2003 Pontiac Aztek FWD review from North America

I've had the car about a month and a half:

- Rattle/clanking noise which progressively got worst. I told the used car dealer that noise seemed to be from behind me, under the car. His mechanic and the Pontiac dealer insisted it was the catalytic converter going bad internally. Pontiac dealer replaced it free (there is an 80,000 factory warranty on converter). The noise still there. Finally a muffler/shock shop found it to be rear shocks going bad. Dealer paid for these.

- Infamous intake gasket went (79,400 miles) at the tune of over $700. Thankfully I bought the extended warranty which covered this. GM should be paying for these.

- A couple times the transmission has slipped/shuddered when starting up after shifting from reverse to drive. Anyone else have this - should I be expecting tranny to go next?

- Backlight of radio display half out.

Decent riding vehicle with plenty of cargo room compared to similar size SUVs. Good gas mileage also (easily 25-26 highway).

Concerned about reliability - have already been to shop 5 times and without the car for 8 days. Thinking I should have just fixed the steering rack on my '98 Olds (183,000 miles). I was more confident jumping in the seat of that car.