Hi Sascher. I'll throw my 2 cents worth in here to give you some perspective, even though by now you've likely made a decision. Unfortunately, Chrysler may not like what I have to say. The Pacifica is indeed a beautiful, comfortable and versatile vehicle for which Chrysler deserves much credit. Once again they have redefined a segment of the market and created a vehicle deftly suited to fill that need. I suppose that’s why I have owned 4 Chrysler vehicles over the years, some good, some not so good, and why I purchased my 2005 Limited AWD with every option available.

However, having said that, I also feel that once again Chrysler, while having a fabulous concept, failed in their execution to create a vehicle with the quality and integrity its price tag should demand and which matches the quality of the foreign competitors. They got it right 90%. Why they failed to meet the other 10% is so baffling to me. Do they not understand; these American brand auto makers; that it’s this “missing the mark” that has so many fellow Americans opting for Toyotas and Hondas and Volkswagens and why Ford and GM especially are having to practically GIVE their cars away to avoid huge losses??

Anyway…on to the Pac: If it weren’t for some very annoying characteristics, I would absolutely LOVE this car. But….the annoyances would give me pause if I were asked to recommend it. First annoyance is a popping sound that apparently emanates from the front end suspension. My dealer could not locate a problem, so they said it’s ‘normal’. It’s not normal and if you find the other Pacifica forums, you’ll read dozens of posts from owners who have had this problem. Some claim it was fixed, several ended up going the route of the lemon law. I may be headed that way.

Secondly, the car is underpowered. Acceleration is adequate. I didn’t buy the car to win races. It’s on the highway where you really experience the deficiency of the drive train. Trying to get this vehicle from 55 to 65 mph in order to pass a truck feels like you’re dragging a 3000 lb. boat. At highway speed the slightest incline in the road causes the transmission to downshift to keep up with the cruise control’s demands.

The engine also sounds/feels rough. Mine especially…and again the dealer found “no problems”…..seems to sputter at times or miss a beat when accelerating. Gas mileage is relatively poor. I have said that this car gives you 8 cylinder-like gas mileage with 4 cylinder-like performance.

I have some issues with fit and finish to the interior, although I’m sure if I complained to the dealer they could assemble the dashboard the way it should have been assembled at the plant. I just know that you don’t find misaligned parts in your Toyotas or Hondas. There’s also a faint rattle when on rough pavement coming from the back seat area that I can’t locate.

All in all, if you get a Pacifica without any flaws you’re likely to be very happy. Assuming it remains reliable. But I have read dozens of posts from people who have had problems that are simply inexcusable and dealers who can’t seem to solve those problems and I am afraid I am in that boat.

Oh…and for those talking about the leaking….yes, I’ve read a lot of posts about that problem too in the 2004 Pac and apparently one suspected cause was a defective weld. If you search hard enough on the other boards, you’ll find the info about that.

Okay, sorry, that was 5 cents worth.

 

Thanks for all that info, Dave. I too have seen numerous Pac leak stories and I've just been haunting the Pacifica turf for about a month. I drove a 2005 today that had that musty smell that says something leaked.
I've seen three different Chrysler Marketing Reps show up here. They need a service rep or someone with real product knowledge and some stripes on his shoulder to show up if they want credibility.
Nothing personal folks, but marketing is not going to reveal any negative info regarding product. If they even know about it. What difference does the model make, the roof leaks. That question reveals the wrong rep is here. I doubt tech would reveal it either, but they would hopefully have something more useful than PR to share with the folks here.
Seriously, that is exactly what I think Dave PA is talking about when he speaks of execution. Saying you never heard of a problem--engine quitting, roof leaking, front suspension noise, whatever--sounds like that individual has little real product knowledge or they're just here to pass the party line.
People are sick of the party line, they want good product and they want defects and problems fixed. "Never heard of that happening" is a comment that shouldn't even be made. You're dealing with adults here who are internet connected. The same old story just doesn't cut it anymore.
Spin just spins folks over to the Toyota or Honda store. I wonder if the American manufacturers will ever grasp this concept.