rmonreal Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 Hi Everyone, I'm new to the forum. I needed some help and figured this be the place to ask. I have a 2015 crossroad on hold for me. I went to the dealer looking for something else and found the Journey. I don't know much about them but everything about the car was appealing. I came home to do some research and everything seems to be either really good or really bad. I wanted to see if anyone could help me decide. I'm looking at the V4 model. I only hear good things about the V6. But my wife will mostly be using it to commute 70+ miles a day. Is the V4 really a bad model? Currently we have a '12 Escape. Looking for something a bit bigger but not a gas hog. What do you think, Is the gas mileage really that bad for this class of vehicle? I read stories about the electronics not shutting off or features wearing down faster than normal. Has this been the case for anyone? Thanks Ron Philadelphia dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobitz68 Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) I have a 2014 SXT, not the Crossroad, but it should be mostly the same. Is your wife's commute mostly highway? I would opt for the V6 as the mileage is comparable, but many people on here have the 4 banger and are plenty happy with it. I would get an extended warranty with all of the electronics in vehicles these days, but I would NOT say that these have any kind of terrible record with the electronics. There are some issues with the Nav stereos, but when compared to the number sold, the number of defects isn't really all that alarming. I love my journey... Edited August 7, 2015 by Lobitz68 onecrazyfoo4u and dhh3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecrazyfoo4u Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 Many of the problems were in the past years (growing pains for undersized brakes, clunky transmission, etc). There's very few major problem children out there though...seems to be a very dependable vehicle for most. 2015 vehicles seem to be very good so far...much bigger brakes the last few years, and a lot fewer clunky transmission complaints. The clunky transmission on my 2012 is just a nuisance...it isn't hurting anything, just louder than some are used to. We have 93k miles on our 2012 DJ and have loved every bit of it. The only issue we had was a recall to replace the cylinder head right after we bought it. That and replacing the undersized brakes every 40k miles (but that's only a few hundred bucks). Other that, pretty much problem free. And it's really hard to find a similar bang for the buck value. You can't even come close to the ~$25k price for a new vehicle with all the features and seating for 7. You'd pay $10k more for the Toyota, Honda, etc comparison vehicle. Just remember, the people that take the time to leave reviews online, are usually the small percentage with problems and they want to complain to the world. I ignore online vehicle reviews and complaint sites...nothing but trash information out there. Just use your own judgment. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) There's a 'not' missing from Lobitz68's post, but I concur on the expanded warranty - and I'm in the land of overpriced warranties. Make certain that whatever you get it is the official Chrysler one. Keep in mind that people who haven't owned both the 4 AND the 6 have no basis for comparison. I had a 4 cylinder SE and it is just fine. My current drive is the Crossroad which is not available in a 4 cylinder version in Canada - go figure. The 6 has more power, and the mileage is a bit worse, but the cost is a few thou higher - so go for the 4 if you aren't hauling freight. Mileage in mixed driving envinronments will be about 12l/100km (close enough to 20 mpg). Edited August 7, 2015 by bramfrank dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecrazyfoo4u Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 Oh, and the V6 is a MUST in my opinion. Gets practically the same mpg (we get 26-28 on the highway), yet has way more power and can tow a decent amount when needed. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carritt11 Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 I have a 2015 crossroad AWD and it's great we love it. I have the V6, was a necessity for us. If you don't plan on using it for towing or hauling passengers much then the 4 cylinder may be all you need but then again if you aren't using it for towing or hauling passengers then you may not really need a vehicle like the journey, maybe if it's for commuting then the dart would be a good option. I get 24-26 average mpg. I commute within the twin cities and for the on ramps for the highways and freeways I'm glad I have the V6 to get up to speed quickly in the short distances. I'm positive it would be a little sluggish when I do haul 6 other people too. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhh3 Posted August 6, 2015 Report Share Posted August 6, 2015 (edited) Welcome to the forum. I also have the V6 and was on the loop around Columbus, cruise set at 72 and the reading was either 35.6 or 36.5. Can't remember. Took a trip Sunday that would have cost me between $35 and $40 in my Nitro; was $19.60 in my DJ Edited August 6, 2015 by dhh3 rolly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted August 6, 2015 Report Share Posted August 6, 2015 better get one soon the my2016 powertrain has been reduced to 5 yr 60k dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolly Posted August 6, 2015 Report Share Posted August 6, 2015 (edited) I have the 6 cylinder and it's a great motor. This weekend, I drove over 640 kilometres (397 miles) and got 7.9L/100kms (29.77 mpg), but I didn't push it. My brother-in-law has a 2013 Journey with the four cylinder and he is quite happy with it. He told me that his Journey runs so quiet he's walked away with the motor still running several times. I don't think you can lose either way. I also recommend getting the extended warranty to give you peace of mind. The technology in all new cars these days is great when it works, but you're just one big repair bill away from carefree ownership when it doesn't! Best vehicle I've ever owned and I've met a lot more happy Journey owners than unhappy ones. There are many second time Journey buyers on this forum and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. Edited August 7, 2015 by rolly dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobitz68 Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 There's a 'not' missing from Lobitz68's post, but I concur on the expended warrant - and I'm in the land of overprices warranties. Make certain that whatever you get it is the official Chrysler one. Keep in mind that people who haven't owned both the 4 AND the 6 have no basis for comparison. I had a 4 cylinder SE and it is just fine. My current drive is the Crossroad which is not available in a 4 cylinder version in Canada - go figure. The 6 has more power, and the mileage is a bit worse, but the cost is a few thou higher - so go for the 4 if you aren't hauling freight. Mileage in mixed driving envinronments will be about 12l/100km (close enough to 20 mpg). Fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 And I also fixed the spelling mistakes in my post . . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolly Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 You both get an "A"! dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmonreal Posted August 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 Thanks guys. I knew this was the right place to ask. I'll probably look into the V6. Like Carritt11 said if I like the room available I should plan on using it. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredChief Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 I just hit 2800 miles on my '15 Journey with the 2.4 (FWD). I love it. Averaging 19-21.5 mpg city and 27-29 highway. I live in NE Tennessee, nothing is flat here. We are in the middle of the mountains. The Appalachians and the Great Smokey Mtns. Yes the V6 is faster on acceleration, but the 2.4L is more than adequate for most driving situations. I think the reviewers have given the 4 cyl a bad rap. Mine is just fine. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobitz68 Posted August 10, 2015 Report Share Posted August 10, 2015 You both get an "A"! I'd rather get an "eh"! dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmonreal Posted August 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 Thanks for the advise guys. We did decide on the journey. Test drove both engines and finally decided on the V6. dhh3, DodgeCares and jkeaton 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolly Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 Congratulations! dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Official Dodge Support DodgeCares Posted August 25, 2015 Official Dodge Support Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Thanks for the advise guys. We did decide on the journey. Test drove both engines and finally decided on the V6. Congrats, Ron! Post some pics when you get a chance! dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B4ZINGA Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Good choice on the V6. Our household has both engines (4-cyl SXT Plus Blacktop and 6-cyl R/T Rallye). FYI, and I know I'm nitpicking, but Dodge does not have a V4 anywhere in its lineup. I don't think FCA has one anywhere in its global offerings. It has an I4 and V6... inline 4 and V-configuration 6. Anyway. The 4-cyl is a good engine if all your driving is going to be around town. Ours has plenty of pep around town and manages 20-22 MPG with lots of traffic lights and stop signs and heavy traffic around Metro Detroit. However, it's a gutless wonder on the highway without the MPG to back it up. Our V6 R/T averages 16 MPG in the same traffic, however it moves like a scalded cat on the highway. We went up north with it on vacation this past weekend and with four adults, luggage, and cruise set to 75, I got 26-28 MPG. On a trip to Toronto in June I rented a V6 SXT Journey and at 65 MPH, I got over 32 MPG. Not bad at all for a heavy vehicle using a NA V6 without direct injection. My R/T cracked 16,200 miles on that trip and the only issues for the life of the vehicle so far was a bad washer fluid level sensor. Apparently RainX dissolves the sensor, so be sure to use the cheap solvents instead. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Since I drive a CUV and not a scalded cat, my needs are to have a vehicle that can maintain the speed I need under the conditions I drive and my '11 spent most of it's time on the highway and it had the 4 - I would have bought another with the same engine, but they don't make the Crossroad with the 4 in Canada. The 6 is nice, but strangely a bit noisier than the 4 was on the highway.Having said that, the real difference is a few thousand dollars and as long as you are happy with your decision then that's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhh3 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 I just hit 2800 miles on my '15 Journey with the 2.4 (FWD). I love it. Averaging 19-21.5 mpg city and 27-29 highway. I live in NE Tennessee, nothing is flat here. We are in the middle of the mountains. The Appalachians and the Great Smokey Mtns. Yes the V6 is faster on acceleration, but the 2.4L is more than adequate for most driving situations. I think the reviewers have given the 4 cyl a bad rap. Mine is just fine. Did I see you on Southern Justice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfurth Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 RainX, in all of it's varying forms, are unnecessary provided you keep the glass clean. And not just "I can see through it well enough" 'clean,' but actually clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhh3 Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 I application of RainX fills all the minute crevices in the glass, which keeps the bugs from sticking. I put some on right after I brought my DJ home last summer and can still drive without my wipers if I'm going fast enough (35+). I'll put another coat on before it starts getting cold. I use the orange colored fluid because it is all season. jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Hi Everyone, I'm new to the forum. I needed some help and figured this be the place to ask. I have a 2015 crossroad on hold for me. I went to the dealer looking for something else and found the Journey. I don't know much about them but everything about the car was appealing. I came home to do some research and everything seems to be either really good or really bad. I wanted to see if anyone could help me decide. I'm looking at the V4 model. I only hear good things about the V6. But my wife will mostly be using it to commute 70+ miles a day. Is the V4 really a bad model? Currently we have a '12 Escape. Looking for something a bit bigger but not a gas hog. What do you think, Is the gas mileage really that bad for this class of vehicle? I read stories about the electronics not shutting off or features wearing down faster than normal. Has this been the case for anyone? Thanks Ron Philadelphia Late to the party but the 4 cylinder is inline, not V. I've owned both. The V6 is worlds ahead of the 2.4, IMO. Congrats on the purchase. onecrazyfoo4u and dhh3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobitz68 Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 I application of RainX fills all the minute crevices in the glass, which keeps the bugs from sticking. I put some on right after I brought my DJ home last summer and can still drive without my wipers if I'm going fast enough (35+). I'll put another coat on before it starts getting cold. I use the orange colored fluid because it is all season. I clay bar my glass twice a year and wax it... A simple application of spray wax in between keeps it beading off nicely. No need for an additional product IMO. dhh3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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