Honda Element

DrVolkl · 7 December 2005

Anyone know anything about these??? Anyone have one or have a friend that has one? My wife wants to trade in her Pathfinder for the AWD EX version...it's not something that I'm overly excited about, but it's her car, so whatever.
I imagine it will at least get better gas mileage than our 4x4.
(I think she's trying to stop me from getting that boat this summer...since I just installed a hitch on the truck last month.)

ChopsJazz · 7 December 2005

Ouch!!! The Honda Element is bad enough, but NO BOAT?!?

Pacemaker Kid89 · 7 December 2005

They are one helluva SUV. My neighbors have one and they love it. So practical and so useful, its incredible. Something else to look into is the xB, if she wants a cube look.

DrVolkl · 7 December 2005

I think the Xb might be a tad small...not that the Element is large or anything...but standing next to one I was suprised on how big it actually is.

I'll get my boat somehow...anyone make a tow hitch for the nsx? lol

polar · 7 December 2005

I'm kinda tired from trying to decide between a Element or a scion xb to replace our 98 ML-320. I really don't want to spend 6k more on the element w/worse gas mileage. I think they avg. around 22mpg realworld, the ML is 18mgp and xb about 29mpg.
But I live at cougar Mt. and we had 5 inches of snow from the snow storm last week. I'm not sure how the xb handle in those condition since its got a low ground clearence and FWD.
But one thing i really like about the element is its pet friendly interior material.

Pacemaker Kid89 · 7 December 2005

Well, you know what else is good? The Xterra. YES, I know it isnt in the "size" group of the Element, or xB. But this thing is beastly for what it offers. Motor Trend's SUV of the year, so you KNOW its good.

Jimbo · 7 December 2005

We own a 2003 Element. Very pleased with it. No problems at all after 24K miles.

My wife uses it a lot for flea markets and garage sales. We like the fact that you can almost hose it out to clean it. The side doors are great for mundane grocery loading, etc.

It's nice how the seats fold up off the floor too. You don't need to remove them to load bikes, etc.

My only gripe was with the OEM Goodyear tires. They suck. We just put on a set of DM-Z3 Blizzaks for the winter.

MPG is about 22-25.

-Jim

White92 · 7 December 2005

It has the same engine as the Accord if I'm not mistaken.

NSXFreak00 · 7 December 2005

honda element? scion? trade it from a mercedes?!

everyone is entitled to their own opinion right....I think they are friggin UGLY.

just my opinion. no flames please.

polar · 7 December 2005

the ML maintence has been ridiculous. just few months ago a pulley dropped off and lost the power steering, altho it was fixed under a recall, the final bill was still about 900 dollar. Because there are other items that needs to be fixed.
I have horrible experience with "some" european car after its warrenty expires.

Pacemaker Kid89 · 7 December 2005

White92 said:
It has the same engine as the Accord if I'm not mistaken.

Yupp, your right. The KA24.

nicholas421 · 8 December 2005

I love my AWD Element. It is enormous inside. It's the most practical vehicle I've ever owned. The Scion is a joke compared to the Element.

Juice · 8 December 2005

I'd wait for the new Element to be released. The side panels will now be done in matching metal and color. Much nicer IMO.

Malibu Rapper · 8 December 2005

nicholas421 said:
I love my AWD Element. It is enormous inside. It's the most practical vehicle I've ever owned. The Scion is a joke compared to the Element.

The Scion seats 5 comfortably and gets 35 MPG. There is more passenger room in the xB than there is in the Element and the build quality puts my NSX to shame. The gray plastic parts on the Element really didn't do it for me. These things including the much lower sticker price made it an easy decision for me when I bought mine. I think both cars are great and having either car as a daily driver makes a perfect complement to the NSX.

Juice said:
I'd wait for the new Element to be released. The side panels will now be done in matching metal and color. Much nicer IMO.

I think they're out already, I saw an all beige one in Westminster the other day. It looked really strange being all painted like that, from an angle it reminded me of a Lexus LX 470.

DrVolkl · 8 December 2005

Juice said:
I'd wait for the new Element to be released. The side panels will now be done in matching metal and color. Much nicer IMO.

When is that going to be?

Thanks for the tips. We have 3 dogs, so this might not be a bad little van/truck/thing to own. I'll just buy an older 4runner to replace the pathfinder.

pt91 · 8 December 2005

I sold my Xterra last month and replaced it with an 06 AWD Element EX-P. All black. The painted panels are available now.
I couldn't be happier with it so far. Better MPG, great all weather handling, much more room and it has the quirky/fun factor. Plus is it a Honda.
Here are some pics. Went with the Auto instead of 5 spd only because there would hv been a 3 week wait for that.

Lots of info here:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/

DrVolkl · 8 December 2005

Thanks...that's some great info. I like the colored body panels too. Hmmm...now to buy new or picked up an 05.

pt91 · 8 December 2005

05s are heavily discounted. Dealers have incentive money.
The only color I really liked was the magnesium metallic. Too bad they didn't continue it.
Lots of accessories makes the E even more fun.

Jimbo · 8 December 2005

The all black Element looks really nice! I really like the painted panels on that color.

On ours, I've used the spray Zaino touch-up...

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-6&Category_Code=Zaino

...and it makes the plastic look real nice, not shiny and no whitish wax residue.

The Element is much larger than the xB. It also makes a comfortable camper too. But if you're taller than 6 ft it's going to be tight.

White92 · 8 December 2005

DrVolkl said:
When is that going to be?

Thanks for the tips. We have 3 dogs, so this might not be a bad little van/truck/thing to own. I'll just buy an older 4runner to replace the pathfinder.

The guys on Car Talk were recommending the Element for an owner with a similar situation. One of their selling points was that you could just hose out the back end if it ever got dirty enough. A listener did that with theirs and fried alot of electrical components that are under those panels. Just letting you know in case you've heard their advise as well.

zahntech · 8 December 2005

The element is better than the Xb IMO and just as good quality as any other honda..it will not pull a boat bigger than a dingey ..but then agian neather will a 4 runner or pathfinder.

robr · 8 December 2005

just wondering how storage space behind the 2 rows of seats compares to a RAV4. Also with a baby seat facing backwards behind the passenger seat, can you move the passenger seat all the way back? Those are just two issues we have with our RAV4 and baby #2 is on the way to take up even more space. Once we throw a stroller in the back, there's not much left for space.

pt91 · 8 December 2005

robr said:
just wondering how storage space behind the 2 rows of seats compares to a RAV4. Also with a baby seat facing backwards behind the passenger seat, can you move the passenger seat all the way back? Those are just two issues we have with our RAV4 and baby #2 is on the way to take up even more space. Once we throw a stroller in the back, there's not much left for space.

From what I have heard (I am way past the baby years) the Element is not great for babies. Also, the suicide doors are cool, but a pain is someone is always getting in and out of the back.

Honda Element

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