re: Is the Chrysler Pacifica the best minivan choice currently?

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Did you completely overlook the part where I said I get to play with these cars a good bit thanks to my father-in-law's involvement with our local dealer? Again, not impressed. The Pacifica is definitely a move in the right direction, but it's still not the best minivan on the market. It does look good and the features are nice. But it's likely to suffer the same issues with reliability and resale value as its predecessor. And because of stow-n-go, seats in the second row are not nearly as plush and comfortable as in the competition. That's the one feature where Chrysler has been ahead of the curve, but it has always come at a cost.

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I didn't overlook it. It doesn't help your argument. You, in your own opinion were not impressed...which is fine, bc that's your opinion. Though your in-laws drive nothing but Chrysler and per your comments have had good luck with them. So who are we to believe?

Consensus across the automotive industry right now is that if you need a minivan tomorrow, the Chrysler is the best overall. Saying "it's likely to suffer the same issues with reliability and resale value as its predecessor" is an assumption and you have no proof to back it up because the 2016 is 100% new.

So they made a minivan out of a crossover model?

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Has universally great reviews. Every auto review site seems to love the new Pacifica over other Asian choices such as the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey and Kia Sedona.

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Well, the outcome order of auto review sites often suspiciously parraleles the ad purchases in said magazine/site. Of the 8 vans reviewed in Consumer Reports, the Pacifica was 7th with the Dodge Grand Caravan being 8th. The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odessey did much better, being 1 & 2. And past history says these are much better buys.

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Getting over the fact that it is a minivan and don't care what others think

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Why do you give a crap what other people think? Minivans are very practical for families with young children, much easier entry and exit for the small children. Besides, let the wife drive that one, you get a 4WD Pickup or a German sports car.

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You cannot walk up to a locked Odyssey and just keyless enter either sliding door.

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You don't have the buttons on either side of your remote for the sliding doors? We just hit unlock once for the driver door, twice for all doors then hold down the door button for whichever one we want to open.

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And also, there is only 1 USB port and it is in the front console....one of the upper trim models comes with a plug in the very back.

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This isn't a huge issue for me, but we have the plug-in in the back which I guess makes up for that.

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Though your in-laws drive nothing but Chrysler and per your comments have had good luck with them. So who are we to believe?

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He grew up in a Dodge family. His dad was a long-time sales rep for the Athens dealer. He would have swore by them if every tranny he ever had dropped out of them. Other relatives in his family have had issues. They have, amazingly, swung pretty good luck with theirs. I'll give you that.

Like many on here I relentlessly mocked the dudes in the office who would come in saying they were considering or had bought a minivan. I was ruthless in my shaming of these girly men. My wife would have rather died than drive a minivan.

Then, last year my wife and I spent two months traveling across the country going to national parks and large cities for a sum total of around 8k miles. When we started the planning we were looking at renting or buying a used Tahoe and then I found out that minivans generally have about 50% more cargo capacity.

Suffice to say, we ended up doing the whole trip in a Chrysler Town and Country. Why? Because we didnt need to tow, 50% more cargo, seats fold flat into the floor in a matter of minutes, gas mileage, sliding doors, handling. The fact is that if you can get over the dogshit looks of a minivan, they are the absolute ULTIMATE in utilitarian vehicles. That thing floated like it was on clouds and destroyed the tahoe in gas mileage. I can't even imagine how convenient they'd be with children plus, since its a minivan, you dont have to give a shite what the interior looks like cause its an ugly arse minivan anyway.

Moral of the story, my wife now wants one bad and I would absolutely not complain about her getting one. We fricking loved that thing.

Why can't any of the company's make a good looking van?

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Not sure, but Chrysler typically makes cheap, shitty products. Can't imagine this one is an exception.

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This guy gets it. Unless Chrysler can prove to me over a few years that they will produce something better than shite, no thank you.

Go read any reputable source, it is not a coincidence the Fiat and Chrysler are consistently rated dead last in everything. They truly suck and should have been let to die.

FWIW, Consumer Reports places it second from the bottom in their ratings. Only the Dodge Caravan is lower. The Pacifica is, however, ranked highest by CR in likely owner satisfaction, so... Those who buy it will likely enjoy the interactions with their mechanics.