TFL Pontiac Aztek Chronicles: The Cost of Keeping It On the Road [Video]

2001 Pontiac Aztek Report

In the more than three months that TFL has owned its Pontiac Aztek with 193,000 miles on it, we’ve learned a thing or two about it. Tommy and Michael go over all the gremlins still afflicting the original crossover — like when you flick the turn signal to indicate a right turn the high beams come on, and GM’s peculiar spelling of the word “gauge.. But they also go over the good stuff, such as its bomber transmission and silky smooth ride.

Overall, for the $1,500 TFL paid for the Aztek, it’s in good shape. That wasn’t always the case though. The previous owner, who bought it straight from GM after its duty as a press car during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, passed along 11 years of service records for this vehicle.

Among the pricey repairs: a new head gasket (a known issue with the 3.4-liter V6 from GM, control arm replacement). In total the dude spent $11,805 to keep this Aztek running. That pencils out to $1,160 a year, which is not a small sum.

Perhaps the most amazing find? This crossover is still on its original brakes, at least according to the paperwork TFL has. And that Tommy has developed a soft spot for the GM family hauler as his go-to choice for a daily driver.