By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I had my first emergency braking experience last week. I was going 35 mph and a large SUV pulled right in front of me from a freeway offramp. She never came to a stop (I think she wanted to stay behind the car that had turned left ahead of her). We had eye contact the whole time so my first thought was she was going to try to stop, so I started to maneuver to the left as I slammed on the brakes (she was less than 30 feet away). She kept on going, however, so I switched to turning to the right and was able to squeeze around her backend. The Pacifica maintained full control the entire time.
Russklass: How was the Udvar-Hazy?
March 29th production launch & unveiling at the New York Auto Show.
Changes - 3 distinct models to cover a broader spectrum of the customer base - "Base" will have 2 rows of seating (5 passenger), AWD & FWD - "Touring" will have 3rd row seating (6 passenger), AWD & FWD - "Limited" will have 3-rows/6 passenger, AWD only, wood interior accents, unique leather seating, and 19" chrome wheels.
Engine changes - Base will have current 3.5L/250 hp - Touring & Limited will have "upgraded" 3.5L High Output ("255+" hp).
That's it for now
"Russklass: How was the Udvar-Hazy?"
We're going on April 10th
It will be a good road trip test for the Pacicica.
rustypaws
"Touring & Limited will have "upgraded" 3.5L High Output ("255+" hp)"
I hope it's just not the old 300M Special engine! That one uses premium fuel, and there couldn't be a worse time to require that.
The premium fuel issue was one reason my wife bought the Toyota Solara over some premium-fuel competition.
If you mean the small amber light, it is the government-required side marker lamp.
COMPONENT; POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
Conceqence:
This could cause a crash without warning!
This is just another problem we have to take our Pacifica back to the dealership for. We have about 8500 miles on it now. We took it in for it's first oil change around 3000 miles. This was a week before we were about to leave on a 2000+ mile trip with the car. The dealership called us and said they found a bad wheel bearing! Of cource they did not have one in stock so we were without our vehical for 4 days cause they would not let us drive it!
Now, today my wife is stopped on a hill and the transmission slips and the thing starts to roll backward! She called the dealership and they said they just got the recall notice, and we should call them back in a few days to see what the remedy will be! Thats B.S.! Did they not hear her? She almost got in a accident today and they want her to keep driving it! I called them back and told them I will be dropping it off in the morning!
Chrysler/Benz MUST get there act together!
Why didn't I listen to myself and go with the MDX!
I think the light that comes out the side is just a reflection of the outer headlight on the inner chrome "can" around the inner headlight.
Millpark 26 try the link above. Go down to RECALLS, and follow the steps to the recall.
As to the foot on the brake; one generally takes there foot off the brake to accelerate, this where it started to roll back.
I don't think something like that is inherently a defect in the transmission, unless its happening on a nearly flat surface.
Prehaps I was not clear, the foot was coming off the brake and the gas was being applied yet the car was not going forward. It was not a very steep grade.
The more I read the more I think this is the intermittent stalling issue people have talked about here. It's at the dealer now so when I hear back from them I will keep you all posted.
Also, has anyone seen this color? Can you describe it? Is it anything like the Graphite Metallic that's available on other DCX models (and that was available at one time - my dealer has a loaded Graphite Metallic, probably an early run)?
The color chip looks good, but I'm not inclined to rely on it, especially how different other colors (like the Deep Molten Red) look to me on an actual vehicle!
Thanks in advance for any comments.
http://www.dodge.com/
To be honest, I, nor my wife, were very thrilled with it.
I think a better name for it is, "Military gray"!
Sorry, it is just not a very flattering color, not at all like the "Graphite Metallic " on the Infiniti FX35...now THAT is a nice looking Graphite color!
PS...yes, we looked at getting a FX35...we chose a beautiful "Butane Blue" Pacifica with a dark slate leather interior instead...we think it was much more value for the money(more room too!)
By the way, does anyone know if you can get an AWD Pacifica without leather?
I have the FWD and in the moderate snows we get here in Jersey it performed excellent.
Save the $$ in both car cost and gas cost if you can.
Base FWD: $24,995
- 3.8L V6
- Two Row, Five Passenger Seating
- Four Wheel, Anti-lock Disc Brakes
- Multi-stage Driver & Front Passenger Airbags
- Driver's Side Inflatable Knee Blocker
- Occupant Classification System
- Remote Keyless Entry
- SentryKey Theft Deterrent System
Base AWD: $27,975
- Base FWD Features, Plus:
- 3.5L V6
- Aluminum Wheels
Touring FWD: $28,250
- Base FWD Features, Plus:
- 3.5L V6
- Three Row, Six Passenger Seating
- 17" Aluminum Wheels
Touring AWD: $31,050
- Touring FWD Features, Plus:
- Premium Leather Seats
- Optional Rear Park Assist
- Optional 19" Chrome Wheels
Limited: $36,995
- Touring AWD Features, Plus:
- Monochromatic Exterior
- Unique 19" Chrome Wheels
- 1st & 2nd Row Heated Luxury Leather Seats
- Wood Accents on Steering Wheel and Shift Knob
- Power Moon Roof
- Rear Park Assist
- Power Adjustable Pedals
- Power Lift Gate
- 6 Disc CD/DVD Changer
- AM/FM/Cassette/CD Radio
- Three Row Side Curtain Airbags
For more information:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040405/dem012a_1.html
-- Mark
I do think that the 3.8L engine is a mistake, especially when so many reviews complain that the Pacifica is underpowered. I personally feel that the 3.5L engine is fine, but public perception seems to indicate otherwise, so using the 3.8L OHV engine is a mistake in my book. I also think that the sub-$25K base price is too low. The Touring FWD model is priced low enough. Who will want to buy a $40K Pacifica when others can buy one for as little as $25K? I feel that the price spread is simply too great, as is the case with the new Chrysler 300. In order to promote Chrysler's "premium" status, I believe that the base 300 and Pacifica models should be dropped.
-- Mark
The currently published specs are as follows:
3.5 4-valve: HP: 250@6400 -- Torque: 250@3950
3.8 2-valve: HP: 215@5000 -- Torque: 245@4000
Currently we own two Caravans with the 3.8, one with the older 180HP/240 Torque engine, and a 2003 with the 215HP version. Given that the ES is only a couple of hundred pounds lighter than the Pacifica, I think performance should be similar, which is to say more than adequate. To take it one step further, my guess is that the 3.8 equipped Pacificas (which are probably the least contented, and as such, the lightest) might actually feel a tad quicker in the lower RPM ranges, which is where 2-valve engines typically shine.
I hope this helps.
Best Regards,
Shipo
-- Mark
So, for now, just the 3.5!
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040405/dem012a_1.html
Best Regards,
Shipo
My Pacifica was in for service recently and noticed that there was a 2004 on the lot that had full chrome wheels with only a silver logo in the center as compared to the ones I have that are partially chrome with the gold logo. I find it interesting that they changed that midstream during a model year.
Anyway, love the Pacifica but don't like the direction Chrysler is taking it.
Manufacturers are always tweaking product here and there. Even an item in the market for years and years changes, and those who bought prior to the change might be disappointed they didn't wait a little longer.
I think every one of us first-year purchasers HAD to know that changes were bound to happen, and that pricing would change either +/-.
The bottom line is...are you happy with your car? I know I am. I refuse to go back and fester over the details of the deal, what I could have/should have done, or worry about what the next model-year purchasers will or won't get. I love my Pacifica, and that's that.
We're looking at possibly getting a fully loaded FWD '04 version; that thing is impossible to find as most fully loaded versions on dealer lots are
AWD. I must buy from dealer stock as I'd be purchasing through the Affiliate Rewards supplier purchase program.
Regards... Vikd
I've had two problems with my Pacifica. The first was an analog clock that didn't work right (it registered two hours for every hour that passed). That took one hour to replace. The second was a fading air conditioning display. That took three hours. I have not had a day without my Pacifica. The only issue I currently have is a slight "popping" noise that comes from the front suspension when I make slow, sharp turns. I'm not concerned with it. If my Pacifica ever needs some major servicing, then I'll have them look into it.
I was not impressed with the Pacifica's power on my first test drive. But that is not an issue at all now. I'm always at 65+ mph whenever I'm blending into traffic on the freeway. I have found that it will go 70 mph up a steep grade with ease. Due to the engine's torque curve, it does not do as well if I go up the same grade at 60 or 65 mph. I always go into AutoStick and 3rd gear at the moment my speed starts to decrease at the bottom of the grade. Going down the grade the opposite way, I keep it in 3rd gear, which holds it at 65 mph. Everyone else in front of me is braking, but not my Pacifica.
We had several alternatives to the Pacifica. I really liked the looks of the Nissan Mirrano (my wife hated it). The fact that it was too small for my needs and that the interior was underwhelming took it off our list. The Accura MDX went off our list after the first test drive. It didn't have the feel or the ride we were looking for. The Infiniti FX-45, since it is the same size as the Mirrano, was too small and too expensive. The Honda Pilot was too utilitarian, although it has worked out great for my son's young family (getting in and out of the third row seat is a real chore, however). The Lexus 330 came close. Its quality surpasses that of the Pacifica in some areas, but not enough too make it worth the extra money. It also was too small, with no third row. After seeing several on the road lately, I'm not as impressed with its looks either. It seems too high off the ground for its size. The Cadillac SRX became available long after our purchase and after checking it out, I'm glad I didn't wait.
The most important addition I made to my Pacifica was a small rectangular convex mirror added to the driver's side mirror. This helps to give me full visual coverage of traffic to my rear and sides with only a slight turn of my head. I never have to look over my shoulder while driving, except when pulling out of a parking space.
Since I was one of the first to buy a Pacifica, mine is almost fully loaded. I did not intend to get the AWD or the DVD system, but since the Satin Jade Pacifica that was sitting on the dealer's lot was the right color interior and exterior and had all the other options I wanted, I took the plunge. The only other option that I would now consider not getting is the Navigation System. It's impressive and easy to work with, but I still prefer looking at a real map before I go somewhere. It has come in handy several times, however, when we needed to find exact addresses that were hard to see from the road. Also, the listing of all the closest restaurants in an unknown area has worked out great on a couple of occasions.
The changes I would like to see are really minor. The first would be a deeper back window, with maybe the looks of the one on the SRX with its bottom 'V' shape. The latching mechanism on the seat belts could also be improved. My rear passengers usually have a problem with it, and I do too sometimes. The angles just don't seem to be quite right. My wife would like a lumbar adjustment on her front passenger seat. I never use cruise control, but I can't see how anyone could use it as night with the controls not being illuminated. I would love to get better gas mileage (I average about 18 mpg) but I guess that's the price you pay when you have a vehicle that is equipped with everything that the Pacifica has. Some type of rear spoiler that would direct airflow over the rear window would also be nice since it get dirty very quickly.
I have not seen one vehicle on the road that has made me regret choosing the Pacifica. It still turns heads after one year. Chrysler engineers created a vehicle as if I had given them the specifications for what I needed. Several years ago I was hoping that they would come up with a wagon version of the Intrepid to fill my needs (which I still think would have looked fantastic). With the Pacifica, I have a vehicle that fills needs I didn't even know I had.
Said bomber wouldn't by any odd chance be a Mitchell would it? One of my favorites. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo