Jump to content

Brucebotti

Journey Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    39

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Brucebotti

  1. One year later

    in Owner Impressions

    Posted · Edited by Brucebotti

    Nice to hear it still drives like new 1 year in.Congratulations! After 18 months and 22k miles, I am also in love with my 2012 SXT. I have a thread in here somewhere with my ownership experience. I hope the "love" continues for all of us DJ owners!

    Bruce

  3. Sirius "Aquiring Signal" Issue

    in Audio, Infotainment Navigation, MyGig, UConnect, etc.

    Posted

    After 20 months / 24,000 miles, I have my first problem with my 2012 Journey SXT. I have the standard stereo with Satelite, am/fm, and cd. I had sirius for a year, but didn't renew it. All was well until a few weeks ago when Sirius had free service for a week or so. It was working fine on my way to work Thursday, when it went silent and "Acquiring Signal" showed up on the display. Now, whenever I change the channel to AM, FM, Or CD, it plays for about 15 seconds and then immediately changes back to Sirius and the "Acquiring Signal" display. Even if I turn it off, it only stays off for 15 seconds, and then tirns itself back on and to the"Acquiring Signal" display.

    Has anyone had this problem before? I'm not even sure if it is a Sirius or a Dodge Issue. I just disconnected the battery and will see what happens when I hook it back up.

    Thanks,

    Bruce

  4. 2012 SXT 14-Month / 16,000 Mile Review

    in Owner Impressions

    Posted

    Lol..i thought my radio was the only one to do that!! Last week I looked at the time, and started driving like a Sh&*head because I thought I was late for work. I ended up being 6 minutes early..

    It does seem unbelievable that in this digital age, they can't get a clock to keep accurate time. A wind-up watch is just as accurate as the DJ.. :)

    Bruce

  6. 2012 SXT 14-Month / 16,000 Mile Review

    in Owner Impressions

    Posted

    Nice list of likes and dislikes. And good to see a fellow CT Journey driver on here. I'm in the "Dirty-den" (Meriden).

    quote:

    • The A-pillar and mirror combo are huge and hinder vision. I'm sure it would be the same on similar vehicles. It just takes some getting used to.

    This was an issue for me too for probably the first year of ownership. Depending on instersection elevation and angle of car sitting at stop sign to my right, sometimes they were completely hidden. I have learned to make a conserted effort to lean forward and look through windshield to right before moving through a four way intersection. This is a problem with lots of cars these days. The pillars are too thick.

    I agree on the too quick upshifts. Especially when the car had not reached operating temp. yet.

    Try using Magic Erasers on your wheels, especially down in the corners where the brake dust discolors them. They will look like new again. I cannot speak to what this will do for the paint and/or clearcoat in the long run though.

    I get that same whining noise, and so far at 41,000 miles it has not resulted in anything bad happening. I agree with you, it sounds like the power steering pump.

    I wish there was easy access to third row through the middle of the second row like in the GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse.

    cheers

    I guess the pillars are thick to help in a roll-over. Likewise the huge mirrors to improve rear visibility. I find myself moving my head up and dow, and side to side at some intersections. I'm getting used to it now. I also have trouble looking through the rear view mirror when I have the Grandbabies car seats set up in the third row. Access is difficult to the back to buckle them in, especially when I have a third car seat in the second row. I guess I'll have to trade one of them in... :) !

    I will definitely try that Magic Erasers on the wheels. Thanks for the tip.

    Thanks to all for the positive feedback.

    Bruce

  7. 2012 SXT 14-Month / 16,000 Mile Review

    in Owner Impressions

    Posted

    This review is for our Journey after 14 months and 16,000 miles. The vehicle we purchased was a new Silver 2012 SXT with 3.6L / FWD. The options on it are, the third row seating, the Popular Equipment Group, and the 19" wheels. So far it has been absolutely fantastic. We bought it in November, 2012. The sticker was $27,885. They knocked $2,200 off of the sticker, plus there was a $4,500 rebate, so it ended up being $21,185 + tax & registration. We were quite pleased.

    As stated, we have owned it for 14 months and have put 16,000 miles on it. We have changed the oil and filter at 250 miles and again at 3,900. We converted to synthetic oil at 6,100 miles and change it and the filter every 5-6,000 miles. We rotate the tires every 6,000 miles. I average 19-20 mpg winter and 20-21 mpg summer. The worst tankful was 17.9 mpg; the best was 25.7.

    I really love this vehicle. Although I am 63, we purchased it to allow my wife and I to transport our three Grandbabies and their car seats.

    Likes:

    • It has been bullet proof so far and has never been back to the dealer. I do all my own servicing since I have a lift and a huge set of tools.
    • Smooth with plenty of power.
    • Nice smooth and quiet ride with reasonably good handling for this type of vehicle.
    • Plenty of room inside.
    • It is great in the snow.
    • Love the look with the 19” wheels.
    • Rear HVAC and individual front control is nice.
    • Reasonable mpg. On a trip to Florida (3,000 miles) we averaged 25 mpg even at speeds of 80 mph. On a trip to NJ (500 miles) we averaged 25.5 mpg with seven people on board.

    Dislikes: There is really nothing major, just a bunch of nit-pick things.

    • The A-pillar and mirror combo are huge and hinder vision. I'm sure it would be the same on similar vehicles. It just takes some getting used to.
    • Even though I bought it in November 2012, it was produced in February 2012, so it has the smaller brakes. So far this hasn’t been an issue and they appear to be wearing okay.
    • The transmission up-shifts too quickly on some hills, and then downshifts only after you mash the gas. This only happens on a few hills / occasions. I have learned to deal with it by shifting manually on occasion.
    • On a cold start-up I get a whining sound. I believe it is (or at least sounds like) the power steering pump. I will get this checked out if I ever bring it to the dealer for something else, or if it gets louder.
    • The optional 19” wheels are starting to discolor. Despite constant cleaning and several waxings, they are turning a golden / brown color in some of the crevices of the wheels.
    • It is not as easy to get to the third row with all three car seats installed in the vehicle. Rearward vision is also limited with all three car seats installed. This would probably be an issue with any similar vehicle
    • The clock gains at least 5-6 minutes each month. I can’t believe in this day and age that a clock could be this far off.


    I hope to have a similarly positive report at 24 months / 30,000 miles!

    Bruce

  8. Biggest annoyances with your Journey.

    in Owner Impressions

    Posted

    I must be fortunate. My only real gripe with my 2012 SXT is that the optional 19" wheels look like they are stained in several spots. I have had the vehicle for 8 moths and have waxed them at least 4 times with a high quality wax. If this is the worst problem/annoyance that I end up with, I will consider myself blessed.

    Bruce

  10. Five Month / 5,000 Mile 2012 SXT Review

    in Owner Impressions

    Posted

    You got a great deal on your Journey! Great to hear how happy you are with it. If I had any complaints, it is also with the shifting. I know it is adaptive and will "learn" your style of driving but it seems to get into high gear too quickly. 3-4 upshift is a bit abrupt. Wondering if yours has become more adaptive to your style and how many miles before doing so.

    I drove a 2014 Grand Cherokee the other day with the 8 speed automatic. It has a Sport mode which holds the lower gears longer, allowing the revs to build before upshifting to the next ratio. That was absolutely the way to go and I wish it were available in the Journey as well.

    It has gotten a little better, but still up-shifts too quickly on a few hills near my home. When I turn onto my street, I often shift it manually because it annoys me when it up-shifts too quickly, then bogs down, then down-shifts a couple of gears.

    I still love it despite that. We just got back from a 3,000 mile round trip to Disney World. It ran flawlessly and averaged 25.4 mpg, even though cruising at 75-80 mph all the way.

    Bruce

  13. Five Month / 5,000 Mile 2012 SXT Review

    in Owner Impressions

    Posted

    The vehicle we purchased was a new Silver 2012 SXT with 3.6L / FWD. The options on it are, the third row seating, the Popular Equipment Group, and the 19" wheels. So far it has been absolutely fantastic. We bought it in November. The sticker was $27,885. They knocked $2,200 off of the sticker, plus there was a $4,500 rebate, so it ended up being $21,185 + tax & registration. We were quite pleased.

    Likes:

    - Great in snow

    - Smooth and powerful

    - Very quiet and comfortable

    - Handles very well for the type of vehicle that it is.

    - Love the wheels

    - Decent gas mileage. Worst:17.9 mpg Best: 25.4 mpg

    - Took it on a 500 mile round trip with four adults and three kids in car seats. We fit comfortably, and averaged 25.4 mpg.

    Dislikes:

    - The A-pillar and mirror combo are huge and hinder vision. I'm sure it would be the same on similar vehicles. It just takes some getting used to.

    - The rear view with car seats installed is limited.

    - The transmission takes some getting used to, especially on steep hills where it takes forever to downshift. I am getting used to it, and overall, I am pleased with the tranny's performance.

    - Our vehicle was built in Feb '12, so it has the smaller brakes. So far this hasn't been an issue for us.

    I hope to have a similarly positive report at 12 months / 12,000 miles!

    Thanks,

    Bruce

  15. Random Chime

    in Interior

    Posted

    An intermittent chime drove us crazy on my wife's 2001 300M for years. It usually happened right after we backed it out of the garage and were about to put it in drive. Last year I had to replace the computer (Bus Communication Error), and it still did it. Never did figure it out. At least it was harmless.

    Bruce

  17. Hello From Missouri And a Question ( Floor Sill ?)

    in Welcome!

    Posted

    Hello everyone,

    Just recently purchased a 2010 Journey R/T and have little to no complaints at the moment. I have read numerous negative comments and many warnings about certain things but figured that was not the majority just the minority. I read tons about brake issues ( Replacement pads) and was curious if there is a pad that might last longer when it is time to replace them. Also I have noticed I believe to be the floor sill was screwed down by the previous owner. I have caught my shoe twice and would like to replace it. I want to say it is the floor sill but have no idea as I have never encountered this problem. Thanks so much and looking forward to contributing to the forum. Thanks Mike

    Mike,

    I'm not sure what you mean. A picture would help!

    Thanks,

    Bruce

  18. Ticking on a cold start

    in Welcome!

    Posted

    My 2012 SXT does the same thing for a second or two. My wife has a 2012 Nissan Rogue She didn't want a Journey because she said it looked too much like a minivan. After I got the SXT, she asks to borrow it all the time, especially when she wants to pick up the three Grandbabies. Sorry for digressing, but her engine sounds like a loud knock until it warms up. We brought it in and were told that it was perfectly normal.

  20. Fuel Milage

    in Fuel Mileage

    Posted

    I think the mileage is decent for the size of the vehicle. I have a 2012 SXT with the pentastar V6. I only have 3,000 miles, and I am averaging 20mpg. I have had a low of 17.5 in all city driving. On a 400 mile round trip with seven of us aboard, I averaged 25.1. So far I am very pleased with the vehicle and the mpg.

    Bruce

  21. 2010 Journey SXT

    in Owner Impressions

    Posted

    I don't think the fact that they are made in Mexico is a bad thing quality wise. I agree that it would be better for all of us if they were made in the USA or Canada. It would be nice to put more Americans and Canadians to work. Just my $.02...:)!

    Bruce

  22. Difference between deluxe splash guard & flat molded splash guards

    in Accessories, Modifications

    Posted

    For Christmas, my son & daughter-in-law bought me a set for my 2012 SXT. I got 82210996AB (front) and 82210997AB (rear). When I had looked it up, the Mopar/Dodge site had a different part # listed for the rear (82212865). I installed them and they fit perfectly. The only slight issue is that when installing the screw that fits vertically from underneath, you have to screw it in at an angle to make sure it screws into the bumper. Just a minor issue. By the way, they look great and do a good job.

    If anyone is interested, they were purchased from www.moparpartsworldwide.com for $34.76 (front) and $38.29 (rear). Shipping was $6.30. Seems like very good pricing.

    Bruce

×
×
  • Create New...