onecrazyfoo4u

Yeah I may have to.  Just annoying to have to deal with posting and dealing on there!

It sounds like a good deal as you've priced it, but I guess I'm just too far away.  I've heard of people shipping via Greyhound, but that was 35 years ago.   Hope you can find a buyer closer to you.  Thanks for trying, though.

Well, after almost 6 years we've decided to trade the DJ in for something bigger for our family of 3 kids.  The Journey was just getting too small with the three carseats/boosters.  We bought it new in 2012 and it treated us well for 130k miles.  Only a couple minor recalls, lots of brake replacements, and basically just fluids and filters.  Really never had any major issues.  It treated us so well we decided to stick with Dodge and absolutely loved the Durango's.  Ended up getting a slightly used 2017 Durango GT loaded with nearly every option.  I love the new tech and entertainment centers on these things.  So many dang options and gadgets to play with!  Hopefully we can keep the Durango for just as long as the DJ.  I've posted some items for sale that I had left over in the garage.  Posted the only pic I have of the new Durango.  
 
Later DJ gang, it's been fun!!!

Oh, I'd hunt with a Durango, just not the Citadel. I firmly believe that if I get a truck I'm gettin one to USE, not to look pretty. It's gonna get dirty and have a ding or two in the fender or quarter panel from sliding in the mud on a trail in the woods. I am NOT parking at the far end of the parking lot, sideways taking up multiple spots just so nobody parks close to it and risk gettin a door ding or scratch.

Congrats on the new ride. Love the Durango as well. RT especially. In my case we downsized to 2017 DJ , since we only have one "carless" kid in the household. Oh, and great report on your Journey! Hope to get over 100k on ours without major issues too.
 

Big Congrats on the upgrade, I'm sure it will serve you just as well if not better than the Journey.

OK, a little input from a guy with 'four' kids that has owned both a van and a couple of SUV's. As far as cargo room is concerned (mostly on trips), I finally figured out it's best to use the roof rack with some sort of cargo box if I want any kind of comfort in the car. We used to fill every hole we could find, including the leg area in the 2nd and 3rd rows, and it wasn't very comfortable. We have taken short trips and very long trips, and ultimately I put the cargo box on with any trip with all of the kids. I have the X-Cargo sold at Sears. Much more reasonable than Thule and better quality than most of the other ones out there.
As far as price, I really don't think you will beat the price of a DJ, unless you buy something with a lot of miles already on it. If you do want something bigger (or more comfortable for the long trips) while staying within your budget, I think the Durango is a good option. Tahoe is pricier and not as economical, and Explorer is just pricier from what I saw when I was in the market to purchase. I don't mention the Pilot because i just don't like them. 
My kids are now older than yours, so loading into the third row is much easier, but the DJ and Durango seem to be the most comfortable. The Explorer is a little tight for the price you pay and the Tahoe is roomy, but not much leg room. Anyway, that's my piece of advise...mini vans are also out for us...and believe it or not (no need to comment guys) my wife is dying to get a Range Rover for her next SUV...OUCH!

Man those new Chrysler Pacificas look pretty cool. 

I think the Tahoe may also be overkill, the gas mileage along with the higher price tag would probably be a bigger financial blow than all of the other vehicles. The pilot is nice, and a great size but if you're used to the Journey and enjoy how it drives then you may not like the pilot. I had 2 Hondas before the Journey and they drive very VERY differently, there's nothing bad about how they drive at all it's just an overall different driving experience. The explorers are nice, they can also get kind of pricey but for one that doesn't have all the bells and whistles you'll be able to find one in your price range (just make sure it wasn't a rental). The Durangos are actually a pretty great size, I drove one just for kicks and they don't feel very large when you're driving and compared to the DJ they have a lot more space. Dealers are also offering quite a few incentives on them. The DJ of course is the most narrow of the options which is probably why you are having a space issue in the first place so I'd probably scratch that off the list. It is the cheapest option, but the kids are only going to get bigger, which means the DJ will only get smaller!

Do you have an aversion to GM? The Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse are all capable 3 row seating AWD vehicles. We love our Enclave.

Well my opinion is this.  the Dodge Journey is a good economical SUV that provides lots of options, awd and 3rd row seating are your main points.  But with that said, even with the larger size, its still kind of small but def the best price point for the options that are important to you.  If you don't have a Dodge journey already, then let me tell you its a nice all around vehicle.  With the v6, it's got plenty of power but a little thirsty in town.  The Durango's I'd say are Dodges premier SUV and if size matters thats an excellent choice but it's going to cost you more.  Having a little more upscale feel, the durango would meet your requirements and still for a decent price in the v6 version.  The Tahoe is def. the biggest and doesn't come in a v6 version, but will offer you all the room you need along with extra cargo space the others you've pointed out won't have. Size wise, smallest to biggest would be the journey, pilot, durango, explorer, then tahoe.  Although the honda is a good vehicle, it's probably going to cost the most simply because it's honda.  As far as space, we have friends with one and I personally wouldn't buy it.  Just not a fan of the SUV altogether has about the same cargo space as the Journey which price wise is alot less.  The Explorer maybe a good option as well, lots of features, but that comes at a price too.  I'd say its on par with the Tahoe.
 
All of them would serve you, but If it was my money, and it needed to be economical, I'd do the Journey (and did), if money wasn't an object, I'd probably do the Durango over the explorer just because I'm not a big fan of Ford. Personal choice.  And while the tahoe is nice and I am a chevy fan, gas mileage would be an issue, and the honda just isn't my cup of tea.  You would have to drive them all so you make the best decision based on your needs and price.  I wouldn't even talk price, I'd drive them first, then eliminate the ones you know you don't want, then look for the price you need.
 
Good luck and report back what you purchase.

With the exception of the Tahoe, I think all of the other three would be a good option. The Ford may not have as much room as you'd tink ( both the wife and my father in law have 2015 Explorers). You know what the DJ is like. The Honda should fit the bill as well, it does have a decent amount of room/storage.

Thanks for the video.  I didn't realize it was such an important piece.  I'll have to order a replacement for my next oil change.  

What exactly would high oil pressure do to the engine though?  I've tried a bunch of searches, and all I'm seeing is maybe some increased oil blowby which doesn't seem that bad.  
 
Does anyone have procedures for changing out the thermostat on the 3.6 motor?

It's the same in Utah and Idaho, 85 is the lowest, then 15-20 cents more for 87.  I have 130k miles on my DJ, always running 85 octane for 5 years.  Never had an issue so far!  I figure over the years I've saved probably over $1k in the difference of fuel costs...

Seriously, lime green???

I love the discount tire deals!  Time to get another set of Cooper CS5's in 235/55/19.  Love this tire.  My last set went 50k miles and I still have them on.  It'll be $520 shipped for the full set (after $70 and $75 gift cards).
 

I agree.  The DJ is one of the best looking crossovers IMO.   The more I think about this thread, the more I get pissed.  F#*K consumer reports.  The DJ review is completely off the mark.  What does that say about their other reviews?
 
Peace.

And that's exactly why I buy what I like.  I don't give a damn what other companies/magazines have to say about the product.

And that's exactly why I buy what I like.  I don't give a damn what other companies/magazines have to say about the product.

You hit the nail on the head. Consumer reports has never given a positive report on any Dodge product. Definitely biased.

How did consumer reports recruit so many mopar haters into one place?  While the DJ is not perfect, neither is any other vehicle.  I really like mine.  Still runs like the day it came home from the dealer.   My mileage has been pretty darn good.  In New Mexico, speed limits are 75 mph on the highway, winds are often quite strong, the elevation is nearly 7000 ft, and there are plenty of hills; I still get 23-26 mpg. . .   That's even with roof cargo such as bike.  
 
Consumer reports really is unfair and unknowledgeable.
 
Peace.  

i agree
 

No wonder those were $200 cheaper.

Never heard of that brand.  Yikes, 280 tread wear, you'll be replacing those in a year!  This isn't a performance vehicle, no need for performance tread tires and tire wear in my opinion...