Chrysler Pacifica

sequoiasaurus

We need more info! Hopefully DC will have the Pacifica ready for the Detroit show for all to enjoy and sit in! Can't wait...only 4 months away.

porknbeans

Anything more specific than Spring of 2003? I've also heard that there will be an option to have only two rows of seats to lower the initial price. Does anybody know if the navigation system will be standard?

jaserb

They had some consumer watch dude on the show showing Katie a bunch of the new cars - 350Z, new Accord, XC90 - and the Pacifica. It looked nice and the wife liked it a lot. Then he mentioned kind of casually that the price would be around ... get ready ... $37,000!!! That HAS to be a mistake, doesn't it? Anybody have some more realistic figures? At $37k this thing will sell like sno-cone machines in Alaska...

-Jason

dudleyr

Maybe that was Canadian dollars. ; ^ )

porknbeans

Or in my case hope for reeeeeeeeaaaaally big incentives.

sequoiasaurus

Thanks for the tip. No video clip but this is what's on the site:

" DAIMLER CHRYSLER PACIFICA

       The Pacifica is a cross between an SUV and a passenger car. With this vehicle Daimler Chrysler is predicting that our love affair with the SUV is waning, but that we still need some of the size that makes SUV’s so popular designed to handle and drive like a passenger car, it has three rows of seats(the back two fold flat), lots of luxury features like a navigation system built right into the dash for easy viewing (show dash), satellite radio, a transmission that allows you to choose between fully automatic and shifting gears yourself, dual zone temp control, and power lift gate, side airbags in all three rows and a tire pressure monitoring system. They’re calling this a 2004 model, but it will be available this spring at about $37k with all these luxury features. If you wait a while, models with fewer features and a lower price will be available. Daimler Chrysler is hoping to strike the same cord as Lee Iacocca did when Chrysler introduced the minivan 18 years ago."

Link: http://www.msnbc.com/news/808669.asp

jaserb

Do AWD, leather, nav, climate control, and power lift gate = $10g in options? This thing realistically HAS to start in the $25-27k range to even be an option, I would think. Then again, an AWD Town and Country Limited is pushing $38k MSRP. For that kind of money I'll take an A6 Avant or XC90, thanks.

-Jason

a_l_hubcaps

jaserb-

Chrysler's minivan range is really amazing, in how it manages to transcend a variety of markets and price points. You can get a 2002 Chrysler Voyager EC or Dodge Caravan EC for $17,095 MSRP. You can also get a 2002 Chrysler T&C Limited AWD for $38,700 MSRP...you could probably hit $40,000 if you added every option. All of these are basically the same van. I think it would be very cool if Chrysler could do this sort of thing with the Pacifica...give it a very wide range of prices and feature content, spread over several different models (maybe even 5 and 7 passenger versions).

I'm not usually a big fan of DCX vehicles, but I really like the look of the Pacifica. If they can resist the urge to equip it solely as a $35K luxury vehicle and make it a versatile flagship product instead, it could supplant the minivans as the mainstay of the DCX lineup.

-Andrew L

sequoiasaurus

I'm in the process of creating an iMovie to upload to my web page. It is some video from the Detroit Auto show which had the 02 Pacifica concept on display. I just got this new Mac and needed an excuse to create a movie to upload. I should have it available by this evening. It will be large (~15mb) so if your on a dial up be prepared.

I'll post the link when it's ready.

sequoiasaurus

I know I bored...but I just had to play with this new mac...which is great.

Hope you enjoy the video. The quality is not near that of the original due to compression, etc. But you get to hear the model talk about the Pacifica. I'll do the same this January 2003 if it's on display.

http://homepage.mac.com/jbowell/iMovieTheater2.html

dudleyr

I have mentioned before how it would be nice if DC offered the 2.7 liter diesel engine in the Pacifica. Now AMG has tuned up this engine to give it a real boost. 230 hp and 390 lb-ft (yes that is about what a Corvette has - but at a lower rpm) is absolutely crazy - especially given the high fuel mileage.


http://autoweek.com/carnews/index.mv

How could anyone resist a fast, roomy, efficient vehicle. Just gotta work on reliability.

bargamon

Having had minivans, we switched to the SUV because they did not make such a vehicle like the pacifica previously.
The ML320 has been great, but my kids are getting bigger and mentioned they liked the room in the minivan (sienna) with Capt' seating we had previously. 4wd is important to us.

I think 37k fully loaded is about right. DVD systems, NAV, and hands free phone is going to run about 6-5k on the price. 31-32k is reasonable fora premium leather and stereo upgrade package. The mercedes GSt is equally interesting but its price might be up there and is about a year longer until introduction. I also might like to pay 10k less for a car than spiraling upward every 3 years. If it performs well and suites our needs, why the hell not.

I rented a concorde a few years ago, it was a base model. I think it would have cost in the low 20's, and for what it was, I was very impressed. I don't think Mercedes builds as good a car as they once did, and perhaps Chrysler builds a better one than before.

sequoiasaurus

http://www.auto.com/industry/caw16_20021016.htm

Hopefully with no strike the Pacifica will makes its debut on time early next year.

bargamon

yesterday I dropped by a chevy dealer to look at the 7 passanger trailblazer. Had a sticker of 38k. It was not that I did not like it, it was just plain ugly and lacked quality materials and features. No side airbags?? A glob of glue was hanging down from an interior trim piece at the tail gate. Never drove it. Just did not peak my interest. Nice layout and good room for passangers way back. Not to bash American made, the Impala is a very good value for the money as are many trucks. The trailblazer has a very attractive exterior. I now understand what Bob Lutz is talking about with interior design in certain vehicles.

While it is not a truck, the Pacifica for the money looks to be a very attractive package. I like all wheel drive and have no desire to go off road. I want abs, stability control, all wheel capcity so we can stay ON the road. The New segment is just what I have wanted for years. They used to make large station wagons. Mini vans are excellent, but does not have the all wheel drive except for the town and country and briefly the MPV by mazda. A larger Audi or Subaru legacy is what was needed, and Chrysler will do very well.

Bring it on!

jchan2

Hmmm... Wondering if the Pacifica will be ready for Detroit for the public to sit in and enjoy the leather seats.

sequoiasaurus

I'm sure hoping so!

Can't wait to sit in it.

nextmoon

It was on display in the NY autoshow back in April of this year. Though the doors were locked and it was placed on a spinning platform. The windows had a heavy tint so the inside was not very clear. Hopefully they'll have it the coming year with the doors open. I want to know if the 3row bench can fit 3 even though it's listed as 2.

sequoiasaurus

I personally saw the concept in Detroit in Jan 02. All the doors were open and you could stand very close to it but not touch or sit in it.

Looking through the rear hatch it appears that the 3rd row would be okay for 3 young children but definately not 3 medium sized adults. It would be very cramped.

I could be wrong so we'll have to wait and see.

porknbeans

the third row could hold 3 kids there will probably only be seatbelts for 2. If I remember right it was placed between the wheel wells and there wasn't much room for 3.

svevar

I visted chrysler.com and found that the Pacifica will seat six... so only two seat belts in third row.

fleetwoodsimca

I agree that the concept is terrific, but I think the price level will put off a lot of the potential customers. On that, the proof is in the future. We'll have to wait and see. When is it actually scheduled to go on sale?

nextmoon

I agree the starting price is set too high and would probably remove the Pacifica from many shopping lists. Maybe they will offer a more basic model down the road - like a Voyager to a T&C. Chrysler sent me a very vague brochure - seems like a teaser-type of advertisement showing limited angles of the 1st row with very little specifications.

crj1

Up here in Michigan, was totally unmasked...nice vehicle.

bargamon

I read that they will have a 25k base front wheel drive version in year 2.

If seating for 7 is important, then the mini van still reins as top pick. For what it does, it is very attractive. I see it as 7-8k cheaper than trucks doing the same thing. I looked at a trailblazer with 3rd row, it had a sticker of 37k and did not have side bags in the front. The inteior was pathetic for a vehicle of that price. I am very excited by this offering!

motormann

I got passed by a ruby red Pacifica Monday afternoon heading east on I-94 going through the eastern Detroit suburbs! No masking or attempt to disguise the car whatsoever. It's definitely sharper in person than in the photos I've seen. Are the vehicles (perhaps?) starting to roll off the line in Windsor (pre-production?)

fleetwoodsimca

This type vehicle may well be the wave of the future for the larger capacity market, displacing to some degree the mid size and or larger SPORT UTE 4WD/AWD vehicles that are truck chassis based, for people wanting a crossover vehicle that has some size to it. I used to favor Chrysler Corporation vehicles, and I look forward to the possibility of a reconnect with that line. I could be interested-- very interested, when these come to market.

bargamon

I am so amazed how many patriotic magnets adorn the back of gas guzzling Suv's getting 12-13 mpg and not realizing that they further create the problem of U.S. dependence on foriegn oil. Buy american does not have to mean buy bloated excess capacity vehicles!

My M320 gets 19mpg in everyday use, up to 23 on the highway. I look forward to vehicles like the Pacifica as it could do the job I need and with comfort and economy. I also need to see the crash and saftey rating.

THe production version is very close to the concept and looks great. I wonder if we will be forced to have it with NAV system and Hands free command. Unless it is standard, I prefere not to have a DVD system built in.

Does any body know the reliabilty of the drive train? The 3.5 is widely used, is it problematic? Also, where is the AWD system coming from? Jeep?

I read the rear syspension is coming from the E-class mercedes. I wish They would use the 3.2 from mercedes. its a great design.

I have yet to read about real pricing other than north of $25k and south of $37k. I'll wait 5-6 months for some of the bugs to work out. Chrylser had alot of time to rework this thing to get the crash worthiness up and hopefully not rush other details.

I have been waiting a long time for a company to step up and build this kind of vehicle. kudos to chrylser for doing this!

It will be my first American vehicle in 20 years!

Bring it on!

fleetwoodsimca

U.S. dependence on foreign oil is not a realistic descriptor of our energy position. We are simply voluntarily accepting substandard behavior from the societies near and about the oil producing facilities that we and the British founded, developed, and paid for many decades ago.
Like you, I look forward to the Chrysler Pacifica, and conceivably could buy one after the initial shake down, if the dependability and pricing are favorable. There may be loads of Teutonic parts in them, and that's okay by me.

peterson33

I got my first look here at Edmunds and thought it was cool. I have seen it in person at the International auto show in Miami. In person it looks more like a station wagon than a mini-van or SUV. But I still like the looks.

I love the specs. NAV system, DVD for the kids,and heated leather seats will be in most upscale family haulers in a few years but I don't know many that will have AWD and handle like a car.

So what would I be willing to pay? After looking at SUVs and sport sedans in the mid 30s the Pacifica seems to fit in that price range rather well.

I know it's not based on the 300M, but if you start there at $30,000 for comparision sake. Add $3,000 for AWD, $2000 for NAV, $2000 for DVD. $37,000 doesn't seem unreasonable. (Please let me know if my estimates are way off)

bargamon

IT has been announced that a spring intro was planned. does that mean February? I know when spring is, but car companys have different calander.

Does anyone know what will be options or not?

I like NAV, but most systems cost 2,000 and it is not worth it for me as we rarely travel to parts unknown. When we do, we have other tools. DVD is also nice, but 2k also is steep. Hand helds now run $3-500 and would suffice for long trips.
Pull Down screens are being used now to entertain the kids to the supermarket. My little ones can read or look out the window for 10 minutes. We have a 4 hour rule. Any trip over 4 hours they can take the video. between naps, a good book and a gameboy, they are agreeable.

My wife is hesident looking at the pictures becuase she likes the hight of her current SUV. Nothing like seeing it in person

Are there any early specs regarding fuel economy or 0=60 performence?

Thanks!

sequoiasaurus

The Jan 2003 issue (Car of the Year) has two page ad of the new Pacifica. Same color as before and nothing new other than "its coming soon".

rcf8000

I don't understand all the controversy about pricing in the 30s. If a top-of-the-line T&C is priced near $40K, why would the Pacifica be much different?

ruski

for ~$37K, one could have the Lexus RX300 or Acura MDX.

rcf8000

For Chrysler's sake I hope the Pacifica can compete with the RX330 and MDX. But we already know that the Pacifica's engine does not have the refinement that the RX330 and MDX engines have. And Chrysler is going to have to really work to have interior materials as high quality as Lexus.

svevar

Chrysler's been working on the engine to improve fuel economy and emissions. I believe the "revised" 3.5L V6 will debut in the Pacifica, so perhaps these changes will improve refinement. I think the engine is good as it is now, if not quite as refined as the Japanese engines. Even so, I don't think this really will matter to most people looking into Pacifica.

ruski

I had a 300M with this engine and never had any complaints about it. It is a nice engine.

Hey, Lexus' engine had the sludge problem, din't it?

sequoiasaurus

Well pilot vehicles that is. At least we can see a new color(still light thoough).

Link is to Wieck site

http://osx.wieck.com/pv/WKA/2002/12/11/WKA2002121150775_pv.jpg

sequoiasaurus

Interesting update over at Car and Truck

http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b120902.htm

bargamon

When is the intro date? Sometimes spring means sometime january or february.

rcf8000

Unofficially, according to a posting on allpar.com, production is scheduled to start on January 27 (AWD model).

bargamon

I appreciate your production date info, but when might we actually see the cars introduced. Usually they build up an inventory before shipping, and deal with some bugs, but when might the official release date be?

This Vehicle smacks my demographic right between the eyes. I could almost order one sight unseen or without a test drive. Too bad they could not use the 3.2 mercedes engine.

The only thing that bothers me is the use of a 4speed auto transmission rather than a 5.

I have no experience with chrylser products and was wondering what some of the people here think of them? I guess as we get closer we'll have more info and more to discuss!

rcf8000

The same source said that the initial production rate is going to be 5500 of the things per month. I hope they have a lot of storage space if they're going to let them pile up for a while before "introducing" them! I, too, think the Pacifica would meet my needs very well, but I have never owned a Chrysler product and wouldn't consider buying one sight unseen. (And I've been driving for over 50 years!) The only manufacturer I would do that with (and have done several times) is Lexus. Since Chrysler is now running full page ads for Pacificas in all the auto mags and the New York Times, I can't believe that the introduction is later than early February.

rcf8000

Oh, yes. One other thing. I don't remember where I saw it, but a photo was posted showing Pacificas moving down a pilot production line. So they are in production now, to the extent that they have cars to test to get the bugs out. (And you may be sure that there will always be bugs, no matter who the manufacturer is.)

bargamon

I'll wait until july before I do anything. I would never buy a vehicle without obsessing over it for at least a month or so.

If its a hot vehicle, then I'll wait for pricing, besides the bugs must present themselves.

I was intrigued by the knee airbags and safety equipment. I have my family in a ML right now and won't compromise on that. The pacifica gives my family of 4 lots of room plus able to move 6 people in comfort. With 13 cubic foot ski box we can put on top, we always have room to travel. I prefer the incovenience of a box to dragging around suburban half empty 90% of the time.

sequoiasaurus

I'm in the same boat as you and feel the same way. Love our ML and won't compromise either on safety. My Sequoia is a tad too big and ML seems a tad too small so maybe the Pacifica will fit somewhere in the middle. "If" I do buy it this will be my first Chrysler product.

russklass

I'm on my second 300M, my first Chryslers ever. So far, 120,000 miles between the two,I have had NO problems with either one.
We liked them so much, my wife got her first Chrysler, an '01 Sebring LXi sedan. She has been very pleased with it.
We plan to visit the NIAIS in Detroit Jan. 11-19 to see the production Pacifica in person.
I plan to order when we get home!

nextmoon

Here's what I found at thecarconnection.com :
"Chrysler officials say the 2004Pacifica will launch with only the up-market all-wheel drive
version expected to sticker in the near $35,000 range when the usual options are included. The strategy is to soak up all the pent-up and early demand for the vehicle into the highest profit model offered. Lower-priced Pacificas with front-wheel drive, smaller engine packages and lesser trim may not be available until a year later, depending on how demand tracks for the up-market version. Lower priced versions will come in below $30,000, so later advertising can boast, "starting at under $30,000," even if few people buy those models."

rcf8000

Guess Chrysler wants to cash in on the nationwide AWD mania while it can. All this emphasis on AWD is crazy. FWD is adequate for most if not all road conditions. And nobody is going to take a Pacifica offroad.

svevar

As you've said, FWD is "adequate" for most road conditions. But some people might want more than adequate performance, especially in snow. I personally like AWD cars and wagons, as they offer a nice alternative to SUVs.

russklass

With Chrysler going to RWD on the next generation LH cars, I'll have to give up my 300M for a Pacifica.
Besides, living in the Buffalo NY area, and being a skiing enthusiast, AWD is'nt such a bad thing!