For the same budget (10-15k) I can get either an older -in year and mileage- Toyota Highlander or a newer, younger Dodge Journey or similar American made car. Am I better off putting my money into a young car knowing its life span is 150k miles, or buying the second half of the life of a Toyota? I don't plan on reselling.
Unless you live within walking distance of your mechanic, I'd buy the Toyota. But that's just me - I don't like Uber.
I do live close to him, but I'm guessing you'd still go with an older Toyota 🙂
If you really believe a Dodge Journey will have a life span of 150K miles, you need to call Dr. Phil.
Seems like most cars either fall into the die by 150 range or last till 300 range. I've heard terrible things about the journey but I can get one practically new for the same as an older Toyota with over 100k miles. I love my mechanic but I am sick of him having to nurse my crappy cars along. Wish I could get a new Toyota but money is finite (unless you're the government)
Sorry for butting in but Fiat doesn't fall under 'most cars' ;(
40k miles is the useful life, 100k if your lucky and take extremly good care.
Realize, 98% of people on this forum will always recommend a Toyota over the American manufacturers and for anyone looking to take a vehicle into the 300k mi range. If you look at any question about should I get this vehicle or a Toyota. Toyota is going to be the answer.
Toyota. I'm sorry to say, because I like the Dodge muscle cars but the build quality is terrible. The Journey was no exception.
Get a Highlander. For 15k you could easily get a 2013 2014 model Highlander which would last you a lot longer than a Dodge Journey, which is definitely not making it over 100k miles.
The engines range from Fiat diesel engines to a 2.4 Chrysler Sebring engine, not known for their quality.
Realize Dodge is part of FCA and the Journey is a product of FCA since 2014, and Chrysler from 2009-2014.
Also, the Dodge Journey had the lowest customer satisfaction rating from Consumer Reports subscribers, if you trust them.
The Highlander would make it past 150k miles no problem and even a lot more.
When it comes to personal experience, I don't have much except in depth research and what other members report back to us on this forum, but other than that, once I was in a rental Dodge, and it was horrible. Quality was garbage. I would never buy one.
Consumer Reports agrees: (0:32)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO6OSi1O51E
Go with the Toyota. If it’s been well taken care of, it should give you minimal issues compared to the Journey, even though the Journey is much newer. As time and mileage take their toll, that Journey will have issues due to poor design by Dodge (FCA) and you’ll end up getting rid of it.
What mileage toyota are you looking at?
Still generally looking, so not a specific one but the range seems to be right around 100k for a Toyota and under 20k for Dodge or Dodge-like cars
Basically is the second half of a Toyota more valuable than the first half of a throwaway car?
I personally would go with Toyota.
But if you want to take the risk at report back how it goes, I think it would be a worthwhile experiment.