Chrysler Pacifica Review (Personal)

Discussion in 'Pacifica' started by Chris Meyer, Nov 18, 2003.

  1. Chris Meyer

    Chris Meyer Guest

    Hi all:

    This post is a little long and represents my PERSONAL opnions on the
    Chrysler Pacifica. I know many of you will disagree, and that is
    fine. I hope that this information can benifit someone who is
    contemplating a purcase.

    I know when I was researching the purchase of a new Pacifica, I got a
    lot of feedback...mostly negative. I did purchase one and thought I
    would let you know what my expereince has been...

    We got our Pacifica a couple of weeks ago and so far have really
    enjoyed it. There are several things I dislike, but overal I do like
    the car. here are my likes, dislikes and indiffernt opinions:

    Pros
    Large interior

    Third row of seats (we had a Durango and liked the flexibility of
    having the third row when needed and tucked away when it was not.

    Good handling, but remember, I was a Durango owner prior to this :)

    Nice control layout - steering wheel audio controls (also on the
    Durango), automatic climate control, etc...

    Stability, it is wide, and it takes a little getting used to, but it
    is a very stable feeling car

    Second row seat vent controls are easy for kids to get at (the
    Durangos were on the ceiling and we always used the override on the
    dash and never used those controls).

    Visual appearance. I really like the overall look of the car

    Power Liftgate. I know it is available on other autos, but it really
    is something I don't know what I did without...a really nice option.

    Audio - pretty nice stereo without the Infinity upgrade, which I had
    in the Durango...this was something I thought about adding to our list
    of "wants", but passed on because of the $800 price. I'm happy with
    the base system

    Lots of "little standard features" that do drive up the base price,
    but add to the appeal of the car...things like the 2 position memory
    seating, key fob tied to personal preferences, reclining second row
    seats (nice for trips), auto-diming mirrors, etc...

    Cons
    Huge Blind Spot...I almost got whacked bringing it home...takes a
    little getting used to. Backing up is kind of like walking across a
    freeway blindfolded, your not really sure what is right behind you.

    The second row of seats needs to be all the way forward in order to
    lay the third row down, reducing the legroom for the second seat
    passengers.

    Side mirors are tiny...this doesnt help with the blindspot

    Cup holders are between the shifter and console, this is minor, but
    when you have cups in them, I tend to have to put my arm in a differnt
    position (i.e. not holding on to the shifter lever, which makes the
    autostick pretty useless...though I think I could say that in general
    about the autostick).

    I haven't been overly impressed with the mileage, but I am still in
    that break in period I guess. I got it with a full tank and filled it
    once since then. I only averaged 15.5 mpg (I have an AWD...should be
    17/22 or 23) and that first tank was 80% highway. My second tank
    isn't looking too much better, but is mostly in town. I'll wait till
    I have a few 1000 miles and if it doesn't improve, I'll be concerned.

    This is minor, but why can the hood have self sustaining shocks so you
    don't have to use a hold up bar when you open the hood? I mean if
    your going to put all of these other options in a car, would gas
    shocks under the hood be that big of a deal? That really surprised me
    for some reason.

    2 step process to fold and flip second row of seats. Come one, I have
    had cars for years that accomplished this with one lever, why can't DC
    do that with a $34K car? The access to the third row is also tight,
    esspecially if the front pas. seat is back, preventing the second row
    from flipping completly forward.

    indifferent things...

    Motor...I read lots of bad reviews from people on the lack of power,
    but I feel that it is adequate. I certainly don't have the low end
    torque I had with the Durango, and am not real happy that my new
    Pacifica actually weighs MORE then my Durango did, but it does do a
    good job moving the car around. I'm always a big fan of more power,
    but this was a concession I agreed to when I bought this car and so
    maybe my expectations were low, so I am mildly surprised :)

    Autostick. Maybe I will get used to it. I am a big fan of manuals,
    and seriously thought of going the conventional auto route so I could
    get one. The Autostick is just a bad attempt at making something out
    of nothing. Maybe I will feel differnt when I have to take off on
    snow and ice, but hey, thats why I got an AWD.

    2x2x2 seating. I know it is ineffiecient and those few times when we
    need to act like circus clowns and load the car up, it would be nice
    to have a third seating position in the second row, but in general it
    is nice for our two young children. They like the bucket seats and
    the console in the middle is a good place to hide all of their stuff.
    The climate controls are located closer to them, so they can actually
    use them as well. In addition, my oldest daughter likes to sit in the
    third row and with the middle seat missing in the second row, it is
    easier to see her and what she is doing as well as pass things
    between.

    I apologize for the long post, but wanted to put my opinions out
    because this is the type of info I was looking for when I purchased
    it. Would I purchase one again? I don't know...only owned it a
    couple weeks. So far I have a few minor issues that need to be
    addressed (burned out fog lamp, loose fan shroud under the engine,
    etc...) but overall I am happy and impressed.

    Thanks,

    Chris
     
    Chris Meyer, Nov 18, 2003
    #1
  2. Chris Meyer

    Art Begun Guest

    Thank you for the post.

    The sideview mirrors look like they are tacked on. Check out the
    triangle of plastic trim that connect them to the body.
     
    Art Begun, Nov 18, 2003
    #2
  3. Chris Meyer

    Bob Shuman Guest

    Thanks for taking the time to post. Interesting from an average consumer
    perspective. I do not have a Pacifica, but do have two comments on the hood
    prop and the autostick.

    On the prop open hood, I have had both the prop and gas strut assisted lifts
    and actually prefer the prop since they don't wear out and cost anything to
    replace 5 years down the road.

    On the autostick, I have this feature on a 3.5L 1996 Eagle Vision and only
    use it in heavy snow and ice. It is wonderful to use to start out in 3rd
    gear from a dead stop in really bad conditions. This prevents the wheels
    from spinning and the auto traction control from destroying my brakes. With
    an engine that puts out a lot of torque or that has a heavy "tip in"
    accelerator, it is hard to keep the wheels from spinning in first gear so
    the autostick is a handy feature at least where I live.

    Bob
     
    Bob Shuman, Nov 18, 2003
    #3
  4. Chris Meyer

    Steve Guest


    I prefer good old hood springs that I don't have to screw with every
    time I check the oil *OR* replace 40 years down the road (the ones on my
    49 Coupe still work after 54 years....)

    I can't believe the two pounds of weight-savings is all that important.
     
    Steve, Nov 18, 2003
    #4
  5. Chris Meyer

    hmmm... Guest

    Yes. I prefer the prop. I have (broken) gas struts in my Intrepid. I keep
    a prop in my trunk.
     
    hmmm..., Nov 18, 2003
    #5
  6. Chris Meyer

    Chris Meyer Guest

    Haha, good points on the gas struts wearing out. I guess I hadn't thought
    of that; just seemed that with everything that is standard (power seats,
    memory settings, third seat, etc...) that this seemed kind of like a no
    brainer....and I really like the idea of the big springs, I have them on my
    92 Yukon and it still hold strong; and 2 more lbs on a 4000+ lb car doesn't
    seem to bad :)

    And good point on the autostick too. I have a friend with an Audi that
    has one and he says it is useful in bad weather even with his quattro. I
    really like the Pacifica and hope my expereince is a good one, so far, so
    good.

    Chris
     
    Chris Meyer, Nov 19, 2003
    #6
  7. Thanks for the review. I ordered one and am WAITING.
     
    Richard Benner Jr, Nov 19, 2003
    #7
  8. How dare you call Chris Meyer "average"...

    ;-)
    DAS
    --
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    NB: To reply directly replace "nospam" with "schmetterling"
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    [............]
     
    Dori Schmetterling, Nov 19, 2003
    #8
  9. Chris Meyer

    Chris Meyer Guest

    hehehehe :)

    Chris


     
    Chris Meyer, Nov 20, 2003
    #9
  10. Chris Meyer

    RPhillips47 Guest

    We bought ours (AWD) on August 29. We love it.
     
    RPhillips47, Nov 21, 2003
    #10
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