Chrysler Pacifica

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Comments

  • twoof1twoof1 Member Posts: 308
    The following is the text of my email to the editors sent 5/5/04. No response yet:

    "I have been a registered member of the Edmunds Town Hall since 1995. As a current owner of a Pacifica, I simply must comment on the way you presented your "Long-Term Test: 2004 Chrysler Pacifica April 2004".
     
    Out of 10 paragraphs of review copy, you spent 4 of those paragraphs compaining about the dealer (Buerge Chrysler-Jeep). This should be a review of the automobile, not about your bad dealership experience. When you spend that much time talking about how bad the dealership was, you taint the reader into believing that it is the car that is at fault.
     
    What I find even more incredible is that you state in the review that you have had bad service experiences at this dealership in the past and yet you keep going back! You reward incompetence with continuing to support their business. You have 2 other dealers within 10 miles of your corporate headquarters. Is this the type of consumer activism you recommend?
     
    I have no problem when you guys slam a car because of various faults or a bad experience with the vehicle itself, however when you dedicate almost half of a review to slamming a bad dealership which you have had a previous history of problems with yet you continue to give them business, it leads to a very biased review. This is the case with your "Long-Term Test: 2004 Chrysler Pacifica April 2004"."
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    I think that is an excellent email. Direct, gets your point across. Your feedback is important and I'm glad you sent this to them.
  • mzmarlomzmarlo Member Posts: 13
    Great Feedback! Thanks for your voice!
  • mellismellis Member Posts: 150
    Speaking as a former Audi A4 owner I have to disagree. I had a horrific experience with almost constant repairs. The nice interior is not great if the car is at the dealer all the time.

    FYI, with discounts the Pacifica is $10k less than the Avant and you get a 3rd row. No brainer.

    I drove an Audi and did go back...
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    Cough... what's so unbelievable about Audi engines? The fact that they don't produce as much power for the price that Audi sells them for?
  • twoof1twoof1 Member Posts: 308
    The A4 is a great vehicle although it's a totally different class than the Pacifica. The A4 is much smaller and more expensive.

    I'm sure you are being completely objective since your listed email address is for Cavender Audi in San Antonio Texas.
  • setzersetzer Member Posts: 127
    How are the Pacifica sales? I heard they aren't too great. But here is what I think Chrysler should do with the Pacifica in a few years...

    Switch it from it's current platform over to the 300 platform. I think they should drop the 3rd row seat and match the Magnum. Then add some Chrysler styling and the upscale features that most Chrysler's have, and there you go. If Dodge can make a tough station wagon, why can't Chrysler make a sophisticated one?
  • fastdriverfastdriver Member Posts: 2,273
    setzer-

    "If Dodge can make a tough station wagon, why can't Chrysler make a sophisticated one?"

    They do. It's just not going to be sold in this country!

    fastdriver
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    I suggest you re-check your sources. Pacifica doesn't need to have too many upscale features added as it already has them. And it has great styling too. If it needs anything it is a more aggressive advertising campaign.
  • noulletnoullet Member Posts: 9
    I mentioned the same thing about advertising and the lack of it in a Sales & Marketing survey that they sent me after I had purchased my Pacifica.
    I almost told them that they need to fire their S&M personnel and get some fresh blood. It's one of the greatest vehicle's that I have owned so far and that includes one of my old favorites...my Corvette which my wife made me sell when we got married.
    I totally agree that the lack of advertising this great ST has not helped D-C....

    Regards,

    Jack
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    just like they screwed up 300M marketing back when.
  • bjbird2bjbird2 Member Posts: 647
    "just like they screwed up 300M marketing back when."

    Explain ?????
  • brian211brian211 Member Posts: 69
    Looking for new car. Would like a 4x4 or awd. At my chrysler,dodge,jeep,mitsu dealer I saw several models. Durangos, cherokees, libertys,endeavors and pacificas. As pacifica owners what would be your advice? How is gas mileage and durability of the awd system. My friend has a new 05 ford escape which he raves about. I've also liked the 4runner. What say you?
  • bjbird2bjbird2 Member Posts: 647
    I've had a very good experience with my Pacifica. It's been problem free, and it does everything we expected of it, and more. I have a hard time getting driving time on it because my wife likes it so much. We are getting about 23-24 mpg on the highway, and about 18 around town. Ours is 2WD, and you should ask yourself if you really need AWD. Unless you go off road, the 2WD is less expensive, less likely to have problems, gets better gas mileage and has better acceleration than the AWD. I've never gotten stuck in the snow. The FWD and weight of the Pacifica is very good getting through the snow.
  • trarontraron Member Posts: 29
    I am in full agreement with bjbird2. Have you driven a 4Runner? I owned a 4Runner and we traded in in on an MDX because we tired of its ride on long trips (its a truck). The Pacifica is a very comfortable and practical vehicle. I love my FWD vehicle. Mileage is about the same as bjbird2.
  • rsharprsharp Member Posts: 103
    So the Pac got a rather bad review when they finally got around to posting another update to the long term test. And everyone here goes nuts blasting the review. Yes the dealer STINKS but, as admitted in other posts on this thread, many Chrysler dealers stink! And if one dealer is going to do unnecessary service you can bet many other dealers will do the same. So, the trouble with the dealer is relevant to the review because all Pacifica owners will have to deal with the 5 Star crooks in their area. Bad dealerships and especially bad service departments was a MAJOR contributing factor to our decision not to purchase a Pacifica.

    But for all of the ranting here about the dealership the real negative was the fact that the work had to be done at all! Reviews that contain phrases like "horrible ratcheting noise," "disconcerting cracking," "the front transfer case replaced. Replaced after 18,000 miles? Incredible!," and "it really makes me cautious about recommending a Chrysler product," should be of WAY more concern.

    In fact, if you use the logic stated above, that if you had trouble with the dealer before don't go back to that dealer, then since the long term reviews of 2 other DC products both had similar problems then logically, we should not be buying these autos made by DC.

    Again, I don't hate the Pacifica, almost purchased one until the dealer called and said he "mis-quoted" the price and the car would be $2000 more! I guess that is more of that vaunted 5 Star service!
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    Chrysler never had a good marketing campaign for 300M. They came out with a very nice product and all they could do was scratch their heads and wonder why it was not selling. Instead of doing a more aggressive marketing campaign they found it more appropriate to cut production and lay off workers. Such geniouses.
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    I had a horrible transmission failure on my Acura TL-S at 6,100 miles. Then another one at 35K miles.
  • rsharprsharp Member Posts: 103
    Yes, There was a transmission problem on some Honda products...
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,691
    Re: rsharp [ruski #1730] by rsharp May 12, 2004 (7:47 am)
    Yes, There was a transmission problem on some Honda products...

    That should state
     Yes, There is a transmission problem on several Honda products...
    Read the Accord, Odyssey, Acura groups.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    I just wanted to show how everyone, including Edmunds, has raving reviews of the TL despite the car having a big problem. Yet they dessimate the Pacifica based on some bad experience they had at the dealer.
  • gatorpacgatorpac Member Posts: 2
    Can someone tell me, do the chrome wheels come with chrome (or metal) air-valve caps? May sound like a trivial question, but I'd like to know. I never really paid much attention, but I think mine got switched out with plastic caps while being serviced!? Maybe I was just imagining that they were metal....
  • trarontraron Member Posts: 29
    Mine are Chrome with metal caps.
  • rasldaslrasldasl Member Posts: 74
    Mine were silver-colored plastic. Two of them disappeared so I bought a nice set of chrome ones at Pep Boys.
  • trarontraron Member Posts: 29
    Gatorpac, sorry, I checked my car they are silver plastic caps. Yours are correct.
  • monark49monark49 Member Posts: 58
    of chrome plated plastic parts on cars nowadays. grills, bumper pieces, etc. as Martha says "its a good thing". less weight an they don't pit like chrome plated metal.
  • gatorpacgatorpac Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the replies. Just one of those things I'll have to shrug off and say "oh, well" and drive on. Thanks.
  • eeeleeel Member Posts: 57
    This week's Autoweek has an update on the long term Pacifica test. It's good reading and the longer they have it, the more they like it.
  • mzmarlomzmarlo Member Posts: 13
    Can you view it online?
  • dougusdougus Member Posts: 6
    Yes, it's online. Just go to www.autoweek.com and click on "Longterm Tests"
  • boiler1boiler1 Member Posts: 56
    Hey, I just read your post and decided to look at mine. They are, indeed, metal caps. My Pacifica is an early build that I purchased last June.
  • scorchscorch Member Posts: 1
    My Chrysler dealer was great...

    Didn't get a hard sell, they worked with me and even when we had a complaint after bringing my car in for service,(was the scratch there before I brought it in?), they took care of it, no questions asked.

    We're gonna go check out the Pacifica this weekend... ...among other models...
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    metal caps here but two fell off.. after getting tires rotated... so I now check every few gas ups to see they are tight... they tend to losen, maybe thats why they went to plastic ??
  • svevarsvevar Member Posts: 160
    The first installment of a one-year test of the Pacifica is featured in the latest issue of Motor Trend. The authors noted the excellent build quality/materials, beautiful interior/exterior styling, and smooth ride. The only complaint was directed at the "underwhelming" V6, which lacks power and refinement. Overall, a nice little story. I look forward to future installments.

     -- Mark
  • tfudertfuder Member Posts: 36
    Heard yesterday that my (ok, technically my wife's) Pacifica is on its way down and should arrive no later than Friday!

    This board is great, but I'd already decided to buy it before I even found the town hall. I'm really glad I did - have been able to track down the things I *might* need to get done to the car when it arrives, as well as tips and tricks (like the convex mirrors).

    Got to keep myself from hanging out at the shop, waiting for the truck to arrive...
  • rysterryster Member Posts: 571
    The Autoweek article has one thing in there that is absolutely ridiculous. They state that because the steering wheel controls are not lit at night, that it is pointless to try and use the cruise control at night.

    Does anyone else think that is an absurd comment to make? Just because the controls aren't illuminated doesn't mean you can't use the cruise control at night! Silly.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    ..., we have three cars with steering wheel cruise control buttons (two have radio controls as well) and if any of them are lit (I'm pretty sure at least one is) I cannot really tell. Why? Because I keep my dash dimmer at the dimmest setting, and that makes radio buttons (on the dash or on the wheel) all but invisible at night. All of that said, the buttons are well laid out and logical, and after only a couple of drives, you know where they are without having to look.

    So, in answer to your query, yes, their comments are both "absolutely ridiculous" and "silly" . ;-)

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    my '98 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP and '96 Buick Riviera Supercharged had lit steering wheel controls.

    But my 2002 Acura TL-S' steering wheel controls don't light up.

    I guess my Acura is crap. Actually after two blown trannies I already know that it is.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Two trannies? Ouch, you're doing worse than the Odysseys and Accords in my neighborhood. They've only had 4 trannies for six vehicles, of course, one of the Accords is a 4-Banger with a 5-Speed manual. ;-)

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    How come there are no more Pacifica posts recently?
  • mzmarlomzmarlo Member Posts: 13
    wondering the same thing....
  • b25nutb25nut Member Posts: 202
    Because we are all so happy with the Pacifica.

    I had my doubts initially whether the Navigation was worth the price. After the first few weeks I was afraid it was just a high tech novelty that would impress my friends. After a recent trip to Las Vegas, however, all my doubt is gone. My wife met me in Vegas so I had to pick her up at the airport. It took longer to set up for a trade show than I anticipated so I was really cutting it close to get to the airport in time. I was planning on taking I-15 but rush hour was starting. I entered the airport into the Nav system. It gave me the options for arriving or departing flights! It sent me to the city street that went straight to the airport and in the terminal in less than ten minutes. During our stay, the Nav also found several restaurants for us. Life is much sweeter (less stress) with the Nav system.
  • twoof1twoof1 Member Posts: 308
    to post
  • commofficercommofficer Member Posts: 50
    Hello again,
    I saw the request for new posts and I have one for you. I am really happy with the AWD Pacifica we have and I have posted in the past regarding the replacement of some parts to get it perfect and the paint problems but that's done now and I am happy. I really consider it a luxury vehicle and enjoy the ride. It's a great station wagon even though some have a hard time admitting that this is really what it is. The new kids don't really remember station wagons so it's alright to come out of the garage and admit to owning one now.
    My wife and I guess I am a little frustrated by the 15.9mpg during this huge spike in gas prices. We thought we should go and see about trading it in on a Camry or something else boring like that. I really felt like it would be a huge step down but it might be better to have lower payments and reasonable fuel economy. We would lose some very useful space but we can't afford to take it on long trips anymore so why worry about that now.
    I took it to the dealer with initials BH on Broadway Extension in Oklahoma City and asked them how much they would offer us on trade in. We were at the Toyota dealership so they took it next door to their Chrysler dealership. Our car was bought in July 2003 and has 15K miles. It's silver with grey leather. It's basically mint. No other options since they use to come with everything. We don't smoke and don't allow people in it that do since we have small kids and smoking kills. Enough said on that little topic. We expected something around 25-27K as a trade-in value.

    They offered us $22,000. Insulted is basically the feeling I got. The stinking, boring Toyota Camry with a 4 cylinder was going to be $24,000. What the heck are they saying? If Chrysler wants to sell cars that have some residual value then they need to be willing to offer a reasonable amount when someone wants to trade it in. I was also looking at the Chrysler 300 since it gets 5-6 mpg better than the Pacifica but they said that would be the trade-in value at any of their dealerships in the block they own.

    Has anyone else tried to trade their car back in or seen any advertised locally for that little?

    I am a little relieved though that we didn't get the Camry since I hate the idea of buying the boring "A-B" car. I also get to keep the car I can go to Lowes with and buy over-sized items with.

    I am a little miffed (It's really hard not to swear and find substitutes) about the trade-in vale. I really though it would have some vale but to go from $34,000 MSRP to $22,000 in 10 months is a little hard to swallow. Maybe Chrysler will be forced to lower the MSRP when they see along with potential customers just how low the residual value is. They have all those incentives and yes I did pay something like $27,500 when new but why the heck would they have such ridiculous initial prices if they have such poor resale.

    I'm just glad that we can have it paid for in a couple of years and then without the payment the gas won't be that big of a deal.
  • mellismellis Member Posts: 150
    Don't know what you are complaining about. If you can get the same car now for $27,500 new why would anyone buy a one year Pacifica with 15,000 miles for anything close to that. It is used. 1/3 of the warranty is gone.

    If the dealership is giving you $22,000 then they would sell it for around $24,000. Would you pay more than $24,000 for a one year old Pacifica w/15,000 miles?

    That amount of depreciation is about right. MSRP is meaningless. Price paid new is not.

    I'll trade you my wife's 2002 Camry Solara which we paid $21,500 for in July 02. Car has 19,000 miles. Trade in is $12,000. That is depreciation! On a Toyota! :)

    You should have your Pacifica checked. My AWD w/3,500 miles is consistently getting 20.0 MPG.
  • oedipus1608oedipus1608 Member Posts: 76
    The dealer has to make a profit on traded vehicles. Therefore, they won't offer you the entire residual value of a trade in.
  • rasldaslrasldasl Member Posts: 74
    "They have all those incentives and yes I did pay something like $27,500 when new but why the heck would they have such ridiculous initial prices if they have such poor resale."

    That is why they are trying to get the MSRP more in line with the prices the cars are actually going out the door for. So the new 300 starts for 23,995 instead of 26 or 27k with 4 grand off. Of course, it does not always work and they are now giving $1,000 off on the brand spanking new 300. But they are trying and it will help resale (at least as a percentage of MSRP) in the long run. I paid $37k for my loaded Pacifica (list over $40k) and am just glad to see they are selling. I'm hoping the resale will hold up better long term than for a flop like the new Nissan Quest minivan.
  • commofficercommofficer Member Posts: 50
    Okay I guess you guys are right about the price but still it hurts to think that my Pacifica in leather and all it comes with is worth $2K less than a new boring, A to B, velour interior, 4 cylinder Camry. We are staying with the Pacifica and after doing some more research I can't honestly find a better alternative and feel good about the trade in price.
    Sorry to hear about the $12K for the Solara. That was one of those cars that I thought had great resale values.
    Later
    Phil
  • bjbird2bjbird2 Member Posts: 647
    There's a glut of used cars now, so not many cars have a good trade-in value.
  • fastdriverfastdriver Member Posts: 2,273
    According to this article- they're up!

    http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0406/01/c01-167867.htm

    fastdriver
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