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Any Opinion [Good or Bad] on the Dodge Journey

8K views 24 replies 14 participants last post by  gilabear 
#1 · (Edited)
We are a 1 car family at the moment, but my wife needs a car of her own...eventually. We had a Kia in Venezuela so she is familiar with, and likes that brand. She would like a Sportage however there are no Kia-certified mechanics within a 100 mile radius if something major would happen.

I am loving my Dart Aero but it does have its limits. We've decided a 2nd car should be a bit bigger (and safe) to haul things like our family (we have an almost 3-year old), my bicycles, my folding kayaks, camping stuff, etc.

Been doing some homework on a used 2nd car, mostly Kia Sportages, etc., but started looking at the Dodge Journey more closely and it looks interesting and can get into a early model (2009 or 2010) fairly cheap, but have read the 2011 and newer are better. Also on the plus side, there is are Dodge-certified mechanics in town. Just wondering if anyone here has first-hand experience with a Journey. Looking for things like: cost of ownership, fuel economy, reliability, etc.

Thanks!
 
#4 ·
MY wife and I did the same thing. I bought my dart when I got back from my Deployment and she wanted to get rid of her Camry and upgrade to something bigger. We looked at the Journey's a lot and really liked them, but we really wanted a vehicle that had AWD or 4WD. If we wanted to upgrade to a Journey with AWD, they started to get a little out of our price range. We ended up getting a 2014 Jeep Patriot (still kept it in the Chrysler family!). Not sure if you've thought about looking into the Jeeps at all, but it was pretty affordable and would meet a lot of your needs.
 
#5 ·
The new Cherokees may be an option...

When I was working at the dealers, it was usually the earlier models with the 3.5 that came into the shop. I really like the newer models with the 3.6 Pentastar. great fuel mileage compared to my in-laws (2010-is) Journey with the 4-Cylinder... Thing is really hard on fuel.. smaller engine has to work hard to move along.
 
#8 ·
Unless AWD is important, I'd get a Grand Caravan first. It uses the same drivetrain, and in Canada at least, it's cheaper than the Journey (the base vehicles are the same price, but the Journey has the 2.4L and seats 5 at that trim, while the GC has the 3.6L Pentastar and seats 7 for all trims). It's hard to beat a minivan for interior space.

In fact, when my wife's 2005 Caravan bites the dust (I don't think it will last more than a couple of years before the rust becomes a safety issue), I'm hoping to replace it with a new Grand Caravan. It's just ridiculously practical.
 
#12 ·
Can't agree more. We just traded my wife's vehicle - a 2012 Journey - for a 2014 Grand Caravan R/T. We liked the Journey, especially the Pentastar V-6, but after 2 Journeys she wanted something different. We had minivans when our son was younger (Plymouth Grand Voyager and a Chrysler T&C). IMHO, nobody builds a better van than Chrysler. My wife just loves her new ride, and I think it looks great in Redline 2 pearlcoat.

Of course, when it came to both roominess and performance, Dodge offered the best of both with the Magnum wagon. I had a 2006 in black. My wife said it looked like a hearse.
Well, if it's your time to go, might as well go in style....:D
 
#11 ·
We had a 2012 Journey earlier this year as a rental for 2 weeks when on vacation and put alot of miles on it, it was not AWD but did have the 3.6L and was roomy, comfortable and had very decent fuel mileage, all in all I would recommend it to someone that is looking for a crossover
 
#13 ·
I am one of those that have the minivan stigma in mind. I, personally, would not be owning one until we needed it. That said, I see the practicality. If you plan on growing a family and/or business, a Town&Country is probably the best out there. Chrysler invented the minivan, and they'd be the only ones I went with.

Now, if you're looking to up-size just to up-size, I recommend the '14 Cherokee (not the grand). Optional Pentastar v6, awesome interior, good all-weather capability in the lower trims, and best-in-class in the TrailHawk trim. You can have all of the amenities of the Dart, and then some. It's only downside being it climbs the price tag quickly.
 
#14 ·
My wife is not a minivan kind of person so I had her drive the Journey. She came out of a Liberty and is absolutely in love with the Journey. She has had an Escort, Focus, Explorer, Escape, Liberty and swears by her Journey and says it is best vehicle she has ever owned.
 
#15 ·
Though a new Cherokee would be super nice, don't think its a realistic option right now.
We are still deciding what to do...
 
#20 ·
What's your budget, your price range, and the must haves/like to haves? I can probably come up with a few options for you.

Warning, I may be biased towards Chrysler and Fiat vehicles ;)
I see no issue here.
 
#19 ·
I am looking for used. Paid cash for the Dart, but don't have the muscle to do that again, so I am probably going to set my budget at < or = $15,000. Looking at 2009-2010 Kia Sportages online (what my wife would really like) but I am really liking my first Mopar and like the Swiss Army knife aspects of the Journey. Would like something more dirt roadable than the Dart, good mpg, and with internal capacity for fun gear like my mountain bikes, folding kayaks. BTW my wife wants a tent for Christmas so that's a clue.
 
#22 ·
From the sounds of it you are looking at an SUV or crossover of some sort with a bit higher ground clearance than a normal car. The 2011 Jeep Compass is a nice choice and can be had for about $15k-$20k in the used market. Can be had with or without 4wd and up to 29mpg.

On the new side, you probably can dicker a base model 2014 Journey AVP/SE down to $17k. It's still decently equipped at that price. You probably could get an even better deal on an outgoing 2013.

With all that said, the minivan is the practical choice yet I know why people don't want to purchase them.
 
#25 ·
Gonna put everything on hold for now. Looking to get another overseas teaching gig, so don't want to invest into a 2nd car right now. One car is good enough.
 
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