boltsnapper Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 Made a decision today to buy a 2016 SXT 4 cyl - the decision was completely devoid of research. On the short test drive, we really liked the ride. Neither of us drive hard or aggressively, so hopefully the 4 cyl will be adequate. It has just under 30k on the odometer. We're coming into this from an '08 Caravan with the 3.3. It's been a reliable vehicle (no frills, but no drivetrain issues or any costly repairs). I'm hoping we made an ok decision with this one. I'm anxious to become active on the forum - I have had great experiences on the Jeep and Ford forums. I'm open for any and all advice (and criticism for buying it)! Look forward to getting to know you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 welcome to the group,as far as the 2.4 vs the 3.6,,, less power and usually not that much better mpg. but not a game changer ,also the spark plug replacement is a lot easier but more often than the 3.6. i use to always have a caravan with the 3.3 engine, that was a great engine they should have used that instead of the 2.4 in my opinion. other than that i have had 2 journeys a 2011 with 70 k on it and now my 2014 crossroad with 92 k on it... just change your plugs every 30 k and use the OEM plugs as the 2.4 they say runs best with them and do your regular maintenance and enjoy the ride... boltsnapper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtomatoman Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 Welcome. The 2.4 is anemic but quite reliable. Don't try to get anywhere fast. Peace. boltsnapper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armando G Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 Welcome and congrats. From a van to the DJ, sounds like a family car. I specifically went with the 3.6 because of the family trips and tow capacity for the family toys since my previous van only had the 3.0 engine that was a bit under powered in my opinion. Regardless, enjoy the new ride. boltsnapper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boltsnapper Posted May 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 Thanks for the welcoming replies! Yes, it's definitely still a family car - although the family is reaching that point where they are beginning to leave the nest. 99% of the time it is just a 2 or 3 person vehicle. Once a year (maybe) we'll get a chance to take a trip as a family. I have no plans to pull anything (I have an older Expedition if I need anything like that). Wish I'd had more time to research and I'm sure I would have sought out a 3.6 (the decision wasn't mine, as you might imagine!). One positive (possibly) is that this little 2.4 looks super easy to work on with all that room in the engine compartment! Hopefully I won't be confirming that anytime soon. It is coming up on the 30k mark, so I will take the advice on the plugs (Champion, I assume?) Thanks, again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer Solstice Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 I have been very happy with my 2016. Good luck with yours and welcome to the forum. boltsnapper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 1 hour ago, boltsnapper said: Thanks for the welcoming replies! Yes, it's definitely still a family car - although the family is reaching that point where they are beginning to leave the nest. 99% of the time it is just a 2 or 3 person vehicle. Once a year (maybe) we'll get a chance to take a trip as a family. I have no plans to pull anything (I have an older Expedition if I need anything like that). Wish I'd had more time to research and I'm sure I would have sought out a 3.6 (the decision wasn't mine, as you might imagine!). One positive (possibly) is that this little 2.4 looks super easy to work on with all that room in the engine compartment! Hopefully I won't be confirming that anytime soon. It is coming up on the 30k mark, so I will take the advice on the plugs (Champion, I assume?) Thanks, again! check with your dealership as the org on my daughters 2.4 were off amazon 4 New NGK V-Power Spark Plugs ZFR5F-11 # 2262 Sold by: B2C Auto Parts $11.15 boltsnapper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boltsnapper Posted May 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 Interested to hear, too, how these do with four people (maybe even 5) and luggage on a 1,000 mile road trip? Does the suspension handle it ok? Enough cargo room inside? Can you tie anything on top on the luggage rack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
km-04 Posted June 4, 2019 Report Share Posted June 4, 2019 Congrats on the new whip! The 2.4 was a less than desirable for me, I just got another Journey, 2018, to replace my old one, 2014. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted June 4, 2019 Report Share Posted June 4, 2019 On 5/12/2019 at 6:53 PM, boltsnapper said: Interested to hear, too, how these do with four people (maybe even 5) and luggage on a 1,000 mile road trip? Does the suspension handle it ok? Enough cargo room inside? Can you tie anything on top on the luggage rack? The 2.4 is a tank. Had one in our 09 and only major issue we had in the 80,000 miles we owned it was an intake runner valve failure that was covered under warranty. Make sure you get an extended warranty. We took a trip to the beach one year, about a 700 miles round trip, 5 of us with one of those hard carries strapped to the roof and the back end full of coolers, etc. It did just fine. Just give yourself plenty of room and time when merging onto freeways...lol. Welcome to the forum! 2late4u and boltsnapper 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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