Hi, I've recently begun searching for a new car since my dodge sx 2.0 got totalled, and a 2011 has made my short list. Have there been any issues with he journey I should know about? Also should I go AWD, or save money (about $10,000 with the canada value pack) and get FWD? I live in Southern Alberta, Canada. Around here we only know 2 seasons, winter and BBQ. So should I spend more for piece of mind, or is FWD enough. I know my sx 2.0's only down fall was the size (too close to the ground to get over the deep snow).

Thanks to anyone who can tell me if AWD is worth it, normally I would ask my dad, but he died recently so I have no clue and no one around for advice. Well I guess I could ask the dealer, but my dad always told me don't trust anyone who wants your money to give you an honest answer. Thanks again

You should also know that road clearing here is minimal at least, because our mayor believes the winds (chinooks) will come around and clear away all the snow and ice; 2 years down, and he's been wrong thus far....

 

Welcome to the forum and I'm sorry to hear about your dad.

As far as the vehicle itself, I bought a 2010 for my mom about a year and a half ago. She had an '08 Grand Caravan because my step dad suffered a stroke and we needed something with wheelchair access. But he passed in '09 and she just felt the van was too big for her, so I traded it in and got the Journey.

It's been excellent so far. SXT with the V6, all options except the DVD & Nav systems. Granted, she only averages about 6k miles on it a year, but no problems whatsoever. About the only real common problem I'm hearing about is the front brake rotors on a lot of them fail and require replacement. They caught the problem with the suspect rotors and have issued a warranty extension on them. Hers are fine so far.

As far as the AWD vs. FWD, I got her the FWD. As a matter of fact, she's in Florida and the AWD models are a tough find there. I grew up in upstate NY though, and I will say that if I lived in the snow belt, I'd opt for the AWD model if it was within my means. FWD is good in snow, but twice the traction is twice the traction.

 

If you are going 2011, go for a 4-cyln FWD. It is cheaper. and u aren't going to find any competitor with more apealing for it's price.

The Pentstar V6 engine is still a New Engine, Give it few yrs, and it also jack up the price tag by $3000. while the 4 cyln is proven (as long as u do ur oil change)
The 4wd system in the Journey is Weak, They leak, they growl on spare tire, they break when u Tow, you will run into all sort of problems. This AWD system is NOT the same one used in Dodge Truck and Jeeps.
Especially if you got 19" rims, u would regret not getting a base model when u need tires.
Common problems? Brakes pad and rotor wear, Tie rod end gets loose, Wires in the Door Jab breaks, Electronic module just dies, rear seat latch breaks. At least those r the problems with 08-10 journey, They might have fixed most.

The 08-10 journey are junk, I can't say much for 2011. But you be better off getting a Minivan.

 

Welcome to DF
Sorry to read about your dad, I would agree with Steak59 on this Get the 4 cylinder model. I am starting to see problems with the pentastar motor and i wait a year or two with the V6 motor.

 

I was driving a awd ford edge betwean calgary and spokane ( crowsnest pass ) and hands down AWD is worth having, a 4cy is too little engine for the Journey, I woud suggest looking at the ford egde, I was impressed with its handeling manny a time driving threw northan idaho, and betwean Elko and Fernie.

 

I test drove the 4 cylinder, I didn't feel it had enough power for the weight of the vehicle, but then again, I drive a Grand Cherokee with a 4.7 HO V8 engine and a truck with a 5.7 Hemi.

I feel the 3.5 V6 has very good power and is pretty good on fuel economy. Mom averages about 21 mpg in completely in-town driving. I took her to a relatives funeral last fall which was about a 300 mile round trip, almost all interstate and averaged 26 mpg.

Can't speak about the newer Pantastar engine, although I was really pissed when they ditched the 3.5 I bought so soon. Maybe, after reading Master Tech's post, I'm glad I bought the 3.5 V6.

I'm online with a few Journey owners on another site and I see a lot of rotor problems and it seems some PCMs out there were suspect and are being replaced at no cost. Haven't seen where tie rods, seats or doors are an issue with anybody.

ANY AWD system is "weak". I understand it shares the system with the Jeep Compass and Patriot. It has no true transfer case, so towing with all four wheels on the pavement is just not a good idea. I haven't seen where the system is a problem from any posts I've read, but it is just a system for better traction control, it's NOT designed to be an off-road system.

I read all the time on the Jeep sites where people who have downsized from a Grand Cherokee or Liberty to a Compass or Patriot bi*ch all the time about the four wheel drive system. It appears most who have issues with it are trying to make the vehicle an off-roader like you can with a GC or Liberty. Ain't gonna happen...

 

I agree with Hammer, AWD is great to have if you get snow and don't plan on towing anything heavy. I'd never choose anything other than AWD or 4WD if they were an option. I had a 2001 Explorer 5.0L with AWD and I loved it to death, but it got 11mpg. AWD is no 4WD, but it has definite benefits, like more traction and you can use it on ANY road condition.

 

My dad has an 09 Journey AWD 3.5 as a company car and has 80,000 miles and has had no problems with. He doesn't like the 3.5 much, but admittedly, only because his previous company car was an 07 Chrysler Pacifica AWD 4.0...and that had some acceleration, we never actually lined them up, but it felt like it was as fast as my truck, not that that is a speed demon, but still, he liked the Pacifica so much he bought it (for $5000, KBB=$15000) when he ordered the Journey...anyway, after that, His Journey feels like it won't get out of it's own way. But again, had he not had the Pacifica first, he'd love the Journey. Infact, he just ordered a 11 Caravan AWD company vehicle and I am strongly considering buying the Journey if it is as good of a deal as he bought the Pacifica for.

As for tires, yeah, the exact size for the 19" rims is hard to find, they can, now, be found at Discount Tire...it is a brand I never heard of, but they are available. Also, I don't see why you couldn't go with a slightly different size without any problems.

Not to hijack the thread, but what are these towing problems with AWD that were mentioned...Cuz my dad plans on possible using it to haul the four wheelers up north every once in a while...only 2 four wheelers, so including the trailer we'd be talking 1500 lbs