Looked at a 2015 Dodge Journey for friends

[Number_35]

Wow, I did a quick search and Winnipeg seems to be very expensive for used cars! In southern Ontario I'd snap up a nice fwd CX-5, Mazda 5 for $8-9k and call it good.
Maybe do a $80 flight to Toronto or Hamilton, and get something here, and do the nice drive around Lake Superior?

We used to avoid cars brought in from southern Ontario, considering them on par with Quebec cars for rust.

But now they seem to be a lot better.

I wonder if the GTA has changed what it treats the winter roads with? Or perhaps there's less snow than there used to be.

Agreed, I would way rather have a Mazda5 or a CX-5!

 

[walterjay]

Stay away from that thing. There is much better out there. Also had an employee that bought one new. He regretted it.

 

[Number_35]

I don't know what 185000 KM is in freedom units (I do ... just making a joke) , but that 41TE transmission is living on borrowed time anything after 90K miles or ~140K kilometers ...

Between that and the thing not starting / having crankshaft position sensor issues, I'd run from it.

If the P0335 code can be solved simply by changing our the CPS, it's not a big deal. But as someone said, if it were that simple, why not do it before putting it up for sale?

With misgivings about Chrysler's 4-speed automatic, I bought a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan in 2021. In the first week or so I dropped the transmission pan, changed the fluid and filter, and installed a new pan with a drain plug.

I've been draining about 2-1/2 quarts of ATF about every 2nd oil change, and replacing it with ATF+4 only.

I've since read that a lot of the problems with the Chrysler automatics have been the result of the wrong fluid being used.

Small sample, but so far so good!

 

[Number_35]

would be better off with a kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe that's had a heart transplant done.

The 2000 - 2010 Hyundai 2.7 and 3.3 V6 engines were pretty good.

 

[Number_35]

Canada has more choices than the US in terms of 7-seaters. The Chevy Orlando is the most notable example. You also got a second generation of the Kia Rondo that wasn't sold in the US. Here is a nice 2014 Rondo. Maybe you might like this Mazda5

From the listings I saw, prices in your area are so high it might be cheaper to go to Ontario for a day and drive it home

Thanks, that Mazda5 looks good - I've forwarded the ad to my friends.

I look after a 2009 Mazda5, so am well aware of the quirks.

 

[IndyIan]

We used to avoid cars brought in from southern Ontario, considering them on par with Quebec cars for rust.

But now they seem to be a lot better.

I wonder if the GTA has changed what it treats the winter roads with? Or perhaps there's less snow than there used to be.

Agreed, I would way rather have a Mazda5 or a CX-5!

I think the best place to get cars in ontario, is south western Ontario, as they have a lot less snow events, and don't dump gravel on the roads, and I think there's lots of one owner cars there, that have been taken care of, but are still realistic on the price.
Quebec is even slightly cheaper again, but I think you'd really better know what you are looking at, as I know a few guys that showed up there and found some issues that were missing from the ad... Then the real negotiations start.

I also think since ~2013 Mazda took rusting proofing more seriously as I can't really recall seeing a rusty CX-5 ever, and the last edition of the Mazda5 seems to be mostly rust free too.

 

[edyvw]

Friends from church (new Canadians from the Central African Republic, very nice people) are looking for a vehicle.

They asked me to accompany them. This morning we looked at a private sale they'd found on Facebook Marketplace, a 2015 Dodge Journey.

Mileage (185,000 km) is not unreasonable for a 2015.

The owner was away, but his 20ish son had trouble starting the engine.

He did get it running, and we went for a drive. It drove OK for what it is (the 2.4 litre 4-banger seemed to have to work pretty hard with three of us onboard, and I assume the AT is a 4-speed) until it stalled out about a block from home. It eventually started, and I read the code - P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor.

The young man said he would ask his father to get it fixed.

It would not be my choice of vehicle, but the price is not bad for this market (C$8,000, possibly negotiable), and my friends, the prospective buyers, like it.

They need to hold five adults, and that pretty much means one would have to fit into the very cramped 3rd row.

I can take it for a mechanical inspection on short notice if they do want to pursue it.

I've also recommended that they run a CARFAX - much of the driver's side has been repainted, evidenced by a lot of orange-peel paint.

Thoughts on the Journey in general, and the 2.4 litre engine?

Don't drive on the same street where any Journey is parked.

 

[loneryder]

I had 3 Journeys as company cars. My company(large pharmaceutical company) did use Fords but those transmissions on every one of them stranded reps on the road. So they moved to Dodge with the 100k engine warranty. First Journey I had started making a racket around 30k. The oil was changed every 3-4k at Jiffy Lubes. The rocker assembly on one side was disintegrating. There was little metal in the "metal". It sat in the dealer for months while Dodge argued that it wasn't under warranty. I didn't care because I had either a full size PU or SUV. My rentals were much better vehicles. Major corporate fighting ensued. They finally fixed it. My second one was ok. and I had a new 15 with only a few thousand before I retired. They were all V6's.
I don't like the sound of that deal.

 

[Skippy722]

Look, I’m usually the 1st to defend Dodge around here but NO! RUN! LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE! NEVER buy a Chrysler product that comes standard with a 4 cylinder.

The 3.6 V6 ones aren’t as horrible, but they’re still lifeless vehicles with mediocre fuel economy. Go find a Grand Caravan/T&C. Way more space, okay fuel economy (wife averages 22-23 short tripping).

 

[Number_35]

Look, I’m usually the 1st to defend Dodge around here but NO! RUN! LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE! NEVER buy a Chrysler product that comes standard with a 4 cylinder.

The 3.6 V6 ones aren’t as horrible, but they’re still lifeless vehicles with mediocre fuel economy. Go find a Grand Caravan/T&C. Way more space, okay fuel economy (wife averages 22-23 short tripping).

We did look at two Grand Caravans after we looked at the Journey. Both were 2010 models, so early 5th-gen, but both with the old 3.3 and 4-speed automatic.

Both were priced higher than the Journey, which is at the high end of what my friends can afford.

 

[hemitom]

The 2000 - 2010 Hyundai 2.7 and 3.3 V6 engines were pretty good.

I had a 2009 Santa Fe with 3.3 it was very good ! these are tough to find in decent condition now unfortunately .

 

[Skippy722]

We did look at two Grand Caravans after we looked at the Journey. Both were 2010 models, so early 5th-gen, but both with the old 3.3 and 4-speed automatic.

Both were priced higher than the Journey, which is at the high end of what my friends can afford.

Really? I paid 18.5k for a 1 year old one, I’d think by now it’d be in that 5-8 grand range I can confirm the 3.3/4 speed is indestructible though. Ours survived being used as a 1 ton truck, family hauler, and 3 teenage drivers.

The last one “totaled” it twice… once on the 1st day of school rear ending someone, the next when she drove off the road and came to rest on a tree. Insurance fixed the 1st one when we were like “we don’t care about cosmetics, use wood screws for all we care” second just got salvage yard door and glass. I miss the red rocket…

 

[Capt W]

but that 41TE transmission is living on borrowed time anything after 90K miles or ~140K kilometers ...

My 2005 Caravan begs to differ. 264K from the day I bought it new. Three fluid and filter changes and never a hiccup with that trans.

Agree the older units had teething problems, but the later units were just fine. I'd take a 41TE any day over the 6-speed 62TE.

 

[Number_35]

I had a 2009 Santa Fe with 3.3 it was very good ! these are tough to find in decent condition now unfortunately .

I've done a small bit of work on an old Santa Fe for an elderly lady from church. Hers is an '03 with the 2.7. It's rusted badly, plus has significant UV damage from above, with the clear coat and paint in really bad shape - however, it runs well.

I posted photos of the horribly rotted tires a few months ago.

I'm impressed.

 

[duck__dodgers]

has moving cars between the US and Canada gotten any easier?

Many moons ago I looked into buying a Mercedes B-Class in Canada and shipping/driving it into the US.

The paperwork wasn't worth it. Trade barriers = Mission Accomplished.

 

[Number_35]

Really? I paid 18.5k for a 1 year old one, I’d think by now it’d be in that 5-8 grand range I can confirm the 3.3/4 speed is indestructible though. Ours survived being used as a 1 ton truck, family hauler, and 3 teenage drivers.

The last one “totaled” it twice… once on the 1st day of school rear ending someone, the next when she drove off the road and came to rest on a tree. Insurance fixed the 1st one when we were like “we don’t care about cosmetics, use wood screws for all we care” second just got salvage yard door and glass. I miss the red rocket…
View attachment 296266

Used vehicle prices are still crazy here. If they still manufactured the 5th-gen vans, and if I could get a year-old one for $18,500, I'd jump at it! But, there would be the currency exchange rate to take into account.

A friend bought a new leftover 2016 DGC in 2017 for, IIRC, C$18K.

It was a CVP (Canada Value Package) or SE version, which in FCA-speak meant no spare, no roof rack (or provision for mounting same), steelies with wheel covers, and fixed windows in the sliding doors. Still ...

In my opinion, not that the poobahs at FCA or Stellantis asked me, Dodge should have kept selling the 5th-gen Grand Caravan indefinitely. They could have sold nicely equipped ones all day for C$30K and still turned a nice profit, the R&D and tooling having been paid for long ago.

I seldom see a Pacifica here - they're just too pricy. Stellantis's response has been to decontent the Pacifica and sell it as a Voyager. It's still close to C$50K.

 

[Number_35]

has moving cars between the US and Canada gotten any easier?

Many moons ago I looked into buying a Mercedes B-Class in Canada and shipping/driving it into the US.

The paperwork wasn't worth it. Trade barriers = Mission Accomplished.

Before the disruption of the last few months, the main thing about importing an American car into Canada was adding daytime running lights (DRLs) different tethers for child seats.

There have been a few stories of Canadian collectors trying to bring in their dream car (typically a '60s muscle car) from the States, and getting shwacked with a huge duty charge - something like 20 or 30%.

I'll stop there - I don't want to get into politics, and I can see both sides of the argument.

 

[Number_35]

My 2005 Caravan begs to differ. 264K from the day I bought it new. Three fluid and filter changes and never a hiccup with that trans.

Agree the older units had teething problems, but the later units were just fine. I'd take a 41TE any day over the 6-speed 62TE.

I'm probably overdoing it with the 4-speed in our '07 (is it a 41TE?), but do believe my drains-and-fills (with ATF+4 only) are cheap insurance.

I really like the 3.3.

 

[Number_35]

I think the best place to get cars in ontario, is south western Ontario, as they have a lot less snow events, and don't dump gravel on the roads, and I think there's lots of one owner cars there, that have been taken care of, but are still realistic on the price.
Quebec is even slightly cheaper again, but I think you'd really better know what you are looking at, as I know a few guys that showed up there and found some issues that were missing from the ad... Then the real negotiations start.

I also think since ~2013 Mazda took rusting proofing more seriously as I can't really recall seeing a rusty CX-5 ever, and the last edition of the Mazda5 seems to be mostly rust free too.

I'm not at all familiar with southern Ontario - which communities would you say are good places to buy a rust-free used car?

The other thing about Quebec, besides the rust, is that so many of the used vehicles have been smoked in - that's a big no for me.

Agreed on Mazda and rust - 2000 through 2005 was terrible, and 2006 through 2009 was worse than average. All of the post-2010 Mazdas here appear to be rust-free - Mazda2, Pokemon-mouth Mazda3, 2nd-gen Mazda5, CX-3, CX-5, CX-9, and all the newer ones (CX-30, -50, -70, and -90).

Something changed for the better.

 

[duck__dodgers]

looking at the map, I was surprised to see that Windsor, ON (Detroit) is only 2400 km from Winnipeg---going around the north side of the Great Lakes. One-way airfare is under 250 USD.

If I was the buyer, I'd risk a long-distance purchase. Even willing to do 2 trips, one for shopping, one for the drive back.