Good morning! Whaddaya say we check out some cheap cars? Sound like a plan? OK. So let’s take a gander at yesterday’s results, and then we’ll get to it.
You folks and your Subarus. I just don’t get it. But then, I wouldn’t really want that Hyundai either. I guess I have to agree with the “I vote neither” contingent on this one. Anyway, let’s move on, shall we?
Today’s choices don’t have much in common besides approximate age range and color. Or lack of color, I suppose. Honestly, I’m OK with these two in beige. I like nice brightly-colored cars, but sometimes it’s nice to fly under the radar. So let’s check them out and see which way you’d rather travel.
2005 Chrysler Pacifica – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 3.5 liter SOHC V6, 4 speed automatic, AWD
Location: Vancouver, WA
Odometer reading: 130,000 miles
Runs/drives? Very well, the ad says
Remember when nobody had ever heard the term “crossover” as a style of automobile? You’d look at something like the Chrysler Pacifica and think, “What the hell is that? It’s not a minivan, it’s not an SUV, it’s not a station wagon, but it’s kinda all those things.” Little did we know that within a decade, every damn car on the road would look just like them.
I mean, it looks like a really nice place to be on the inside: plenty of room, comfy seats, lots of gadgets, a nice high seating position, but it’s hard to look at this car now and see it as anything but the start of something bland, the beginning of the end for sedans and small hatchbacks alike. But then, video killed the radio star, and minivans killed the station wagon, so maybe it was inevitable that crossovers killed normal passenger cars.
At least it’s got a big hatchback, and once you fold down or ditch the superfluous seats, it’s got plenty of cargo room. This early Pacifica is powered by a 3.5 liter version of Chrysler’s single-overhead-cam V6 that first came along in the LH sedans, and a four-speed “Ultradrive” transmission. This one has all-wheel-drive, making it a good choice for lousy weather.
It’s in decent shape, with only a few dings outside, and no real visible wear inside. The seller says it runs and drives well, and it only has 130,000 miles on it. The Pacifica had some reliability issues early on, but if this one is as clean as it sounds, it could make a nice comfy winter beater for someone.
2007 Pontiac Grand Prix GT – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: Supercharged 3.8 liter OHV V6, 4 speed automatic, FWD
Location: Snoqualmie, WA
Odometer reading: 209,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yep
And here we have one of the vehicles that crossovers killed off: GM’s venerable W-chassis, a line of midsized cars dating back to the Mesozoic Era, powered by a pushrod cast-iron 90 degree V6 that’s even older. But if it ain’t broke, as they say, don’t fix it. Just stick a blower on it and give it flashy new styling.
The V6 in question is, of course, the legendary 3800, here in Series III guise, and with an Eaton supercharger bolted to its intake. This engine is good for 260 horsepower, which you’d think would be plenty for a front-wheel-drive sedan, but no, Pontiac offered a 303 horsepower V8 in this thing as well. We build excitement in the form of torque steer!
This slightly-less-bonkers GT model has 209,000 miles on its clock, but seems to have held up well. It has some wear and tear in the interior, and the ad describes a few electrical gremlins that need sorting out, but it runs and drives fine. GM has never been known for quality-feeling interiors, but at least this one looks pretty nice, and I like the two-tone effect.
Outside, it looks pretty good as well, though I will always hate those add-on spoliers, especially ones that don’t go the full width of the car. It just looks stupid, and it doesn’t do anything beneficial. And if you take it off, you’ve got holes in the trunk lid to deal with. One of many reasons I generally prefer the base models of most cars.
Either one of these looks like a decent viable beater to me. The Pontiac would be a little more fun, the Chrysler a little more practical. Which one suits your needs better?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Did the owners carve “BEIGE” onto the dashboards our of sheer boredom?
Cheers to Mark for some seriously great competitive choices this week!
Pacifica for this guy. It is one of the best value-buys for that body style out there today.
Just remember to service that Ultradrive with a fresh filter and AFT+4 as soon as you buy one.
I have a soft spot for the Pacifica. I really do feel it was a vehicle ahead of it’s time. My dad had an 04′ that is currently being trashed by my nephew. With all that said, go with the Pontiac. The transmission on the AWD is a ticking timebomb. Also, the Pacifica did use some Mercedes parts from the DCX era so parts are not cheap, nor are they plentiful. There’s just too much that can go wrong with them. The Pontiac with the legendary 3800 and ease of finding parts is the clear winner here.
A Pontiac with a s/c 3800 was my 1st car (’94 Bonneville SSEi) so I gotta go with that.
Miss that car and the heads up display it had. It’s what turned me on to fast sedans that I still love to this day.
We owned a Pacifica back then, was my wife’s hauler for the child and dogs. Traded in a Windstar for it, and man was that an upgrade. Never felt any shame in driving it like I did in the minivan. The only problem was its appetite for motor mounts. Can’t remember how many we had to replace. Just for that reason I’m going GP
I am really surprised by the comments, I would have thought the GTP would run away with this (still might in the votes) but there is a ton of love for the Pacifica, which I, personally, do not get at all. If that Pontiac wasn’t 1/2 a country away I’d seriously be considering buying it.
I will not take the vote neither option. I see this poll as you need a car and this much money to spend.
In that vein, the Pacifica wins as it is a good all around vehicle.
The Gran Prix is awesome but for a single car, need flexibility. That is why I have two. One is a family hauler and the other is the commuter/dump runner/flex vehicle.
The second on is a Crosstrek as it is one of few new cars you get as a manual.
Both of these look like maintenance issues just waiting to wake up and bite you on the nose. Not really wanting either, at least the Pacifica would be useful for chores other than simple transportation.
I don’t think either of these vehicles are long for this world. If I had to roll the dice though, I’d trust a high mileage W body over any Dubya-era Chrysler product.
Chrysler is nicer and seems slightly better condition. >200k miles on the s/c 3800 gives me pause (the motor’s reliable but did they thrash it, run premium gas, etc), but think the “GM cars will run bad longer than many cars run at all” mantra tips things in favor of the GP. Plus it has a more detailed listing.
I am torn. I like both of these cars. I went for the Chrysler. I remember when those came out and they were so swanky.
Horrific take: I don’t hate the first gen Pacificas. Compared to other family haulers at the time they at least have some style, not to mention the nicer trims are actually a pleasant place to be on the inside. I used to carpool in one of these (Jesus I feel old) and it was comfy and spacious enough for several teenagers. I preferred being picked up in the Pacifica to being picked up in one of the countless cloth interior minivans that the rest of the gang had.
I understand why folks lament that cars like these were the “beginning of the end” so to speak, but I’m not the rabid crossover hater that most enthusiasts are…although don’t get me wrong, there are some truly dumb ones, like the weird German coupe sedan SUV blobs. Jesus Christ are they stupid and hideous. Are those customers just like ”yeah give me the egg shaped SUV with all the downsides but none of the usefulness”? Money can’t buy taste. Or sense.
Anyway this is a useful comfy car that at least looks vaguely interesting. That being said the light blue color these came in is definitely the one you want. Either way, I’m going Pacifica here. Just think of it as a big wagon and it’ll make sense.
The amount of “meh” being thrown at the Pontiac is really surprising to me. They’re really good cars that have no problem getting out of their own way. And they’re just so regular. I think they’re great
I agree…loved Pontiac!
tough choice, both engines are known to be reliable for each brand. the 3.5 having a few issues with a P0something or other code for the computer and the 3.8 having some issues with plastic hoses and OIl mixing. I really wanted to say the poncho because i like superchargers and that motor better, but at that mileage chasm, it becomes more of a which one is going to cost me the same as what I paid for her sooner. and unfortunately the last of the Ponchos is it, I chose the pacifica begrudgingly.
“On Today’s Give-Up-On-Life Cars Showdown”
I’m choosing the Pontiac. That’s the same drivetrain as the Buick Park Ave and if I can’t have a BPA, then I guess I’m riding dirty in the Pontiac. I don’t think any further explanation is merited.
These Pacificas (rented one once) don’t have anything approaching “true” AWD. It’s a weird on demand traction control sort of thing, but delayed. and then as soon as your not slipping (or it doesn’t think you are) turns back off again without much warning.
So uhhhhhh
Pontiac for me. Supercharger is a bonus
While I have no desire to own either the grand prix owners I’ve known have been generally satisified while the people who have owned Chryslers from the 2000s have generally sworn off all Chrysler products for a long time. Except my father in law. He is a (proud?) Chrysler man and no amout of problems will stop him from trading one in on the same model but newer. It takes a dedicated/crazy person to own multiple Journeys all of which develop a lot of electrical and transmission problems within a few years.
Bow to the limitless bottom-end torque of the 3800. It’s even better with the blower.
GTP all the way. I had a 2000 GT (Series II 3800 – bought new) and that engine even without the SC was pretty great for the time. DAMNED reliable and I beat the hell out of it. I mean I was in my early/mid 20’s. Got great fuel economy for a big V6, drove all over the country in it because my exwife hated flying.
In 4 years dropped nearly 200k on it for nothing more than oil changes, brakes and tires. The supercharged has forged internals and is even harder to break. Buy it, do a tune up, check the valve train, toss a smaller pulley for 300hp, and drive it another 100k.
GREAT comment…loved Pontiac!
One is a load of turds while the other is a load of plastic.
I picked Pontiac.
This was a surprisingly tough choice, but the GP is the right call if only for the 3800, which will outlive us all.
Man, both of those engender the same amount of “meh” and “that’s a decent car, I could drive that if I needed to.” in me. How strange.
I was always intrigued by the Pacificas, so I would probably end up with it. I do remember having a few of that era just being basket cases when I was a service writer, though.
I miss Meh Car Mondays.
I’m a sucker for W bodies and 3800s.
When the competition is a bland Daimler era Chrysler, it’s a no brainer.
Than you are the man for the job! JK
Both seem like reasonable options for the price. It is nice to see that $2500 still buys vehicles that aren’t beat to hell and don’t appear to be broken. It seems like shitbox showdown has featured better vehicles lately (at least better in terms of transportation per dollar; they aren’t necessarily more interesting). Is the used car market cooling off a bit?
Remember when Pontiac built excitement?
I remember when Pontiac claimed to build excitement. However, that claim was always a half-truth at best.
I’m a card carrying Solstice Truther. That was a cool car that’s aged like fine wine, stylistically at least.
For whatever reason, I have never liked the styling of the Solstice. However, I do like that it is distinct enough that some people love it and others find it ugly. I’d rather have controversial and unique than bland and inoffensive. So while I don’t like the Solstice, I very much respect it.
Right along side not your fathers Oldsmobile. They got that right my dads Olds was a 442, and they dont make them like that anymore or like anything
Remember when Pontiacs were built?
Savage, though deserved.
Just when Pontiac was getting good again with the G8, they killed it.
I firmly believe that the SS was going to be a Pontiac, until they killed the brand and didn’t want to waste the R&D so they put it under Chevy.
Yeah, I mean, even though they were just rebadged Holdens, the G8 finally had people really talking about Pontiac again, especially considering the ruined orgasm that the revived GTO turned out to (undeservedly) be
Remember when Chrysler built excrement?
since 1925
I remember when they said that.
My response after riding these mean streets was, “So…someone at Pontiac thinks cladding=excitement-and they’re gonna keep adding it until we surrender!”
So so so much corrugated plastic excitement on the sides of all their cars.
Yep, just look at any of their Ram-Air equipped models, or their Tri-Power Super Duty full-size 421s.
Full disclosure: Boomer at the keyboard who has fond memories of Fireball Roberts ripping around NASCAR ovals in big Ponchos, not t’ mention Reg Dunlop’s ’70 Goat.