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Dodge launches 2009 Journey with helping hand: $1,000 cash back
You thought you knew how much a Dodge Journey costs. Well, it's actually a thousand dollars less than that. Why? Because Chrysler is offering that much as an incentive to folks who plunk down the balance on a 2009 Dodge Journey. On the This Is Not Good side, it's the first 2009 model of the year to put money on the hood, and frankly, it just never looks good when the manufacturer offers cash to entice buyers. On the This Is Really Not Bad side, has anyone had a look at the things folks in Journey's market segment are enduring right now? (Hint: rhymes with "portgage misis.") Yeah. So we won't hit Dodge over the head... but we will be watching...
Gallery: 2009 Dodge Journey
[Source: Kicking Tires]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Avinash machado 7:30AM (3/26/2008)
Sounds like Chrysler is really desperate. Really wondering whether they will survive for long. Maybe they really need to form an alliance with someone like Renault-Nissan to survive.
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Longhorn 7:39AM (3/26/2008)
They need to stop making Chrysler SRTs and Dodge minivans is what they need to do. And possible scrap Jeep. It's a pain to think it but they need to restrusture in the harshest manner immediately if they wish to continue to sell cars in 2018.
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MemphisNET 8:24AM (3/26/2008)
They should stop making their bread and butter ?(Minivans?) - How short sighted you are.
They need more cars, and less trucks - but the minivans will (and rightfully should) stay as long as they're selling over 150,000 a year - which between brands they do.
So, I saw a Journey at the dealership in that old 90's intrepid Hunter Green colour... not bad. I can't understand WHY the radio is where it is, but other than that it's quite reasonable at 25k w/V6. Not my cup'o'tea (Love my Magnum, sad they're not making them anymore - stupid anti-wagon/hatch Americans... kidding... kinda)
Guenther 8:57AM (3/26/2008)
Right- because minivans have been their strongest segment for 2 decades and the Jeep brand is one of the strongest around? Only thing that needs to go at Jeep is the Compass. The Commander needs to get redone as a proper Wagoneer.
sw 10:35AM (3/26/2008)
Scrap the minivan and Jeep????? If they did that they'd be shooting themselves in the foot. What they do need to do is kill the srt division from dodge and move it to Chrysler this would actually establish it as a luxury/power division.
Create a Sebring and Caliber that is appealing to the masses, fuel efficient and reliable (least problems /100 vehicles). Then advertise the hell out of it for having the reliability and fuel efficient qualities.
Kill things like the Viper and Challenger until they have the money to make vehicles like that. Most people including myself like those two vehicles, but the truth is that after a couple of years since they'd be introduced they'd start losing money. To point to another American manufacturer, the Mustang isn't a money maker anymore, the Fusion still is.
What I don't get is why cash strapped manufacturers decide to get into niche vehicles. The viper didn't save Dodge the last time they were bleeding money, the Caravan and PT Cruiser did.
Xcountryflyer 12:23PM (3/26/2008)
Scrap Jeep? That's probably the strongest brand of the bunch, although they are doing a good job of trying to destroy it with crappy Caliber knockoffs.
They need to focus on quality and design and not gimmicks and they need to bring out interesting cars again. They let the PT Cruiser languish and die and they have no decent compact or subcompact.
They are trying to tie their entire success to an overpriced retro muscle car.
Longhorn 7:42AM (3/26/2008)
And that fugly interior with a gauge cluster straight out of a Plymouth wagon is truly vomit-inducing. Dodge's interior quality seems to be at the bottom of the pack with their large plastic steering wheels and early-90's stereo systems.
Which is exactly what stopped my from buying a R/T Charger. That and fuel prices. And build quality. And, you know, the whole third and fourth door things.
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calebe 8:10AM (3/26/2008)
Isn't that the gauge pod from a 1978 Omni?
Kumar 1:36PM (3/26/2008)
definitely matches my 79 two tone (red over maroon) Plym. Horizon!
Matt Keller 2:51PM (3/26/2008)
Spoken like someone who hasn't sat in the Journey's interior. It's actually damn nice plastic. Very soft.
FThorn 7:55AM (3/26/2008)
They should raise the price for better press. The G8's price will have to go up. Will that be a good press thing or a bad press thing?
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sk 8:09AM (3/26/2008)
I think this car was mainly developed for the European market. It competes well with offerings from Renault, Fiat etc. and now with the low $ it might even make some money for Chrysler.
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Mattias 8:43AM (3/26/2008)
This car does not fit European tastes very well. Even though it will be offered with Volkswagens Diesel and the six speed DSG I really doubt it can stand against vans like the C4 Grand Picasso or the Scénic XL. Yes, it has gigantic wheels and a wheelbase that is five inches longer than that of its competitors, but I doubt that will suffice to compete. People who want something economic will go for the C4 Picasso, people who want something larger might take cars like the Ford Galaxy or the Peugeot 807.
Val 9:18AM (3/26/2008)
This thing stands no chance next to a S-Max, even if it is cheaper.
mr.ed 8:22AM (3/26/2008)
I'm now starting to see several of these at a nearby parochial school, replacing minivans. The mommas are still yacking on the phone, endangering everybody, as usual.
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Kowell 8:17AM (3/26/2008)
Another exemple of Chrysler's recent engineering.... Sobre yet good exterior design (saw one on the road and it really looked good), decent engine choices but crappy interior plastics that ruins the show.
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blogged to death 8:18AM (3/26/2008)
Let the cannibalization of Caliber and Caravan sales begin!
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FThorn 8:51AM (3/26/2008)
Rumor is caravan might be toast, in favor of remaining T&C only dealership alignment.
MemphisNET 10:09AM (3/26/2008)
T&C over the Dodge? That would be a disaster. People buy these because a) They're great for hauling... everything, and b) they're inexpensive - relative to other options. Making the more expensive of the two the only van is minivan suicide.
Gstill 9:23AM (3/26/2008)
I just think this is another case of Dodge being late to the party, and not bringing anything that would put it above others within the segment. This doesn't appear to be anything better than the Acadia/Enclave/Outlook group, Ford Edge, Nissan Murano or any of the other crossovers. They have a bit of an edge in the minivan market, and they should push that, but this probably won't bring in many new customers, it'll just give their minivan customers something else to consider.
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