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Comments
Thr Pacifica is definitely NOT sluggish! I've test driven 2 examples, the second one for 20 miles over all types of roads, and can attest to surprisingly sprighly peformance. It won't win many drag races, but for what it is, the straight line performance is adaquate.
The third row is a third row according to platform but I am 6'2" so for me it's no good however for children it is ideal. The second row is very roomy and still plenty of room with the front seat back as far as it goes. The roofline on the interior is decieving for it seems narrower than it looks. As I sat I had ample arm, shoulder and hip room. The drive is very quiet and for a 4 speed auto it works just fine unless I plan on using it at the Texas Motor Speedway this weekend.
I drove the least expensive AWD and the most expensive and with the added options i.e. Nav and Intermezzo I do believe campared with the MDX, RS300 and XC90 and their stickers it is well worth it.
The leather was very nice and all of the dials and buttons were placed right. The lack of sway and runaway steering was key when comparing the others.
The bold stance and agressive width says safety and the utilitarian advantages do alot for the vehicle.
In a nutshell Chrysler is moving in the right direction and I do believe they are making a bold statement about the company as well as letting everyone know that just because it's American doesn't mean it can't be just as good as the rest.
What you are missing is that it's not the deep tread, but the rubber compound and tread type that make winter (note I didn't say snow) tires work.
We put winter tires, mounted on different wheels, on both cars (300M & Sebring) from December thru March. They make a HUGE difference!
For my Pacifica, I plan to get a set of Michelin Arctic Alpin winter tires in a 235/70 R16 size which ate the same diameter as the 235/65 R17 factory tires. My 16" 300M winter wheels should fit the Pacifica, and Michelin doesnt make the tire in a 17" size.
Perhaps it makes sense to do the change just for the 3 or 4 weekend trips to Tahoe between December 20 and April 1.
Maybe it's better to change tires than it is to put on the bloody Spike's Spiders!!
Depending on how long you keep the vehicle, you may avoid the need to replace the OE tires for the time you own it.
For my 300M, I paid Discount Tire $840 for 4 ALLOy wheeks, mounted with the top rated Michelin Arctic Alpin Winter tires, balanced and delivered to my house.
We schedule changeover during normal tire rotation, so there is no extra charge.
These Michelins are very quiet, and comfortable on dry roads, and teriffic in ice & snow. If you have never driven on 4 really good winter tires you won't believe the difference.
Good luck!
I bet there's a tire forum out there just waiting to answer this silly question.
And let's get back to the subject of the Chrysler Pacifica. Thanks!
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item- =2408970859&category=6181
On othert colors, I like the chrome.
The "chrome" wheels just have chrome faces, the sides of the spokes are silver painted like the standard wheel. At 4 for $750, I think this is the worst value on the Pacifica option list. For that $750, plus $50, you could get the HID headlamps AND the power liftgate. (I did!)
I'm 5'10", and although the third seat is roomy, there is not enough headroom for me. This seat is definately for kids, or adults under 5'8".
Still very impressed with the vehicle though!
I don't care that the third row isn't great for big guys - I have had a Grand Caravan for 5 years and almost never use that rear seat for adults over 5 10. But I love having it for the kids and the women. That'll work for the Pacifica and the XC90.
thanks for the tip on the wheels
The only thing was the head room in the third row seats. It seems to me that the motor that operates the power liftgate is what takes up some of that overhead space, it would be a good idea, that if you opt out of that option they could get rid of that overhead bulk, and thereby get some extra room.
Otherwise, as stated, you will be positively surprised over this vehicle, albeit is not a mini van for size, it's a nice niche vehicle for those who doesn't need a pure SUV or a "full blown" mini van.
P.S.
I'm waiting for the release of the Mercedes GST Cruiser, which will be based on the Pacifica. platform, scheduled for released next year as an 05.
I really was not blown away with it. The 3rd row was very tight in head room, and in the shoulder. I am 5'9 and im hitting the roof. Nobody but a child should be back there. The middle seats move, but it starts becoming tight for all. I think a bench option should be offered to widen appeal. Size wise it does nothing more than the ML, MDX whom both have "compromised" 3 rows. and can be priced near the top end of the pacifica.
My expectations were perhaps too high. The 41k sticker on the fully loaded version took me by surprise. I just bought an audi biturbo allroad for my personal use (instead of family trucktster) which ran only 2k more than pacifica msrp. Different animal, but a awd wagon none-the-less.
The high belt line and high dash made me feel like a kid playing in Dads car. Not quite "alice in wonderland", but it was weird. Wood trim looked very unatural. The black on black had alot to do with it. The beige looked richer and more substantial. The 35k version with no sunroof or host of power goodies is more in line with how this thing should be priced. The market will tell how the public will take to it.
the salesperson fresh from pacifica school really played up the car as the first love child of DC and the Damiler influence on the design. Being very famliar with Mercedes products I did not see it. Lack of headrests in the 3rd row really is disapointing. That seat is really close to the back window, even more so than in the ML320. Seats seemed thin. The lack of glass gave the desired "brinks truck" look that market survays have found appealing.
Chrome wheels gave it a cheesy buick look. infact the exterior bulbus look reminded me of the Rendevous.
I still need to drive it and spend more than 10 minutes kicking it around. My wife found it more appealing and since it will be her's, she'll get her fair share influence in any purchase. My job is to seek out what is availabe and then let her choose. She is very aginst the stigma of owning a mini van as we have had 2 in the past. The ML was the break from that and we have been very happy with it. Her request for more room limits our options. We either go minivan or suburban.
While I sound overly negative it is mostly in my expectations that was inflated. It certainly is a good looking enough and interesting. I have do doubt the ride will be very good and I have to look at it as a total package. These are hurried first impressions
These are my opinion based on our needs and what is important to our particular needs or perceptions. For some whom might rarely use the 3rd row, this becomes more appealing. This will be our family truckster and we have to get it right: for us. Many empty nesters are buying minivans to travel in and this would make an excellent highway cruiser! Many have a buy american agenda and this is a very attractive domestic offering.
Positives
Nice design
Interior styled very nicely
The Nav display and were great
Smooth handling fun to drive
Integrated DVD/CD in dash for entertainment
Negatives
Smallish inside
3rd row appears only for small children and seems somewhat flimsy
No headrest on 3rd row
Price - seems out of proportion
Meager warranty on a $40K+ vehicle
Overall thoughts
I like it but think they are pricing themselves out of the market. I was very excited about the Pacifica but having seen/driven it and talked with the dealer, I think they are just asking too much for it. I know in a few months they will be making FWD models with less options for less $, but still think it is too high.
For me with 2 kids and a dog I thought it would be great but no, it is really too small and I am the target market (I think).
If I were still interested I would wait 3 months or so (maybe 6) when they arrive quantity and they will be discounted and offer interest deals. I don't see this as a groundbreaking vehicle.
Just my opinion
Adam
To truly elevate to first class I agree with Adam that the warranty must be increased to back the new product. Audi does not have the greatest reputation but they pay for everything for 4 years-50k, and thats putting your money where your mouth is! This is how you build upon. Toyota and honda are comprable to Chrylser's warranty, but they have great history or reliable products and good resale values.
first you have to have the car to build this upon, and I believe the Pacifia will be a great ride and well built. My commentary is to offer my 2 cents as to how they can build market share.
Good luck to those whom purchased this interesting ride. I look forward to reading your comments and perhaps the longer I look at it the better it gets. I would be all over it if the interior was more family oriented. But that is why they build minivans! AHHHHHH!
You can get an AWD Pacifica for $32,000. If you want the options, you can top $41,000, your choice. A loaded AWD T&C minivan tops $40K without many of the Pacifica's features. Also, have you looked at the stickers on those ridiculous SUVs?
"longer warranty" ... compared to what?
The powertrain (the expensive stuff) warranty is 7/70...thar's better than most.
"small inside"... compared to what?
A (gasp!) minivan is bigger inside, but the Pacifica has more room inside than most SUVs.
I like what I see, and drive, in the Pacifica and have one on order.
But, if you can wait until summer I think you will seem them offering very attractive incentives.
Adam
At least my dealer is taking care of me on the price, offering an attractive "over incvoice" price. Other area dealers quoted MSRP.
As for winter tires, I will probably go with the Michelin Arctic Alpin, as I have had good previous experience with them.
I checked the Nokian web site, but didn't see much of interest.
Folks there seem keen on the Nokian stuff
I'd really like to hear more from you after you start driving it
I'm in a Grand Caravan that just keeps ticking, but it's time is gonna come soon. Let's just hope it doesn't come this summer about 5 miles out of Chinle, Arizona.
Warranty should be 4 years 50k.
It is not going to get any bigger, so I was just saying it did not jive with what my family needs are.
I would never spend 40k on a awd town and country.
I can get awd on a toyota Sienna for at least 31k and leather. 37K with dvd, gps, xenon, roof, laser cruise, 5.1 surround, and 5pseed tranny. 0-60 is about a second quicker than Pacifica. Its a minivan, but I need more room. If not, I can keep what I have which has the same layout and utility.
YOur obviously bought the Pacifica and will be a proud owner. IF you got a good price then you got to be first on the block and not have to pay MSRP.
Enjoy many fine miles and smiles with your new Pacifica!
I have checked out the Acura MDX, and others, without finding anything I like better.
My last 4 cars were two Taurus SHOs (V6 and V8), and two Chrysler 300Ms, an early '99, and my current '01.
Minivans are not my thing, and I hate those monster Stupid Urban Vanity things.
Went back out with 2 salespeople from the dealership, and they admitted that it was quite overwhelming, and we all agreed that our eqardrums still hurt from the pounding 10 minutes after we turned the car off.
Someone has suggested that this happens in many of the newer, more aerodynamically designed cars on the road, but I've never experienced anything even close to this.
Anyone noticed this problem on Pacifica or other cars?
My Lexus RX300 has it (and there is a big discussion about it on Lexus forums)
My Acura TL-S has it
My Chrysler 300M had it
Here is an explanation of what is causing this:
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/~jw/Helmholtz.html
Best Regards,
Shipo
Some people drive the Hyundai SantaFe or Kia Sorrento which do not have very powerful engines. Pacifica seems to be quite a bit more powerful than those.
This will all die down once the initial hype plays out (6-months?) and many of the dealers in the southwest will be stuck with unsold AWD Pacifica's.
Dealer arrogance on brand new model vehicles is incredible. I just went through it with Infiniti when looking at the G35 coupe so it does not surprise me that Chrysler dealers would try it too. I used to think that sort of behavior was limited to just the domestic make dealers but it is rampant in the industry. To their defense I was never treated in an arrogant or demeaning manner by my BMW dealer. I think a lot depends on the dealership itself.
I have been lurking in the background on the Pacifica, but now that they seem to be hitting the dealers lots, I think I'll go have me a test drive.
More feedback to come.
AWD only kicks in when power needed, otherwise its front wheel drive.
Ok, at 250hp its not underpowered, and 4speed not tragic.
But something is missing.
At this rate in another month or so they will be offering 0% or rebates on these things. They are (IMO) too expensive nicely dressed out.
Adam
Man, am I disappointed. They came close. I'll pass.