My brother-in-law is looking at acquiring a Pontiac Aztek. Before I go any further, I think we can all agree on the ugly styling, so I don't need a whole whack of comments regarding that.
Aztek's were produced from 2001 - 2005, and didn't sell very well. It's cousin Buick Rendezvous was produced 2002 - 2007, and sold much better. They share the same platform.
While the Aztek is often included in the worst cars ever made, the comments come from the ugly styling. The question I have is: How were they mechanically and electrically? From what I can gather, the 2001 Aztek's had some electrical issues, but after that I really don't see any negative comments on the mechanical & electrical systems.
Does anyone here have any experience with these?
-- Edited by seventy2plus2 on Sunday 6th of January 2019 11:50:14 PM
They had the typical GM hub issues from time to time (bearing failure). Parts are cheap and they are easy to replace. I remember doing a few control arms for bad bushings. The drivetrain was pretty much the same as the Montana.
I had a Chevy Venture van that I bought new in 2004.
Krown rustproofed every year, and the body held up fine for the 200+km, 12 years and Ottawa winters that I owned it.
Was likely the most comfortable vehicle I have had for long trips.
Have to watch for rust on all of these.
If it has been well maintained should be pretty good.
3.4 V6 had some head gasket problems, mine was fine.
If the price if right, go for it!
The trannies are expensive to work on, check that out closely, fairly big job to remove them on the fwd.
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63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
I have heard they are pretty great vehicles;
I have also understood that once they started painting the bumpers (remeber when GM was penny pinching and putting bumpers on cars without paint - this was the worst offender).
There was a superb article in smoke signals about a year ago on them;
The article seemed to underscore how Pontiac was probably a bit too much ahead of the curve on this one because it was essentially a compact-crossover before there was even a crossover market - and all the positive features of the cars.
I do believe that there was also a buyers guide of sorts saying what problems they might have, and what to look for.
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
great minds must think alike im looking for a awd version from 2005 out here in the west, as far as problem motors had issues like no power to haul 4000 pounds of van around , then the head gaskets and intakes that leak. im just going to put a s10 drive train under it .
