2010 Dodge Journey - Which Engine?

[Number_35]

This is related to the thread about my friends' 2007 Honda Pilot with the dead V6 due to the timing belt tensioner failing, and the Acura MDX we looked at yesterday.

They are looking for a midsized SUV with AWD and reasonable ground clearance. Their first choice would be another Honda Pilot, although of course an equivalent Acura would be fine too.

They would like to stay under C$10K, including sales taxes, so basically C$9K before tax.

I looked at the website for a couple of local trusted independent used-car dealers. The one lot has a couple of older Lexus SUVs. Both will have likely have been brought in from B.C., and will be rust-free, but both are pricey for their age.

2007 Lexus RX 350 AWD
205,000 km
C$13K

2006
Lexus RX400h AWD
188,000 km
C$15K

*******

So then I looked at the other dealership:

2010 Dodge Journey R/T AWD
182,000 km
C$10K

I presume these are underpowered with the 2.4 Tigershark, but it's listed as having the V6.

It's too old to have the Pentastar, so I assumed it would have the venerable pushrod 3.3 or 3.8.

However, the 'net tells me it would have the Chrysler OHC 3.5. I don't know much about the 3.5. Is it a direct descendant of the troublesome 2.7? If so, is it better? Would you buy a vehicle with the 3.5?

And would you consider buying a Dodge Journey?

Should they hold out for a Honda or Acura?

Thanks!

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I'd skip the Journey. I'd look at a Grand Cherokee personally. Much nicer vehicle and better off road. Should be able to get a 3.6 WK2 one in that price range I'd think.

 

[JoelB]

My mom had a fwd with the 2.4. Engine never gave her an issue but the rest of the vehicle was GARBAGE. In the shop constantly. Based on her experience i really had a sour taste in my mouth for dodge.

 

[JavierH19]

I believe those earlier v6 ones are the old but good sohc v6 from the 90's. I think the v6 gets the 6 speed instead of the 4 speed.

 

[IndyIan]

Where is the hill within 50 miles winnipeg that you need AWD for?
I'd be more inclined to look at 4 banger Outlanders, than 15 year old Dodge's, but maybe they had some good years back then?
A rust free Lexus sounds better for a bit more money. A $10k SUV is probably the worst value price point? Expensive but also will need lots of expensive repairs, except perhaps the lexus?

 

[dogememe]

Those are truly horrible vehicles from my understanding. I'd search for something else. Is a 2nd gen Ford Escape (the boxy ones) too small?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I'd always pick the I4 over a V6. The Outlander is also a good suggestion, as others have pointed out. If you can find a non-rusty CX-7, that is also a good choice.

Since you're in Canada, there's also the Chevy Orlando (basically a Cruze wagon), even though it doesn't have AWD. The U-body minivans were available with AWD and should cost less than an AWD Sienna.

Get the least rusty car you can. And then get rustproofing on it.

For the V6 Hondas and Toyotas, Honda still uses a timing belt, while Toyota started using a chain in the mid 2000s with the 2GR. Unfortunately, the V6 Toyotas are VERY hard to work on.

There's also the Pathfinder

 

[Number_35]

I'd skip the Journey. I'd look at a Grand Cherokee personally. Much nicer vehicle and better off road. Should be able to get a 3.6 WK2 one in that price range I'd think.

Difficult here - used- car prices remain very high.

 

[Number_35]

My mom had a fwd with the 2.4. Engine never gave her an issue but the rest of the vehicle was GARBAGE. In the shop constantly. Based on her experience i really had a sour taste in my mouth for dodge.

What sort of failures?

Chrysler/Daimler-Chrysler/FCA had a reputation for electrical issues.

Did the transmission hold up OK?

 

[Number_35]

I believe those earlier v6 ones are the old but good sohc v6 from the 90's. I think the v6 gets the 6 speed instead of the 4 speed.

I thought the 6-speed came out at the same time as the Pentastar (2011?) but I could be wrong.

 

[Number_35]

Where is the hill within 50 miles winnipeg that you need AWD for?
I'd be more inclined to look at 4 banger Outlanders, than 15 year old Dodge's, but maybe they had some good years back then?
A rust free Lexus sounds better for a bit more money. A $10k SUV is probably the worst value price point? Expensive but also will need lots of expensive repairs, except perhaps the lexus?

AWD is nice for our glazed intersections, especially 4-way stops, and when coming up from underpasses.

They travel out of town a fair bit.

The Outlander is a good thought!

P. S. I used to run marathons here. It's not as flat as I had once thought.

 

[Number_35]

Those are truly horrible vehicles from my understanding. I'd search for something else. Is a 2nd gen Ford Escape (the boxy ones) too small?

An Escape or Tribute might work!

 

[jsean]

I’d skip the Journey. In addition to the Escape/Tribute and the Outlander, they can also look for the Xterra/R51 Pathfinders. Watch out for rust. Early models had the defective timing chain tensioners and the radiator SMOD - which can be easily fixed with an aftermarket radiator swap.

 

[Number_35]

I'd always pick the I4 over a V6. The Outlander is also a good suggestion, as others have pointed out. If you can find a non-rusty CX-7, that is also a good choice.

Since you're in Canada, there's also the Chevy Orlando (basically a Cruze wagon), even though it doesn't have AWD. The U-body minivans were available with AWD and should cost less than an AWD Sienna.

Get the least rusty car you can. And then get rustproofing on it.

For the V6 Hondas and Toyotas, Honda still uses a timing belt, while Toyota started using a chain in the mid 2000s with the 2GR. Unfortunately, the V6 Toyotas are VERY hard to work on.

There's also the Pathfinder

I also like 4- bangers, but an engine appropriate for a Dodge Caliber would (I think) be overworked in the larger Journey.

When I was looking for a minivan a few years ago, folks here talked me out of a Sienna with the 2.7 litre 4. Too much van for the HP and torque.

After having fun with repairs on another friend's Sonic, I don't think I'd consider an Orlando. It also misses the mark by not, as you noted, having AWD. I did like them when they came out c. 2012, and advised a friend to look at them. He bought a Grand Caravan instead, which has been excellent.

Edit: I like Mazdas, and have gotten good service out of all eight I've owned, BUT the CX-7 had a bad reputation here. Lots of engine problems with the turbo 2.3, mostly due to LSPI.

 

[IndyIan]

I'd always pick the I4 over a V6. The Outlander is also a good suggestion, as others have pointed out. If you can find a non-rusty CX-7, that is also a good choice.

Since you're in Canada, there's also the Chevy Orlando (basically a Cruze wagon), even though it doesn't have AWD. The U-body minivans were available with AWD and should cost less than an AWD Sienna.

Get the least rusty car you can. And then get rustproofing on it.

For the V6 Hondas and Toyotas, Honda still uses a timing belt, while Toyota started using a chain in the mid 2000s with the 2GR. Unfortunately, the V6 Toyotas are VERY hard to work on.

There's also the Pathfinder

Didn't the CX-7's have either the 2.3 turbo motor which didn't last very long or the transverse 3.7 ford V6 with the internal waterpump?
That era had a lot of bad motors in midsize SUV's...
Maybe back to the Pilot with a fresh timing belt and keep the old one for parts... I think they had it right the first time, just got unlucky.

 

[JavierH19]

I thought the 6-speed came out at the same time as the Pentastar (2011?) but I could be wrong.

Wikipedia says it was introduced in 07 with the Sebring fitted with the 3.5 sohc and it does say it was used in the v6 journey beginning in 09. Wikipedia states that nine design changes were made to fix clutch failure and four changes made for excessive shifting on hills and that a common failure is caused by bad sensor data.

 

[Number_35]

Wikipedia says it was introduced in 07 with the Sebring fitted with the 3.5 sohc and it does say it was used in the v6 journey beginning in 09. Wikipedia states that nine design changes were made to fix clutch failure and four changes made for excessive shifting on hills and that a common failure is caused by bad sensor data.

Thanks, good information! I think a lot of Chrysler transmission failures were due to the use of the wrong fluid. ATF+4 is said to be essential.

 

[CKN]

This is related to the thread about my friends' 2007 Honda Pilot with the dead V6 due to the timing belt tensioner failing, and the Acura MDX we looked at yesterday.

They are looking for a midsized SUV with AWD and reasonable ground clearance. Their first choice would be another Honda Pilot, although of course an equivalent Acura would be fine too.

They would like to stay under C$10K, including sales taxes, so basically C$9K before tax.

I looked at the website for a couple of local trusted independent used-car dealers. The one lot has a couple of older Lexus SUVs. Both will have likely have been brought in from B.C., and will be rust-free, but both are pricey for their age.

2007 Lexus RX 350 AWD
205,000 km
C$13K

2006
Lexus RX400h AWD
188,000 km
C$15K

*******

So then I looked at the other dealership:

2010 Dodge Journey R/T AWD
182,000 km
C$10K

I presume these are underpowered with the 2.4 Tigershark, but it's listed as having the V6.

It's too old to have the Pentastar, so I assumed it would have the venerable pushrod 3.3 or 3.8.

However, the 'net tells me it would have the Chrysler OHC 3.5. I don't know much about the 3.5. Is it a direct descendant of the troublesome 2.7? If so, is it better? Would you buy a vehicle with the 3.5?

And would you consider buying a Dodge Journey?

Should they hold out for a Honda or Acura?

Thanks!

The Journey is a garbage vehicle.

 

[JavierH19]

Thanks, good information! I think a lot of Chrysler transmission failures were due to the use of the wrong fluid. ATF+4 is said to be essential.

The wiki page mentioned just that but I didn't include it.

"Many problems with Chrysler automatic transmissions are started when the automatic transmission fluid or "ATF" is replaced or topped-up with standard, more common fluids like DEXRON or MERCON type fluids. Chrysler transmissions need to use their own fluid, designated as ATF+4 Synthetic type 9602 fluid from Chrysler, not any other or any other plus an additive. If any quantity of other type of fluid is added to the transmission, a complete drain, flush and replacement with the correct ATF+4 will be needed[citation needed].

The most common problems (shift stuck-, limp mode-, blocking problems) with the Chrysler Ultradrive transmissions are poor shifting quality and sudden locks into second gear ("limp-home" mode) caused by the transmission computer detecting problems with sensor data. Nine design changes were made in an attempt to fix clutch failure, and four were directed to excessive shifting on hills"

 

[Number_35]

Didn't the CX-7's have either the 2.3 turbo motor which didn't last very long or the transverse 3.7 ford V6 with the internal waterpump?
That era had a lot of bad motors in midsize SUV's...
Maybe back to the Pilot with a fresh timing belt and keep the old one for parts... I think they had it right the first time, just got unlucky.

I think the CX-7 had either the problematic 2.3T or the reliable Duratec 2.5.

The transverse 3.7 with the internal WP was used in the CX-9 until MY2015 or 2016. Mazda used its in-house SkyActiv 2.5T after that.