CD Article: 2009 Dodge Journey

[gottarondo]

These are great cars, with well made quality materials. I felt like I was driving a $ 50,000+ vehicle, while it was $ 42,000. It was rediculously smooth, lots of power, luxurious and extremly quite. I'm serious planning on purchesing this vehicle, and trading my Mercedes E500 in. I am looking for all of the above featires but with greater interior flexability and room.

I'm guessing that the guest posted on the wrong thread.

I haven't seen one in person yet against which I can compare to my 5 on size - looks notably bigger?!??

I'm curious too about how this vehicle compares in size to the Rondo and the Mazda 5 - also guessing it's a lot longer.  Not a mall rat, most of my parking is parallel and length matters. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Just got back from test driving a fairly well loaded SXT FWD. Very impressive package! Very rigid body compared to most vehicles this size (as someone said, roughly Santa Fe sized). Comfortable and quiet ride, very good interior with lots of nooks for storing things.

Lots of people space and a usable third row, which our 5 year old loved. Rear doors are large and open very wide. The rear seat has a clever flip and slide trick for access to the third row. Very easy one hand operation. With the third row folded (one button to fold flat) the cargo room is huge. With it up, cargo area is limited, but a deep well can be used for additional space.

Pricing is awesome. The SXT we tried listed for $28,000. The base Torrent AWD we tested just prior to driving the Journey listed for $31,000 and didn't include cruise control for instance.

My list is basically down to Mazda5, Dodge Journey, and VW Jetta wagon. At this point both me and the Mrs. are leaning towards the Journey.

[Mitlov]

Thanks for the feedback, Big_Thumb!

[mwqa]

My brother is getting a Journey. It's one of the few cars with a third row of seats that he fits in. He tried out a lot of vehicles including some minivans and SUVs, but found most minimized the amount of space available for the driver, so most he did not fit in. The Journey was a happy exception.

[PJungnitsch]

There are a few of them around town now, and they are nice looking vehicles. MT tested one recently, and said that (dynamically at least) the V-6 version outperformed the Ford Edge.

[airbalancer]

Nice review!

[Arctic_White]

I use the radio controls a lot - I change channels after almost every song because the local stations have terrible music and terrible DJs. 

Two words for ya buddy: Compact Disc

 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Have to admit they are pretty nice lookin' - all the ones I've seen on the road have been black. Sat in the 2nd row of one at the auto show but wasn't going to wait in line to sit in the front... will go to the dealer to have a look-see.

Happy hunting Big_Thumb!

[safristi]

  does a Dodge Journey start with one deeked/sideways step? ....

[Sir Osis of Liver]

 

[Loudpedal]

I just saw one today and I have to admit it, it's quite nice looking and rather well proportioned. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The other thing I should mention is that Fairview Chrysler only had the one Journey and it was in the showroom. I was content just to look it over and see how well everyone and the wheelchair fit at this stage. I didn't ask for a drive, but they insisted it was no trouble, and after juggling a few other cars in the showroom, off we went. Very courteous and knowledgeable salesman too.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The other thing I should mention is that Fairview Chrysler only had the one Journey and it was in the showroom. I was content just to look it over and see how well everyone and the wheelchair fit at this stage. I didn't ask for a drive, but they insisted it was no trouble, and after juggling a few other cars in the showroom, off we went. Very courteous and knowledgeable salesman too.

Wow, moved the car out of the showroom for you to drive? Impressive indeed.

[Bullet Blue]

The other thing I should mention is that Fairview Chrysler only had the one Journey and it was in the showroom. I was content just to look it over and see how well everyone and the wheelchair fit at this stage. I didn't ask for a drive, but they insisted it was no trouble, and after juggling a few other cars in the showroom, off we went. Very courteous and knowledgeable salesman too.

Wow, I don't think Iv'e ever heard of a dealership voluntarily doing that. They deserved that little plug!

[Greg B.]

What's the real-world take on the dashboard design? In the pics it looks unbelieveably cheap.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I'm likely not the right person to ask. I generally don't have too many issues with dash materials. I can tell you that there were no obvious cheap bits and no signs of squeaks, rattles or other assembly issues.

I'm sure one of the dash fetishists will chime in at some point!

[Dan Fournier]

To Whom it may concern,

I purchased a NEW 2009 Dodge Journey SXT in early July.  Within the first week, with only 500km on it, we started experiencing problems. 

The first time we brought it into the dealership we were experiencing a howling noise from under the vehicle, a grinding noise when turning left, a buzzing noise in the dash when driving 120km/hr, shaking when braking at high speeds and fuel regurgitation/splash out on fill-up.

That was when the odometer read 500km....we are now 4 weeks later and upto 9000km, and have replaced fuel tank for a kinked filler hose, dash clips that were supposed to be the solution to the buzzing but was not.  The front cowling which was the 2nd attempt to repair the buzzing, with no success.  2 front rotors were replaced to solve the shaking which actually did fix that issue.  The power steering pump was replaced because it was apparently the cause of what they called a "steering honk", but alas, the "honk" is still there.

Now, in regards to the howling noise, they want to take apart the transmission, guessing that that is the problem and try to fix it or possibly replace it.  They also want to remove the dash to try to determine where the buzzing is coming from.

So far, our experience with this vehicle is that it looks great on the outside, but it is of inferior quality on the inside.  Chrysler wants to keep guessing at what the problems are and waste our time trying to fix it.  This car is quite obviously a lemon....there is no doubt about that.  They refuse to admit it.

No wonder New Domestic manufacturers outsell North American products.  Wake Up!!!  Start producing a better quality vehicle and maybe Canadians will become loyal again to domestic vehicles. 

Dan Fournier
Guelph, Ontario

[smok]

To Whom it may concern,

I purchased a NEW 2009 Dodge Journey SXT in early July.  Within the first week, with only 500km on it, we started experiencing problems. 

The first time we brought it into the dealership we were experiencing a howling noise from under the vehicle, a grinding noise when turning left, a buzzing noise in the dash when driving 120km/hr, shaking when braking at high speeds and fuel regurgitation/splash out on fill-up.

That was when the odometer read 500km....we are now 4 weeks later and upto 9000km, and have replaced fuel tank for a kinked filler hose, dash clips that were supposed to be the solution to the buzzing but was not.  The front cowling which was the 2nd attempt to repair the buzzing, with no success.  2 front rotors were replaced to solve the shaking which actually did fix that issue.  The power steering pump was replaced because it was apparently the cause of what they called a "steering honk", but alas, the "honk" is still there.

Now, in regards to the howling noise, they want to take apart the transmission, guessing that that is the problem and try to fix it or possibly replace it.  They also want to remove the dash to try to determine where the buzzing is coming from.

So far, our experience with this vehicle is that it looks great on the outside, but it is of inferior quality on the inside.  Chrysler wants to keep guessing at what the problems are and waste our time trying to fix it.  This car is quite obviously a lemon....there is no doubt about that.  They refuse to admit it.

No wonder New Domestic manufacturers outsell North American products.  Wake Up!!!  Start producing a better quality vehicle and maybe Canadians will become loyal again to domestic vehicles. 

Dan Fournier
Guelph, Ontario

Some of the reasons why I don't buy as many 'demestics' as before is too much rattles, always something to fix, car comes unglued after 3-4 years.  One exception is my Fusion, which has had a few problems, but it's solid as it was when I bought it.

I agree, the Journey is nice looking suv, and cheap.  Built in Mexico.  But it's 1st year model, and you'll get bugs for sure. Let us know how yo make out.....

[Trainman]

  Built in Mexico. 

So?  Our Tracer was built in Mexico and to date its was the most trouble free car we have ever owned.  Our Pathfinder was built in Japan and is not doing very well, the Sienna is built in the US and is very reliable to date but the Mystique, also built in the US was not so good.  Sometimes broad statements regarding country of build just relies on stereotypical ideas rather than fact.

This one owner is having issues.  Am I surprised?  No, but not because its made in Mexico.

[smok]

  Built in Mexico. 

So?  Our Tracer was built in Mexico and to date its was the most trouble free car we have ever owned.  Our Pathfinder was built in Japan and is not doing very well, the Sienna is built in the US and is very reliable to date but the Mystique, also built in the US was not so good.  Sometimes broad statements regarding country of build just relies on stereotypical ideas rather than fact.

This one owner is having issues.  Am I surprised?  No, but not because its made in Mexico.

I was refferring to the cost, they can sell cheaper since it's assembled in Mexico and make a profit.  I really like the looks of this.  If you compare this to the Ford Edge, you can probably get the same options for $7-8 grand less.  Plus I like the looks of this better, and can even get 3 rows.