kconnors

Hi Everyone, I agree with LBD-CT because its the same in Eastern Ontario as well. I test drove a Black SXT AWD and could of had that but it had the third seat which I didn't need, so I ordered one. That was back in March but I think it's even more difficult to buy one of the lot today because there appears to be a shortage everywhere in this area. Had I known the wait would be this long, I would have bought the vehicle I test drove. The dealer had five on the lot at the time and now he only has two (1 SE & 1 SXT) which he is keeping as demos. None of the other dealers in the area want to let go any of their Journeys. Keith

Welcome bigmac The Black SXT is one sharp looking vehicle when it's clean which it stays for about 30 minutes but I love the color. I'm trading in a black Caliber for my silver Journey. I guess I'm gettin too lazy to keep washing all the time. Remember no Big Mac attacks in the front seat of that new Journey. Keith Still waiting and now I think I've gone over the deep end!

From Chrysler Canada News Web Site; "Two months after hitting the showroom floor, the Dodge Journey is making a name for itself in the Canadian marketplace as the second-highest-selling crossover out of 22 different competitive offerings. Before the launch of an active marketing campaign, which begins in May, sales of the value priced, seven-passenger crossover reached 945 units in April." This is what appeared on the Site and I have no idea which crossover is number 1 or number 3, etc. Keith

Hi Rob, Almost sounds like an Engine Mount let go which is a common replacement item on those vehicles. My daughter-in-law still drives a 94 Caravan on a regular basis. Its starting to look a little worst for wear now but it always gets her to where she's going. Since about 1998 they started putting transmission coolers in all Caravans and Grand Caravans which have elimated 95% of the transmission problems. Now the Honda Mini Vans are having transmission problems instead. It took Chrysler many years to learn that you can't take a transmission from a K car and put it in a much heavier Mini Van without making a few modifications to compensate for the extra load, heat, etc. Now it's Honda's turn. My friend has a Honda Van and he's a little worried. Hope your Journey arrives soon. Mine is on the train somewhere between Texas and Montreal. Keith

Sounds like the one Snow Runner ordered! Hope there was not a mix-up and it got delivered to Alberta instead of Ottawa area. You're right, there's not many on the road so far. I've seen three and two of those had dealer plates so I assume they were out for a test drive. Still waiting for at least another two weeks. Keith

Hi Papo Welcome to our little group. I ordered a hitch with my Journey as well but I was told they would have to put an after market Hitch on after it arrived at the dealership. the Hitch they will install is supposed to be equivalent to a REESE or HIDDEN HITCH which are both good hitches. It would appear that Chrysler doesn't have a hitch designed for those vehicles yet even thought they sell the Trailer Prep Package for it. Keith

Hi Seth, Congrats on your new Journey. I would like to make a small correction to Rob. I didn't get the Nav Package but I got the Safe and Sound Package which includes the back-up camera but the video screen is down lower near the gear shift. With the Nav Package the screen is on top and you lose the little storage area that is otherwise there. Bye the way, my Journey is on the train heading North somewhere between Texas and Montreal with a delivery date now of 16 May 08. It will be unloaded in Montreal and trucked to Ottawa. On the question of other people using you car to test drive - It should never happen! The vehicle was ordered by you for you with the options, etc. that you ordered and will come with your name on the invoice. It was ordered by you through the dealer and at no time will the dealer be at liberty to use it as a demonstrator. Dealers order in other vehicles (Seperate Dealership Orders) to sell on spec to other people and those vehicles are used to test drive. These vehicles will normally have less than 100 Mi on when sold and they usually have only a few options to keep the price down and made them a more attractive buy. I don't think a dealer would be stupit enought to use a special ordered vehicle as a demonstrater. But ha, I've been wrong before! Good luck with your new Journey. Keith

The time appearing in the Form is different than my Time Zone which is Eastern. I'm sure some of the Form members would be interested in some information about the Form Management. Who is the host? What City? Etc. Keith

Hi Jay, The 2.4 L operates on Reg Gas. The 3.5 uses Reg Gas as well but Chrysler recommends Mid Range because some areas have a lower Octane than advertised. If your 3.5 runs good on Reg Gas without spark plug knock or ping then use it. If you venture to higher elevation areas such as Colorado where the Reg Gas may only be 85 or 86 Octane than Mid Range Gas may be required. As far as power is concerned, I have a 07 Caliber with a 2.0 L engine and it has lots of power for Highway or City driving but it has a CV Transmission. Highway travel 120 Km (70Mi) only registers 2400 revs on the tack and there's still lots of power for passing, etc. The 2.4 L Engine in the Journey is mated with a 4-Speed Auto Transmission so performance may not be quite as good and it is a heavier vehicle but also has a bigger motor. The newer 4 cylinder engines are a lot better and more powerful than they used to be. The Honda CV only has a 4 cylinder engine and most people are happy with that vehicle. Good Luck with whatever you decide! Keith

IntenseImage, Congratulations on your new Journey, welcome to the form and thanks for the preview of mine. Mine is similar except I also added Safe and Sound as well as chrome wheels and trailor tow package. You were lucky to find the one you liked on the lot because if you order then it takes at least two months. I expect mine to arrive sometime after the middle of May. Safe Driving! Keith

Mopar 54, Thanks for the update. It all sounds very positive especially since I'm getting an AWD as well. I'm not worried about the curvey roads too much because I will save those for my Motorcycle Riding. Gas miliage and prices on the other hand is a worry for all of us. Where is it all going to end? A lot of us are thinking of buying scooters for back and forth to work. Maybe 5 years from now Canada and the USA will look like Europe with a scooter in every driveway. Who knows? I know people in Sales will still require a large vehicle because of their job but a lot of people are trying to do conserve gas by travelling less and using smaller vehicles. Keith

I'm only going back to 1984 Model Year but I've had many more; 1984 Buick La Sabre - Bought Used 1986 Plymouth Reliant S/W - New 1987 Buick (Small 4-banger) - Used 1987 Plymouth Voyager - New 1989 Chrysler La Baron Coupe - New 1990 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue - New 1992 Plymouth Voyager XL - New 1992 Ford Crown Victoria - Used 1995 Mercury Gran Marque - Used 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport (Still Own) - New 2004 Honda Goldwing 1800 CC Motorcycle (Still Own) - New 2005 Dodge Caravan - New lease 2007 Dodge Caliber SXT Sport (Still Own but will be traded on Journey) - New 2009 Dodge Journey SXT AWD (To be delivered near end of May) - New Most Reliable - 02 Dodge Grand Caravan Least Reliable - 87 Buick Most expensive to maintain - 95 Mercury Gran Marque Least expensive to maintain - 86 Plymouth Reliant Most fun to Drive - 04 Honda Goldwing Most Impresive Test Drive - 09 Dodge Journey Car I wish I hadn't sold or traded - 90 Chrysler New Youker (Beautifull Car fully loaded received lots of comments - many still on the Street) Keith

tool6996, I would take it back to the dealer and have them check it out. This is a new transmission and it should run smoothly at a fixed speed without hunting and in fact one of the selling points is the smooth and quiet transmission and cabin. I'm sure it is just an adjustment but it's not your problem so take it back and pick it up only when your're happy that it has been adjusted correctly. They may even put a new transmission in since this one is so new and few techs have any experience with them. Keith

muddaofthree Can't help with the rubber mats but one of the Form members wasn't too happy with the MOPAR mats for this vehicle. No ridges to hold the water in! I'm hopping someone will come up with a recomendation before next Winter. TIRE SITUATION: I went to the Dealer on Friday to check on availability of 19" tires for the SXT and at first they indicated no problem. Upon my insistence they had the Parts Person check it out and sure enought; 24 on back order with an availability of end of June. Were they surprised! Looks like the ball was dropped from a great height on this one. Having said all this, many thanks to Form members who did some research and discoveried a couple of tire distributers that have some available and could be purchased if needed. My point however,0 is that this vehicle should be supported by the dealership and Chrysler no matter what the problem is including flat tires and I believe this will happen as more people bring this problem to their attention. Keith

Welcome to the form Coyoteben, I was afraid this would happen. I guess the tire is not repairable either? I will be talking to my dealer in the next couple of days to make sure he is fully aware of the tire situation and I hope everyone does the same. If I wasn't so dame anxious to get this vehicle I would probally refuse delivery until spare tires were available. My experience is no flat tires for years and then have two in a row. Winter tires may be a bigger problem and they are a legal requirement in Quebec for Winter driving. Good Luck with getting a replacement tire. Keith

kwirges, If you live here in the frozen North like I do it becomes a safety issue. If you are unable to wash your windows in the Winter it doesn't take long before you can't see anything. Most vehicles have that warning now. Keith

Big Jay, It is my understanding that in Canada you don't get it unless you pay extra but US Models come with it installed free for a year. It is just another benefit of living in Canada, it costs you more. On the more serious side I expect SIRIUS made a deal with US Chrysler and only included them. I think it's around $200 for it plus air fees here. Keith

Hi duradan, Check you VIN! Mine has only has six digets after the T and I notice yours has seven, but what do I know. Keith

Hi Rick, Rob & Everyone! I just found out my Estimated Ship date is 24 April 08. My Dealer told me that it would take about three weeks to a month before arrival so another month to wait. It will be interesting to see when Rob gets his in Edmonton because that is less distance. My dealer has only been alloted 20 Journeys over the next three months so it looks like most people will have to go through the order process if they want one. The plant in Mexico is only operating with one shift now in order to ensure Quality Control is at its highest standard. They will slowly bring in a second shift and eventually a third shift. It is expected that the PT Cruiser, which is built in the same plant, will be phased out shortly and all efforts will be consentrated on manufacturing the Journey. It looks like people with Journeys will be in the minority for quite some time. Have a good night everyone! Keith

Get it Rob! I had a previous Caravan which I keep for 10 years and it was treated with the Chrysler Undercoating. The undercarriage was still like new after that 10 year period. My son is a back yard body man and he was amased. If you plan to keep this vehicle for an extended period than I recommend the treatment although it is a bit expensive. My wife paid for mine as her contribution to the cost of the Journey. Forget all the other add-ons but the Undercoating is a must 'have up' here in the great white North where salt is King although Alberta is not quite as bad. Keith

That's great Rob! Since our VINs are close, mine should be shipped at app. the same time. "SAVE THE WINDOW STICKER" is a good idea. I think I will do the same in case it becomes a collectors item. I was expecting mine during the the week of 5th May but sooner is beter. Good Luck Keith

Congratulations Lurch, Looks exactly like the one I have on order but I believe you mean AWD. Keep us informed of your MODS. I like to personalise my vehicles as well. Keith

Got my VIN yesterday 09 April 08 VIN 3D4GH57V09T2XXXXX It was ordered on 17 March 08 but the dealer tells me it's only scheduled for build but the build only takes 24 hours so I wait some more. My dealer tells me Chrysler hit a Home Run with this vehicle and he can't keep them on the lot. The wait time is at least a couple of weeks longer now (about 2 Months). He has two on his lot. One is a basic SE white model and the other is one they bought from another dealer. If you think there's a shortest now then wait for the ADs to start rolling. Good Luck everyone but if you're thinking about one better do it now while the wait is only 2 months and don't test drive a V6 model unless you are kind or serious because if you do you will reguire your check book for a deposit. Keith

Glad to hear you have a VIN Rob. Hope your brother is OK! I ordered mine on 17 Mar 08 and I will be checking with the dealer tonight to see if there is any movement. I've only saw 2 Journeys on the streets of Ottawa so far and one was a Silver (same color I ordered) and it looked sooo nice. It was in my neighbourhood too so mine will not be the first. I will be tracking your progress to determine time between build and arriving at your dealer. Good Luck! Keith

Thanks for the welcome Hit-By-Thunder. Looks like we're neighbours of a sort (both Canadians) but there has to be a story behind that handle. I ordered my Journey at Metro (Family Run Business) which I have been dealing with for years. They seem to bend over backwards to keep me happy. Could be because this is my 8th vehicle I've purchased from them. I wonder!! Anyway my Journey is still at code BX (awaiting build) as of 05 April 08. I was wondering if anyone has a idea of the time involved after the build starts until arrival in dealership in Canada or Northern USA? I guess I'm not used to waiting this long for a new vehicle. I usually go in and buy of the in stock supply or neighbouring city supply. Keith Patiently waiting in Ottawa