The Surprising Saga of the Car Nobody Wanted!

95 years ago to this day, David Buick, the founder of Buick Automobiles, passed away in considerable obscurity.

What’s fascinating is that David Buick created the valve-in-head design, leading to the revolutionary overhead valve engine, plus many other developments. Yet, we don’t associate Buick with technological breakthroughs, but we owe a lot to him. RIP, Mr. Buick.

Key Takeaways

Don’t have much time? Here’s the summary of what we’re talking about:

KERN’S CORNER: This car, once envisioned as a revolutionary SUV to kickstart a new era for General Motors, was a textbook example of good intentions gone awry. Its story teaches us how corporate decisions and market misjudgments can lead to one of the most controversial cars in history.

BEST AND WORST: In our quest for efficiency without breaking the bank, we've identified the top hybrid cars under $15K. This list not only offers insights into finding vehicles that are kind to both the environment and your wallet but also highlights the importance of making informed choices in the ever-evolving automotive market.

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW: For the off-roading enthusiasts considering a lift kit, we delve into how such modifications can affect your vehicle's handling and ride quality. This section emphasizes the balance between enhancing off-road capability and maintaining a comfortable driving experience, reminding readers that every modification comes with its trade-offs.

NEWSBITES: Keeping up with the latest in automotive news, we've gathered essential updates including Tesla's unexpected market movements, the revelation of the greenest cars of 2024, and debunking popular car myths. These snippets underscore the dynamic nature of the automotive industry and the importance of staying informed in a rapidly changing landscape.

KERN’S CORNER

What car made you say: I wouldn't take it as a gift?

I look back at those days in the early 2000s and ask myself: did I really think frosted tips, baggy jeans, and Abercrombie & Fitch shirts were cool? Yes, yes, I did.

It was a crazy decade, and not just for fashion statements. Cars also went through a revolution. Maybe, it was the desperation generated by two financial crises. Perhaps, we believed that cars, like everything else, needed to make a statement.

One car summarizes the craziness of the "turn of the millennium." Like a New Year's party, its reveal was pure chaos. The product head marketer, Don Butler, jumped into a massive crowd and crowdsurfed while everyone cheered.

It was supposed to be revolutionary, and, to a point, it was. Hindsight is 20/20, but many people agree. This car was ahead of its time.

Now, the numbers might not speak wonders. We've come to expect a 3.4L V6 producing 185 hp, AWD, and tons of cargo room from an SUV. But, back then, it was completely new, not only because of its performance but the entire package.

Of course, we're talking about the Pontiac Aztek (and its even more forgotten cousin, the Buick Rendezvous. Yes, that Buick that Tiger Woods promoted). The twin SUVs were bound to create a new era of automotive identity and save General Motors in the process.

The idea made perfect sense, in theory. Take a Camaro and a Blazer, both pillars in the GM lineup, and mix them together.

The result would be a tall, sporty SUV that could take you anywhere you wanted while carrying tons of stuff and with a tent. Not only that but the looks, oh, the looks! Everyone would turn their heads.

Then, corporate got involved. It's always those corporate fellows. They decided the Pontiac Aztek should be based on minivan platforms instead of the Camaro or Blazer.

Why? Well, there was a time when we loved minivans. I know. Those were crazy times, but that's what happened. Instead of a versatile and fun SUV, we got an ugly minivan with less cargo room. A killer combo, if you ask me.

Road and Track recalls that the Pontiac Aztek was so ugly, controversial, and misunderstood that respondents in a focus group said: "I wouldn't take it as a gift."

Don't you love when corporate gets in the way?

Still, that didn't slow down GM, and in 2001, the Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico began producing them by the thousands. Literally.

The problem was, nobody bought them. GM expected 75,000 units sold and needed 30,000 to break even in the first year.

Sales were a measly 27,700. The following years were just as bad, and the Aztek never reached 30,000 units. The price didn't motivate buyers. At $21,500 for the cheapest one in 2005 ($33,000 today), it's not like it was an ugly, impractical bargain. It was just only ugly and impractical.

The final 69 Pontiac Aztek units were sold off in 2007, though production had ended in 2005. Pontiac's legacy was so damaged that many blame the Aztek for the company's demise. (Don't forget about the Sunfire). But the 2008 financial crisis also had plenty to do with it.

Ironically, the consequences of the Pontiac Aztek's strange luck remain. The Ramon Arizpe plant in Mexico retooled itself to work on another “massive” hit: the Chevy HHR.

As for the Aztek, its popularity soared after the premiere of Breaking Bad, where Walter White drove one. We should've known how the series played out if we had studied the car's history more.

The idea wasn’t bad. In fact, plenty of storage is always good, but it never translated to real life.

So, is there something the Pontiac Aztek is good for? Yes. That's what this article is all about. If you ever need to sleep in your SUV, perhaps the Aztek is your answer.

BEST AND WORST

Here are the best hybrid cars under $15K

Do you want to get more miles per gallon? Then, you might be considering a hybrid car. If you don’t know which one to choose, explore our list of the top hybrid cars under $15K.

See which models deliver on value and efficiency. Find your next eco-friendly vehicle without breaking the bank.

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW

Does a lift kit affect ride quality?

If you want to do some serious offroading, a lift kit is one of the first modifications to do. Those extra inches help avoid rubbing the belly and teetering over boulders.

However, changing your ride’s height could impact its handling and ride quality. Read more to find out how different lift kits can affect your ride!

NEWSBITES

Every week, we scour the web for the most essential news. Here’s what you need to know this week:

• Musk said Tesla cars would rise in value but, instead, this happened

• Mind blown: these are the ten greenest cars of 2024, and number one isn’t an EV

• Here are the dumbest car myths debunked