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Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
With the price decrease comes a decrease and change in available options. Things like an overhead entertainment console will become available soon, while other things will go away.
Another said reported changes to the 2002 Aztek are addition of a top rear spoiler, 17" wheels and tires, less body cladding, and cladding to be painted the same body color. It's to look closely to the modified Aztek used as a pace car in the Daytona 500.
The 4200 DOHC Vortec is a 6 in-line engine, not a 'V'.
I would hope that GM will drop the 3800 Series II V6 under the hood of the Aztek and Rendezvous to increase the HP to 200 or 205HP and of course offer better off the line torque and response.
A 3800 V6 is more realistic than the 4200 Vortec.
Will the 90 degree 3800 V6 fit on the U-Body platform? Any GM insiders would answer that?
What I am considering are the BF Goodrich Scorcher T/A tires. P245/55-17 for the front wheels and P255/55-17 for the rear wheels. I do not want to mix tire sizes. What I like are the bigger tires for all four wheels, but I am not sure if the P255-55-17 will fit the front wheels.
What's the weight of an Aztek with and without the Versatrak?
Has anyone considered putting in a seat in the cargo hold? I've seen seats like those in catalogs. Is there room for an adult to sit upright in the back?
You will need:
Sunny sky or flashlight
Torx (sp?)head screwdriver
Then:
Pop the hood
Locate black plastic mask behind headlight assembly under the hood (attached to front metal fascia). Assembly has a round hole about the size of a quarter (maybe a bit bigger). Same plastic mask is on both sides. It is almost directly in corner where front fascia meets front fender.
Peer down hole with ambient light or flashlight to locate adjustment screw (torx head).
turn lights on stationary object (garage door).
turn screw to achieve desired effect.
I know I owe you instructions on the fog lights, but I didn't want to go crawling around out there tonight. Remind me in a day or so, as I have the weekend off and will check that out too.
Keep us posted and send the bulleting number if you can get it.
Thanks!
The only change I'd like to see is maybe a bit higher ground clearance. Not for off roading, but curb hopping. That's the joy of parallel parking in an SUV. Parking it I worry about grounding out sometimes. An inch or two would be really nice. Actually, does anyone know how to do this? Sounds like it may be cheap, but does it void warranty? More than the tires I'd appreciate an inch of ground clearance. And what is the point of the plastic plate on the underside of the front bumper? That one I'm really curious about because it seems like it's just something hanging down to get crushed.
Thanx again.
Door sticker on our FWD GT (with tow pkg) says:
GVWR: 5037 lb
GAWR - FRT: 2667 lb
GAWR - RR: 2370 lb
Owner manual says many things:
1. Consider using a sway control if trailer is 2000 lb or less. You should always use a sway control if trailer is more than 2000 lb.
2. No towing during 500-mile breakin period.
3. Use Third, not "D" when towing.
4. Trailer should never weigh more than 1400 lb with up to five vehicle occupants on board, or more than 2000 lb with up to two occupants.
5. If vehicle has the optional factory tow package, the vehicle can tow up to 2900 lb with up to five occupants or up to 3500 lb with up to two occupants.
6. Next comes a disclaimer, "even that may be too heavy". This is for the nincompoops who try to drag a 3000 lb trailer four miles along a sandy beach at 50 MPH (my words not theirs).
7. Hitches: if a weight-carrying hitch (ie simple "bumper" hitch), the tongue should weigh 10% of total trailer weight. If a weight-distributing (ie unibody-mounted receiver) hitch, tongue should weigh 12% of total trailer weight.
Hope that helps.
Here's a point to make. The sticker on my Aztek was at or over $32,000, invoice at about 28,700 and TMV of about 28,000. I meant it when I said every single option. I paid $26,900, meaning I saved over 5k off sticker. The first dealer I went to was only willing to take 1k off the sticker and it was on a 5k dollar cheaper model(mine minus rear captains, trailer towing, block heater, puncture sealant uniroyals, leather heated seats, etc). The dealer I bought from would have thrown in a hudred dollar or so sport package, but I opted not to take it since I had no use for wind deflectors or a big aztek decal.
April 12 of this year, I bought a yellow Aztek GT AWD. The sticker was $30,390, invoice at $28,078.
After weeks of comparisson shopping and hard bargaining, I found a dealer who agree at $378 below invoice purchased price. Making it $2,690 below MSRP. This was how the deal went thru,
Sticker-----------------------------$30,390
Discount----------------------------$2,690
Negotiated price----------------$27,700
Licensing(transfer plate)------------$65
Sale Price + Registration----$27,765
NYC Sales Tax--------------------$2,290.61
Total price-------------------------$30,055.61
GM rebate---------------------------$1,500
GM card earnings-----------------$5,435
Takeout price---------------------$23,120,61 Camping package is free.
At the time I was looking for a good deal, the GM rebate was $1,500. Now I heard the rebate is $1,000 plus $2,000 cash back. You are in a much better position now, than when I did it back then.
$5400?
Good Lord...
I'm unable to find a trailer wiring T connector for my Aztek. Does the Montana T connector work for the Aztek?
I've been using the Transport bike rack. It takes twenty seconds to load two bikes, I like that. The tailgate can not be lowered with the rack mounted, but the window can be lifted.
Dan
As for my Rendezvous, its a Pewter CX model and we replaced a Ford Windstar with it. The 3rd seat option is great and I wish it were an option with the 'tek. We love the ride and have had many favorable comments on it. We drove to Miami and never saw one last month. Kinda made me feel like I had robbed a preproduction mule. Overall it is definitely a unique vehicle, juat like its older brother the 'tek.
A
I have a CXL with Versatility, moonroof, heated seats, and memory seat/mirror option.
Look forward to hearing from you.
P.S. I saw a woman driving a brand new black Aztek GT today and I must admit, black is very complimentary.
I took my Aztek to the dealers the day after the service engine soon light came on. The light actually came on about a month and a half ago and that time they said there was a hose that came loose under the hood.
I didn't get a service bulletin number, but I will ask when I pick it up. The service rep. did say that when he talked to Pontiac they said it is a problem with Azteks build around a certain time. I believe mine was built in October or November of 2000. I'll try to get as much info as I can when I pick it up. They have to ship a fuel tank from Mexico and let's hope this is a good one.:)
What happen to the other forum?. I was out of town for a week. When I came back, the forum you "founded" is frozen.
Aztek owners whould go to Pontiac's website and write them asking for a site comparable to the Grand Prix's. We deserve news, updates, recall information, warranty information, online scheduled maintenance, live chat with owners and professional staff, and an accessory store. Most automotive sites don't even list the Aztek as a car to search for model specific parts.
Anywho, their idea of an owner site is just not acceptable. I love Pontiac, but their website doesn't hold a candle to the other GM sites. GM has very nice sites with tons of info, but pontiac has very little and most is outdated or doesn't work. Go to Chevy, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC and then go to Pontaic and it's like going from Corvettes to Metros.
Maybe I'm comparing apples to oranges... but I also have other issues with Hotline. First - why should I have to INSTALL anything to connect? What if I access the web from a school or company computer after hours, and cannot download/install? In contrast everyone has a browser so can hit edmunds.com. Second, there are a lot of confusing signup and register dialogs to deal with. It is never clearly explained why I should "register my Hotlink Software".
Once during the first (and ONLY during the first) install of Hotline, I got a dialog saying " call 1-877-GOAZTEK with your VIN to get a password for the owners-only section of the site". I did - and they were mystified there as to what to tell me. Finally they called back a few hours later and gave me a username/password, but now I don't get the dialog anymore in the software! I even tried reinstalling the Hotline client software. Phooey.
Someone really sold Pontiac a bill of goods in making this monstrosity a part of Aztek marketing. The Aztek web site would have much more positive impact if Pontiac would simply clone everything available for Grand Prix owners and offer the same for Aztek folks.
noastar - the Hosts shut down the "ugliest" forum section on 8/24, making a comment along the lines that "it had run its course". I agreed - there was nothing new happening there. I am glad this forum section still has new, distinct facts and opinions being posted. Thank you edmunds for hosting.
More later after I disassemble the sucker (it a freakin quest now).
I started up the engine and heater first thing then jumped back under the covers to wait for the heat to appear. I noticed my feet getting warm. Suddenly I realized it was the air vents in the rear of the console, blowing hot air on our feet! So I kicked the blankets over the vents - and our whole bed was flooded with a blast of hot air! Wifey just loved that, since she is always colder than me due to poor circulation. She was impressed. Of course you have to be safe when doing this due to exhaust toxicity and heat. Never run it for extended periods and I also always double-check that the tent is not fouled on the exhaust pipe when erecting tent.
The other thing we have discovered is the awesome comfort of the Aztek's back seat. Normally I don't gush about the back seat of a car... but here are some reasons to with an Aztek:
1. Hip and shoulder room. We have two toddlers in their little seats. I (5'10', 165 LB) find that if I nudge both child seats over to their respective doors, I have more than enough hip and elbow room to sit comfortably and even use my laptop without undue interference. This is great for preventing wild behavior and starvation among the little ones.
2. I have seen comments about the issues some have with reachability of the rear-door cupholders. I have found a simple solution - using the mesh netting on the rear sides of the front seats instead! Toddler sip-cups, open soda pop cans, capped or uncapped water bottles, all fit just fine and stay vertical with a little attention paid upon insertion/removal.
3. Reclining rear seats - very comfortable on long trips! Even with our two child safety seats (both of which reclined gracefully and safely as well). Reclining also increases rearward visibility for driver, since heads of rear passengers are lower when reclined.
4. Flat, wide floor, plus the flat top of the cooler makes a nice footstool for a middle rear passenger, driver permitting.
5. Tinted glass reduces glare and increases efficiency of operations for those with laptop computers.
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I'm glad you like your tent, but I advise against the engine and have to agree with steve. The exhaust system is in contact (or according to directions is in contact) with parts of the tent assembly and gets hot enough to melt through the nylon material. Very bad due to fire, fumes, and cost. Also it's very dangerous to risk even a 5 minute exposure to a closed area of carbon monoxide. You may think you're okay and a few minutes later be sound asleep (from the effects) and the engine would still be running!
Just want to make sure you and the wife are safe so I'd advise against trying that one again. If you must do something like that try my tent idea with a closed hatch and a tarp over the top to cover the side windows. This way nothing would be on the exhaust and the windows are far enough away that your exposure to fumes would be minute. Actually by screening the rear windows and using a tarp to cover them you'd be able to run both A/C and heat if you wanted. Just make sure your hatch is closed.
mykem1, thanx for the info. I went out to check and see if I could find the screw you were talking about and I did (that was kinda cool how someone on the net told me!). I wonder if the one you told me about is vertical or horizontal. Since I know so little it's cool you're curious enough to figure it out for me and kind enough to let me know.
One last question before my car goes in for its checkup tomorrow. I can't remember if anyone told me this one. Is the switch for the sunroof illuminated? Just want to make sure they fix everything while it's there.
Thanx,
G'night.
Not to unduly minimize the risk of CO poisoning, which is monumental - but today's (2001) vehicles have drastically lower CO emissions than that of the 1972 car mentioned in the article. And I hope no one is camping in their garage....
Everyone must decide for themselves what is safe in their case. In ours, I stay in the driver's seat while doing a little 'warm-up' before we retire in the Aztent, then shut off engine before even touching the bed. In the AM, with our family and our four-year old, chances of anyone falling back asleep anytime after one of us moves is nil. Hunger quickly overtakes desire for sleep. And the Hotbed becomes too warm to stay in after a minute or so anyway!
noastar - thanks for your concern. But maybe you and I install the tent differently, since mine has never contacted my exhaust pipe and in fact is always snug against the bumper. PS - no illumination on our sunroof switch.
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve or Drew, Do you guys know why i have to post my message about 10 times before it actually takes?
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
There's not much else conversation going on in here lately so I don't think anyone minds the CO discussion. All good to know safety tips anyway:)
Steve - Thanks for the info. I'm thinking now of putting a regular household 9V CO detector in the Aztek! The square tab accumulator types are helpful but too silent...
Aztek car care update: Today, I did something I would never do to any vehicle but an Aztek! Dry-wiped it! I've known for years that dry-wiping a painted surface scratches the heck out of it. Well today we took the Aztek and kids to the beach and it was a little dusty when we got home. I had a damp towel from drying off my Formula after washing it. I thought - why not? I discovered a damp towel does a great job of cleaning all the plastic cladding on our Aztek in about 45 seconds!!! NO scratches (obviously I did not wipe the painted steel surfaces). Try that on your Mercedes...
No flaws on the cladding either.
See our perfect paint at:
www.mwshowgo.com/kermit/index.htm
One note is that I keep it ungaraged, hence all the cleaning.
No problems with fading clading either, though I worry about the cladding since I have no clue what to treat it with. I'm afraid armorall, being designed mainly for use inside a car, would wash off after the first rain.