I currently own a 2004 Pontiac Aztec myself And I only paid 500 bucks for it And when I found it it was sitting in a field for 3 1/2 years and it only had 132,000 miles
I have never seen one with the painted cladding. Looks very nice. I remember when they came out and yep, they were ahead of their time. Nice to see others starting to appreciate these vehicles.
Yeah, I think they are finally getting some appreciation they deserve. It really is a pretty nice looking vehicle in person, and I've always heard from those that owned them that they were actually pretty solid cars to drive.
What a beauty of a ride. Ahead of its time and clever in so many ways. From the heads up display, roller cart in back, built-in cooler, rear audio controls, built-in air compressor and a tailgate that features cup holders. 🔥
Indeed! It really was an innovative vehicle! SO much thought went into its design and interior. The exterior styling doesn't even look out of line with today's crossovers and SUVs.
In 2020 I bought a beautiful white 2002 all wheel drive GT from the original owner for $1200. Had the nice 5 spoke 17” alloys, 10 speaker Pioneer stereo system, the roll out cargo tray, mattress and tent. I put a ton of miles on it, sold it with about 300k KM on it, bought it with about 240k. Had to replace the ac compressor and condenser, alternator, fuel pump and the last straw was the crank position sensor that had left me stranded. Comfortable, great vehicle to daily drive, tons of cargo room. I’d buy another nice one in a heartbeat.
Tesla Cybertruck has a Tent package. When I saw that I said big deal. Pontiac Aztek was doing that in 2001. These were way ahead of their time! IT's the perfect ride for Gen Z!
That's great! I just bought a 2001 Green one with about 140,000 miles on it. I love the yellow ones. Ideally I'd like to find one like the press car spec: Yellow 2001, but with the GT leather interior!
I remember thinking that they were so hideous back when they were introduced. But, now with all the automotive changes over the last 20 years, they actually look pretty good. The look at the time was rather odd, but now it appears that the styling cues were ahead of their time.
I agree 100%. That's exactly how I feel about them. I was actually in a General Motors college studio at the time and my professor was on the design team for the Aztek. It was an intriguing car, but I didn't care for the looks. I think it was just too far ahead of its time. It's funny now how so many SUVs and crossovers have similar styling cues.
I loved it when I first saw it on Survivor and bought a 2001 and still own it, including tent, nets & cooler. 23 yo & 141,000 mls. What I’ve never heard anyone ever mention that is an amazing feature is that back bumper. If you were to, as an example, back into a pole at a campground parking lot, the bumper absorbs the hit and the outside of the bumpers slide out to offset the hit. Obviously I did this and everyone who saw it couldn’t believe how the bumper took the hit without any damage or even marks. You’d never know I did it. I’m watching the price go back up & loving it but I have no plans to ever sell, but if I had to…
I have an 04 blue Aztek.. I took the back seats out and made it a car camping where I went from wv to down south and out west 10-15 times with no issues .. now u have a cot with a nice mattress a refrigerator a night stand and plenty of space underneath for my hiking camping gear cooking system etc and still space for my backpack etc . I have had it for 13-14 years now got it with 107,000 miles on it and now it has 290,000!!!
Just like you stayed in earlier in the video, and the Pontiac Aztec was ahead of its time. It’s unfortunate that so many recalls plagued production once they actually started volume selling these vehicles, causing sales to stall. One of the very first time I remember seeing a commercial for this Pontiac Aztec was when it was featured on Survivor, as the winner would be receiving a brand new Pontiac Aztec.
Without hesitation YES I want to see a video interview with your professor. My 2004 Aztek same color was featured on a TH-cam episode of Shooting Cars. Zack Pradel drove all the way from Chicago to Akron, OH check out the review on his channel. I love meeting other Pontiac Aztek enthusiasts.
A good example of beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The front made me think of the dung beetle. Also these cars look like they were driven thru a bridge narrower than the car.
I've got two of them, they're pretty darn good cars. My favorite aspect is watching people lose their $#it about them. Hey dude, why would I want your crossover? You can barely tell a RAV4 from an escape from a Subaru (any model). In another 20 yrs nobody will be putting a CRV in a car show. But they'll walk up on an aztek and go, "Oh, hey! Check this out!"
I agree I been loving this suv since I was 8 years old 😂😂people use to call this car ugly when I use to love it and still do Pontiac Buick caddy and GMC my whips
In 2001 an Aztec was a major prize on an early season of Survivor. The guy that won it sold it. On E-bay, because it's ugly. He didn't even claim the prize for nearly a year.
I did a cross country trip with my friend in his Aztek and it was the worst car I’ve ever been in. During a fuel stop in Kansas the wind blew both doors open and wrenched them off of their hinges and we had to bungee the doors closed for the rest of the trip. The AC fried and it was the flimsiest and crappiest car I’ve ever experienced. I wouldn’t give $500 for one.
Haha...WOW. Now that sounds like a terrible road trip! I'd love to interview you about this. Would you be up for a video chat to talk about this experience? I'd love to put this story on the channel!!!! Send me an email to hello@originalmotorcar.com and let's set something up!
I love the two Aztek's I've owned, a new one from '01 until '07 and one I still have that I bought in 2020. The design of the hinge pillar is one of the weak links of the Aztek. Like happened to you, a gust of wind or even letting your door swing open if you're parked downhill will pull the hinge mounting area outward and cause your door to no longer fit correctly. The other weak link is the rust hiding under the cladding that can go unnoticed until it is too late. Even the beautiful Aztek featured in this video shows the tell tale signs of major rust creeping up from the cladding just below/behind the fuel cap pocket. Even when these were shunned by the public for their looks when they came out, I didn't care because I couldn't see it when I was driving and the interior layout and driving position/comfort especially with hud was one of GM's best. I speak with experience since I had a career in automotive repair so I have driven almost every make and model of car on the road for the last 40 years.
That sucks dude, I kinda wanted to laugh, but that sucks dude! My dad and I drove mine cross country and didn’t have to get a hotel once! Did great in the ice/snow (front wheel drive) and between the space of the interior and killer Pioneer sound system we didn’t want to kill each other. Maybe your next Aztek trip will blow the doors off in a better way!
I am still in the camp that these things were UGLY 24 years ago and my opinion is still the same. BUT if GM would have put the 3800 supercharged in it they had in the GTP Grand Prix, Buicks etc this thing coulda been fun instead of the 3400
I guess beauty is an eye of the beholder. I thought they were a little far out for the time, but they’ve really grown on me. I do agree with you about the supercharged v6. A 3800 supercharged engine would have really unlocked the Aztek’s potential!
That is Hilarious!! I used to think they were so UGLY! Now I like them -- so weird. 3400 great motor!! Looks better than 90 percent of SUVs today that all looks the same from the front -- like a ninja mask - Toyota, Lexus , Blazer....sooo boring! puke!
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
I currently own a 2004 Pontiac Aztec myself And I only paid 500 bucks for it And when I found it it was sitting in a field for 3 1/2 years and it only had 132,000 miles
I just pulled my 2003 out of a field myself for $500 😅
❤❤❤❤❤My husband and I each have Azteks , and we LOVE them. His is an 01, yellow base model and mine is an 03, silver base model.
I just made a video on Azteks! I hope you check it out. I really want to see these things become cool! Liked them ever since they came out
I have never seen one with the painted cladding. Looks very nice. I remember when they came out and yep, they were ahead of their time. Nice to see others starting to appreciate these vehicles.
Yeah, I think they are finally getting some appreciation they deserve. It really is a pretty nice looking vehicle in person, and I've always heard from those that owned them that they were actually pretty solid cars to drive.
Only 2001 had the grey cladding. All 2002-2005 models were painted.
I have had a 2002 Yellow and now a 2003 Black Aztek, we enjoy it.
What a beauty of a ride. Ahead of its time and clever in so many ways. From the heads up display, roller cart in back, built-in cooler, rear audio controls, built-in air compressor and a tailgate that features cup holders. 🔥
Indeed! It really was an innovative vehicle! SO much thought went into its design and interior. The exterior styling doesn't even look out of line with today's crossovers and SUVs.
In 2020 I bought a beautiful white 2002 all wheel drive GT from the original owner for $1200. Had the nice 5 spoke 17” alloys, 10 speaker Pioneer stereo system, the roll out cargo tray, mattress and tent. I put a ton of miles on it, sold it with about 300k KM on it, bought it with about 240k. Had to replace the ac compressor and condenser, alternator, fuel pump and the last straw was the crank position sensor that had left me stranded. Comfortable, great vehicle to daily drive, tons of cargo room. I’d buy another nice one in a heartbeat.
I wish Pontiac was still around. I think the Aztek could make a revival in today's crossover craze.
Tesla Cybertruck has a Tent package. When I saw that I said big deal. Pontiac Aztek was doing that in 2001. These were way ahead of their time! IT's the perfect ride for Gen Z!
Haha. Great point! The Aztek was kind of like the Cybertruck of its day!
I'm the original owner of a yellow '02 model. 440,000+ miles.
That's great! I just bought a 2001 Green one with about 140,000 miles on it. I love the yellow ones. Ideally I'd like to find one like the press car spec: Yellow 2001, but with the GT leather interior!
We use to make fun of these all the time, now I want one lol
You should get your professor on.
Thanks for the comment! We're going to try and get an interview arranged!
Me too
I remember thinking that they were so hideous back when they were introduced. But, now with all the automotive changes over the last 20 years, they actually look pretty good. The look at the time was rather odd, but now it appears that the styling cues were ahead of their time.
I agree 100%. That's exactly how I feel about them. I was actually in a General Motors college studio at the time and my professor was on the design team for the Aztek. It was an intriguing car, but I didn't care for the looks. I think it was just too far ahead of its time. It's funny now how so many SUVs and crossovers have similar styling cues.
I loved it when I first saw it on Survivor and bought a 2001 and still own it, including tent, nets & cooler. 23 yo & 141,000 mls. What I’ve never heard anyone ever mention that is an amazing feature is that back bumper. If you were to, as an example, back into a pole at a campground parking lot, the bumper absorbs the hit and the outside of the bumpers slide out to offset the hit. Obviously I did this and everyone who saw it couldn’t believe how the bumper took the hit without any damage or even marks. You’d never know I did it. I’m watching the price go back up & loving it but I have no plans to ever sell, but if I had to…
That’s great! Send us a picture. We’d love to see it! Shoot us a pic to hello@originalmotorcar.com!
I have an 04 blue Aztek.. I took the back seats out and made it a car camping where I went from wv to down south and out west 10-15 times with no issues .. now u have a cot with a nice mattress a refrigerator a night stand and plenty of space underneath for my hiking camping gear cooking system etc and still space for my backpack etc . I have had it for 13-14 years now got it with 107,000 miles on it and now it has 290,000!!!
Just like you stayed in earlier in the video, and the Pontiac Aztec was ahead of its time. It’s unfortunate that so many recalls plagued production once they actually started volume selling these vehicles, causing sales to stall. One of the very first time I remember seeing a commercial for this Pontiac Aztec was when it was featured on Survivor, as the winner would be receiving a brand new Pontiac Aztec.
Without hesitation YES I want to see a video interview with your professor. My 2004 Aztek same color was featured on a TH-cam episode of Shooting Cars. Zack Pradel drove all the way from Chicago to Akron, OH check out the review on his channel. I love meeting other Pontiac Aztek enthusiasts.
Very cool! We’ll check that out! Stay tuned for the video with the GM designer. Hopefully we’ll be able to record that this summer!
A good example of beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The front made me think of the dung beetle. Also these cars look like they were driven thru a bridge narrower than the car.
Definitely an interesting look. I applaud GM for trying something drastically different though! This was when a crossover was a new concept.
I still have a moog front bearing for my old aztek sitting in my garage, brand new 😂. Wish i wouldnt have sold the car
Haha. Yeah, I have some parts too for cars that have since moved on. Makes you wish you had them back!
I've got two of them, they're pretty darn good cars. My favorite aspect is watching people lose their $#it about them. Hey dude, why would I want your crossover? You can barely tell a RAV4 from an escape from a Subaru (any model). In another 20 yrs nobody will be putting a CRV in a car show. But they'll walk up on an aztek and go, "Oh, hey! Check this out!"
I should buy one of these
It's funny how some cars are a jock when they are new. They stop selling and a few years later everyone wants one. Hmmmm
People are funny.
I agree I been loving this suv since I was 8 years old 😂😂people use to call this car ugly when I use to love it and still do Pontiac Buick caddy and GMC my whips
I would like to hear from the design team on what they had to change from the concept to production.
We’re definitely planning more Aztek content, including interviews with some of the designers.
In 2001 an Aztec was a major prize on an early season of Survivor. The guy that won it sold it. On E-bay, because it's ugly. He didn't even claim the prize for nearly a year.
Yeah it’s crazy how poorly it was received when it first came out. They’ve really grown on me though!
You couldn’t even give those away when new amazing how times have changed
I like one
Yeah, they really are very cool cars!
I did a cross country trip with my friend in his Aztek and it was the worst car I’ve ever been in. During a fuel stop in Kansas the wind blew both doors open and wrenched them off of their hinges and we had to bungee the doors closed for the rest of the trip. The AC fried and it was the flimsiest and crappiest car I’ve ever experienced. I wouldn’t give $500 for one.
Haha...WOW. Now that sounds like a terrible road trip! I'd love to interview you about this. Would you be up for a video chat to talk about this experience? I'd love to put this story on the channel!!!! Send me an email to hello@originalmotorcar.com and let's set something up!
I love the two Aztek's I've owned, a new one from '01 until '07 and one I still have that I bought in 2020. The design of the hinge pillar is one of the weak links of the Aztek. Like happened to you, a gust of wind or even letting your door swing open if you're parked downhill will pull the hinge mounting area outward and cause your door to no longer fit correctly. The other weak link is the rust hiding under the cladding that can go unnoticed until it is too late. Even the beautiful Aztek featured in this video shows the tell tale signs of major rust creeping up from the cladding just below/behind the fuel cap pocket.
Even when these were shunned by the public for their looks when they came out, I didn't care because I couldn't see it when I was driving and the interior layout and driving position/comfort especially with hud was one of GM's best. I speak with experience since I had a career in automotive repair so I have driven almost every make and model of car on the road for the last 40 years.
@@bdybybb The fatal door pillar design is a deal breaker for me. It’s a POS.
That sucks dude, I kinda wanted to laugh, but that sucks dude! My dad and I drove mine cross country and didn’t have to get a hotel once! Did great in the ice/snow (front wheel drive) and between the space of the interior and killer Pioneer sound system we didn’t want to kill each other. Maybe your next Aztek trip will blow the doors off in a better way!
So you left your doors open in a wind storm ?
Got it.
This car was also I think family guy
HEISENBERG LIVES!!
I am still in the camp that these things were UGLY 24 years ago and my opinion is still the same. BUT if GM would have put the 3800 supercharged in it they had in the GTP Grand Prix, Buicks etc this thing coulda been fun instead of the 3400
I guess beauty is an eye of the beholder. I thought they were a little far out for the time, but they’ve really grown on me. I do agree with you about the supercharged v6. A 3800 supercharged engine would have really unlocked the Aztek’s potential!
Breaking bad
Say my name!
Turbo the 3.4 or swap a 3800 sc into it .
That is Hilarious!! I used to think they were so UGLY! Now I like them -- so weird. 3400 great motor!! Looks better than 90 percent of SUVs today that all looks the same from the front -- like a ninja mask - Toyota, Lexus , Blazer....sooo boring! puke!
Ugly for the year 2000, but it fits right in with all the other 2024 models.