The GM crossover that was ahead of its time
Not only was the Pontiac Aztek a sales flop for General Motors in the early 2000s, but its haphazard design made it the butt of countless jokes in the motoring media and in car enthusiast circles. Fast-forward to 2008, though, and the maligned crossover’s image got an unexpected lift from a brilliant piece of car casting—it was the protagonist’s car of choice in the hit crime drama series, Breaking Bad.
Today, the Aztek has developed quite a cult following, and if you want a cheap crossover that looks nothing like anything else on the road today, an amazing example of the Pontiac has just popped up for sale.
Related: GM Design Heritage Archive shares concept sketches of the Pontiac Aztek in happier times
Ultra-Low Miles and Eye-Popping Paint
2003 Pontiac Aztek Cars & Bids
According to the listing on Cars & Bids, this particular Aztek is a 2003 model owned by one family, and there must surely have been other cars in the household, as this crossover has logged just 5,200 miles. As if the Aztek’s bizarre styling isn’t enough to draw attention, this one is finished in Aztek Yellow, but the bright shade somehow suits the Pontiac.
An accident-free Carfax report and ownership in the warm California climate are other reasons for this Aztek being kept in pristine condition. A 3.4-liter V6 engine motivates the Aztek, and it produces 185 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Power goes to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission.
This particular example is equipped with both the Comfort & Convenience and Luxury Appointment groups, adding equipment like leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 10-speaker sound system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and remote keyless entry. A removable center console cooler and sliding cargo tray are among the Aztek’s practical features.
How Much Should You Pay?
2003 Pontiac Aztek
When new, this Aztek had a base price of $20,420, but options pushed that figure up to $25,995.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2003 Aztek has a fair purchase price of just $2,207 today, which reflects what consumers are paying for them currently. However, Cars & Bids lists one example that sold for $7,400 last year, and the high bid for the model on sale now is sitting at $8,000. Given the crossover’s cult following and this yellow example’s extremely low miles, we would not be surprised to see bidding surpass $10k by the time the auction concludes on November 10.
Many believe the Aztek was ahead of its time, and there has been renewed interest in this quirky model in recent years. Like Walter White—the conservative chemistry teacher in Breaking Bad who became a feared drug lord in the series—the Aztek has undergone quite a dramatic image transformation of its own. It may not be a fundamentally good car by any means, but it stands out more than ever in a sea of generic crossovers.
