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Wagons Chrysler Pacifica Chrysler Pacifica Test Drive - What Did You Think?
43 messages, Last post on Feb 21, 2007 at 11:24 AM
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| Have you taken a Pacifica out for a test drive recently? What are your first impressions of the vehicle? What did you like? What weren't you crazy about? This is the place to share those thoughts. | |
| I drove a Pacifica for the first time today, and I was favorably impressed. The ride is smooth and quiet, and the handling is good. As some have reported, the car doesn't drive like the large vehicle it is. After all I've read about the lack of power and noisy engine, I was expecting worse than what I experienced, although the car certainly leaves something to be desired in these areas. I would only be interested in the FWD model, which should be a little quicker than the AWD model I drove. Does anyone know when FWD Pacificas will be available? The salesman, who just got back from a training course, said he was told they wouldn't be available for 6 months. But I seem to recall reading somewhere recently that FWD production would start sometime next week. Does anyone know for sure? | |
| I thought the Pacifica drove a lot like an MDX, but with less power and more engine noise. I don't think the excitement, if there is any, is going to last 6 months. Look at the FX35 and FX45. It wasn't very long before they started piling up on dealers lots and discounts became the norm. Judging from the forums, there was a lot more initial excitement around them than there is with the Pacifica. I do think that the Pacifica will do well against the competition in the long run, because of lower priced versions and heavier discounting. | |
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I drove a fully loaded Pacifica today with the Navigation and DVD Entertainment system. One of the first things I noticed while driving is you cannot see the navigation system with your sunglasses on. They have placed the navigation screen in the middle of the dash where the speedometer is normally found. When I started the drive, I asked the lease manager (who went with me) what the negatives were and he said none. After I gave him my sunglasses to look at it, he said "Well I guess that's a negative." Brian |
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| I was at the NJ launch of the Pacifica this week. Let me tell you ... get a minivan and save your money. There is no trunk space when the third row seats are up. And it seems like very little room for those third row passengers. The one that sat in the showroom had navigation and the dvd option ... sticker price was $39,000. I almost had a heart attack when I saw that. There was also a Voyager in the showroom. It had the dvd but no navigation and it was considerably less. And it had a good amount of trunk space. | |
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I too was one of those who was awaiting the arrival of the Pacifica. When the wife and I saw one on a lot, we stopped in to take a look. We were able to take it on a test drive as well. So what they are worth, here are my impressions. The one we drove was somewhat up scale, and didn't have much plastic at all. It was a sort of Opal color with leather interior. Had a great lumbar support. I, being 6' 3" tall had to lower the seats to see out the window. All in all the fit was not too bad. The rear window is extremely small and adds to a large blind spot. The engine was peppy enough, but would benefit from a V8. It is pulling quite a heavy car. This explains very poor mileage. the ride was not soft, but not mush either. But, you could easily feel the bumps. I wished I could have floored it, but I didn't think the salesman would have liked it. I doubt this car will roll over very easy. A plus for all those concerned about those SUV's. All in all not a bad car. But, a lot of money to shell out. It could also benefit from the V8, which I here is in the works for next year. As for me, I will pass on it simply for headroom and rear vision. Plus, I believe one can get more there money by spending less. In today's world, a car with a little better mileage would be better also. Impressions in a nutshell. Good, but not good enough. |
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I also had the priveledge of attending a ride and drive in the Seattle region. From my experience there I came away extremely pleased with the job Chrysler did. Here are my impressions: As far as build quality, the Pacifica made the Acura MDX look like a low level Kia. On top of that, after the first day, the Acura needed new rear wheel bearings and an engine knock fixed under warranty. Ride quality: The Pacifica even outshined the much touted Lexus RX300. On the course, the Lexus' body roll was almost as bad as a Ford Expedition. Driving Impression: The V6 is adequate for what type of vehicle it is. It's not supposed to be a Porsche or a Hemi. For the size and package, the 3.5L was supurb. Overall the Pacifica cornered flat like the Volvo XC90 but was softer sprung like the Lexus. The build quality was on par with Lexus and Volvo. The utility factor was on par with a minivan but without the size. When you look at the entire package you get, it sums up all the good traits of a minivan, SUV and luxury car without having to spend a fortune. To me, Chrysler hit a home run. |
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Test drove one this afternoon. The dealer didn't have a "market adjustment" tacked on, but they did have a "VIP Package" (basically a fancy wax job and Scotch-Guard interior protection) for $3995. Same "VIP Package" on a 300M was $995. Total rip off, I wouldn't consider buying from them. I was ready to walk off the lot until he offered me a test drive. "Oh, well, sure, I'll go for a test drive!" Impressions: Not a bad looking vehicle overall. Fit and finish seemed very good to excellent. Interior sits much like a 300M, but a little rounder and zoomier. I have mixed feelings on the instrumentation. I don't like that they have the EVIC readout at the lower left edge of the instrument cluster. EVIC controls (MENU, etc) are basically behind the steering wheel where you have to peek around to see them. Overhead console was a much better location for the whole thing IMHO. Didn't get a chance to preview the Nav system, the DVD it took to launch it was lurking somewhere in the office. Looking at the area where it displays (center of the speedo) it seemed a bit small to see much without squinting. I think I like the console location better for a Nav display. Driving impressions: It feels solid and a bit softer than my non-PHP 300M. Outside noise was negligible, but I didn't really have a chance to test it at speed or over RR tracks and speed bumps. It's a slug off the line, but that may have been partially attributable to a brand new, stiff engine. That may get better after break-in, but I wouldn't look for very much improvement. The engine didn't seem to rev freely and shifts were sluggish. Once again, may get better after break-in. EPA mileage rating was 17/22 on the sticker. That seems like a real drop from the 300M, considering it's the same engine and only 500 pounds heavier than an M. Bottom line: this may be your Grandfather's Chrysler. |
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Rear suspension is based on e-class. The census opinions I would have to agree with, it is an ok vehicle, but not the segment buster we had all hoped. It does everything ok, but nothing great. Not enough room, not great mpg, not great performence, not great comfort, not great price, etc etc. The murano is a harsh ride, but more of a sport suv. outside it looks out of proportion, but I can live with it. Inside its a premium but undersized minivan. there are lots of vehicles that compromise but do something really good. Pacifia is off my list. I bought an Audi allroad for the price of an loaded pacifia. Apples to oranges but it works for me. Next year we'll look at family trucksters, but this thing is out. Seems like the only people whom like this thing are the ones whom have orders in for it. To those, enjoy your pacificas and tell us how wonderful they are! |
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I drove the Pacifica at Chrysler's "Art of Driving" event earlier today and came away very impressed. The interior was great, the navigation system was easy to use and see, and the performance was excellent. I was able to drive the Pacifica and the Volvo XC90 back to back and I honestly felt that the Chrysler was better. The Volvo wasn't bad at all, but it did shudder over bumps, and it felt almost tank-like. The steering was heavy, and the handling slow. I felt very disconnected from the road. Also, the interior seemed very plain in comparison to the Pacifica. The Pacifica seemed to have more power, although the Volvo had the 5 cylinder engine, not the optional 6 cylinder. The "guide" who accompanied me in the Pacifica encouraged me to floor it along a curvy, uphill gravel road. The engine did not seem overly harsh or underpowered, as I've read in some reviews. Going around the curves, it was obvious that the Pacifica handled better, though this isn't very surprising given its width and low center of gravity. From what I could tell, many people were as impressed with the Pacifica as I was. The Acura MDX and Lexus RX300 were also available for comparison, but we were allowed just two rides at the Pacifica course. See my comments on the Crossfire in the Crossfire board... Svevar |
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