doubleO7

Powdered Toast Man I think your info sounds more plausible then from the source I heard it from. With mini vans starting to fall out of favour, a replacement for the GC will no doubt be coming.

Since you signed the bill of sale, hold them to the agreed to trade in value. The dealer where I bought my vehicle wants to re-evalute my trade when the Journey arrives. I already have the final price with trade and taxes in price then less the $2000 incentive at the time or current rebate offer -whichever is greater in writing, so will hold them to that. The only thing I can see as to why they would want to re-evaluate a trade is if the vehicle was in an accident or had something go wrong mechanically and not repaired between the signing of the deal and arrival of new Journey. But, I have found a potential buyer for my 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan and will be getting approximately $2500 more then the trade in value. I mentioned that to my salesmen and he told me what the minimum price I would have to sell my van for to get to a break even point with the increase in the HST that I would have to pay, So, I'm way ahead of the game, if the buyer comes through.

On every vehicle I have owned, I have noticed that fuel mileage in winter goes way down. Here is a link that has a short explanation between winter and summer blends. http://ask.cars.com/2009/02/whats-the-difference-between-summerblend-gasoline-and-winterblend-gasoline-does-it-affect-my-cars-pe.html Here is also a link to Gasbuddy.com http://blog.gasbuddy.com/posts/A-crash-course-on-seasonal-gasoline/1715-401024-239.aspx If you read the 4th paragraph, it goes into more detail as to why there is a difference in fuel mileage between summer and winter blends. Going back to the OP's high fuel consumption, I wouldn't think that there would be such a big difference from what other forum members are reporting. Just recently there was a settlement, I believe it was California where a lady took Honda to court because she didn't get anywhere near the reported highway mileage claims by Honda. I wonder what recourse the OP could have in regards to his city mileage, being that posted mileage claims on the window sticker are figures usually, I do believe, from an independent agency and not the manufacturer.

The rumour I have heard is that the exterior sheet metal may change for 2013, but can't find anything that confirms that. I wouldn't think that the interior would change much as it was refreshed in 2011. I was at the auto show in 2011 and filled out a survey as to what I would like to see in the Journey, and I said a heated steering wheel, so it would be interesting to see if that sees that light of day. As a heated steering wheel was available on the 2011 Grand Caravan, it didn make sense to me that it wasn't available on the Journey. In my request I thought it made more sense to over it as an option on the Journey as the Journey would probably be the choice of outdoor enthusiats, who like winter sports. Unfortunately it didn't make it as an option on the 2012.

air1trfc Didn't realize that Fiat was in same plant. And yes, with the popularity of the Journey, I can understand the wait. Glad to here the wait will be worh it. I'm hangin' in there, but barely.

Thanks drb227 I'm glad that they got it straight for 2012. I wonder how many people thought they were going to get the Bluetooth and Voice Recognition with Nav package and didn't, because of how dealers were to order these options. I would have been ticked off, thats for sure.

While waiting for my Journey to arrive, I browse the Dodge Journey ads (2011 and 2012) in Autotrader. and came accross an interesting ad. A 2011 Journey R/T is equipped with Navigation package, but it doesn't appear to come with Bluetooth or Voice recognition. See attached photos. Steering wheel controls missing and onsreen phone not present in display. For those with 2011 R/Ts that have Nav, was Bluetooth and Voice recognition still opitonal in addition to the Nav package? I just haven't seen one listed before that has Nav but not the other two, so I'm just curious.

HI Teambedam I was told in D1 status, that it can be up to another 60 days. I was in at the dealership on the weekend, and my salesperson said he has been told to tell anybody ordering a vehicle in Apr, that the minimum wait now is around 100 days. Since I was in on a weekend the person who tracks the orders was not in, so I will be making a visit on Friday,.as its been almost a month since it has been in D1 status. I'm thinking that the long wait probably has a lot to do with the 8.4 inch screen shortage. Probably a lot of people were waiting for the larger screen to become available like I was before ordering.

Thanks for the heads up on the downside of owning a diesel. I thought with more modern Diesel enginses and technology that these types of problems wouldn't extist. I would think the savings on fuel usage though, should more then cover the cost of a yearly replacement of the EGR valve. I'm sure that diesel is still cheaper then gas at the pumps; So what are the prices over in Europe for diesel and gas?

Glad to hear that your daughter is OK. Sorry to hear that she has to have surgery. I'm sure the members here on the forum are pulling for her and everything will be OK. When I test drove a Journey, I could feel the power just wanting to get out. I usually travel roads that are two lanes when possible, so passing power is a must. Your comments validate my choice for a vehicle that when called upon performs. Thanks

Thanks Lebowski and Toy4Ever for the info on your mileages. Makes me wish that we had the diesel option in Canada. Having said that, I was aware that the Journey I'm buying isn't the most fuel efficient vehicle but neither is the one I am driving while awaiting delivery. Intersesting about the short trip mileage, So is the 7litres/100 km strictly highway driving, or a combo of city/hwy? If it is, do you know the hwy average? Still considering the weight of the vehicle that is pretty good mileage.

I've only been a member here a short time, so as a new member to another, welcome aboard. I ordered mine Feb 2nd, so I hope to have my R/T sometime in early May. The weeks are going by very slowly, but I have learned to be patient.(not my strong suit)

I agree with bgstr, an opinion from overseas is most welcome. I would be interested in knowing what kind of mileage you get with the diesel. I am a big fan of diesel powered vehicles and wished that we had the option of purchasing a DJ with such a powerplant.

My experience is about the same as your in regards to vehicle test drives. I ended up just testing the Journey, as the salesperson let me have it for an hour to put it through its paces. Not to say I didn't do a lot of research before hand. I've dealt with this dealer for close to 20 years, and am treated very well, so this had a bearing on my decision as well. When it came down to going out and test driving, currently owning a Dodge Grand Caravan, which has been absolutley reliable, I was going to gvie Dodge the first go. All it took was that one hour test drive and I was sold. as ar1rfc says it offers great value. To get the same equipment in other makes, would have added thousands to what I wanted to spend. However, I chose to factory order an R/T, as they didn't quite have what I wanted in stock. Most were fully optioned out, and I didn't want to pay for things I didn't want or need. eg: chrome clad wheels . The chrome clad wheels look great and if they came standard on the top model, I would have taken them, just wasn't willing to pay extra for them..

Thanks air1trc Sorry to hear that I have to keep bugging the Salesperson. I guess he will be getting a visit or phone call from me today or tomorrow.

LOL, now I see your problem, white on white. . Waxes and sealants should always be applied and removed in a straight line. This prevents swirl marks from appearing. I would recommend as per professional detailer advice to apply a sealant before waxing. The sealant will last about 5 months. When I had a white Subaru Impreza, for the hood and roof areas, I would do about 1/2 of the surface and let that dry to a haze. Once that dried, I would then apply the wax to the remainder of the hood/roof. The while that dried to a haze, I would remove the haze from the previous area. I found it was easier see what had been waxed and what needed to be waxed.

If you would like to know how to polish your vehicle, go to Autos.ca and then from the main page go to the Car Talk Forum, then scroll down to Detailing Tips and Tricks. If you can't find your answer there for polishing a white vehcile, I would suggest, joining the forum and then under the heading Detailing Help Come on In, post your question. The person who started that thread is a professional detailer. and a super nice guy. No doubt CanuckG35(thats his forum name) will tell you what you need to know, and will most likely recomment what the professionals use, as well as techiques for applying and removing product suggested I had some questions about detailing my new Journey when it comes in and he answered all my questions. I ordered the products he suggested, and then "practiced" on my sons 10 year old Subaru. Wow what a difference. it took alot of time, but it was worth it. One thing you should do before asking him any questions, would be to give the vehcile a wash and then check and see how smooth the surface is. He may ask you that question and may suggest clay barring the vehicle as a prep for applying a sealant. I clay barred my sons vehicle and what a difference in the texture of the surface. After applying a sealant, I placed the bottle on the hood whiie applying the sealant to the roof, and the hood was so slippery, the bottle starting sliding of the hood. I was a little worried about clay barring even his vehicle, but it was very easy. It only took a few minutes to get the hang of it. IThe only thing I will say is that is the very time consuming part of the detailing. But I will leave the actual advice on how to do that to the professional as he can explain how to do it better then me. Also look at "well that sucks" in the same thread as he had one of his vehciles bumpers scraped by another driver. You will see he knows what he's doing. Also check out the thread "show and shine" -all detailed up . More pictures of one the vehicle that was damaged, but now freshly detailed. Hope this helps.

I finally found the Build Code status that I was looking for I guess I should have named the thread "Order Status Codes". The topic was in this thread, under "order status". The original post was back in 2008, thats why it was hard to find. Not sure if the build status codes are still the same, but can't see why not. So if you have vehicle on order and can get your salesperson to get the VIN, it would be interesting to track. I talked to my saleperson and apparently I have been in D status for two or three weeks, but no VIN assigned yet. Once the VIN is assigned, my salesperson will inform me. When I get that I may be asking for some help on how to start the tracking. Its been 9 long weeks.

I'm a little embarrassed, I remember seeing a thread where one of the posters showed the different build codes. I have gone through the different threads but can't find that posting. Does anyone remember which thread that was posted in? I also remember it went to great detail, and the poster said, "if you want to impress your salesmen, print this out" When I was at the dealer yesterday, I enquired about the build status and the salesmen went to the person that tracks orders and all he could get out of him, that is was in "D" status. I thought when it was in "D" status that a VIN was issued, but my salesmen said non had been issued yet? Thanks DoubleO7

Congrats on your new ride. I know I was sold on the Journey after a lengthy test drive. I thought it just offered so much for less money compared to the competition. Getting antsy waiting for my to arrive.

Thanks for your heads up, I wasn't aware that if I got the factory the hitch, that it was vertical. I was aware what the trailer tow package "included" as I had ordered the trailer tow package for my Van back in 2001. I didn't think that I would get much more for the price they were charging. I read your post under towing section. Thankfully, my salesperson suggested that I not go with the factory hitch, now I know why. He suggested a couple of places where I can get a hitch installed. I didn't get the hitch on my current vehicle from the dealer either. As for towing, I wouldn't be towing in May. I wouldn't start towing until engine is broken in properly. I have a small utility trailer for picking up landscaping/ fencing supplies, and of course a bike rack.

Thanks for the info 2late4u. Although my Journey hasn't arrived yet, I ordered the K&N Air Filter on the advice of person I know who is really into modifying cars. He says this is a cheap way to get a bit extra HP and a slight increase in your MPG avg. Glad to hear from someone that had installed one, that the air filter seems to have some benefit, other then being a lifetime air filter.

I got a call from the salesperson at the Dealer where I ordered my Journey as they had just recieved one that was very close to what I ordered, the only difference was I ordered the trailer tow package, standard wheels. The one they recieved did not have the trailer tow package, but the optional chrome wheels. Close but no dice, so I asked my sales rep to check on my order. Two weeks ago it was just in build status and apparently that is where it sits, so the estimated arrival date is yet another 8 weeks away. so it looks like the total wait for the Journey is going to be about 14 weeks. They are really trying to get me to get one sooner. They had a RT Rallye in the showroom, in bright red (which is one of the colours that the Mrs likes), and the sales manager was willing to give it to me at the negoiated price on the RT. It would have been a great deal, as the starting price on the Rallye is around $1100 more then the RT. But it had the third seat, which I absolutely do not want, and no trailer tow package, which I absolutely want. So I will just have to stay the course and wait it out. Must admit though I am getting anxious, as I am planning a driving trip in May, and would like to have the vehicle with enough time to do the engine break in before going on a long trip. Paul, its kind of neat that your vehicle is going through the quality control test, especially if it passes on first go round. Bummer though if it fails somewhere along the line, thereby increasing your wait.

Wow, the shipping cost for an item that weighs only a few ounces to Canada really seems out of line. I recently recieved some items from Florida, that weighed more then a DVD and the shipping for first class postage was less then $22. The price for the map updates although high, is not the highest I have seen. I was on a Subaru forum (my other vehicle is a Subaru), and while I was looking up something else relating to the Subaru, I took a look at a thread on the forum regarding Subaru's GPS system (my Subaru does not have nav) and updating maps. Apparently the cost of updating the DVD based system, which "had" to be dealer "installed" with labour came to about $500. Makes the $175 upgrade that you can do yourself seem like a bargain. I agree with the others that a built in system looks better. I ordered the nav for my new Journey and despite the cost of the updating am glad that I did. I just got tired of having wires hanging down and having to make sure that I put the portable GPS away somewhere when I was not in the vehicle.

air1afc Thanks for the clarification. This is the first time I have factory ordered a vehicle, so the wait is really not the fun part of getting a new vehicle is it. If my sales rep is correct when I asked him two weeks ago, which was 5 weeks from the day I said "order me one", that it would be about another 8 weeks, looka like mine could be 13 ,but seeing that it is shipped to Ontaro first then to the west coast will most likely be longer. Glad to hear it was worth the wait. Happy motoring and thanks again for taking the time to explain