2007 Chrysler Pacifica - still looks great, inside and out
The 2007 Chrysler Pacifica made its informal public debut, thanks to photos at allpar.com - http://www.allpar.com/model/cs.html - which show an attractive vehicle inside and out.
Fortunately, Chrysler designers apparently took a light touch on the Pacifica; they could have gone much farther. The main problem with the Pacifica is not its looks, which are remarkably striking for what is basically a slightly-restyled minivan body with a completely new interior; nor is it the functionality, which is superior to just about any truck-based SUV in that price class for those who don’t need to tow and haul; nor is it the quality, which has reportedly been quite good. I think the main problems have been getting people to realize it exists and getting people inside one. People who see it, generally love it. People who drive it generally like it. Getting people in, once again, is Chrysler’s big problem - just as it was with the Neon and early Intrepid. Then they can be pleasantly surprised.
Of course, test numbers that make the Pacifica seem lethargic don’t help; nor does the moderately disappointing gas mileage, the result of using a rather nice car engine in a heavier, larger vehicle than it was presumably designed for. Putting in a six-speed automatic (for quicker off-the-line acceleration coupled with better gas mileage) and reworked 3.8 liter engine should help the second generation, along with a few other “keeping up with the Joneses” changes.
In the end, we’re happy to see that although the interior is getting more of that chunky feel Chrysler thinks we want, it still is at least a little warm and attractive (compared with, say, the 300), and the exterior remains quite nice. Take a look for yourself and see if you agree.
While the new Pacifica looks pretty good and would make a good alternative
to my minivan, Chrysler Canada’s prices are just out to lunch.
A base 2006 Pacifica in the US is $26,145 and $38,250 in Canada. I can get
a 2006 Charger Daytona RT for that price. Equipped the way I would like the
Pacifica is over $50,000 vs only $44,000 for the Charger.
Why should a car built in Canada be over $12,000 more than the US price,
when our $ is just about par, even a 20% exchange rate would = just $5,000
more. Get real Chrysler!!
I show Canadian $ trading at 90 cents now. I see what you mean. The direct translation would be under $30,000. Are you including VAT? That could account for the difference.
What is VAT?
Sorry, VAT is UK. I meant GST.
No Dave, GST (& PST) would be added to the purchase price.
At $0.90 exchange the Pacifica base price should be only $29,050.
Even with both taxes (& Exchange), the price would be only $33,117.
OK. Was just checking to see if that accounted for it. In the UK I think they include those in the price so it seems much higher than it is…or realistic dependign on your POV.
Wow, Ccchrysler really does overprice in Canada. Unless the base model there is equivalent to fully-loaded here.
Apple has been known for that too…not so much in Canada but in the UK.
Thanks 55plaza for that info….sounds like a blog to me :)
Actually Dave, I hadn’t check to see if “the base model there is equivalent to fully-loaded here”.
The Pacifica FWD here has the H package Standard as it is in the US - the only option I could determine
this a.m. was the Block Heater that’s standard in Canada and a $45 option in the US. I did note however that a $1,200 Destination Charge was automatically added on in Canada after the base price of $37,050.
But that’s still a $9,000 difference (after exchange).
I read in this month’s Reader’s Digest that there a lot of bargains to be had by buying our cars
in the US - because of the pricing difference by not only Chrysler, but others as well.
Only problem in buying a vehicle in the US for import to Canada is the spedometer and odometer are in Miles instead of Killometers.
What Dave said is entirely true though, not just of the Pacifica, but most vehicles in general are marked up significantly in Canada. I think that the auto makers or dealers are taking advantage of the fact that most people would not want to import a car from the USA due to the above mentioned differences between Imperial and Metric.
PTM
Re: Only problem in buying a vehicle in the US for import to Canada is the spedometer and odometer are in Miles instead of Killometers.
In Canada our Speedometers are in Kilometers (primarily) and in Miles (secondary) -as they are both marked on the speedometer. Is it not the opposite in the States? Also, I am of the old School - BM (Before Metric), and think in Imperial.
It is the opposite in the states….the kilometers are were you would find the miles in Canada.
On the Pacifica you can change the readings between miles and Kilometers with the push of a button!
Canada has daytime running lights, higher bumper speed ratings and other standard safety issues, that are not mandatory in the States. Does this justify the higher price i don’t know.The other fact is that the content of the vehicles, is more restrictive in Canada due to the fact that we are a smaller market. Therefore we pay a little more. If i can sell 5 million compared to 1 million obviously the price will be higher on the smaller volume. There is a 4-cyl caravan in the States and only 4 doors you won’t find that here ever. Every Liberty is a v6 four wheel drive in Canada you can have a 2wd in the States. Hope this is food for thought.
I agree with everything you stated Anthony….except for the higher verses lower volume.
If Canada was placed in Asia or Europe….then I would agree with you. But we are so connected to the US, I don’t know if that is such a big issue…I may be wrong though
I am an owner of a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica Touring, and I beg to differ on Dave’s assessment that the 2007’s interior is getting more of that “chunky feel” because IT IS IDENTICAL to my 2005’s, except for the lighter wood grain. It basically looks like a reskin of the first generation with an Aspen inspired hood. I have been satisfied with the 3.5 V6 for its mileage and power as it is deceiving in its acceleration because you sit higher off the ground than a car. It’s handles far better than any minivan I’ve ever driven and the only similarity I see is its mileage numbers.
If the Pacifica had the same interior volume to suck up 4×8 sheets of building material and
average 22 combined mileage like my ‘93 Grand Caravan, I’d buy one. I hope the Pacifica can
corner better than the Caravan which has both the heavy duty and sport suspension (front and
rear anti-sway bars) and the new 4.0 V-6 will get the same mileage but with more grunt. I wonder
if the 4.0 with 6 speed could be dropped into a ‘93 Caravan? I’d really buy that then.
I am a true chrysler fan,with over 30 vehicles purchaced(family/friends)I was involved in a collision that almost killed me but was saved by my caravan,So I decided to purchace another one,Its been a total nightmare,no dealer can fix,Chrysle canada said all the strange noises are normal??????A 5 star Chrysler dealer told me that my vehicle was a lemmon and they were not able to fix it ,it was my problem. ( just 50,000 kms)So I decided to take the hit and trade it in,I would have to put in over 20,000 dollars to upgrade to a pacifica to correct their problem….no way. thanks chrysler for your great customer service .
I wanted a pacifica at the time but could not get it due to the lack of funds and insurance headaches.
it all comes down to customer service,which they do not have ,
a very un happy customer.
It would be nice if they sold the Pacifica here in the UK and do what they did with the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Voyager - drop in a 2.5L common-rail diesel engine - mileage jumps to 30mpg+ (and that’s UK gallons, not US, so about 37 by US standards), with very little by way of noise level increase in the cabin. I would love to buy one!!!! As it is, I’m looking at importing a LHD US model. Had one for a rental car over in FL last year, loved it, beats everything i’ve driven over here hands down.