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a heartbeat. We love this Element. The Odyssey was boring. Great for hauling
friends and family for vacation and dinner etc etc. We just love the Element.
I'll be turning 55 next month and this car does make you feel younger!
We have owned several Hondas since 1977. Not one ever had to go to the shop
for anything but oil changes (I did most of them).
Did I say we love our element? :shades:
Clearly they wanted to believe that the young adults such as those in the pictures in the brochure would buy and then progress through the Honda line as they got older. But one would think somewhere in the gazillion focus groups they probably conducted that they would have discovered that they could sell even more of 'em to the young at heart (who BTW also happen to have a bit of disposable $$$). I don't have much doubt that their less than inclusive marketing approach may have denied them more sales than it has gotten them. They really should have tried to "broaden their base" as the politicos say.
Now if they directly targeted 55+, empty nesters it wouldn't sell. Today's empty nesters are pretty vain and would never buy anything directly targeted at them. They buy products that make them look and feel young.
IMHO, Honda knew that older folks would buy Elements. Same with Scion - how many college kids buy Xb's?
I'd agree that boomers are less amenable to the obvious sell, but I'm questioning Honda's failure to broaden their approach across most demographics, not simply their failure to target 50+ empty nesters, who I think buy the vehicle for its excellent practicality and value (gotta think of retirement), not out of any desire to necessarily act young. When you get right down to it, the only demographic that the car is really unsuitable for is those with a couple of growing kids, who will buy a minivan. I think Subaru does this sort of age-neutral, active lifestyle marketing very well, and you really can't tell who they're aiming at. Sorry to belabor this point, but I Iove what Honda tried to do with the actual Element vehicle, but their marketing--to the extent they pursued it-- has always kind of bugged me.
I didn't mean that Honda directly targeted empty nesters but they probably knew that most of the buyers were not going to be their target market. But the important thing for Honda is that the average buyer of the Element is 36 YO - much younger than Accord buyers.
Scion's demographics are pretty young, at least compared to Toyota.
36 for the Element is not bad, most mid-size cars have median ages in the 40s, so they're succeeding in bringing in younger buyers. Oddly enough it seems to be one extreme or the other, i.e. very young or AARP members. Probably due to the suicide-style doors not appealing to 35-50 year olds with kids.
Subaru uses a lot of niche marketing. They were pretty bold to use Martina in Forester ads, for instance. And they co-market with LL Bean a lot. They seem to have the college professor/bird watcher/fly fisherman demographic.
-juice
Also, are you happy with your purchase? Is it quick and easy to collapse?
http://i.tnpv.us/pv/2002/07/29/HON2002072947802_pv.jpg
I've a 2005 Element here. Anyone know at what mileage I should get my first oil change ?
I drive a combo of city-highway-country and thought I should change it at 3000 miles. However, the dealer told me to wait until 5000, as does the manual. I normally would change it on the early side, yet the car uses break-in oil, so changing it early may not be a good idear.
Wadda' you guys think ?
The daft one
Is this related to the '03 windshield design class action? Any advise on fixing this problem?
Owenp
Any idea if the next version will fix this??? :mad: :mad: :confuse:
The sunroof was placed in back to be able to change in and out of a wet suit while standing up. With the rear tinted windows and the seats folded up, it's a perfect changing room.
-juice
Sunroof location is worthless except for putting on my wetsuit, if I ever get one. I'd rather have integrity of a solid roof. Had no choice as this is standard item on 4WD's. I'm guessing, but moving the sunroof to a usefull forward location would probably compromise roof strength over the doors (no pillar remember) which is needed in the event of a roll-over.
Perhaps the Element is shorter? Is the A-pillar closer to the B-pillar? Maybe they thought anything between those would just be too small.
I do recall them stating a large concern with rigidity given the suicide door opening below the B-pillar. That is an important joint, probably the weak spot in the structure, so they might not be able to remove it for a large moonroof.
-juice
I guess Honda should consider a "real" sunroof in the front for those who want one, with the extra $$$ it would cost, and assuming the structure permits it. But if I had my choice of one or the other, IMO the opening that's there now "fits" with the vehicle.
If you really want a traditional moonroof, get one installed. I believe it would have to be one that lifts up and over the top of the roof (rather than sliding into the roof), but it can be done. I've seen pics of an E with 3 openings up top.
The limitation would be the B-pillar - I would not let them cut it at any costs due to the wide door opening in that location. So it might have to be a small one.
Imagine the ventilation you could get with all the windows and both moonroofs open, it would be almost like a convertible. :shades:
-juice
The limitation would be the B-pillar - I would not let them cut it at any costs due to the wide door opening in that location. So it might have to be a small one.
That brings to mind the early reports on the Element that indicate that B pillar area is heavily reinforced to provide adequate side impact resistance in a crash; the suicide door design apparently calls for a different approach than traditional doors. I don't know how much that reinforcement continues into, or is dependent on, the roof. This could be another reason why the Element doesn't have a traditional moonroof in a traditional location.
-juice
link title
The link will work; otherwise I have no clue how to insert the title.
<a href="the actual link goes here in quotes">the desired text goes here!</a>
which might be typed like this in your case:
<a href="http://www.webastoshowroom.com/Honda_element_2004_524.htm">Lumbar's Magical Link</a>
which would look like this in the published version:
Lumbar's Magical Link
Try it!
tidester, host
-juice
I have 3 (15, 10 & 8) boys part time (due to divorce), so as a solo vehicle for me it would be great. However, when we all get in the car together, I calculate that we combined weigh about 600 pounds...if we bring any of our gear for camping, etc. we'll be over the 675 limit. Also, not sure about the smaller boys in the backseat and getting out for school (and yes, I know the Element wasn't designed for a family). Also, I really hate the looks of the CR-V.
Does anyone know where I could rent an Element for a week or so to figure out some of this issues and really give it a test drive? I am in San Diego, but would be willing to get something anywhere in So Cal. I already Googled it and couldn't find anything. Thanks.
The Element is efficient and probably more reliable so less operating cost. The Xterra has the V6, 4doors, and can tow. With my life style, either one would work. What's you guys opinion on this?
Thanks
007
The answer answers your own question.
007
Anyways, we just took our element camping for the first time over the weekend and it worked out great! I wouldn't worry about the load limitations unless your pulling a trailer. We were right up close to the weight limit for the whole trip. It smoothed out nicely over the bumps and the suspension was still stiff enough to handle mountain curves well. It kept up nicely on the freeway as well, averaging 20.5 mpg (AWD EX) at 85mph. There was one hairpin corner I entered a bit too fast but the Element still handled great. I needed to give the breaks a sharp hit to keep from entering the oncoming lane and the brake force distribution did its job very well, applying full force to the inside rear wheel causing ABS activation.
It also did very well ferrying loads of people on the Jeep trails to get to the fishing spots. The extra weight really helps gain traction but you have to be extra careful to keep the wheels on the ground because you loose another inch and a half of ground clearance when its loaded. It does scrape easily but its manageable. The AWD system works as it should but the reverse gear in the automatic is not quite right. There were a few times when the trail was a bit too severe, or another line needed to be selected for ground clearance, when reverse bogged down. It wouldn't move the Element or even spin the tires. A bit of rocking generated the momentum necessary. The hills/rocks were just too much for the tall reverse gear. But going forward on the same hills yielded appropriate wheel spin and progress.
There are two things to prepare for the next trip. (1) Bug Netting. I can't sleep in the Element comfortably without some ventilation. So I'm thinking of some bug netting and magnets to put on the outside so the windows/skylight can be left open. (2) Skylight Shade. My poor rear seat passengers got baked on the long daytime road trips. Need to rig up some kind of sun block. Darker tinting is an option but doesn't completely block the sun. So I'm thinking of that reflective sun shade material to make a screen.
In summary, the Element is the very best camping/all around vehicle for 2-4 people that I've ever had. It doesn't do quite as well off road as my Jeep did but its still possible to get just about anywhere you want to go. And it does it in comfort and reliability, with room to spare.
PF + Element + lots of space vs Xterra + lots of gas - parking space
I think I will have to test drive both vehicles first for me to decide.
007
If you're really iinto getting the better mileage, have you considered the diesel Liberty?
- Mark
I was also intrigued by the diesel Liberty, thinking I might be able to have my cake and eat it also. However, it is more expensive, has limited cargo / dog capacity with the seats up, and does not offer stability control, as I have said that I am not buying another tall truck without this feature. (Because the Element is car based, better handling and cheaper, I can forgive it for this fault).
The big problem with the diesel Liberty is reliability, which Jeep is weak on in general. Looking at the Jeep diesel board, there are a lot of problems reported so far, especially in consideration of the small number of vehicles sold, so I would be real worried about buying this until more come out and a better track record is established.
Who's gonna own this car, anyway? You or the dogs?
The diesel Liberty costs more to acquire and diesel itself costs more than premium fuel right now, plus it will only go up when the low-sulfur variety arrives.
I like diesels but the conditions in the USA are not favorable to them.
-juice
When the wife and I go to a car show, we start at the back looking at the cargo area, and if it works for the dogs, (enough room, flat fold down seats, an easy to clean cargo area, etc.) I will sit in the driver's seat and see if I will fit. I never thought I would become that type of a person....
The joke is, we are to poor to buy high falutin breed dogs, so we get our dogs for free. But we have spent untold thousands of dollars on fences, specific vehicles, accessories, vet bills and on and on for stinking slobbering mutts.
I've got two greyhounds. With just my wife and I, my CR-V has been perfect. We fold down the seats, stick the dogs in the back, and I even have a hitch-mounted cargo basket for extra gear that doesn't fit in with the dogs. It handles well enough, it's easy to maneuver, it's got 110K miles on it and I still average 25 mpg.
Problem is... Mrs. Varmint is pregnant and we're expecting a little varmint in September. With a baby seat in the back, I can't fold both seats down to make room for the hounds. Now I'm looking to trade up to a larger vehicle, but it's got to have a big enough cargo floor to handle both dogs without folding the seats. Half of the mid-size SUVs can't do that! The hounds take up too much space. About the only ones with the floor space are the Pilot, RDV, and a few of the truck-based rigs. None of those offer the same qualities I appreciate about the CR-V.
If I could just shrink the hounds, I could buy an RDX or Highlander.
How about a Santa Fe? (Personally, I dislike the styling, but you never what'll catch someone's fancy.)
Congrats varmint!! Best to you, Mrs. Vamint and the soon to be varmint jr!!
You had alluded to maybe an addition but this is the first I've heard of it actually happening.
By the way - forget the SUV. Come to the dark side, there's a nice silver Odyssey waiting for you.
-north14-
I also think you should consider a mini-van. Better gas mileage, more room, and very safe as well. My personal favorite is the Ody but the MPV and Sienna are worth a look as well.
For my part, I prefer something smaller than a van. With one kid, it's overkill. I've considered the Outback, the Highlander, the Tribeca, and several other "smaller" mid-size cross-overs. Few of them have the floor space in the cargo area. Actually, the Tribeca comes very close, but even my sense of esthetics rose to the back of my throat having seen one in person. The Pilot has the cargo space, but it's big and too clunky. I might go with a slightly used MDX. Still big, but it doesn't "feel" like it.