CD Article: Chrysler Pacifica, 2004-2007

[CD_Editor]

Today's Test Drive:
Now discontinued, the Chrysler Pacifica is a six-passenger "crossover" vehicle with three rows of seats.  Citing its dated design and poor reliability, Contributing Editor, Chris Chase says he wouldn't recommend buying a used one.    
 

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Read the article | View the photos | All The Used Vehicle Reviews

[Matthew]

Mr. Chase's comments appear to constantly beat up on any Chrysler branded vehicle while apparently lauding Honda all the way.  I would like to point out that my in laws panned me for buying a 2002 Chrysler Neon LX, in comparison to their 2003 Honda Civic EX.  I have replaced nothing on my car to date (135,000 kms) simply routine maintenance, and I work and drive downtown.  The Civic has 65,000 kms, and the CV joints have required replacement recently, and the brakes are replaced every 15,000 KMS!!! My brother in law has a 2002 Honda Odyssey and it has already needed a tranny replacement with only 145,000 kms.  My friends parents own a 2004 Pacifica Touring and drive that thing to Florida every year, twice a year.  It now close to 200,000 kms on it, and his father loves how much space it has and how strong it is even at this mileage.  However I agree that fuel economy is a sore spot.

[jcon]

Mr. Chase's comments appear to constantly beat up on any Chrysler branded vehicle while apparently lauding Honda all the way.  I would like to point out that my in laws panned me for buying a 2002 Chrysler Neon LX, in comparison to their 2003 Honda Civic EX.  I have replaced nothing on my car to date (135,000 kms) simply routine maintenance, and I work and drive downtown.  The Civic has 65,000 kms, and the CV joints have required replacement recently, and the brakes are replaced every 15,000 KMS!!! My brother in law has a 2002 Honda Odyssey and it has already needed a tranny replacement with only 145,000 kms.  My friends parents own a 2004 Pacifica Touring and drive that thing to Florida every year, twice a year.  It now close to 200,000 kms on it, and his father loves how much space it has and how strong it is even at this mileage.  However I agree that fuel economy is a sore spot.

Although those are nice anecdotes, they don't prove that Honda's are less reliable than Chrysler's. Based upon evidence, Chrysler has a long way to go before it can be considered in the same class as Honda (in terms of reliability).

There are far better used vehicles for the price out there.

[Touge]

my 5th and 6th friend really had hard/upset time getting in/out of this car!
so the comment is it is only good for 4 people!

[carcrazy111]

My friend owns this car, and is amazingly happy with it - after owning 3 mercedes and 2 beammers!
He has a 2004 model with almost 70K on it!

[johngenx]

Cripes, can we get rid of the spamming?  Might be time to restrict all the forums to registered members...

[Mark D]

I wish there was some consistancy on CanadianDriver.  Last year this vehicle was praised for 'best materials in a Chrysler' and 'very reliable'.  Now it's ''yea, its pretty good - but avoid it like the plague''

I also have a 2001 5Speed Neon with 150,000km and I have done nothing but normal maint. and the car still drives like its new - my sister has an 04 Civic and has had the same front end problems as well as 2 destroyed auto transmissions.  And she doesn't drive her car hard (our father put fear into our hearts as children, and thus we take very good care of our vehicles).

Does that take away from Civics WELL DESERVED rep for reliability?  Of course not.  But every vehicle needs to be looked at individually.

Back on topic, just because newer more recent competitors perform better doesn't discount this as a solid second car.  My brother inlaw has a 2004 with 100,000km with lots of downtown Toronto driving and again, nothing but normal checkups.  I think if you're smart and take care of it you'll be very happy.  Fuel economy in any big SUV, even a minivan based one, is to be expected - It's worth noting, but if you're looking for a big car and are too stubborn to buy a minivan, then you'll have to just deal with it.

[jcon]

I also have a 2001 5Speed Neon with 150,000km and I have done nothing but normal maint. and the car still drives like its new - my sister has an 04 Civic and has had the same front end problems as well as 2 destroyed auto transmissions.  And she doesn't drive her car hard (our father put fear into our hearts as children, and thus we take very good care of our vehicles).

Really I had a 96 Neon and went through 3 head gaskets before the warranty was over. I had endless problems due to poor build quality and TERRIBLY cheap parts.

However my wife bought a '96 Corolla (one year old from a rental agency) and has had zero work to do beyond regular maintenance. It needed new brakes four years ago.

So what now?

[safristi]

trade tha BREAKS fer BRAKES and see the difference.........??

[jcon]

trade tha BREAKS fer BRAKES and see the difference.........??

D'oh. Fixed.

[safristi]

so THEM is tha Fakes ye've decided UPON...No changes?

[stickshift]

I wish there was some consistancy on CanadianDriver.  Last year this vehicle was praised for 'best materials in a Chrysler' and 'very reliable'.  Now it's ''yea, its pretty good - but avoid it like the plague''

Er, saying the Pacifica has the "best materials in a Chrysler" is like calling Lindsay Lohan the "least-messed-up starlet in Hollywood." The best of a bunch of bad things is often still pretty crummy.

[safristi]

yeah BUTT does Lindsay have stack & Go potential.............