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Comments
Just have to decide if an Element could work for my wife and 2 infants and me. It is certainly cheaper than the Odyssey option and a little more fun.
I think my problem is that:
1) I love functional things
2) I love storage areas
3) I'm wanting to be in the target age group (college) instead of pushing 40
Besides the unique looks and the somewhat medicore 4c engine, I think my biggest issue would be the suicide doors. I have a 96 Explorer Sport (2 door) and I find myself frustrated with not having easy access to the back everyday to store my laptop bag. I have a funny feeling I will be frustrated everyday if I get an Element and have to do similar gyrations to put my work stuff in the back seat. A silly issue but there you are.
Related to that I also think the doors would discourage me from volunteering to drive. I do this now because getting into the back seat of my car is not that easy as it was when my friends where 10 years younger. I don't live near my folks but I really can't see them easily getting into an Element as they approach 80 years old.
Having said all that, I just can't take it off my list. Seems like such a fun vehicle. Though I can't help thinking that I should grow up and get something else. :confuse:
Another fun vehicle I am seriously considering is the Scion xB! Check it out. It has a huge rear seat and 5 real doors and 5 seats instead of 4.
Where it lags the Element is storage but cost is much lower. Have you considered it?
I have not ruled the Element out due to better safety and storage but the xB is worth considering.
Having driven both the xB and the Element, I have to say the Element is worlds above the Scion in interior comfort/design and performance. The Element has about 60hp MORE than the Scion. The Element feels more substantial overall to me, too. Then again, it costs about $5k more, so I guess it should.
We have since both come to terms, I like to fun-to-drive & easy to get my hockey gear in and out aspect; he likes the back seat leg room and runroof.
Well, that's how I came out. My name is Ian and I like Honda Elements.
Ian
Ps. Would it be wrong to get a personalized license plate that says "Surprise"? No, I know, too geeky...
Maybe we should rename this discussion to "In Your Honda Element."
Steve, Host
-juice
To be honest I would not have put the Element in my list had the salesman not opened the door in the showroom and went thru the details. It's the storage, praticality, and gadget freak in me that keeps me coming back to it. I think it wouldn't be so hard for me to decide if I did have kids or had to haul gear around. Or, as I read in some of the posts here, I was into snowboarding and the like
I don't think the Scion is for me. It's just too small looking.
Sorry for the bogging down with my decision woes. I'm trying to work this out in my head. Probably more test drives this weekend too.
I'm new here and was actually not looking for a Honda Element but I found one today. I thought the MSRP was really good for an SUV, but then on the window it had a "Fair Market Price" which added almost $3,000 to the price. What the heck? It was somewhere around $25,500 or more . . . I believe it was the top model as it had the single colour body. Anyone have any idea what this fair market price is, and why they're not using the MSRP that they also have on the window...?
For effortless passing, try a Saturn Vue Redline, Forester XT, or RAV4 V6. All have abundant power.
-juice
For the "True" Market Value, check here at Edmunds.com (under the New Cars tab).
To learn what others are paying, visit the Honda Element: Prices Paid & Buying Experience discussion.
Steve, Host
It's funny because I really do drive very slow. I just do like to be able to pass someone who scares me on the road or to have the ability to merge quickly if I need it. To be fair, I don't need more power than a 4wd Element has ... it's just a preference.
Also, Edmunds can't deliver a vehicle to your door. They have no inventory. They are only a guide as is Kelly Blue Book, and other references. Prices vary in different areas, and different climates, and seasons.
-juice
You may be interested in this: Edmunds.com How We Calculate New TMV
tidester, host
It's not too unusual to see Edmunds put the True Market Value at MSRP, especially for new models. The TMV may have been higher than MSRP when the Odyssey first came out, but it's very rare to see the stars aligned like that.
An '06 EX-P AWD Element TMVs for $22,051 today in my zip code - $824 less than MSRP for example. (link). And TMV is somewhat of an average, so many people will be able to beat it.
Steve, Host
I agree with you on all points.
tidester, host
Cheers,
Ian
I suggest you move to a warmer climate or don't start your car that week.
This is bad engineering - a desire to save a few pounds of weight and hence gas mileage, coupled with a desire to go easy on the environment with fewer pounds of lead plate, plus a desire to save a few bucks vs. a larger battery, coupled with a blind confidence that Honda's are easy to start so who needs an adequate battery?
Maybe it's Honda's way of making sure we stick with 5-20 oil?
-juice
It came with Goodyear Wranglers.
Let's make believe it needs new tires.
I don't go off-road. I'd like a set of decent-handling long-wearing tires.
Any recommendations from real-life experience?
Thanks.
Traction was so good at first that I had a little tram-lining, i.e. following the grooves in the road!
-juice
Then I'd call them on the phone and tell them why you didn't buy from them. Maybe it'll teach them a lesson.