Pontiac Aztek
nanaofbeasties
Member Posts: 2
in Pontiac
Today I pulled into my driveway, put the car in park, and turned it off. Now I can't get the key out of the ignition, none of the lights will come on, and the engine won't even crank. For about the past year I have had no lights on the gear shift indicator, dim lights on the radio, and half of the dash lights have been out. Also, sometimes the car shifts out of park very hard, occasionally requiring me to turn it off then on again. A little while ago the lights on the radio quit all together. The other day I had to have the starter and the battery replaced. This has been a very dependable vehicle up until just recently. The car has a little over 160,000 miles on it. The fuse under the dash hasn't blown. The vehicle does have the built in anti theft system and stuff too.
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Pontiac Aztek - II. Please continue these
discussions here. Thanks!
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
Anyway, we love the Aztec but have been getting sidetracked with the Mazda Tribute (which we know is like the Escape but we're not interested in the Escape) and maybe even a higher end car instead of SUV (SRV).
I read through most of the posts from the previous Aztec posts and most of the negatives I saw concerned styling. Is there anything with the interior, engine, handling, etc. that anyone has really had a problem with? The more I see the Aztec the better I like it but I know it's a strange bird off the bat with its looks.
Also, are you at least seeing the mpg listed for it?
Despite the GM literature, there is still ambiguity as to whether the safety cage/platform has been improved crashworthiness-wise. Only crash tests can prove or disprove this.
Good luck with your decision!
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
Escape/Tribute is nice, but I'd be concerned with a multitude of quality problems they seem to experience.
Look and shop around. My personal favorite is Subaru Forester, and yes I own one ;-)
1. The lack of safety and crash test results.
2. The potential for poor re-sell value since so many people do not like the looks. And,
3. Any brand new model has the potential for bugs that will not be ironed out until it's been on the market a few years.
I ordered a 2001 Subaru Forester last week.
I am a big Subaru supporter and am hoping to get into an upcoming 220+hp Imreza WRX wagon when my Passat lease is up in 3 years. (maybe sooner!)
Thanks for the invite.
Concerning a new Pontiac sport wagon due in 2003 to be called the Vibe, it "will have a cleaner look, ditching the garish outside plastic cladding other Pontiacs often have."
"Pontiac has gotten out of the gate slowly with its current youth-oriented vehicle, the Aztek sport-ute, which missed its August sales target."
According to one dealer, "Its a good vehicle, its just ugly."
Photo caption: "The Aztek: So far, simply resistable."
In the interest of fairness the Escape/Tribute have had nearly a half-dozen recalls, for steering control, a/c, cruise, fuel lines, etc. Haven't heard of ANY recalls on the Aztek.
Maybe someone should do a serch for recalls on the Montana when it first came out. Was that 2 years ago? That way you could make a fairer comparison vs. Escape/Tribute as far as recalls are concerned.
Stephen
In a Washington Pontiac dealer's Aztek ad:
"Practicality Ain't Pretty"
is the caption under a Aztek photo.
UGH-GUH-LEE
I would like to see Pontiac's demographics as to WHO is buying the things. Is the Aztek a "chickmobile" everywhere, or just in certain areas? And what is making these women buy it? It sure isn't "cute", is it??? Where are all the lunatics buying them coming from?? I wonder if it's a VIRUS, or something in the water. So far,I show no signs of this illness. I hope I am spared. If my girlfriend starts liking it, I know it's something catching. She really hates it so far. She did have a Gremlin 30 years ago though.......
The their production lead time is generally 8 - 10 weeks.
As far as the "floaty" handling: it's a matter of opinion, probably most strongly influenced by what you've been driving previously. I find the handling to be great -- nothing like a minivan -- but my last 3 vehicles were all SUV's. Most of the reviews I've seen have praised the handling.
The interior is fantastic. This is what primarily sold me on the car. The seats are extremely comfortable and put you up high. The in-dash CD player is one of the best I've seen. The big handles are really cool and, of course, there is TONS of room in the back.
Basically, in regards to all of these points, if you're interested, I'd take a test drive. You'll be able to tell pretty quickly how you feel about it. I've had mine for over 2500 miles and have had absolutely no problems in regards to handling, engine or interior (or anything, for that matter).
By the way, due to time constraints and what I've perceived to be a deterioration in the level of dialogue on this board (and an amazing increase in off-topic conversations), I probably won't be hanging out here much in the future. If you're looking for me or want some specific information from owners, check out the egroups "Aztekowners" mailing list -- we're up to almost 70 members now, all either owners or people intending to buy in the near future.
Floridian
That's about the funniest thing I've ever heard.
I wonder how many AMC Pacers were sold here, or
Yugo's sold...Anybody know ???
I think I would look for a support group too if I owned one. I can see the commercial now.
Hi, my name is Steve and I,...uh.....I..er..uh...
group: It's OK Steve, go ahead and just let it out
Ok, I drive an Aztec
Blahhhhhhhhhh!
I really would like to know if this area is an Aztek "hive" or it's just my bad luck to see so many! I wonder who will be driving the Buick "Rendevous". My guess is old men wearing hats with the little feather on the side. They are truly the most dangerous drivers on the road!
What happens to old men that make them wear hats when driving? (Baseball type hats don't count!)
Barry
BTW, all the Aztek billboards around here went down lately. A couple of them got replaced with Haloween "scary" ads, which I find ironic.
Of the 2 local Pontiac dealers, I have seen a total of ONE on the lot.
I live near Dartmouth College and the Mary Hitchcock Hospital and Dartmouth Medical School in what is commonly referred to as the "Upper Valley" right on the NH/VT border. A very affluent area with a giant influx of young families. I would have thought that my area was exactly the target demographic for the Aztek... but I've seen none on the roads.
Just to tie this post to the thread....I still have my eyes peeled for an Aztek sighting!
We have a ton of pickups too, this being farm country and all.
I have noticed that the Subaru Outbacks and Foresters, and the Honda CRV's seem to be the choice of young, families in need of AWD around here. Isn't this the market that the Aztek is supposed to be invading???
It really is kind of sad.
If Pontiac thinks this is what "cool" is they are pathetic.
Their new 'youth' attempt reminds me of a 56 year old guy who buys some hair dye and makes his hair and eyebrows pitch black and starts wearing half buttoned rayon shirts. Hey sport- you just look like a dork.
That was on the way home from work yesterday. I went someplace yesterday afternoon, I parked my truck, and went in. When I came out, there was a white one, driven by a 30 year old woman with two little kids pulling into the sopt next to it.
And last, I saw a red one driven by what looked like a 12 year old girl, but I'm hoping she was sixteen.
I THINK I HAVE FOUND THE MAIN NEST!!! Tell the army, air force, etc...It's Toledo! Oh the humanity!!!Oh god, I am blind, my eyes!!
Actually, I am in Central VT, right on the NH border.
I'd love to hear the sales figures for the country thus far. Last I heard was 1,400 from the WSJ article two months ago.
Gonzo: Ok, check, no Azteks in Scottsdale, AZ either (dealers not withstanding).
-Frank P.
How's this for informative.... I thought the Car & Driver article that sporin refered to actually gave the Aztek a pretty good review. Of course, as he also pointed out, the Forester bested it in every area but one (cargo room). :-)
-Frank P.