Does anyone own a chrysler pacifica?

[ADisneyQueen]

We are thinking of buying one. Either a 2005 or 2006 with low mileage. Tell me the good and bad. I love how it looks and have read it is a really safe car but the back seat is small and there isn't a lot of storage space in the back. We are a family of 4 so maybe it would be all right.

 

[rie'smom]

I have one and I love it. There really isn't anything that I don't like about it. If you do get one,I suggest the automatic lift gate feature-it's a lifesaver when unloading groceries,etc. The one thing that I didn't get on mine and wished that I had was the automatic seat adjuster thing where it remembers the way you like your seat. My hubby always adjusts it to his likes and iy is a PIB to readjust.

 

[claudia]

We purchased a 2004 in 2003 when they first came out. We did get it loaded with the nav system, DVD movies, CD's, etc and love, love, love it. When the back row is folded down there is plenty of room for groceries or luggage....made a few trips in it with no problem. I love the ride, the seats are very comfortable and are heated, so it's great in this cold weather, and love the fact that the second row is bucket seats and not a bench....having the cup holders and place for the DVD's, batteries for the headsets is terrific. I can't think of anything that I don't love about this car.

 

[Darcy03231]

We have a 2005 and love it. With a family of 4 you can fold the extra two seats in the rear down and have plenty of storage space.

 

[DMickey28]

We have a 2004 Pacifica and we LOVE it!! Our is fully loaded and it's one of the most comfortable cars I have ridden in. All of our friends love it, we are the shuttle car of the group.

We have used the rear seats occassionally with guests and it's been fine. I think for a family of four it would be perfect. With the two back seats down there is PLENTY of room in the rear. And you have the option of bringing the kids friends with you when you want to.

We are putting our son's car seat into it in the next few weeks and I feel very comfortable with this car. Even though the middle row are bucket seats and he will need to sit on one side of the car, I feel comfortable with the safety of the car.

I ditto the auto rear liftgate. LOVE IT ... I imagine I will only love it more once my errands include DS and his stroller!

Good Luck on your decision. I did a lot of research on this vehicle. It was one of the first ventures of Chrysler and Mercedes when they got together. You really can tell in the interior appointments of the car. It's just a *little* nicer. The navigation system is great, it's in the dash below the steering wheel. The first of it's kind which was marked for a much higher safety record b/c it takes your eyes off the road to check it for less time.

 

[TiggerStac]

I bought an 04 2 years ago and love it. My neighbors have 2..hubby got one, and he's the one who convinced us to try it when we were looking for a new car. Then when his wifes lease was up, she got one.

Mine is loaded, too...one thing we dont' have is dvd, but I have a portable. I have the moonroof, instead. I love the navigation system...hubby has named it bunny. I will say that if you need to have 6 people in it, there really isn't a storage area, but we are now a family of 4, so it's great. We have used the back area twice, with my nephew and we only had an umbrella stroller for ds#1 at that point, so it was ok.

Bad....the transmission does "buck". we spoke to our dealer about this and they said it is a known problem w/this car, both of neighbors cars do it, too. They have not recalled it, yet...we brought it to the dealer and it's docuemented when I first got it. Not sure if it's still happening w/the newer models, but between my neighbors and I we have 04 & 05's.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

We had one.

Someone stole the front bumper.

Tranny started slipping before it was a year old.

Some leaves got in the air conditioning intake and it started making a noise like a jet taking off! Dealer wanted to charge us $250 to fix it but said it would happen again if we parked under a tree. Their advice, "Don't park under trees."

So then, would you like to hear about the Chevy Avalanche we have now?

 

[TiggerStac]

We had one.

Someone stole the front bumper.

Tranny started slipping before it was a year old.

Some leaves got in the air conditioning intake and it started making a noise like a jet taking off! Dealer wanted to charge us $250 to fix it but said it would happen again if we parked under a tree. Their advice, "Don't park under trees."

So then, would you like to hear about the Chevy Avalanche we have now?

The slipping is what I am talking about..I believe it's when it goes into 3rd gear. It doesn't do it all the time, mine, maybe once a week, every 2 weeks. I usually drive about 50-75 miles/day.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Mine was slipping from a dead stop.

It was a nice car but I just felt that soon it would become more troublesome than it already was.

 

[nucpharm29]

We have one and we really like it. We have two small kids, both still in carseats. The back storage gets kinda cramped if we have to put the stroller(s) in for them. We also had a problem with the engine light coming on--but now it's off and hasn't been on for awhile. It also was making some sort of noise--took it to the dealer, they knew about the "issue" (maybe the slipping the previous posters were referring to) and fixed it. The only other negative is, at least for me, the ability to see out the back is very limited. I think the molding around the windows could be made smaller to allow more visiblity.

But, all that being said, it's a really nice car. We don't have all the bells and whistles (aka moonroof, dvd and navigation) but it's still very lush. I like the side curtain airbags, heated leather seats, third row, etc. We also really like the fact that the middle row seats are separated by a center console. Great child separator-as DD loves to torment her brother!

 

[TiggerStac]

Mine was slipping from a dead stop.

It was a nice car but I just felt that soon it would become more troublesome than it already was.

Ouch...that's not good. Mine and neighbors both slip at same point.

 

[Nascia]

We have a 2004 and are trading it in for a Sienna ASAP. I used to love it, BUT we've had all kinds of problems with it recently. We just crossed the 36,000 mile mark a few weeks ago (go figure) and I know there is something wrong with the transmission among other things. I've had it in numerous times within the last year for various repairs, including replacing the entire heating/ ac unit because it was overheating. The dealer refuses to acknowledge the problem with the transmission though, I know it's slipping and making a high pitched whining noise, he says it's normal. I'm actually taking it back in on Monday. I can't wait to get out of it. Our only problem is that it hasn't held it's resale value well at all, and despite putting close to 10k down and getting a great interest rate, we're still a tad upside down.

From what I've read at Consumer Reports (while looking at minivan ratings) it's really not a reliable of car at all. The other thing that I don't like is the bar between the door and front windshield. It's really big/wide and obscures your view. I would never buy another one or recommend it to anyone.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I'm going to give you my DD10's review. The back seats are very uncomfortable for older children.

My friend has one and my DD has to ride in the back with my friend's daughter. DD complains every time she has ridden in that car! We own a Town & Country and she never complains about our van. My friend's children are still in boosters.

 

[NHAnn]

I bought a 2006 with 11000 miles on it from my local Chrysler dealer in November 2006. It had come off a corporate lease.
I love it , as does my DH and my DD 20 is thrilled with it (since I previously had a Chrysler Sebring convertible...she is MUCH more confortable int he back seat ) No problems at all so far. I am aware of reliability issues, and considered a Rav4, a CR-V and a Hyundai Sante Fe....but for me it was a matter of trust in the dealership ...for the sale AND the service....and I ended up back at my local Chysler dealer. They are just THE best. We'll see what happens but for now I am satisfied for the most part. It's a VERY comfortable, well appointed vehicle for the money.

My complaints: the design of the front window defrost, which seems to lend itself to the bottom/outer edges of the windshield (and wipers) getting icy when driving in snow/freezing rain. I haven't seemed to get the hang of the settings for these conditions.
Coming from the convertible -I don't think the visibility out the rear and blind spot are any worse though .

 

[TiggerStac]

We have a 2004 and are trading it in for a Sienna ASAP. I used to love it, BUT we've had all kinds of problems with it recently. We just crossed the 36,000 mile mark a few weeks ago (go figure) and I know there is something wrong with the transmission among other things. I've had it in numerous times within the last year for various repairs, including replacing the entire heating/ ac unit because it was overheating. The dealer refuses to acknowledge the problem with the transmission though, I know it's slipping and making a high pitched whining noise, he says it's normal. I'm actually taking it back in on Monday. I can't wait to get out of it. Our only problem is that it hasn't held it's resale value well at all, and despite putting close to 10k down and getting a great interest rate, we're still a tad upside down.

From what I've read at Consumer Reports (while looking at minivan ratings) it's really not a reliable of car at all. The other thing that I don't like is the bar between the door and front windshield. It's really big/wide and obscures your view. I would never buy another one or recommend it to anyone.

You didn't get an 8yr/80,000 mile on it?? I thought that was the standard...that's what came w/mine. Of course, I'm at almost 60,000. I have about 1.5 years left before my milage is up to the 80,000, but it'll probalby be traded in before than. I agree about the resale value. Mine is only valued around 13,000 (trade in) and it is loaded!! Not sure what it was new, I got it at 1 year (with a tad high miles for 1 year).

 

[torismom]

I have an 04 and love the bells and whistles. Leather seats, adjustable pedals and etc...It is a very comfortable ride.

There are a ton of blind spots and it is hard to see out of.

My transmission does something weird that every dealer has no idea what I am talking about it and has not been documented.

My second problem is that the plastic piece holding the airbag under the steering wheel has popped loose several times. Now it just hangs down. I brought this to the dealers attention everytime I brought the car in for service. They would just pop it back in and not document it. Now it just hangs (cannot be popped back in)and they quoted me over a 1000.00 for a new airbag system. I am beyond mad about this.My dh is just going to disconnect it and I will go on.I am honestly tierd of fighting about it.

I have 84 k miles on my car and will drive it into the ground.As much as I love a lot of the pacificia I would not and will not buy another one.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

My second problem is that the plastic piece holding the airbag under the steering wheel has popped loose several times.

Ah, had forgotten about that. Ours did, too. Drove DH CRAZY.

 

[Nascia]

You didn't get an 8yr/80,000 mile on it?? I thought that was the standard...that's what came w/mine. Of course, I'm at almost 60,000. I have about 1.5 years left before my milage is up to the 80,000, but it'll probalby be traded in before than. I agree about the resale value. Mine is only valued around 13,000 (trade in) and it is loaded!! Not sure what it was new, I got it at 1 year (with a tad high miles for 1 year).

Unfortunately it only came with a 3 yr/ 36,000 mile warranty. We hit 36,000 miles a month before the 3 year mark (nearly 15,000 of the miles were Disney related,so lots of highway miles). Fortunately I do have all our problems documented. Definitely made sure of that, a lot words and fighting to get it done though.

The dealer we bought was great for the sale, we're seeing their service leaves a lot to be desired. The last time we took it in was Feb 22, we were leaving for Disney March 1. It needed several things done, including the AC/ heating unit being replaced. It had to be order and was not going to be in before we left (mileage was 35,967 at the time). The guy tried to tell us that if we drove over 33 miles before it was fixed, we'd void our warranty and have to pay for the repairs. Uh.. so not happening. Not my problem that you don't have the part, I'll be ###### if I'm paying for it. Suddenly, they remembered they could leave the order open so we wouldn't be charged. I swear they think we're dumb because we're young (and look even younger).

Sorry for rambling, I just hate this car and feel like we wasted so much money on it. I nearly cried when I saw the estimated resale on Edmund's. I can't wait until May. We are getting out then even if we're still under.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

anybody else?

 

[Jenn]

We have a 2004 and had the same transmission problem about 4 weeks after we bought it. The entire engine had to be rebuilt according to the dealership. They said it was a known problem but hadn't been designated a recall. Of course it was fully covered, but still a little disconcerting. No mechanical problems since. My only complaint (which is really more of a personal preference) is that to get to the third row, you have to fold down the second row. Until recently I had 2 car seats strapped in to the second row, so if I brought along an extra person, I would have to unhook the carseat, fold down the seat, re-attach the car seat, etc. I had a mini-van previously and loved the accessibility to the back. We may go back to a mini-van next time.