Aztek

[SuPeRcAr_MaN]

Originally posted by Sean Quinn
It does have an attached barfbag. They seem to call it a tent though...

I actually thought the tent was the cooles feature on the vehicle... and at that time, I didn't mind the front end styling. The back end is just hideous, and I have grown to dislike the front end too. ILike2DriveCars, I was thinking the same thing. You can call this thing ugly, but leave it as that. But to say it is a bad vehicle is incorrect. If this is crap, then so are a lot of other SUVs built by GM.

[GT-R4life]

But seriously though, the look of this thing is enough to keep me from buying it. However, that's just my opinion and if it sells i guess someone must like it (hopefully not because of it's appearance).

[Chris V]

Actually, I went looking at them at the beginning of '02. FOund a yellow one with the updated paint/cladding and the new optional 17" 5 spoke wheels. A HUGE difference over the standard wheels and large flat black lowers. The cars are put together well, and yes, they ARE available in 4WD, not just 2WD. The basis for the Aztek is the Pontial Montana minivan, but the AWD Aztek is almost $10k cheaper than the BASE AWD Montana! And the interior volume and versatility is virtually the same. The rear split hatch is kind of neat, as it's set up for tailgate parties: put the hatch down with the tailgate down, and there are two buttprint indentations to sit on, with the hatch itself being the seat back. The center console is a removeable cooler, which is kind of handy, considering this is supposed to be a camping and outdoor vehicle.

As for the looks, not it isn't pretty. But a lot of us love dune buggies, and science fiction/anime styles. The Aztek blends the two. Sometimes being that visually different is something some of us like. Without resorting to permanent physical deformations of our own bodies, like so many people will do (an Aztek isn't as permanent as a tatoo or body piercing). I'd love to try and do some customizing on one...

I almost bought that yellow Aztek, then got a license plate that said "SO WHAT" But I couldn't get the price to drop $23k from the $25k it was on sale for...

[SuPeRcAr_MaN]

You definitely stated your case. You proved that the Aztec truly is a good vehicle besides its looks... Some people just can't look past that.

[Jimster]

Originally posted by SuPeRcAr_MaN
You definitely stated your case. You proved that the Aztec truly is a good vehicle besides its looks... Some people just can't look past that.

The higher center of gravity means that it is not only more unstable- but not as nice to drive as a Scenic or a Zafira, the Engine is still weak as piss, the interior packaging is clever but not as good asa Zafira or Multipla.

The FIAT Multipla is ugly as sin as well- but people love them- BECAUSE they are the most cleverly packaged, fun to drive and best performimg Midi-MPV's ever- The Aztek could learn from this viechle

[Chris V]

Jimster, have you driven one? Or are you going on theory? I ask this because I have driven one with the optional suspension and wheel/tire package I mentioned. Look at that picture above with that setup. The Aztek is actualy quite wide. The wider tires, combined with the larger swaybars (similar to what IPD does with motorhomes) makes it actually very stable. No, it isn't a sports car, but truthfully, not every vehicle HAS to be a sports car. And for a street car, it's way more than competent (I've been driving cars for a long time, even if the Aztek ins't as good as a modern sports car or sports sedan, it's vastly better than many sports sedans and sports cars back in the day that we still enjoy driving).

The engine isn't that bad. Again, it isn't a drag car, but the 3.4 is pretty torquey, and it has a fairly flat torque band, which makes it very useable in the situations the Aztec is designed to be used in. It feels pretty good driving it. At least from an adult perspective like mine, where I HAVE cars for racing, and don't require every car I own to BE a race car.

[jon@af]

Originally posted by Jimster



The higher center of gravity means that it is not only more unstable- but not as nice to drive as a Scenic or a Zafira, the Engine is still weak as piss, the interior packaging is clever but not as good asa Zafira or Multipla.

The FIAT Multipla is ugly as sin as well- but people love them- BECAUSE they are the most cleverly packaged, fun to drive and best performimg Midi-MPV's ever- The Aztek could learn from this viechle

I can understand your sentiments, but to each their own. Not eveyone likes the same things, as you very well know(not trying to sound like a prick mind you) and it all depends on the person and their preference. So basically, not everyone would choose a Multipla over an Aztek, and not everyone would choose an Aztek over a Multipla.