Chrysler Pacifica

mapleleave

DCX is asking its employee to lease pacifica because of slow sales. The buying rate is now 1.35 vs. a typical 2.0 lease rate. At the same time, they are offering supplier the empolyee rate ( a little worse ) so they can buy more DCX vehicle.

Why doesn't DCX just drop the price of pacifica for about $8k to where it should be priced?

rkuehn

I say again... Chrysler should have built a crossover SUV to compete with Highlander, Pilot, Murano, even RX, XC90, etc. Not a tall wagon to compete with... ???

Best guess is that they didn't want to cannabalize the next gen Grand Cherokee (?). But Toyota & Nissan seem OK with 4Runner/Highlander and Pathfinder/Murano. Now Daimler's Chrysler has what the Europeans would call an "own-goal".

Kirstie_H

A reporter with a major magazine is looking to interview people who were drawn to Chrysler dealerships by the Pacifica, and then experienced sticker shock, and perhaps purchased the Town and Country instead.
If you fit the bill, please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com by Friday, September 5 with your daytime contact information and a few words about your experience.
Thanks!
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com

deezldub

GGot my Midnight Blue Pacifica tonite... Yahoo... But I found it odd that the steering wheel switches for the cruise control are not lit! The volkswagen that I traded on the Pacific had lit switches, and it was half the price and the mid grade VW at that... Not that its severe, but an obvious ergonomic oversight...

Otherwise, I love it so far!

revka

because it was deemed to be disruptive in nature. For the sake of continuity, another post in direct response to this post was also deleted.

Please be aware that trolling or repetitive negative postings, that only serve to disrupt a topic, will not be tolerated in these discussions. It's okay to critique a vehicle or an idea, however we ask that our member use civil debate and respect their fellow members as they would in a public arena.

For further clarification on this matter, please refer to your Town Hall Member Agreement guidelines. Feel free to email me if you have any questions/comments regarding this matter. Please do not address this with me here.

And let's get back to subject of the Chrysler Pacifica. Thanks!

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

revka

and congrats on your new Midnight Blue Pacifica! We look forward to hearing all about ownership experience. Happy motoring! ;-)

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

russklass

I drove a loaner FWD Pacifica today while my AWD was in for service.
It was raining, and I played with full throttle acceleration from a stop light. Sure enough, the front tires started to slip until the traction control intervened.
With my AWD I can floor the throttle in a driving rain and all 4 tires dig in with no slippage.
I made the right choice!
10,000 miles and still very pleased.

pssimon

What kind of gas mileage is everyone getting? I am lucky if I squeak out 19MPG on the highway. I know the Pacifica is big and heavy, but this still doesn't sound right to me. I have about 3500 miles.

What sort of mileage are the rest of you getting?

maxmom

With 3500 miles, I am getting up to 21.5 hwy and around 18.9 - 19.5 short runs (including idling in the school parking lot in the southern humidity).

Haven't been in for my first oil change, but I will probably switch to synthetic oil and am hoping for a slight bump in mileage then.

bchriste

The dealer replaced my 6-disc changer due to the fact that it would not play nor would it eject any of the three CDs I put in. Both of the changers click, whir, and flash their lights for about a minute when I first start the vehicle. I asked the service department about it and they assured me that it's normal. I just can't believe that a $500 piece of equipment has to be so annoying. Does anybody/everybody else experience the same behavior? Please let me know either way. Thank you all!!

sailme2

#112 of 114 NEED HELP ON GETTING A PACIFICA by sailme2 Sep 02, 2003 (7:03 pm)
Since the Pacifica first came out I had decided that was the next car for me. My only concern was Chrysler's some what shakey dependability. I was planning to wait for several more months until my BMW lease was over in Nov. However with all the reports about the deep discounts I am reconsidering. Has anyone out there heard how long these discounts are going to be around? Also are these discounts only on the demos or on all cars? Can you find these demos only by contacting the dealers?

I would appreciate any answers to my questions!!

russklass

July avg. MPG 18.0
August avg. MPG 17.7
This by actual calculation, not trip computer
Best trip Mileage 21.5

CD changer:
It's a changer, so it WILL whirl & click when changing discs. It should not, however, make those noises on vehicle startup.

Chrysler reliability:
I put 130,000 miles on 2 300Ms with NO problems.
So far with the Pacifica, 10,000 miles, I have had 2 minor weatherstrip problems (both fixed promptly), and had the left front wheel bearing and wheel speed sensor replaced.
Everything works properly, and I am very pleased with my purchase.

grbelote

Just completed a 3500 mile trip from Mississippi to Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Mpg 21 for trip driving a little over speed limit. So far the Pacifica has been flawless. A little more power would be a big plus. A tank of Amoco was the worst mileage. Best mileage was with a tank of Shell.??? I used grade 87 for entire trip. No oil consumption. So far I'm very pleased.

nine51

Within the next year or so, I may be looking for a replacement for my 97 Grand Caravan ES (85K+ miles). I am interested in the Pacifica, but I'm turned off by the pricetag. Seems like for $30K+ I can get another Grand Caravan ES with more room. I am not impressed by the mpg reported here either. My Grand Caravan ES will consistently get 23+ mpg on the highway and it's a great hauler.

The Pacifica is a great looking car, but ?? Maybe a diesel would help.

Does DC have a problem with building cars / trucks that get good fuel economy? I was also interested in a Dodge Dakota pickup, but boy do they suck gas!

speeds2much

Today I stopped into a Chrysler dealership to check out the Crossfire and saw a Pacifica on the lot. It's a handsome-looking vehicle...better-looking than any SUVs, minivans and wagons that I can think of. I was impressed with all the available content and thoughtful features (such as having the Sat-Nav screen in the instrument cluster), too. It has a sports coupe quality about it. Good luck to everyone who has bought one! I might join you next time I'm in the market for an all-purpose car.

b25nut...I completely agree with your comparison to Lexus, Infiniti, etc., regarding the luxury and content for the dollar. The Pacific has class and lots to offer. Word-of-mouth may get a lot more people into this car.

mrl11777

Article on DCX. Pacifica is a sales dud. Expect reworked configuration (2nd row bench is the most asked-for item according to dealer newsletter) and significant discounts. May be a great vehicle, but it is getting the press of a modern-day Edsel.

ruski

you got so excited about one negative review that you must have peed your pants! How long have you been waiting for this?

rkuehn

As I've said before on the board I don't understand why Chrysler didn't build a crossover SUV to rival MDX, RX, XC90, Pilot, Highlander, etc. That's the market with huge growth these days. Not station wagons. They'll work for a few folks out there but nothing like the 100,000 target the vehicle had at the outset.

Anyone have recent sales numbers? I presume the margins are awful.

Meanwhile Acura/Honda took the Odyssey and produced MDX/Pilot. Lexus took ES/Camry and made RX/Highlander. Volvo took S80 and got XC90. All have healthy margins I think.

As I recall the original spy shots of the Pacifica had Chrysler morphing the 300M, similar to what Volvo did with S80 for the XC90. Looked pretty good, for an early design mule.

If Chrysler had done this right then they'd have a success on their hands. Don't know what they were thinking. Maybe afraid to cannabalize sales from Jeep?

oedipus1608

The Chrysler Pacifica was the 3rd best selling crossover SUV with almost 7,000 sold in July alone. The Chrysler Pacifica is far from being a sales dud.

speeds2much

"If Chrysler had done this right then they'd have a success on their hands. Don't know what they were thinking. Maybe afraid to cannabalize sales from Jeep?"

The only thing "wrong" with the Pacifica was the way it was positioned (loaded with options, pricey). Once Chrysler dropped the price, the vehicle did much better. The Pacifica is great-looking. I saw one on the road today...it has a lot of presence. It's a new type of near-luxury vehicle, really, and it's coming out during a period of high unemployment. Of course it will take time to catch on, but if Chrysler keeps making good products like this, pinched consumers won't think twice about buying a Chrysler over an Acura, etc., and the Mercedes affiliation doesn't hurt, either.

rkuehn

Well if they can move 7,000 of them monthly that's not bad actually, Volvo just upped their annual XC90 target to 80,000. But what about the incentives & margins?

atlantica

I agree with speeds2much that the reason sales were slow for Pacifica initially was due to the way it was marketed:

1. The first dealer allocations were loaded models that started at $35K and some were over $40K.
2. There were no rebates/discounts initially.
3. Advertising was nil.

Now:

1. Dealers have a wide range of models on their lots, Some as low as $29K. Some loaded up at over $40K.
2. At the end of August and early September, there alot of rebates and incentives that brought the price down even further. I got $5500 off my Pacifica that had a MSRP of $35K. In addition (not *INSTEAD* like the other car manufacturers were offering) I could get Chrysler financing of 2.9% for up to 7 years.
3. I've noticed the advertising has definitely picked up as of late. I've seen Pacifica commercials on Monday Night Football and the late night talk shows. Actually the commercial they are running is very good (in my opinion). The tagline "Well beyond the SUV" indicates they are going after the huge SUV market and are trying to pitch something that is classier and better.

In retrospect, Chrysler was probably overly optimistic that they could sell 100,000 Pacificas in the first year. Not in this economy. But the Pacifica and the new Crossfire indicate where Chrysler is going. They are trying to move upmarket. They are both good products. They just need to be patient with their pricing and sales expectations. Brand name perceptions don't change overnight, no matter how good your marketing is.

tod1

Writing this is very painful. My wife while on the phone made a legal U-turn and was T-boned on the passenger side of the vehicle. A 93 Acura impacted my Pacifica at 30 to 35 Mph. None of the airbags deployed. My wife did not have a scratch on her, just shaken. The glass in the doors did not brake. Here is the painful part the car was only two weeks old. My insurance company estimated the damage at $7500. I also found out that 40% of the Pacifica is Mercedes. I thought that I would share my experience with everyone. I still love the car. I should have it back next week. The car has been at the dealer for a month and a half.

russklass

Sorry to hear about the accident, but glad to hear no one was hurt!
Evidently the 5* crash rating was well earned!

speeds2much

Glad to hear your wife is okay. I've heard stories of people who survived similar crashes on the driver's door of a Mercedes sedan. Also, my mother walked away from an accident involving a drunk driver who slammed into the back of her Mercedes C-class sedan at 60 mph (she was stopped and signalling to turn left). She spun around into the other lane and the huge American car that hit her never penetrated into the passenger cabin. So, it's good to see the Pacifica has Mercedes bloodlines.

BTW, I wonder if an SUV would have flipped over due to the side impact?

rcf8000

It is not true that the initial dealer allocations were loaded cars. One of the first cars a local dealer got had NO options.

hayneldan

If Pacifica is a sales flop what are all these selling less than the Pacifica?
Chrysler Pacifica 6,857
Jeep Wrangler 6,840
Toyota Sequoia 6,837
Nissan Xterra 6,535
Toyota RAV4 6,425
Subaru Forester 6,353
GMC Yukon XL Denali 6,041
Honda Element 5,876
Mazda Tribute 5,657
Mercury Mountaineer 5,214
Buick Rendezvous 5,213
Nissan Murano 5,027
Acura MDX 4,604
Kia Sorento 3,800
Volvo XC90 3,702
Chevrolet Tracker 3,647
Chevrolet Blazer 3,584
BMW X5 3,546
Nissan Pathfinder 3,402
Lincoln Navigator 3,130
Mercedes-Benz M-Class 3,027
Mitsubishi Endeavor 3,022
Cadillac Escalade 2,732
Lincoln Aviator 2,692
Hummer H2 2,602
Lexus GX 470 2,403
Mitsubishi Outlander 2,390
Infiniti FX45 2,384
Ford Excursion 2,154
Pontiac Aztek 2,153
Suzuki XL-7 1,795
Isuzu Rodeo 1,739
Mitsubishi Montero Sport 1,653
Porsche Cayenne 1,354
Land Rover Discovery 1,330
Volkswagen Touraeg 1,289
Land Rover Range Rover 1,225
Subaru Baja 1,078
Cadillac Escalade ESV 966
Land Rover Freelander 753
Mitsubishi Montero 729
Lexus LX 470 661
Oldsmobile Bravada 611
Suzuki Vitara 591
Suzuki Grand Vitara 584
Isuzu Axiom 524
Toyota Land Cruiser 517
Infiniti QX4 305
Isuzu Ascender 267
Isuzu Rodeo Sport 143
Mercedes-Benz G-Class 123
Kia Sportage 74
Isuzu Trooper 70
Hummer H1 52

oedipus1608

Does anyone know how many Pacifica were sold in August?

rcf8000

I'd say the Pacifica can be defined as a flop because 1) they only sold that many because of HUGE incentives, and 2) even the July selling rate is well below what they had planned for. DCX seems proud of the fact that the Pacifica is "hard to classify". I think that's a liability. They should put a 3 passenger 2nd row in it and call it a station wagon.

twoof1

In case you had not noticed, every domestic (and a lot of foreign) manufacturers are offering HUGE inventives right now. That's just what it takes to play in the game right now.

mrl11777

Pacifica is an excellent $20-25k station wagon. DCX misread the market in pricing it in line with the premium brands like Acura, Volvo and Lexus. The risk, tho, is that when it is priced correctly it will just take sales from DCX minivans and Jeeps, so they will not have expanded the market. Repositioning it as a station wagon (and one that can pull a decent-sized boat) will take sales from the only domestic wagon left, the Taurus/Sable.

Of course, calling it a station wagon is not as sexy as calling it a "sports tourer" -- whatever that is.

Lohengrin

I think Chrysler is onto something with the Pacifica. It is perfect for families who have larger kids or go on frequent road trips. Especially if said family doesn't want an SUV or minivan. I predict, however, that in order stay competitive they will have to upgrade the tranny to 5-spd and add an optional V-8. Maybe the 4.7L from Jeep or something from Mercedes. With a beefier drivetrain, the Pacifica will sell like hotcakes. Optional rear bench would be good too.

rcf8000

It definitely needs serious upgrading of the powertrain. Another thing that it seriously needs is less weight, but not much could be done about that without a total redesign.

imidazol97

I thought I was on the Honda board where criticism
is not allowed nor tolerated... grin.

The Pacifica needs some gas mileage. It seems
low -- less weight, better engine???.

imidazol97

A close friend has just bought one yesterday.
I had been reading here to help him make a decision. He chose it over suvs like Highlander, Envoy. It fits their needs.

Gas mileage on highway is not a factor; most driving is urban and expressway around the city.

I'm anxious to drive it when the dealer gets it
to him...

twoof1

revka

Folks - Let's get back to the subject of the Chrysler Pacifica. Off topic subjects can be discussed via email. Thanks!

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

b25nut

The October issue of Motor Trend rates "New-Age Wagons" (Pacifica, Volvo XC70 & VW Touareg). Unbelievably, they rate the Pacifca last and the XC70 #1. The following is a copy of my letter to the editor I sent off to them today:

Dear Editors,

     As the proud owner of a Chrysler Pacifica with over 7,000 miles on it (with zero problems), I have to take exception to the logic and the tactics you used in comparing it to its Volvo and VW rivals. First, the Pacifica you tested was fully loaded with every option like the Premium Audio and the DVD system (which you didn't even mention) just to get it in the same price category as the Touareg and XC70. The Pacifica has many features that are standard which are either options (like a trip computer and homelink) or not even available on the other two (like adjustable pedals and tire pressure monitoring).
     You start your critique of the Pacifica by complaining it has no steering wheel telescoping feature. With powered, memory pedals, this is totally unnecessary! My wife is 10 inches shorter than I am yet the settings we have in the memory system only require adjusting the center rear view mirror when we change drivers. Try doing that in a Volvo. Then you complain about a low driver's seat. Why didn't you raise it up? I know the driver sits higher in a Pacifica than in a XC70.
     If your intent was to pick the vehicle that best matches the definition of a traditional station wagon, the XC70 wins hands down. Your main criticism of the Pacifica is that it is not as useful as a minivan, yet you fail to hold the Volvo or the VW to this standard. How will an adult in the second row of a XC70 take care of the needs of a child in its rear facing third row? Would you ask an older adult friend to actually sit in the Volvo third row? I purchased my Pacifica with the criteria that the second row had to be easily accessible and comfortable for our aging parents. Pacifica's step-in height is ideal for this. The lower Volvo is not.
     Pacifica is quieter with better braking, offers more room in every dimension for passengers with equal, if not superior, comfort (with heated seats in the second row), has a powered rear liftgate, has more cargo volume, has better safety ratings and costs much less when equipped with the same options. The Pacifica is superior to any other "wagon" because it is much more. It doesn't have the "adventuresome image" of an SUV, but neither does the XC70. Buyers in this category are there because they don't want an SUV.
     There were a couple inconsistencies in your article. In the specifications, you list the XC70 as seven passengers but the car tested was not. Did the price as tested include the cost of a third row of seats? If not, you unfairly biased the data. Also, you state that the Pacifica you tested was equipped with the navigation system yet the pictures you show clearly do not have the controls for that system. What gives?

The article actually has very good things to say about the Pacifica except for what they describe as interior plastic that looks "cut-rate, with some uneven panel gaps" and that is "a mishmash of uneven-quality pieces". Doesn't sound like my Pacifica.

b25nut

To show how far into left field Motor Trend is, their own online poll asked: Which crossover vehicle most appeals to you? Out of 720 votes:

Pacifica: 57%
Touareg: 29%
XC70 13%

mrl11777

Motortrendcar&driverroad&tracketc. They are far from unbiased. CU is better, but Edmunds is the place to go for the utmost in automotive information.

Go Edmunds!!!!!

imidazol97

Follow the money or the ride...
Who advertises more in the mag?
What do the reviewers drive?
What do the reviewers think the readers
want to read?

I hate when the reviewers selectively overlook or
misrepresent the cars to serve their own opinion.

FWIW: I don't think CU has been much better through the years.

dudleyr

The best thing about CU is that they put all cars on the same scale, so while you may not agree with their conclusions, you can see how cars in different classes compare with each other.

The car mags will say things like brand X SUV handles well, when what they mean is it handles well for a truck, but the reader comes away thinking the vehicle is nimble when it is not at all!

mrl11777

but Edmunds is the bestest!!! And the posters on the pacifica board are the smartest of the whole lot!!

Go Edmunds!!

imidazol97

about cars you "know." They leave out features in a car they don't want to push and mention features in cars they like. And they will back up their "opinion/fact" with the ratings from their readers... very biased polling, may I add.

I had subscribed several different times to CU and NEVER received their ratings questionnaire that was sent to all subscribers... And only those wishing to be negative about a product like a particular car they don't like or who wish to push a car they think is great are going to have a high return rating. Along with that disparity in the polling is the difference in the type and age of certain buyers of certain cars and how they respond to the poll.

mrl11777

Mailman must have stolen it. I've gotten it every year -- it's not just on cars, but many other topics, too.

But, still, Edmunds is the tops!! And those Pacifica owners/posters -- they are, too!!!

Go Edmunds!! Go Pacifica!!

avery1

I've received it every year for the last 15 that I have subscribed. I can't imagine a better system. You can never get away from bias completely but I do not believe they "adjust" their figures and to have the cars run on the same track by a magazine that accepts no advertising seems about as pure as one can get. I have relied on their magazines for years and always will. (Of course, I make the final decision from their top picks for safety, etc.)

russklass

Some time ago, a magazine cartoon showed a line of cars being driven off a cliff.
The speech balloon had one observer saying to another "I see CU is testing cars again".
They should stick to testing toasters and other soulless appliances!

ms_mayor

I live in NJ, and Hurricane Isabel is currently blowing through.

Had to take my daughter to/from her dance classes this evening, and I travel on a four-lane highway that is surrounded by open farmland. Winds are blowing about 30mph with gusts up to 40.

I could hardly feel the wind while driving. Very little 'sway', and she hugged the road like a champ. I felt very safe and secure, even at highway speeds.

Just one more reason why I love this vehicle.

mrl11777

Road hugging weight! Like a good 'ol LTD with plood on the sides! Cat 2 storm with Cat 5 hype, though.

Go Pacifica! Go Edmunds!

davethewave1

Sorry but what is CU???