Aztek HELL and advice.

[seth381]

Where to start ? I do love my Aztek it's a wonderful car love the looks and comfort. But in the six months I have had it I have had so much work done. I put new tires on which doesn't count just needed them, but then the struts needed work. Fast forward two weeks and the alignment or something in the front end seems out of whack so I take it back Front arm control bushings need replaced but also too I need rear knuckles and re-aligned. Smooth sailing for a little then I had cooling issues so a new thermostat and ETC. I went for a long trip last week and I started getting clicking sounds from the front passenger wheel and my alignment is off again. Currently I am waiting for my appointment to get in the garage but another lovely symptom is that going from my decent MPG I am down to 12 mpg and 17 on the highway. I get cars need taken care of. In my bit of unhapiness I looked back to service records from the other owner and never noticed in early 2014 the work done Inner/Outer tire rod ends on three of the wheels, EGR valve, mass air flow sensor, and three alignments. the Is this normal ? I mean I think it is a lot of bull**** to happen in a small period of time. The car has just hit 80k. Honestly should I just dump the thing ?

[Sox]

Where to start ? I do love my Aztek it's a wonderful car love the looks and comfort. But in the six months I have had it I have had so much work done. I put new tires on which doesn't count just needed them, but then the struts needed work. Fast forward two weeks and the alignment or something in the front end seems out of whack so I take it back Front arm control bushings need replaced but also too I need rear knuckles and re-aligned. Smooth sailing for a little then I had cooling issues so a new thermostat and ETC. I went for a long trip last week and I started getting clicking sounds from the front passenger wheel and my alignment is off again. Currently I am waiting for my appointment to get in the garage but another lovely symptom is that going from my decent MPG I am down to 12 mpg and 17 on the highway. I get cars need taken care of. In my bit of unhapiness I looked back to service records from the other owner and never noticed in early 2014 the work done Inner/Outer tire rod ends on three of the wheels, EGR valve, mass air flow sensor, and three alignments. the Is this normal ? I mean I think it is a lot of bull**** to happen in a small period of time. The car has just hit 80k. Honestly should I just dump the thing ?

Or set it on fire. A merciful execution.

[Larkbill]

You need to find a new garage. There is no reason to be redoing alignment like that. And replacing rear knuckles? Why? I think this guy is in love with your wallet.

[seth381]

I mean don't get me wrong but it's hard when your car is out of alignment or clunking. It's rough spot when you aren't mechanically inclined.

[Larkbill]

All the more important to ask why and ask them to show you. A good and honest mechanic won't have a problem with that. Despite negative comments about that vehicle's appearance (not from me, I think they are practical enough for that not to matter) they are generally reliable in the extreme. There is something funny going on here.

[carbarrister]

Don't throw away more money on it. Get rid of it ASAP.

[seth381]

Well after taking it to another mechanic recommended by a friend I found out that the Knuckle bushings are fine, so the previous shop that had did my alignments and everything else was trying to **** me out of $300. I am honestly really glad I went and looked around, out the door with a new O2 sensor and proper alignment I didn't even hit $150.

[Neanderthal]

Well after taking it to another mechanic recommended by a friend I found out that the Knuckle bushings are fine, so the previous shop that had did my alignments and everything else was trying to **** me out of $300. I am honestly really glad I went and looked around, out the door with a new O2 sensor and proper alignment I didn't even hit $150.

It pays to shop around. Looks like the previous owner got screwed royally. Three alignments? Maybe he off-roaded it? Or maybe a wrench-twister was in love with HIS wallet!

[seth381]

I think to a degree he did but he was older so it makes sense, but that also works two ways I am younger (21) so I am target too. What really gets me is the shop that I was going to for tires and related items is considered a great place to go, completely blows me away but needless to say I won't be back. I know we all need to make a living, but what happened to honesty ?