LBD-CT

Betcha it has something to do with the Uconnect phone stuff. Microphone, perhaps?

Picked up the car this morning. Love it. I am very pleased with the car. The dealer had computer issues and could not transfer our registration. He gave us dealer plates on the car to use until the he can get the registration processed. Funny story....We had to write a check to the dealer for about $9000. My wife, a very organized person, had all of our paperwork, loan checks, checkbooks, etc all gather together in a folder. We give the dealer the loan check, and as she goes to write the personal check, she discovers that she has no checks in the checkbook. She is livid with herself for not looking in the book beforehand to make sure that we had checks. I'm ready to drive back home to pick up the checks, but the dealer says it's no problem. We can give him the $9k when he brings us the registration. I am very pleased with his accommodating us. He could have made it a hassle, he didn't. Great customer service. Sorry about the Pic sizes, lol

Got my car today and it looks great. My wife, being an artist would notice immediately if the colors didn't match. She is very pleased with the car

after the sudden death and subsequent scrapping of our trade in, we went with the $1000. I already had to come up with an unexpected $3000, I didn't want to add more to that. There is an excellent article on the Consumer reports web site that argues that the $1,000 rebate is almost always a better choice, when one considers depreciation.

http://www.autofieldguide.com/articles/030802.html Dodge's Crossover: The Journey Every vehicle manufacturer seems to need a crossover utility vehicle (CUV) nowadays. With a lineup that includes SUVs like the Nitro and the Durango, Chrysler has launched a new entry into the CUV market: The Journey. By Gary S. Vasilash, Editor-In-Chief Built The Journey is built along side the Chrysler PT Cruiser in a plant in Mexico, the Toluca Assembly Plant. The plant, which has been in operation since 1968, is part of a complex that Chrysler has in Toluca (which is west of Mexico City), which includes stamping operations as well as assembly. Chrysler recently invested $1-billion in the plant in order to accommodate the production of the Journey along with the PT Cruiser. The investment included expansion-55,478-ft2 were added-and modification-20,142 ft2 were adjusted to facilitate body and assembly operations. To make the body shop flexible, there are 323 robots, 40 sealer systems, 196 servo weld guns, floor subassembly systems, body side aperture systems, and nine vision systems. Additionally, there is a flexible pallet insertion system that handles the installation of seven different engines and nine transaxles (realize that both vehicles are being produced, and there are four different engines and six transaxle combos for the Journey and three engines and three transaxles for the PT Cruiser; it should be noted that the Journey, which was first unveiled in Germany at the Frankfurt Motor Show, is destined for markets outside North America, which explains the number of possible engines, even though there are but two available in the U.S.). Chrysler also facilitated the creation of a supplier park, which helps the function of the Sequential Part Delivery (SPD) system. In this system, primary supplier-supplied subsystems (e.g., instrument panel module assembly (from Intier Automotive), front-end module (from HBPO), front and rear suspensions (from TRW Automotive)) are sent in sequence, based on a broadcast build schedule, to the assembly plant and delivered to the line for installation. This minimizes inventory and makes it simpler to respond to changes in demand for specific types of vehicles. Dodge Journey Chrysler PT Cruiser The Dodge Journey is the brand’s first crossover utility vehicle (CUV). It is another vehicle that Chrysler is bringing to markets outside of the U.S. in its attempt to increase its overall sales volume. The PT Cruiser is built along with the Journey at Chrysler’s assembly plant in Toluca, Mexico. Accommodating The two-box design of the Journey is, on the one hand, a means by which it can be differentiated from a minivan, yet, like a minivan, the Journey is engineered so as to be nearly as accommodating of people and stuff as a minivan. There are two configurations: two- and three-rows of seating (five or seven passengers). The rear doors are not sliders like those on a minivan, but they pivot open 90° to facilitate ingress and egress. If the three-row configuration is selected, then the second row has what's called "Tilt 'n Slide" functionality: by turning a lever on the side of the seat, the seat cushions fold upward and the seat slides forward. It is a one-hand operation. There is also what is known as the "child presenter" function of the 60/40 split second row: the seat has a total of 4.7 in. of travel, thereby allowing a child in the second row of seats to be positioned more closely to the front row. (Speaking of children, there is also an optional integrated child booster seat for the second row.) The are several bins and containers in the Journey, including the "Flip 'n Stow" front passenger seat: the seat cushion is hinged forward so that it can be pulled up toward the glovebox (a two-box glovebox, with the top section the "Chill Zone" for beverage cooling), thereby revealing a 10.75 x 8.75-in. bin that can be used to store various items like a purse or camera. In the floor behind the front-row seats there are two additional covered bins that are capable of holding 12 12-oz. cans and ice or other items. And, depending on which seating configuration is selected, there are in-floor bins behind the second and third rows of seats. All of the seats (with the exception of the driver's seat) can be folded flat; this would allow the conveyance of something 9 ft. long within the Journey. The clever seats are sourced from Johnson Controls. Asked about the bins, where the idea came from for them, Scott Anderson, senior designer responsible for the vehicle interior, responds, "The bins are ours." The “Flip ‘n Stow” front passenger seat. Lift up the cushion and there’s room to store items you might want to keep out of sight. The “Tilt ‘n Slide” second row seat facilitates access to the third row. By simply moving one lever, the seat cushions fold and the seat moves forward on its track. These bins behind the front row seats are standard. Dodge Journey The tailgate is a composite. The hood is aluminum. And more than 30% of the body structure is high or ultra-high strength steel. Materials The vehicle is built with an amalgam of materials, from front to back. As in the hood being stamped aluminum and the lift gate a composite. (The liftgate, sourced from Inoplastic Omnium, is said to be 20% lighter than a comparable steel part.) More than one-third of the body structure mass, 36%, is high-strength or ultra-high-strength steel. Hot-stamped steel is used for the A- and B-pillars. Dual-phase steel is used for the front and rear rails, tunnel reinforcements, and sills. In addition to conventional spot welds, there is extensive use of structural adhesives to add strength to the vehicle. Expandable polyurethane foam (PUR) is injected into cavities in the body structure to attenuate noise transmission. Mastic is baked onto the floor pan to dampen vibrations. Standard 3.5-liter, 235-hp V6 The SXT and R/T trim level Journeys have a standard 3.5-liter, 235-hp V6. The other trim, SE, has a standard 2.4-liter, 173-hp four. Powertrain There are two engines and two transmissions: a 2.4-liter (173 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 166 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm) inline four-the "World Engine" produced by the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance-and a 3.5-liter (235 hp @ 6,400 rpm; 232 lb.-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm) V6; the 2.4-liter comes standard with a four-speed automatic; a six-speed automatic is standard on the V6. While the standard vehicle is front-wheel drive, there is an optional all-wheel drive system based on a electronically controlled coupling (rather than a viscous-coupling or gerotor system); in addition to providing traction on slippery surfaces, the AWD system is setup to provide improved performance when traveling at speeds between 25 and 65 mph. Spatial The Journey is based on the Chrysler D-segment platform. It is the same one used for the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring. However, because those are sedans and the Journey is a CUV, changes were made. For example, the wheelbase is increased to 113.8 in. from 108.9 in. The overall length is also greater: 192.4 in. compared with 190.9 in. It is wider, as well: 72.2 in. compared with 71.8 in. (From the B-pillar forward, the architecture of the CUV and the sedans is the same.) The Journey is built at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico; the Avenger and Sebring are built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan. Which sort of begs the question: If the Journey is built in Toluca with the PT Cruiser, why not build the Journey on the PT Cruiser platform rather than the D-segment platform? And so we ask Larry Lyons, Chrysler vice president, Car and Minivan Product Team. He points out that the PT Cruiser is built on its own platform. Why not use it? "It's too small, too narrow, and not V6 capable. Otherwise, it's perfect," Lyons answers with a smile. The Journey (like the Sebring and Avenger) is available with a four- or six-cylinder engine; the PT Cruiser has a four.

The Toluca Mexico Assembly plant Lots of cool things to see from 5 miles up... http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&...mp;t=h&z=17

such a long time from scheduled to build and leaving plant. I admire your patience, sir. Here's to hoping that there are no glitches in the delivery

WOO HOO WOO HOO! Saturday 10:00 AM - they need to install the beckup sensor system and the mudguards along with regular prep

WOO HOO!!! My brother, a mechanic at the dealership, called to say that the car was dropped off yesterday and is being prepped. Pickup is either tomorrow or Saturday. I'm thinking that due to schedules, we may actually have to wait until Saturday.... But at least the car is no longer in Bayone...

While I am very happy for Rob, I am frustrated beyond words that my car is here....kind of... and I don't have it. The car is in New Jersey in a storage lot, waiting for enough cars to fill a delivery truck for the trip up to NW Connecticut. So close... yet.....

I Agree! That came out to within about $200 of what we agreed on for a price.

I only put so much creedance the reviews. Those guys test so many cars that I think they pick out things I'd never notice. I read the reviews. Then I test drove the car. I also test drove a ford escape, a Rav-4, a Saturn Vue, a Potiac Vibe and a Honda Pilot. The dodge may not have won in all of our "want this" categories, but it was the best fit and by far the best price. Test drive a Journey and then decide

We have 2 drivers under 25 and will have 3 in another year or so Our quote for our New (Almost here) Journey is $979 (I think) every 6 months

Congrats on the new ride and the pictures are great. Here's to many miles of happy driving And the color is great. I like that as opposed to a forest type green

Rob, I apologize, I feel like that was rubbing salt in your Journey "wounds" I'm pulling for you & your new car with every post I read about your ordeal

Woo Hoo!!! 3D4GH57V29TXXXXXX Dealer says that delivery is scheduled for May 30th. The car is currently is at storage lot in the Greater Newark NJ area. They are waiting to get a full trucks worth of vehicles before it gets delivered to the dealer. So if the truck is not full of vehicles for local dealers by Friday, then the car sits until there are enough cars.... <Heavy Sigh> Then once at the dealer, we're having mud flaps and Park Distance Sensors installed, so a bit longer delay. here's the e-mail from the dealer... Good morning LBD-CT, Your vehicle has an estimated date of delivery of May 30th. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that it arrives on or before that date for delivery this month. Your VIN number is 3D4GH57V29TXXXXXX. Chrysler’s final invoice has been received, it reads $25,895 and not $25,665 as originally displayed. The $230 difference includes finalized marketing adjustments for the ’09 model year. The factory invoice/buyer’s order can be faxed to either you or <our finance company> if necessary. Using the pricing structure from <LBD's Brother> employee pricing, it works out as follows: $25,895.00 invoice - $750.00 Five Star Employee discount + $75.00 Administration fee + $289.00 dealer conveyance fee + $1,530.54 CT Sales Tax + $100.00 Transfer fee of current CT Plates and Registration (including emissions fee) - $1,000.00 Chrysler rebate - $500.00 deposit (ck # 1234) Leaving an unpaid balance of $25,639.54 which will be paid from a combination of funds from you and your <Finance Company>financing. I got the dealer to give me a break on the park sensors to offset the 2009 $230 marketing adjustment that no one was aware of. Our financing is coming in at 4.6% for 60 months, not through the dealer and our insurance is being quoted at $969 for every 6 months. That seems a bit high, but I can revisit that later. Since the recent death of the minivan, being a one car family has been a big strain.

In the US, it's a Gov't mandate that all 2009 and later cars be equipped with tire pressure monitors

Welcome to the Forum! Now please excuse while I mumble a few nasty things as I wait impatiently for my Journey to arrive, LOL Glad you are enjoying the car. What model did you get? options? Color? Pictures? Those of us who don't have their journeys yet need this info so that we can live vicaiously through you...

My Brother, an ASE Master Mechanic / 5 Star Chrysler mechanic called me and told me that I wanted the Mud Guards for my new Journey and that he was ordering them for me. While he's ordering, I asked him to estimate the install of the rear bumper backup sensors. My wife liked those in the old minivan. The parts are about $300. Not sure what Labor will be, and I want them painted to match the color of the car. We had debated the backup camera, but I wasn't thrilled by it. We'll just add it to the vehicle financing...

Apparently Journeys are sparse enough around here (Southern New England) that the dealers are not trading amongst themselves. We had our choice of 2 on the lot or ordering new. Neither on the lot was a perfect fit so we ordered. My dealer called the other day and feels that our car will be in by the end of May.

LOL we really are like a bunch of new parents. Maybe we should have Journey Showers. Buy floor mats and block heaters. We could register at Mopar Parts

Wow that is painful. I guess right now our gas is about $3.80 per gallon. What are the prices up north?

Saw my first Journey on the road today. All the others I've seen were at the dealership. Since it was headed in the opposite direction, I couldn't tell which model it was. But it was green. Wasn't my favorite color.

It doesn't say that there is a maximum, so if Gas hits $4.50 a gallon, which isn't out of the realm, then it is indeed a good deal. On the other hand, I'm not sure that I want to give up my $1,000 incentive. The Gas card is definitely a gamble. $.59 a gallon in either direction could make all of the difference.

During some routine maintenance on my 2001 Pontiac minivan, which I was trading in to get our new Journey, I found something bad. There was no radiator fluid in the reservoir The was no fluid on the garage or anywhere else that I could see. Then I checked the oil. There's my radiator fluid. The Van blew the intake manifold gasket. No smoke No Steam Just bright orange dexron/10W30 mix. ugh Now I need to find an extra $3k for the down payment. And The Kidney Foundation gets a car donation. This new car can't come fast enough