Author Topic: CD Article: Pontiac Aztek, 2001-2005 (Read 9988 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** May 28, 2008, 10:12:24 pm »

Used Vehicle Review:

Though derided because of its unattractive styling, the Aztek is nevertheless "a fairly versatile vehicle," says Contributing Editor Chris Chase. Reliability issues include engine, transmission, and electrical problems, but as Aztek resale values are "terrible", shoppers can "deal."

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rrocket · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2008, 10:30:39 pm »

My eyes hurt...I feel sick.....

johngenx · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2008, 10:34:08 pm »

It's hideous. Reliability is poor. The only redeeming quality is that you can get one for cheap?

I'll take a pass, thanks. Oh, and speaking of pass, please pass the eye-bleach...

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2008, 11:38:54 pm »

The camp-in-the-back idea is neat, but a) any serious camper will likely want better off-road performance than this offers, and b) any recreational camper is not going to be seen in such an ugly vehicle to have the privilege of having their tent attached to their car when they go camping twice a year.

Who does that leave to actually buy the Aztek? I agree with the review: great idea. Horrendously bad execution...

gottarondo · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2008, 11:49:41 pm »

I like the Aztec's looks!

But then, I drive a Rondo, which seems to bring out some of the same feelings in people...

rrocket · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2008, 12:04:42 am »

^^^^Don't be so harsh. The Rondo is a piece of automotive art compared to the Aztec....

Wolfe · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2008, 12:10:20 am »

Quote from: johngenx on May 28, 2008, 10:34:08 pm

It's hideous. Reliability is poor. The only redeeming quality is that you can get one for cheap?

I'll take a pass, thanks. Oh, and speaking of pass, please pass the eye-bleach...

It's nowhere near cheap enough!

Please pass the eye-bleach over here when you're done with it.

initial_D · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2008, 12:12:43 am »

I know two people with Azteks, ... and they are happy with them. One bought out the lease, the other kept it since new.

xviper · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2008, 12:20:39 am »

The most beautiful Aztek is one that's completely on fire. About the only thing more ugly might be a Trabant:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1658533_1658030,00.html

No, I'm mistaken. A Trabant is better looking.

Quote from: initial_D on May 29, 2008, 12:12:43 am

I know two people with Azteks, ... and they are happy with them. One bought out the lease, the other kept it since new.

Were they old hippies? I've seen a couple of Azteks rolling around my neighbourhood. The drivers appeared to be the hippy, outdoorsy types who really don't care what others think of them and they seem to go out of there way to make everything in their lives look odd. They dress weird. They have odd facial hair (and I'm talking about the women). They home school their children, who sleep with them till they're 12. And they have "save the seals" posters stuck to the rear bumper. They live in the "land before time". Perhaps an Aztek is the only vehicle they see as "normal".

dr_spock · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2008, 12:23:51 am »

What were they thinking when they let it go to market? Did someone get fired for it?

random006 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 29, 2008, 12:26:24 am »

Quote from: initial_D on May 29, 2008, 12:12:43 am

I know two people with Azteks, ... and they are happy with them. One bought out the lease, the other kept it since new.

Well, I guess that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that there's no accounting for taste.

Regardless of the otherwise intelligent thought processes that started the creative journey to the Aztek, the end result of that journey forces me to ask: "What were they thinking?"

Other questions: "What were the smoking (sniffing, dropping,...)?

Thinking Out Loud · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2008, 07:52:24 am »

I remember...in a time before having kids and the time to watch TV...I believe the people on one of the 'Survivors' gave away a pair (?) of Azteks and the winner of whatever the task that day got to sleep in it with somebody else on the island.

And if memory serves, this isn't the first Pontiac with a camping package...my aunt had a mid 1970's H-body Pontiac Astre (anybody remember the Chevy Monza/Vega, Buick Skyhawk, Oldsmobile Starfire?), a small 2 door hatch replaced by the J-body Sunbird the 1980's.

She purchased a custom fit cover for the rear so when the hatch was open you could sleep in it.

Kinda cool. The camping part - Aztek, not so much.

Schmengie · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2008, 05:21:22 pm »

I saw a canary-yellow Aztec just like the one in the pic about an hour ago.

I rushed home for some Gravol, still waitin' for it to kick in...

safristi · « **Reply #13 on:** May 29, 2008, 05:31:54 pm »

I heard the REAL AZtecs threw theirs into a Cenote to appease the GODS AWFUL revenge...............

Cord · « **Reply #14 on:** May 29, 2008, 05:53:25 pm »

Quote

The camp-in-the-back idea is neat, but a) any serious camper will likely want better off-road performance than this offers, and b) any recreational camper is not going to be seen in such an ugly vehicle to have the privilege of having their tent attached to their car when they go camping twice a year.

I always wondered about the practicality of that tent thing. If you are going camping in this thing wouldn't it be full of all your camping gear? So then if you intend to have two people sleep in the vehicle what do you do with all your stuff, just pitch it outside?

xviper · « **Reply #15 on:** May 29, 2008, 06:18:32 pm »

Quote from: Cord on May 29, 2008, 05:53:25 pm

Quote
The camp-in-the-back idea is neat, but a) any serious camper will likely want better off-road performance than this offers, and b) any recreational camper is not going to be seen in such an ugly vehicle to have the privilege of having their tent attached to their car when they go camping twice a year.

I always wondered about the practicality of that tent thing. If you are going camping in this thing wouldn't it be full of all your camping gear? So then if you intend to have two people sleep in the vehicle what do you do with all your stuff, just pitch it outside?

Well, the bears need something to eat, don't they?

mar1990 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 29, 2008, 10:01:18 pm »

Quote from: Cord on May 29, 2008, 05:53:25 pm

Quote
The camp-in-the-back idea is neat, but a) any serious camper will likely want better off-road performance than this offers, and b) any recreational camper is not going to be seen in such an ugly vehicle to have the privilege of having their tent attached to their car when they go camping twice a year.

I always wondered about the practicality of that tent thing. If you are going camping in this thing wouldn't it be full of all your camping gear? So then if you intend to have two people sleep in the vehicle what do you do with all your stuff, just pitch it outside?

I've been wondering a similar thing. What is the point of having the tent attached to the car? What happens during the day, when you want/need to go out exploring, getting supplies, etc, and need to take the vehicle?

wing · « **Reply #17 on:** May 29, 2008, 10:17:07 pm »

There is an Aztecfanclub forum? Ok now I have seen everything!

xviper · « **Reply #18 on:** May 29, 2008, 10:58:55 pm »

Quote from: wing on May 29, 2008, 10:17:07 pm

There is an Aztecfanclub forum? Ok now I have seen everything!

Yeah, it's a SELF HELP and SUPPORT group.

safristi · « **Reply #19 on:** May 30, 2008, 01:37:34 pm »

Geez I'm laffin' so HARD I'm tenting!!!