Pontiac Aztek ; issues/things to look out for ?

[earlyre]

So my buddy, who has the vibe in my sig, is going to trade vehicles with his younger(~20ish) brother. his Vibe, while still running like a top, is fast approaching 200k mi, and was clearly in a wreck before he got it, and slapped back together in a "that'll do" way.

his mom offered to trade him her 2003 Aztek(she's the orginal owner). She took a 4 year job posting in Alaska back in sept. 2013. since she left, her youngest has been driving the Aztek,
Last i knew (2 years back), it was in the 130k mi range.

apparently mom has had it gone through, and had everything they found fixed, but i don't know what all was found/fixed.

I know they were notorious oil leakers, but so far, this one has never left spots, or puddles on the concrete driveway.

 

[saginawmale50]

people will point at him while he is driving down the road and snicker

 

[clinebarger]

Keep the Vibe (Toyota Matrix)...Same running gear as a Corolla.

A 130,000 Pontiac Aztek.....Run Away...They are not easy to work on, Which will it will need soon.

 

[hansj3]

The trans was overworked in those if I remember. I'm sure the intake gaskets have been done but they were common. Electric gremlins were common too in the higher mileage cars

I'd keep the vibe for its toyotaness personally, but if the Aztec was gone through and he really likes it then I guess.....

 

[simple_gifts]

Yeah, not easy to work on; my friend had a Rendezvous and his mechanic did close to $1000 of debugging and labor (electrical) and then asked my friend not to ever bring it back.

Quote:

issues/things to look out for


Your friends seeing you drive it? I understand it is quite the snow machine however; might be worth having as a conversational piece.

 

[zach1900]

Your eye sight.

 

[sciphi]

Basically it's a GM minivan from the same era. The 3400/4T65 drivetrain isn't the most reliable in that vehicle due to the weight it's dragging around.

 

[zray]

Originally Posted By: saginawmale50
people will point at him while he is driving down the road and snicker


^^^^^^

The biggest problem with them is that they have been awarded the ugliest car award from several different car magazines. The lines and proportions are just indefensible. Even the cube cars look better.

Z

 

[Vern_in_IL]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Basically it's a GM minivan from the same era. The 3400/4T65 drivetrain isn't the most reliable in that vehicle due to the weight it's dragging around.


If his "20ish" Brother is single, he should nob be driving a "kid hauler" van.... unless it's all he has left.

 

[addyguy]

The intake manifold gaskets will go on that vehicle, it is right in the year range for that.

If they have never been done, be sure to budget for it, and if you don't, good-bye engine.

Not worth it on a 12-year old vehicle.

 

[joegreen]

you should sell it for $50.

 

[KzMitch]

Not to pile on here, but the Aztek has been referred to as one of GM's worst.

 

[Number_35]

Originally Posted By: joegreen
you should sell it for $50.


Well played!

And after that, buy a new Chrysler 300.

(Any other Breaking Bad fans here? Walter's Aztek is iconic; I expect that Azteks will be snapped up as cult classics.)

 

[Nick1994]

Tell him to keep the Vibe, my mom has a 2003 Buick Rendezvous (same car)

It's actually been a pretty good car but I would run as fast as I can. Intake manifold gaskets, power windows, transmissions, all big trouble areas. Also terrible on gas and terrible to work on such as changing the air filter, thermostat, and spark plugs. They're also TERRIBLE on gas.

My moms even been driving it with a blown head gasket for the past 2 months or so.

 

[dishdude]

Breaking Bad completely changed the image of the Aztek. Paint it the same color as Walter's and put one steelie on it.

 

[OneEyeJack]

Don't let anyone kid you about the Aztec. There's something to be said for driving a theft proof vehicle.

 

[earlyre]

thanks for staying on topic people. I/we know it's been on all kinds of ugliest/worst lists, but that's not what we are talking about now, is it?

there are those of us who have always liked them.(well before braking bad) just quirky enough, but mechanically main stream (it's basically a minivan after all) and extremely practical. I've been amazed at how much stuff we've been able to move in it over the years.

i don't get a vote in this, the decision is already made.
it's not really a trade up/down, but a lateral move.

 

[daves87rs]

BIL has an 2004.

Tek been pretty much flawless in it's 140k. And it's got all it's updates as well.

If the truck was cared for, should be fine....

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: KzMitch
Not to pile on here, but the Aztek has been referred to as one of GM's worst.

A real chick magnet.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: KzMitch
Not to pile on here, but the Aztek has been referred to as one of GM's worst.

A real chick magnet.

not much of an issue in this case.
he's been with his Boyfriend/Fiancee for about a decade.(same sex marriage not legal in OH yet)