyota/Pontiac you could substitute Red Sox/Yankees, Coke/Peps, or Beetles/Stones (Red Sox, Coke, Beetles).
In 1999 CM built 8.3 Million cars worldwide and Toyota 5.4 Million. So over 5 years it could be safe to say CM 30 Million+ and Toyota 20 Million+. You have owned 2 of those 20 million Toyota and now 1 of those 30 million Ms. My point in suggesting that you look at other boards, is that other manufacturers are capable of building a car with problems.
It was requested before my post and since, could you help other owners by providing the last 5 digits of your vin.
Inside the U.S.:1-800-762-2737
Inside Canada:1-800-263-3777
1-905-644-6624
International Inquiries:1-905-644-4112
They have been very helpful to me when I had problems getting my dealer to order accessories. If you explain the situation to them, they will contact the dealer and scare the bejesus out of 'em and I'm sure they will bend over backwards to help you out after that.
Apparently, dealers don't like it when the corporate office calls them with a complaint.
I hope this helps. Please let us all know.
Greg
Montanafan:
I understood your point. It's just that your point was invalid. Since you seem to enjoy quoting statistics so much why don't you research how many problems are reported per 100 GM's as compared to 100 Toyota's. Now that would be a meaningful statistic.
Interesting note here: Why is it that when their is a problem with a GM car, owners/supporters quickly point to the Toyota Sequoia forum to similar "problems" ? The Sequoia has now become the shield of the Toyota bashers to justify their GM product. Well, dream on guys ! FWIW, a large majority of Seq owners do NOT have the same issues as you'll find on the Seq forum. Same can be said for a large MAJORITY of Tek owners here. The Tek, love it or hate it, has had great loyalty and owners have enjoyed owning this vehicle. Plus, it has been relatively problem-free. That is a lot to be said for a Pontiac....
But, not to dissuade montanafan and johncos from their statistical duel. Please go ahead... Love to read the comparisons between Toyota and GM vehicles, on an Aztek forum, no less...
Holding my breath ....
this coming from someone who has never owned one.
Toyota rules!!
It's important to note that although I admire the Toyota for its superior design, build quality and reliability I do not think its perfect. We had a 2000 Toyota Sienna that we traded in on the Aztek. The Sienna made me deathly car sick every time I rode in it.
While I sympathize with your vehicle problems, this statement could not be further from from the truth. Perhaps that is your experience, but it's not reality.
Stephen
:-P
There are people who have owned Pontiacs and have had ZERO problems with them. Then, there are people who have owned Pontiacs (like the fellow above) who want to get rid of theirs because it is garbage. The same can be said for toyotas, chryslers and every other make out there. I suppose you could even find a person who owned a 1987 hyundai who had no problems. BUT...
Because 10 or 20 people on a message board are reporting no problems with their azteks does NOT in ANY WAY indicate it is either a problem-free OR problematic vehicle. NOBODY should look at the posts on these boards and come to the conclusion that ANY vehicle is good, bad or other. If you REALLY want to find out if it is reliable, check out consumer reports. While many like to "flame" that magazine, their method of gathering information is fair and honest. Owners are sent question sheets and MUST provide their VIN numbers as proof of ownership. Questions are asked about problems, dealer experiences, likes, dislikes, etc. and the data is posted. I have used them for years and have ALWAYS found their data to be damn reliable. Unfortunately, it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE to know whether a car like the new Aztek is reliable or not because it hasn't even been on the road a year yet so no legitimate data exists. Therefore, for somebody to post that Johnco is "very unlucky... All other owners seem to be having great luck with these Azteks" is nothing more than one person's OPINION and should not be considered in any way fact. Heck, there are only 47 Aztek owners listed here at Edmunds "Aztek owners site" and 55 total at the two Yahoo Aztek clubs so their opinions are HARDLY a fair representation of what the other 14,000+ owners may be experiencing nationwide. Also, anyone posting that "all Pontiacs are crap... so is the Aztek" is also speaking off the cuff. If you are SERIOUSLY concerned about reliability with the Aztek, wait a year until data is collected on the first year models and see what is reported.
As for the back and forth over "Toyota vs. GM" and the references to the Toyota Truck...
As a whole, just about every report on reliability out there consistently rates Toyota and Lexus vehicles as the most trouble free on the road. I have yet to see a Pontiac in Consumer reports listed as a best-buy or with data showing the competing vehicle at Toyota as being less reliable. If anyone can provide a link that shows legitimate data proving Pontiac vehicles truly are more reliable than Toyotas, I welcome the tip. BUT If you are basing this on a bad experience your brother-in-law had with a tercel in 1992 and the good experience you're having with your new Aztek... well, that's just your opinion again. I want facts. Also, since the OLDEST azteks on the road are STILL under a year old, we can only assume the majority have under 10,000 miles or so (give or take) they have barely been broken in. I'd like to hear from some owners with 20,000+ miles and read their experiences.
Stephen
;-)
Back to the Aztek....
------------
interesting Aztek story..
http://cnniw.yellowbrix.com/pages/cnniw/Story.nsp?story_id=21532509&ID=cnniw&scategory=Auto%3ADomestic
Where can I get a cargo tray, the dealer says they are not available?
Our other car is a Cadillac ETC, but usually is in the garage.
As for mileage, I drive from home to work and back twice a day in the city, and get 20+ mpg and am getting 30+ on the highway.
I speak with a lot of Aztek owners and have found only minor problems, and one paint job problem.
I am the organizer of the Aztek Rally on July 28th in Paramus NJ. Hope to see any of you owners there.
aztek@nni.com
Rally in Kentucky? Next year's rally will definitely head west. I don't yet know how far.
As for owners clubs, you ought to try www.yahoogroups.com where there is an e-mail board that I think is superior!
Again, if you are interested in a rally, check out the one we are having. Pontiac has sent prizes and so might a couple of dealerships.
Aztek@nni.com
Joe
Well, according to the 2001 JD Power Initial Quality Survey, the Aztek came in #183 and rated 208 problems per 100 vehicles, well below the industry average of 147. I'll be the first one to admit that the survey would be more accurate with a larger sample size, but it's definitely more valid than the opinions of only a handful of owners. And yes, they survey actual owners who have to supply a VIN number.
Every other Pontiac model scores higher than the Aztek on the survey.
Sometimes it takes a couple of model years to work all of the kinks out of a new car. And that time should be diminished with the Aztek as most of the kinks were worked out on the Montana, Aztek's big brother.
Test drove a Rendezvous CXL AWD last week. Very nice! While the third row is a bit of a joke (but really, what are you expecting), the vehicle itself is very nice inside and out with great build quality. Anyone who doesn't like the looks of the Aztek should check out Rendezvous.
-B