Mid life crisis car; Pacifica

[fdcg27]

If you're going to need something to daily drive, you could do a lot worse than a Pacifica.
Plenty of room, decent zoom and very comfortable. We have a couple of Caravans in the fleet at work and they are both remarkably roomy and quite comfortable and pleasant to drive.
When we had kids at home, we had a first a Vanagon and then an Aerostar and they were great especially for road trips.
Whatever floats your boat.
It matters not what pseudo tough guys in lifted pickups think.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Solid vehicle for the $$$.

May the wind be on your back!

 

[Nesterenko]

As far as aesthetics goes, I do agree that the Pacifica is one of the better looking designs. I just can't wrap my head around a Pacifica being a "mid-life crisis" solution. But whatever ...

I also think that the minivan is one of the best family haulers around. I understand that it got usurped by the typical large SUV; many of which are just under-utilized as true "sport/utility" ventures. We had a Villager minivan for about 12 years; it was fantastic at the task at hand. That it wasn't fast or pretty didn't bother us; that's wasn't its purpose. When it came to moving large amounts of stuff and people, safety and reliably and efficiently, it was great.

If someone actually needs the upgraded utility capabilities of a real SUV (pulling a large RV or boat while hauling a large family), then I can see the minivan falling short. But most of the time I just see Expeditions, Tellurides and Suburbans performing their daily mall-crawls ... Hardly a "need" for that.

Besides all the unnecessary pickup trucks out there. I know I'll probably get creamed for saying that but seriously, what percentage are really needed?

 

[Fitter30]

Been driving chevy astro vans since 1988. Two of them second in 2004 for a 03. 255k year ago a used trans and two years ago injectors and fuel reg. Other than normal maintenance. Set of tires in the next month. Interesting note paid 15700 for the 1988 and 19800 for the 2003. 03 had rear air and a nut behind the wheel.

 

[Kurtatron]

Been driving chevy astro vans since 1988. Two of them second in 2004 for a 03. 255k year ago a used trans and two years ago injectors and fuel reg. Other than normal maintenance. Set of tires in the next month. Interesting note paid 15700 for the 1988 and 19800 for the 2003. 03 had rear air and a nut behind the wheel.

Nice. Still have them?

 

[meep]

I’ve owned 2 Gen IV town and countries and enjoyed them both. Minivan living can be great. Great seating position, good power, solid AC front and rear, lots of acoustic space if you like hifi. While Chrysler had its detractors when I bought mine, one thing that was excellent is that there is plenty of internet support, plenty of parts availability, and the parts were not expensive. And as so many have said here, they are extremely good at what they do, which is offer wide utility. If it’s calling to you, I get it. I liked both of ours and enjoyed them both.

 

[MCompact]

My wife and I had only one kid to avoid having to own a minivan. That said, buy whatever floats your boat- it's your money.

 

[Fitter30]

Nice. Still have them?

Have my 03 drive it most everyday. The 88 230 k on it the tilt steering column broke, needed tires and head liner was falling down. Donated it

 

[svtrit]

We have a 2104 Town and Country that has 130,000 miles and is rapidly starting to break, mostly electronic stuff, and it has an engine idle vibration that I cannot figure out at all. I’m putting $0 into this thing other than oil changes and emergencies from here on.

I’m pre-shopping now, mainly focusing on Toyota and Honda, as I look to replace it next year.

We like to have the built in entertainment systems for our tribe of 3, and the best value is in the Pacifica when adding that package. That’s how I ended up in a Chrysler after swearing off of them after our terrible 2012.

Has the Pacifica been improved over the last few years? They were a ticking time bomb with head gasket issues and electronic gremlins for a long time. Seems there are a TON of them available with 30,000 miles, but you cannot find a Honda or Toyota minivan with that low mileage. If you do find one, you might as well buy a new one for the price they want.

The Pacificas are good looking vans, but Chrysler is terrible at engineering electronics.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Besides all the unnecessary pickup trucks out there. I know I'll probably get creamed for saying that but seriously, what percentage are really needed?

Very few. But be prepared for the onslaught of "free market, people can do what they want" comments. Those are the same people complaining in the work break room that they have no money, paycheck doesn't go far enough, "can you spot me a $20 till next payday." Their pickup is pretty sweet though.

 

[Nesterenko]

But be prepared for the onslaught of "free market, people can do what they want" comments.

Therefore my "get creamed"comment.

 

[Skippy722]

We have to be related because my father did the same thing at his “midlife” crisis… but he wasn’t even 40!

They test drove a 2004 Durango, loved said Durango, then my father goes “well what about a minivan?” to which my mother said “absolutely not and I will not drive it.”

I can count on 1 hand the number of times she drove that van, her revenge was buying a 2007 Caliber with red seats… she loved that Caliber so much she named a dog after it, Cali

 

[Chris142]

Not quite what most people think of as a "midlife crisis" vehicle but if it works for you thats all that matters.

Have fun.

X2. I can see a Corvette, a 911 or a Harley. Never a van lol

 

[meep]

Dude! #vanlife!

My younger brother is single, a travel nurse by trade and a climbe/biker/kayaker between contracts. He flips back and forth between a beaten Tacoma, and an odyssey with no middle seats. Boats and gear fit real well in both, but nobody sees whats inside the ody. Between the 2, the Tacoma is better at getting you through the desert to a weird drop-in, but besides that the ody drives better and gets the mpg advantage.

 

[MCompact]

X2. I can see a Corvette, a 911 or a Harley. Never a van lol

Ever since I was a teenager people have been telling me that when I got older I would get tired of "those little foreign sports cars" and start buying Barcaloungers on wheels- but now at 68 my automotive tastes have not changed much- if at all.

 

[GON]

Maybe we are underestimating the hidden strengths of Chrysler minivans.

The Chrysler minivan appears to have survived be hit by a wrecking ball:

 

[KrisZ]

Bring up some generic looking, soccer mom SUV as a possible purchase and you get all the high fives and "go for it" advice.
Bring up a minivan and your sanity and masculinity are all of the sudden in question

 

[Exhaustgases]

Honda Odyssey and this mopar ish thing both look like a hearse to me.
They both can have huge mechanical issues to.

 

[meep]

Maybe we are underestimating the hidden strengths of Chrysler minivans.

The Chrysler minivan appears to have survived be hit by a wrecking ball:

Van took that ball like a BOSS.

 

[avacado11]

I have a Pacifica Hybrid Touring L in work truck white. Unfortunately Not the S trim or gray/black wheel combo like pictured(actually wanted to buy one in that gray color but it sold before I got there)

I think it’s a good looking van especially when the paint is waxed and the street lights reflect off of it at night. It’s a really bright white. Has been very practical and comfortable for me. Cheap parts too. Had to replace a VVT solenoid plug for $25 and just did a new passenger door handle for $165 today after the keyless entry sensor went bad. By far one of the easier vehicles to work on. Parts are plentiful and cheap. Compared to my cousins Odyssey my Pacifica is a lot more comfortable to be in. My 2nd row seats are non-stow n go which I believe is what does it. They’re full size captain chairs due to the hybrid battery being underneath.

I always joke around that if I made a million dollars the first thing I’m doing is trading my Touring L in for a Pacifica Pinnacle.