Journeyman425

Well, our new Journey arrived at my dealership today. First thing I did was break out the Dire Straits CD in my car and loaded it in. I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the sound of the system. Good, clean power, clear highs and definitely tight bass. I'm not one for overpowering bass unless that is how the artist intended it, but this system is definitely not lacking. I did not have to increase it more than a couple of bars on the EQ to suit my taste. I went to the back of the car and listened to the sub and it is definitely moving air. I have to assume that the latest software flash has improved its performance or Alpine has re-engineered the crossover in the amp. My opinion, however, is based on this threads' observations vs. what I have heard today. And please bear in mind that I only got to sample the system for a few minutes. But I liked what I heard. Right now the car is up on the lift getting the hitch and splash guards put on. Tomorrow we'll finish prepping it, and I'll take delivery on Saturday after work. Looking forward to more music!!

Re-reading many of these posts, it sounds to me like there is a basic issue with the amplifier's crossover network - as if there is a gap between the lowest frequencies the 6x9's in the door speakers can reproduce and the highest frequencies the sub can produce. Let's say, for example, the 6x9's low frequency response goes down to 300Hz and the sub's frequency response extends up to 300Hz. The crossover should direct any frequencies below 300Hz to the sub and not the 6x9's. Based on what I'm reading, the crossover is not directing the upper bass frequencies to the sub and instead the 6x9's are trying to reproduce them but cannot. Meanwhile, the sub sits idle because nothing is being directed to it except the very lowest frequencies. Now, I'm definitely armchair QB-ing this issue since I don't even own the car yet - but I'd be willing to bet there is a basic flaw in the crossover network's architecture based solely on the consistency of the complaints I've read. I should really reserve judgement until I hear it for myself, though...

Mine was built on April 25 but did not reach the NJ depot until May 8. Now here it is on the 14th, the car is 100 miles away, and nearly a week has gone by and it's still not here. That's the frustrating part - it's just sitting there. My 300M was four weeks from order to delivery. I was amazed at how quickly it was built and delivered. Like you, I live much closer to the plant where they are made than Mexico.

I'm really surprised by the lack of bass response. When I first ordered the car, I began perusing the Dodge site looking for specs on the system besides number of speakers and output power. I found a press release about the sound system from 2011 and it had a link to the Alpine site which describes their systems as installed in Dodge products: http://www.experiencealpine.com/dodge/ Much to my surprise, all but two of the drivers in the vehicle are woofers. I would have expected midbass or full-range drivers in at least the rear doors to compliment the smaller drivers in the dash. If anything, I expected the system to have too much bass. From what I'm reading, that is certainly not the case. In any event, I'm still looking forward to listening to the stereo in the car -perhaps some of these issues have been addressed and put into production already, one can hope. Still waiting for the damn car to come...arrrghh!

According to our tracking site, mine was unloaded from the railcar last week on the 8th, and was due in to my store on the 13th. Still has not arrived yet along with two other sold Ram Trucks and a Jeep Compass.

I'm disappointed to read the comments about the poor sound. Despite the fact that I work for a dealer, I've never had the opportunity to sit in one of the newer Journeys and actually listen to the sound. We currently do not have any in stock and the last one was not equipped with the upgrade. Honestly, if it were a stand-alone option I would have skipped it because its not that important to my family who will be riding in it most times while I'm at work. We wanted navigation and the ParkSense system with the camera and the Alpine system is bundled with it. I was excited to sit and listent to some music in the car once we get it (any day now) but now my expectations have been lowered somewhat. I rechecked TSB's for my VIN and I am current with all software, so this latest TSB does not apply to me. I'll let you all know how mine sounds.

That is correct! And I'm the first to admit the wait hasn't been all that long compared to some of what I've read here. We ordered April 6th, built on the 25th and the car was due to my dealership today (13th) but did not come. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

I'm surprised by the lack of choice. Just because your're in Canada does not mean snow 24/7. Plus, you're properly equipped to handle frequent snow when it does occur. We have plenty of snowy winters here but the terrain in our area is flat. We've never been stuck in snow with either of our 300M's so skipping AWD and saving $1800.00 was an easy decision. As for the leather, it is standard equipment now on the Crew, along with a heated steering wheel. We added Katzkin leather seats to a 2011 Crew a couple of years ago for a customer and it is absolutely beautiful. Still the nicest Journey interior I've ever seen. I should take some pictures next time she's at my shop.

A couple of things - I wanted chrome wheels, my wife and I both wanted Copper Pearl and both are not available on the R/T, I also wanted roof rails and I prefer the chrome door handles. Our Crew does in fact have leather.

My dealership has an AWD SXT on order for stock. That will have Performance Suspension, so it will be a good comparison for me. I'll take it down the road once it comes in and see what the differences are then. This car is still a few weeks away yet - it has not been built but is scheduled. Hell, I don't even have mine yet - any day now...

The Caliber was well designed, but somewhat poorly executed IMO. Way too much cheap plastic in the interior, which was the norm of most Chrysler products from the 2005-2010 era. Even the Journey was a victim of Cerberus Capital Management bean-counting interior design ("how can we shave two cents off the cost of producing this door trim, that dash panel, etc.) until 2011, the year you got yours. What a huge difference between your 2011 R/T and a 2010. Working for a dealer, I heard the same comments from the customers time and time again about how cheap the interiors were. Not anymore. But for the Caliber, it's too late. Now we have the Dart which started out slow sales-wise, but is just now beginning to catch on. People rave about the interior quality and the feel of the materials. I've always liked the Journey but had serious reservations about its quality until the 2011 M/Y came out. Glad I waited. And still waiting...our 2013 Crew is due in any day and I cannot wait to drive it. In a way I hope that the replacement is even better than ours but I'll be a little disappointed at the same time!

Tha wait is killing me too...and we only ordered ours last month! Due in any day now. Copper Pearl over Black FWD Crew with Nav/Sound group/flex seating/sunroof/chrome clad wheels and towing prep. Hitch and splashguards to be installed at shop.

I'm surprised at the lack of detail on behalf of Dodge. When I ordered my 2000 300M new from the factory, I ordered it with sales code AWT "Performance Handling Group". The brochure and the sales catalog (still used a book back then!) listed firmer spring and shock rates, higher effort power steering gear, high friction brake pads, stiffer front brake calipers, Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 V-rated tires and the removal of the speed governor in the PCM (stock 300M's were equipped with Goodyear Eagle LS tires which were T rated so the PCM limited top speed to 118 MPH) Anyway, the equipment list was detailed and comprehensive. I own two 300M's and my other one, a '99 has the stock Touring suspension and the difference in handling is very pronounced. The Journeys have four different suspension setups (SE and AVP use a "normal duty" suspension, SXT FWD same, Crew upgrades to Touring, SXT and Crew AWD use Performance, R/T uses High Performance). But there are no descriptives in the brochures or on DealerConnect (I work for a dealer) which detail the changes between levels. I'm going to try and get some info out of the guys at TechConnect (technical support) but they don't always know either. If I come up with anything I'll post it.

I own a 1998 Jayco 8SD pop-up camper. It is a small, single axle camper. Jayco lists the dry weight at 1200 lbs. I tow this camper currently with my Chrysler 300M which is rated to tow 2000 lbs. Between the weight of the camper, propane, the camper battery, cargo and my family, we are just under that 2000lb mark. The car handles the load well but I know it is there. There is no question that your camper plus your passengers and cargo will far exceed the tow rating of your Journey. Do not use it for towing this much weight. We have a new 2013 Journey Crew on order which is rated for 2500 lbs with the V6. I feel much more comfortable knowing that I have a little more reserve with the towing capacity of the new car.

I've read that they are very popular in Canada. Not so much where Iive, but I like that - we won't see ourselves coming and going. The SUV of choice around here is the Grand Cherokee. I like it but the Journey is much closer to my 300M from a driving standpoint than the Jeep. Can't wait to get it. Due in any day at my dealership.

In what way was your paint treated and how did it affect the color or its brilliance?

Copper Pearl over Black...but I haven't seen it yet! Car is due in any day now. We have a Ram 1500 in Copperhead Pearl on our lot ( I work for a dealer) and love the truck in that color. Showed it to my wife and we both agreed that was the color to get. Side note: Paint Code PLB is called Copperhead Pearlcoat on everything else but the Journey. For the Journey it is simply called Copper Pearl Coat. No explanation!

Hi all - Have a new 2013 FWD Crew on order and due in any day now. Looking forward to driving it and checking out all that it comes with. This car is such a good deal. The level of equipment that it comes with for the price is truly amazing. I have a hard time understanding why they are not more popular than they are. Nice to see some good feedback on these pages.

Hi all - new to the forum today and maybe too late to answer questions, but here goes. 2013 Crew FWD is equipped with Touring suspension and Performance steering. AWD Crew has Performance suspension. R/T has High Performance suspension in either FWD or AWD trim. I work for a dealer and have not been able to find any technical descriptives on the differences between these levels. I have to assume that spring and shock rates increase progressively with each upgrade. I have a FWD Crew on order for myself which is due in to my store any day now. I myself did not realize that the AWD option added Performance suspension to the Crew. I might have been inclined to take AWD had I known prior. We don't sell a lot of Journeys ( small store) and I don't get to drive them too often but when I have I always thought they handled well. I'm very anxious to spend some time behind the wheel of our new one. I hope it does not ride too softy. I'll post a review after some wheel time.