2001 Pontiac Aztek consumer reviews

Is the Pontiac Aztek a VERY UGLY DUCKLING or a BEAUTIFUL SWAN w/ a real bad heart?? Hard call... The first time I saw this vehicle I was unimpressed with its exterior, but when I climbed in one to take it for a test drive I was amazed at the interior design. Turn the ignition and the whole dashboard lights up with a red glow and you suddenly see speed, radio station and volume, and more displayed on the windshield in front of you. Once you get the car out on the road is when the real beauty shines through. This car is a wonder to drive. It feels like you are in a giant SUV its so roomy, the cargo space is like a mini-van, but this sucker drives like a luxury car and turns like a compact. Now, I have never ran into a more problematic engine compartment in my life. From, after researching, I have found that these are all 1-time problems. Meaning that GM should of done it right the first time. Within the first 20k miles expect to replace the pass. rear wheel bearing(the replacement part seems to last for over 100k miles without problems), then you will loose AC due to a condenser that sits right up against a sidewall and gets worn through(when you order the new cond. they send you an adapter that moves it 2 inches away from the sidewall), right after this it will run hot ... your intake manifold gasket is leaking, the factory ordered replacement gasket lasts just about forever. Now, at about 35,000 miles your gas milage drops, this is due to a bad gas cap that is suddenly letting air into the gas tank and somehow affects you milage ...(the new one that you order is much better and will last a lifetime). I have to say, I wish that GM would just do it right the first time. BUT after you FIX IT, it is a great running vehicle and it drives like a dream. Overall, my hair DID go gray within a 5,000 mile period. But, before and after that , the vehicle has been very very reliable and the drive is such a pleasure that it is sure to help you let go of your work stress by the time you get home. I would buy one again but I would either A.) buy one that has at least 50,000 miles on it to make sure the kinks were worked out, OR B.) buy one with very few miles and send it immediately to a shop to have ALL of the above listed problems fixed before they ever show up.