My wife got Pacifica Signature Series as a Christmas present.

I have to tell that before Pacifica we were strongly considering Envoy, but since I did not see excitement in her eyes after the test drive of Envoy or Highlander, by the end of November I offered my wife to stop at the Chrysler dealership and test Pacifica. Once she got out of the car after a test drive I knew that this is exactly what she would like to drive. The small differences that made her to choose Pacifica over Envoy: easier to get in and out – looks like Pacifica is lower to the ground then Envoy, Pacifica feels more like a car then a truck and since it wider and not as tall as Envoy – more stable on the road (exceptional cornering for an SUV).

She also likes nice glow of the speedometer.

Oh, I forgot power rear lift gate – once she saw that to lift or close rear gate she doesn’t have to touch it I knew I wouldn’t be able to sell her any other car. This may sounds not a great deal, but every one knows how dirty rear gate becomes on any SUV, and if you don’t have to touch it once you done with you shopping especially on a snowy/rainy day having a power gate is a real plus. Actually you have to put some effort to close rear gate on any SUV, and that’s not what women want.

Once I knew what car she likes, I had to make decisions what options we need.
I really liked Signature because it had everything I desire - my wife doesn’t really want to familiarize her self with all the options that come with any car (she still thinks that auto on/of lights or automatic climate control is standard on any car).

The car has auto dimming rear view and driver’s side mirrors – you are not blinded by another SUV behind you when its lights reflected by your side mirror.
Heated Exterior Mirrors– you don’t have to scrub the ice off.

Automatic dual climate control – probably the best in the car industry - we were driving Pacifica for couple of weeks and we did not have to touch it once from the moment I set the temperature to 67 at the dealership. And in these couple of weeks the temperature outside swung from -5 to 60.

Memory seats – nice option, plus you can link each memory setting to your FOB, that will select your seat/pedals position and radio station every time you press unlock on your FOB. You can set driver’s seat to pull back for easy exit once you shut the engine off.
Heated seats – all four of them.

Adjustable pedals – perfect for short people and expecting mothers. You can pull up your pedals and pull back the seat – keeps you distant from the steering wheel and its air bag.

Some of the safety features - three-row supplemental side-curtain air bags, inflatable knee blocker for the driver.

The car has 6 disk DVD player, but I did not opt for the screen since there are only two of us in the car.
I also did not opt for Navigation system – she drives only 2 miles to work (not to start a controversy, but I still think that Navigation system is just a $1500 toy that servers no purpose to a regular driver).

Audio controls and cruse control are mounted on the steering wheel.

Some people were complaining about power – to me it has enough power to be comfortable and safe on highways and local streets.
The engine power is adequate at lower speeds – stop and go is not a problem. There are a lot of hills where I live and I do not hear transmission switching to a lower gear every time we go up hill. In my opinion power for that kind of automobile is adequate even when trying to merge onto or pass on highways. You not gonna get 0-60 in under 6.4 seconds - this car is calling for different driving technique. Neither I nor my wife have problem with the power – and my wife was driving 3.8 turbo till December 24.
Although Auto Stick is a nice feature – I used it only twice: when we tested the car for the first time and once in traffic just to show off. That’s probably the only time when the engine reached 4k RPM. Transmission works perfect and selects proper gear without driver’s interaction. I did not feel that I have to push pedal to the metal to keep with the traffic flow. This engine and transmission is perfect combination to have comfortable ride in this car. I also have to mention that engine is very quiet.


There some things that I think should be re-designed for such an expensive car – cruise control buttons are not lit at night; you actually have to find cruise control buttons with your fingers. Unlike Audio buttons they are not located right at your fingers.
Some of the climate control’s buttons should have been mounted on the steering wheel.
Precision variable-assist steering not firm enough at speeds over 75 - you better keep it steady.
Mirrors – looks like ether they don’t have enough curve or they are too small or they position incorrectly. Definitely something wrong with mirrors – blind spots are larger on this SUV then on some others but I don’t think it’s an issue.

And of course I have to mention gas mileage – so far we’re getting less than 14 mpg. I was expecting it and hoping that once the engine brakes in we’ll get about 16 (local streets, 2 miles each way).

Over all my wife and I really like the car ( I still cannot make my mind how to call it - car or SUV?). If some one is looking for AWD with all this options plus safety plus stylish look and comfort should strongly consider Pacifica.

MSRP $35300.
We were able to get it down to $32300 plus they added $3000 rebate and at the end we paid $29300


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01/05/05. Ok, here is my first update.

Yesterday I had to bring something from Home Depot. Building a home using this car – bad idea. Inside room is to short - you can’t fit long items. Since rear gate’s window does not open – you cannot stick out 2X4. Roof rack – not for holding heavy load. Maybe several 2X4 or some moldings. For this purpose you better stay with something like Envoy.

Yesterday I had a chance to test it in a snow.
Excellent traction – I tried my best to spin it out of control (to the some extend – I did not try to see if I can make a 90 degree turn going 90mph). Car was responding to acceleration and steering wheel movement without loosing grip. Where my other car (FWD) would spin its wheels - this one was steadily moving foreword. Where FWD would start to slide sideways (taking about 20-30 degree turn) this one would take the same turn at the same speed without any sliding.
I have to mention that this SUV has constant power distribution ratio of 70/30 (front/rear) and in case front wheels starts to loose traction it redistributes power, like Subaru says “from the wheels that sleep to the wheels that grip” (lets say 58/42 or what ever ratio needed).
Perfect stopping – Where FWD would already engage ABS, Pacifica would still have some grasp on the snow, steadily decelerating. (I guess weight of the SUV comes into play). Driving tests left mu FWD and Envoy in a dust.
In case some one is asking why I am comparing Pacifica to Envoy. My mom has one and in my family if there is a man in a car then he is driving and since I am obviously younger then my dad then it’s my responsibility to take the wheel and make every one comfortable (what can I say, very old fashion family). So I have extensive experience with this SUV.

Some cool thing that I just noticed and started to appreciate.
The button on the driver’s door that disables power windows in the rear (passengers in the rear cannot open windows, mostly for child safety) glows red when it’s engaged and green when it’s disengaged. Now it’s less confusing when you are trying to determine in what position this button is.
Cup holder. The best ever. How can I not to mention cup holder. I don’t know if the car was designed by Mercedes, cup holder was definitely designed by Chrysler here in the US! Cup holder is so deep that you probably can see only upper haft of a medium cup from Dunkin’ Donuts in it. Your cup is secure in this cup holder, no matter what you do – slam on the brakes or race from the red light. (please don’t do it).
Blinker – it flashes "turning light" 3 times if you don’t lock your blinker switch, very convenient when changing lanes on the highway.


Amount Paid (US$): 29300
Condition: New
Model Year: 2005
Model and Options: Pacifica Signature Series