Chrysler Pacifica

Sylvia

is being moved into the main Pacifica discussion...thanks!

peyton

dudleyr

The only way to get an accurate figure on your highway mileage is to reset the computer after your up to speed on the interstate and drive it for a hundred miles or so. If you drive around the city for a hundred miles and average 15 and then go to the highway without resetting the computer and drive another hundred miles your going to average in the first hundred miles at 15 and the last hundred miles at 23 which will show up on the computer as 19 miles per gallon. Always reset while your driving if you want an accurate figure.

This is very true - in fact even more so than stated above. Because you are using more gallons during the city driving you do not do a straight average of the mileage. It has to be weighted for the gallons used. If you do the math you will see that 11 gallons are used in the above scenario and that means about 18 mpg. It really does not take much city driving to bring down your average.

monark49

For the most part I use 89 from Shell or BP. 87 does not seem to make much difference but a little more spark knock. In the Tenn. mountains I switch to the premium 93 or its all "ping" going up the hills. Mostly 89 for the run home from Tenn. Just turned 20k and still only oil changes and rotations.

bjbird2

I use 87 octane all the time, and never have had any pinging. Mileage on the highway is in the low 20's.
monark49, you might have regional gas formulations causing pinging. Have you driven out of state and still had the problem?

monark49

It takes 2 fillups to reach Gatlinburg from Chicago. One with Chicago gas and the second with Kentucky gas. The return trip is with Tenn. gas and Indiana gas. Various brands. The pinging is mainly a Mountain problem. Crackles away when you climb the back hills with 89.

dudleyr

I would take it in to the dealer to have the pinging looked at. The timing may be too advanced.

maxmom

I've been dealing with the pinging since last June. It's not a bad problem, more of an annoyance. My guys have tried everything and have brought it to the attention of the regional manager. He says Chrysler is working on it, but anything dealing with emissions has to go through a 50K test run for the EPA. I'm on my way this morning for regular service and the latest recall.

No other problems with the Pacifica. I love it and definitely made the right decision for me.

ruski

I got a 2005 Pacifica Touring brochure and I can't understand the logic behind making some optiong available only on the AWD version. This is crap. I don't want to pay extra for AWD, I don't want to have the extra weight of AWD, I just want to have some of those nice options.

bjbird2

I don't know what options you're looking for, but the brochure I have lists almost all the features available as either standard or optional on the FWD 26T model. The only listed as not available are auto off and HID headlamps, drivers side memory side mirrors, and memory system. I don't think those features are a big sacrifice, the memory systems never seem to work right anyway.

ruski

whether the memory system works right or not is a different story (always worked fine on my 300M and all other cars I have had with the exception of my Lexus RX300 where it occasionally decides to quit)

I just want to have those features without having to go for AWD.

rcf8000

Chrysler has done the same thing on the 300. You can't get the memory system on any model except the 300C. (On the Magnum you can't get it on any model.) Dumb. Also, they could have increased the market for the Pacifica by making a 7 passenger version available in addition to the 5 passenger. How difficult could that have been? But noooooooo.

bjbird2

Not sure what you're saying...the 7 passanger Pacifica is available on all trim levels.

svevar

There's no seven passenger Pacifica, only five and six passenger models for the 2005 model year.

 -- Mark

steelydan0613

FWD will beat AWD in gas mileage anyday, I live in Houston, Tx. and all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive anything is not worth the extra expense and maintainence unless you regularly drive off-road. We just don't have the foul weather driving to deal with.......... Only floods, and good ones at that..

bjbird2

Mark,

The 2005 does not have the rear bench seat that seats three?

dudleyr

I think what he is saying is you can't get the third seat with the three person bench.

ramzey28

On the base you will be able to get a second row bench but no third row seats----So still can only fit 5.

seajayacas

Does anyone know what the ratio of the drive shaft to the rear axle is on the all wheel drive models? I searched high and low and was not able to find it.

ramzey28

Went to my dealer, who I know well. They are buying 04 pacs at auction for about 12k less then msrp with less then 6k miles. This usually depics NADA bottom value (trade value). Seems very low, not sure about resale. Im glad I leased mine. Love the car but I don't get why American cars dont hold the same values, I think its discrimnation. Or just plain bias. I thought that not many being around and the unique design would make the value stay high.

rsharp

"Love the car but I don't get why American cars dont hold the same values, I think its discrimnation. Or just plain bias."

Quality or at least the perception of quality could also be an issue. For all US auto makers not just the Pac and DC. As well as cheap interest rates on new autos forcing prices on used auto down.

ddelise

When is this going to be updated??? The last one is from December - we are almost in May! I want to read the new long term review soon!

rsharp

I wondered that also. When I was shopping the Pacifica vs the Pilot there were monthly entries on the long term Pilot and 2 entries on the Pac. It is like they just quit driving it!

KCRam

You can use the Help button in the far upper-right corner of this page. Select the "Contact Us" tab, enter your inquiry, and for category, select "Editorial" along with the appropriate year/make/model selections - they will get back to you pretty quickly.

kcram
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Sylvia

I checked the internal editorial calendar last night and see this slotted for the first half of May.

ddelise

Thanks much for the update!

Damon

miked

motorweek has a long term review of the pacifica on there site and it was very positive. I think the website is motorweek.org. I know it's not edmunds but worth reading.

b25nut

Why do we do long term tests? Well, to check for durability and find out if our initial road test impressions are valid. Normally, over a year, we are always slightly disappointed. But so far, that's not the case for the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica Sports Tourer. As Chrysler's latest segment buster, this crossover, part SUV, part minivan, part luxury sedan, got a good if not rave review from us during initial testing. Now, however, after 2 months and 6,000 miles, the brilliance of this design is sinking in.

The Pacifica has a wider stance and a more substantial look than most vans. That is, like an SUV. But, it also looks rich and even glamorous, like a luxury sedan. The classy interior is the best yet from Chrysler. The navigation screen is even inside the gauges so you can see it without looking off to the side. Hurrah!

But, on top of that, the Pacifica drives so nicely. Comfortable on long trips but also,
thanks to a lot of Mercedes suspension hardware, it handles highway surprises with ease. Only a bit more mid-range power for passing is needed. Seats are firm, but leave you well rested. And, the 6-passenger capacity, three rows of two seats, makes you feel like you're in a private jet.

Our only glitch has been a one time erratic gas gauge. Fuel economy is good at 18.8 miles per gallon, but 24 is more typical on the interstate. Our Pacifica's all-wheel drive system has proven an easy match for our Mid-Atlantic snows to date.

So, while it's still too early to say we underestimated the desirability of the Pacifica, it's starting to look that way. In a few more months and miles we'll know for sure.

Motor Week

ruski

I am impressed that they got a pretty good fuel economy for an AWD Pacifica.

acrafton

Hello - need some advice/thoughts from owners. The wife suffers from rather serious issues with her arms/shoulders - tendonitis (among other things) and driving most cars for her is difficult and painful. We have an Odyssey minivan that she is complaining about (turning, parking, etc) and she recently drove a friends Pacifica and commented several times how much easier it was to turn, park, etc - causing her little/no pain.

Can you owners verify this? Is it a very easy (or soft) car to drive, not requiring much muscle to turn? The local dealers are offering $8500 off MSRP so I am thinking . . .maybe trade (even though I have not been a fan of the car, it is growing on me).

Any additional comments would be most appreciated as well. Thanks.

Adam

dudleyr

Toyota makes some of the "easiest" cars to drive by your definition. They have extremely soft rides, and very light steering. You could try the Sienna. Some people think the steering is too light, but if that is what you are looking for it might work well.

Best thing to do is try the vehicle out. I would make sure to get power seats, as they offer more adjustments, and that can make for easier driving.

b25nut

Adam: I have never driven a car that is more driver friendly than the Pacifica. With the Easy Entry feature activated, the driver's seat will move to its full back position when your wife removes the keys. This results in very easy entry and exit. The seat goes back to its pre-set position when the car is started. The adjustable pedals and the large up and down adjustment of the seat will allow your wife to position herself in relation to the steering wheel at the point that is most comfortable for her. And all these positions come back automatically for her after each time you have driven the Pacifica. The steering is very easy with just enough feel. All controls are within easy reach. I don't think there is a vehicle that she would be more comfortable with.

noullet

If your thinking Sienna, think again, because you won't get anywhere close to $ 8500.00 off the MSRP...You'll be lucky to get it at list price. I was bickering about price for a couple months back in Nov./ Dec. timeframe and finally gave up and purchased a Pacifica. I'm glad I did. I got $7500 off the MSRP and LOVE the thing. It's got it all over the Sienna in looks, handling, performance and accessories that come standard for the money. In order to get the same accessories on the Sienna, I would have had to purchase a "Limited" addition with a price tag ~$40M....No way, Jose..

Regards,
Jack

dudleyr

Siennas are discounted a couple thousand right now, so you can get a nice LE (with DVD, computer, power door) for 26k, and an XLE Limited for 35-36k. A lot better than in December/January.

Pacifica probably does handle better, and looks are subjective, but the Sienna has much more room, and uses much less fuel. Performance wise I don't think either is a rocket, but I doubt the Pacifica is any quicker. They are probably close on noise and ride.

Sienna isn't for everybody, but for someone who had an Odyssey it does seem like something that should at least be investigated. Or else wait till fall when the new Odyssey comes out.

noullet

Good to know that they finally came down alittle in price, however, if you want 4 wheel disc brakes, mag wheels etc. etc. you have to go with the limited XLE and that's big bucks compared to what you can get the Pacifica for..
Funny, you never see any Sienna commercials on television!!

Regards and thanks for the update on pricing.

Jack

Sylvia

2004 Chrysler Pacifica

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/chrysler/pacifica/100218686/roadt- - estarticle.html?articleId=100348&editorialpage=page003

ruski

miserable guys deserved all the crap they got.

svevar

I'm glad I've waited four months for that marvelous piece of journalism! Why don't the writers actually mention the car instead of going on and on and on about the dealer experience? If it's so bad, go elsewhere!

Honestly, that was one of the worst "car reviews" I've ever read. Edmunds continues to lose my respect with each long-term article they print.

 -- Mark

ms_mayor

That article should really be re-titled "Long Term Service Department Test of Buerge Chrysler-Jeep".

noullet

I'm really glad that they liked the 'heated seats'....Whoopie!! Shows they are really concerned about what really counts in a vehicle with a 5 Star safety record. Frankly, I don't give a damn what they stated. All I can say is that I have experienced none 'ZERO' problems with this vehicle and I'm extremely happy with the performance, MPG, styling, and amentities.

Regards,

Jack

imidazol97

I wonder if the car were Japanese, say an Accrod, if they would have gone on and on about the dealer experience-- or would they have passed that off, if mentioned at all, and raved about the good things (and minimized or ignored any flaws in the vehicle)????

miked

although the edmunds long term test review was not overall very positive there are some positive long term test reviews. See motorweek and motor trend's long term reviews of the pacifica. Both have been positive. My Pacifica is 3 months old and has 3800 miles all trouble free. It is a post august 2003 production.

Sylvia

Make your comments known to the Editorial Team - I always think this type of feedback is good. Click the Help link at the top of the screen, contact us link and categorize your comments as Editorial. The comments will then be reviewed by the Editorial team so they can think about it and know what you as the reader and consumer want from the Long-term tests.

fastdriver

Sylvia STAFF-

"...and know what you as the reader and consumer want from the Long-term tests."

As car reviewers in the USA, working for a company that deals with autos and auto information, don't you think they SHOULD already know what Americans want to know about in long term tests? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

IF they READ these TH topics and looked in on the various groups, they would certainly know that most people already know that many "award-winning 5-STAR" Chrysler dealers stink and don't get it right the first time or sometimes the second time and that they usually order the wrong part(s). Putting info like that in a "long term" review is pretty ridiculous.

Just my .02 as usual.

fastdriver

ruski

just contacted them. Full Contact.

Sylvia

Guess what? I can't force editorial to read every discussion in Town Hall. We do our best to send information up to them. However, if there is something that you see missing in the Pacifica Road Test, why not contact them? Maybe you had a different experience than they did? Maybe part of their experience of lousy service is something that is happening across a majority of dealerships and not just the one they went to. FWIW, there are people who read the long-term tests but don't read in Town Hall, so to them it might be an eye-opening thing to find out.

Again, if you don't like something from editorial, be sure and take it up with them.

fastdriver

Sylvia STAFF-

"Guess what? I can't force editorial to read every discussion in Town Hall."

GUESS WHAT? YOU shouldn't have to force them to do anything! You're in charge here in TH, not there! It should be THEIR job!

"Maybe you had a different experience than they did?"

As I am SURE you are well aware, I have had NO experience with this car in particular. I'm just talking about the kinds of things people are interested in reading about in long term tests.

fastdriver

bjbird2

Fastdriver, you troll these boards and have nothing to say but negatives. You even admit that you've had no experience with the Pacifica, so why don't you go to another board and whine and complain?

fastdriver

bjbird2-

Why don't you just skip my messages if you don't like them?

fastdriver

Sylvia

As I stated before - any issues, beefs, complaints, praise, etc. with editorial should be dealt with by editorial. I'm sure they have their reasons of what they put into a long-term test, an article and everything else they write. What are those reasons? You will need to ask them.

Now, let's get back to the discussion at hand - the Chrysler Pacifica.