The Pontiac Aztec

Kinja'd!!! "Jonathan Hays" (K5Blazer91)
09/09/2013 at 01:27 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!1 Kinja'd!!! 20

You know, I hate to say it and hate even more to admit it, but I think the Aztek was just built a little too ahead of its time. Had it been produced today, I'm not sure it would have been universally considered the ugliest car ever in a land of Cubes, Jukes, Lincoln MKwhatevers, and XBs. Perfect example: this later model year Aztek with a LS transplant, which I have to admit doesn't look that bad.

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Disclaimer: I would never want an Aztek, nor would I ever recommend one, but I'm not sure it deserves quite the bad rap it has received over the years.


DISCUSSION (20)


Kinja'd!!! For Sweden > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 01:29

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You can also buy a Buick Rendezvous, which is still ugly, but not apocalyptic ugly.


Kinja'd!!! D > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 01:29

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I remember this being posted before and the consensus was 'awesome'


Kinja'd!!! Jonathan Hays > For Sweden
09/09/2013 at 01:30

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Exactly, they're ugly, but they're not horrifically ugly.


Kinja'd!!! Jonathan Hays > D
09/09/2013 at 01:30

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I'd drive it, the wide body looks pretty awesome on it.


Kinja'd!!! Firewrx234 > For Sweden
09/09/2013 at 01:31

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Honestly, I think it's just as bad, if not worse because it's bland and ugly. At least the aztek was edgy.


Kinja'd!!! AddMustard > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 01:32

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Nuke the site from orbit, it's the only way to be sure...


Kinja'd!!! GhostZ > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 01:32

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Someone made a thread about the similarities between the Volt and the Aztek's design.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/the-public-nev…

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You'll see my thoughts on it from the comment there.


Kinja'd!!! D > For Sweden
09/09/2013 at 01:34

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You cheated by not showing the back end

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Kinja'd!!! Squid > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 01:36

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If the Aztek didn't have all of that horrible ABS plastic body cladding, I'm sure it wouldn't be terrible. But an Aztek with an LS in it is an Aztek I can get behind just for the pure "you just got beat by an Aztek!" opportunities that are bound to happen.


Kinja'd!!! Jonathan Hays > Squid
09/09/2013 at 01:38

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I believe the later model years had the option of being cladding free, after looking up this particular Aztek above (a 2005 supposedly)


Kinja'd!!! CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 01:39

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If it had recaro seats all over, alcantra all over, a sweet Bose system, carbon fiber, rear wheel drive/AWD, land rover traction control/suspension control system, very good suspension (automatic or knob controlled), carbon fiber to lighten it up, and led lights, IT WOULD BE AWESOME


Kinja'd!!! PlayerWAN > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 01:43

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Aztek SS. Definitely would DD, and potentially track.


Kinja'd!!! The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > PlayerWAN
09/09/2013 at 01:51

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Aztek *GXP*


Kinja'd!!! SPNKiX > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 02:55

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i get the feeling that in person it looks about 1.25 scale and weird.


Kinja'd!!! McMike > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 07:53

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I would rock one.


Kinja'd!!! Chteelers > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 08:04

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This dorkmobile? Yeah, no.

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Kinja'd!!! Jayhawk Jake > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 08:31

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I've been saying that for a while, I think the design has aged well. That's not to say it's a good looking car now, but it doesn't look any worse than any other SUV on the road these days.


Kinja'd!!! AbigGRNboot > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 10:02

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My wife owned one when we met. It was the worst car I have ever been associated with. It was kinda of ugly, but I could live with that. Here is a list of what really made it bad:

- Driving position was high and awkward (think Chrysler mini-van)

- Pontiac torque steer

- Build quality was abysmal (buttons/switches fell off everywhere)

- Cheap parts (look up Aztek Christmas Tree dash)

- No room for a tool to work on anything (even if he tries real hard.)

- Brakes were crap

- Steering was numb

- Visibility was terrible

-Plastic body armor is never a good idea on a car (the exception being the Vehicross :-)

That said, the one up top is awesome.


Kinja'd!!! Jonathan Hays > Jayhawk Jake
09/09/2013 at 12:08

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My thoughts exactly, it's not a classic, but it's not the worst thing on the road.


Kinja'd!!! Jayhawk Jake > Jonathan Hays
09/09/2013 at 12:44

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Of course, being featured on Breaking Bad didn't hurt.