The golden rule in vehicle styling is that if a designer can’t create a vehicle that is achingly beautiful, it should at least look inoffensive. Pontiac achieved that goal on many occasions but was lampooned when it released the Aztek. Everybody had an opinion about its appearance, and few people had a kind word to say. This 2003 Aztek is an interesting vehicle. It is a one-owner survivor with 49,000 miles on the clock, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting it listed here on Craigslist in Post Falls, Idaho. The Aztek could be yours for $9,999.
Released for the 2001 model year, the Aztek was built on a shortened version of General Motors’ generic minivan platform. It is hard to believe that the styling was performed under the watch of Tom Peters, the man who later led the design of Chevrolet’s C7 Corvette. The two areas that are most often criticized are the nose and the rear side windows. The former isn’t elegant, while the latter almost looks like an afterthought. Built in 2003, this Aztek was ordered in Light Spiral Gray. It still presents impressively, with no matte areas or signs of patchiness. The panels are straight, and the plastic shows no evidence of physical damage or UV deterioration. The glass is clear, and the alloy wheels are free from obvious physical damage.
Designed to seat five people, the Aztek’s interior had some clever design features. If owners moved the back seat out of the way, the Pontiac could carry impressive, bulky loads. The bottom half of the tailgate featured molded seats and cupholders. Owners could head to the dog park, drop the tailgate, watch Rover run amok, and have somewhere to sit their skinny decaf soy latte. Our featured car’s interior is in good condition, with no evidence of wear or mistreatment. The seats and other upholstered surfaces are excellent, and the pale carpet looks surprisingly good. It should also be quite comfortable, courtesy of the air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, and an AM/FM stereo CD player with wheel-mounted controls.
Pontiac adopted a “one size fits all” philosophy to the engine powering the Aztek. It selected the “LA1” V6, with a capacity of 3,350cc and power and torque figures of 185hp and 210 ft/lbs. All cars featured a four-speed automatic transmission, with our featured vehicle equipped with the optional “Versatrak” all-wheel-drive system. That doesn’t make the Aztek a genuine off-roader, although it copes with harsher territory than many of its competitors. This one-owner classic has a claimed 49,000 miles on the clock, which we must take at face value due to a lack of documentation. Although not stated specifically, it appears to be a turnkey proposition.
The Aztek represented an almost unique moment in automotive history. Pontiac enjoyed a reputation for designing some automotive icons, but stylists were let off the leash to produce a bold, daring SUV that commanded attention. They succeeded, but not in the way that General Motors hoped. Sales fell far below expectations, which is a shame, because the Aztek wasn’t a bad vehicle. It could easily have slipped into obscurity, but its starring role in the TV series “Breaking Bad” suddenly made the Aztek cool with a certain group of people. The seller’s price is extremely competitive considering the odometer reading, but do you think that people will be able to look beyond the quirky styling to appreciate this competent SUV?
Walter White special. Newly replaced windshield :^)
Being forced to use the minivan’s tall cowl instead of the specific one the concept had ruined it.
I’ve long wondered if it would’ve looked and sold better if they went with the W-body sedan cowl height, or would that be seen as a “station wagon” by the target market, poison at the turn of the millennium.