I bought a new 2013 Journey near the end of the model year because it was a good deal and they had no sport models. I've been wishing I'd bought the sport model and will probably spend the difference in price in mods. Buy a sport model.

 

I traded a 2012 sedan journey for a 2012 S coupe and couldn't be happier. The brakes are simply AMAZING. My wife's car is a 2011 E63 and doesn't come close to the braking in my coupe. The VLSD is also awesome, and unless you have $3000 lying around from a tax return or something, you'll always be on a peg leg and wishing you had an LSD.
Shipping a vehicle and performing registration is easy. At worst you have to get a state smog and safety check.
If you are seriously debating it, that means you probably really want the sport, so get it, don't regret it.

 

The brakes on the sports models are great. Almost as good as brembos IMO.

A LSD won't cost you three grand though. A stock sports model viscous LSD can be found used with low miles on eBay for around $400. A new Quafe LSD which may be better than the viscous type goes for a little over a thousand new.

 

An old used GTR..