Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
-juice
http://www.vtec.net:8080/news_files/39513/03element-01.jpg
http://element.honda.com
I think this is going to be huge seller.
0-60 times
9.6 sec for 2wd
11.4 sec for 4wd YIKES!
MT or AT?
Autoweek estimated 8.7 sec for MT Hmmmm....
The truth still out there.....
Also, has anyone heard about the exterior and interior colors offered?
I had been considering the CR-V or the Outback, but am intrigued by the Element.
-juice
You're considering the CR-V and Outback, but not the new Forester? I drove a 2003 5-speed and found it to be a really nice package.
When Subaru decides to offer the Forester with the turbo 2.5, I might have to seriously think about trading my 2.5RS sedan.
I also like the P5, and am eager to see the Mazda 6 wagon with the AWD option.
Acceleration should be similar to the Element, until the turbo arrives next year, then it'll dominate the sport/cute class.
Ride and handling are better but that's the benefit of the lower ride height/center of gravity. It doesn't give you the up-high feeling of sitting on a throne, though, so take your pick.
-juice
http://www.globalautonet.com/pages/roadahead/092302.html
"Acura is also looking seriously at its own companion to the Honda Element, aimed at affluent younger buyers. This small, funky all-wheel-drive model is said to be inspired by the cute Acura RDX concept from this years Detroit show. What is not known is whether the production version will pick up the hybrid gas-electric driveline from the RDX or whether it will use a conventional powertrain as in the Element."
More power please! What engine would that be?
Still, if they say "based on" the RDX I'm sure it will be FAR more conservative than the concept was. I mean, this is Honda, after all.
Imagine having electric power to boost torque at low rpm.
-juice
I predict we will see many hydrid vehicles soon, both car and SUV that are set up more for GOOD performance and DECENT fuel economy rather than POOR performance and EXCELLENT fuel economy as most hybrids are now.
With the 2.4, perhaps an Integrated Motor assisted Element might have 200 horsepower and get better fuel economy than the current non IMA 2.4 Element due to hybrid advantages such as regenerative braking among others.
www.element.honda.com
I have another question: The black materials that are used for the bumper, fenders, and roof--are they the same material used for the bumpers on the CR-V, or might they be stronger? I'm amazed at seeing every other Camry, Civic, Outback, etc. on the road with a huge 6-inch deep pockmark on the rear corner of the bumper from a little fender bender. I assume these bumpers are much better quality than the flimsy bumpers on Japanese cars?
The "Acura" label would help to justify the higher price tag, plus you can take a $3000 tax deduction (not a tax credit, but still).
But yeah, slightly better performance, slightly better mileage too. They're already talking about a CR-V and Escape hybrid.
And hybrids are sort of on the fringe, so styling like the Element may be more acceptable to that target market.
-juice
IMO, a very efficient way of making AWD vehicles. It could add couple of hundred pounds to a vehicle's weight, but so does a coventional AWD system. But what IMA would do with that additional weight is that it will produce power, a conventional AWD system 'consumes' power.
A 50 HP electric motor could add well over 100 lb.-ft at low end. We never saw the torque rating of the K24A-IMA unit in RDX, but my guess is, about 260 lb.-ft under 2000 rpm, almost half of it coming from the electric motor.
>#864 of 970 POV by ropedart Sep 06, 2002
>(12:31 am)
>I am trying to look at the situation from a GenY
>point of view(ultimately resale value). If you
>are an active GenY guy sitting around talking to
>other GenY guys about cars and trucks the
>discussion will come around as to who has the
>most capable vehicle. Who has more power and who
>can really go offroad. A lot vehicles can beat
>the Element at that.
Hah, you have no idea how right on you are. I'm Gen-X, and I sit with a bunch of Gen-Ys at lunch. When it comes to cars, performance, handling, and sex appeal are what's important. The fact that they have more invested in their cars than in savings doesn't seem to bother them, even in this economy.
I don't care about the Element being a relative slug as long as it offers a lot of utility and does not trash the environment. The only thing I'm cocerned with are the suicide doors (will there be side airbags?) and the low fuel efficiency. (23 MPG on the expressway?) That seems very low for such a small car. The similar Vibe gets 34 MPG on the highway, and the superfast WRX get 27 MPG.
If so, it's not IMA (by definition it's not integrated at all, only the road links the two axles).
If so, I doubt that's what the Element would get. It would be more like the Civic hybrid's IMA.
Vibe and WRX are smaller than the Element. OT: have you guys seen the face-lift of the WRX? Looks good.
-juice
Miata94 - I think it's a matter of which Gen Y people you meet. I'm a corporate trainer and work with many new hires who are straight out of college. Being one of my favorite subjects, we often talk about cars during breaks in my classes. Since most are still driving clunkers from their college days, they are often shopping for new cars (now that they have a good job). I've found that their tastes in cars are as diverse as their tastes in music.
I've also found that most do not buy the car of their dreams. They may admire and lust after the WRX, Celica, RSX-S, and Mustangs, but the majority end up with a Civic, Corrola, or something similar. There have been three exceptions in recent months. One bought an Xterra (for the looks), another an Eclipse (financing deal), and the last is weighing the merits of the Hybrid Civic vs the Prius.
I do know several people who are interested in the Element. Most have kids and all are older than Gen Y.
The new look is more normal but seems a letdown. I expected more.
Then let's talk about raw practicality. Unless someone is planning of pulling a horse or feeding hay to one, this is the country-car in spades. Load up the back with soil amendments, garden tools, hardware, groceries . . . shoot, where has this idea been for Heaven's sake? Oh, I forget. It used to be called a Volkswagen microbus.
I have 2 younger kids, and something like this (if I could live with the styling) would be a very useful car for me. Great for hauling around dirty sports bags, home depot runs, etc.
Just have to give it 40+ more HP, and better handling, a moonroof, and a few other things to be determined.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I see too many people driving around with their side mirrors aimed straight back, however.
> The only thing I'm cocerned with are the suicide
> doors (will there be side airbags?) and the low
> fuel efficiency. (23 MPG on the expressway?) That
> seems very low for such a small car. The similar
> Vibe gets 34 MPG on the highway, and the superfast > WRX get 27 MPG.
The Element has side air bags for front seat passengers.
The reason it gets worse mileage is that it is much larger than the Vibe and WRX. One should expect worse mileage.
If I get 23 on the highway I will be tickled pink. I get 14.9 in my Xterra and this is one reason why I'm looking to replace it.
Cheers,
Bill
And it's basically a box on wheels. The word aerodynamic is completely foreign to it.
Diploid - (getting picky here) It needs a wider track, not just more girth. That's something I wish they'd done for the new CR-V, as well.
-juice
1. Total couch potato: Addicted to Nintendo.
2. Seldom active: Walked to beer store once.
3. Somewhat active: Low range used once.
4. Total nature freak: This guy has no time to even shower. PU
I think most inactive males want pointy little cars with big rims and tailpipe.
The Best Cars of 2003!
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
"An easy-care interior allows for Internet access, MP3 capability, and satellite radio in addition to its basic AM/FM/CD/cassette audio package and optional DVD-based navigation system."
Navigation system? On the Element? Can anyone confirm this? I know Honda makes their nav system available on the Odyssey, Pilot, and new Accord...but this is the first I've heard of it being offered on the Element.
Get a Garmin GPS, they are portable and cost half as much. That means if you have 2 cars, you save 75% of the cost! I have 3 so that would save me, uh, someone got a calculator? ;-)
-juice
Bob
cars.com audience
+57 -18
honda.ca
+65 -17
C&D
-18.7 thinks it will bust
compare this to
Aztec on cars.com
+24 -70
CRV on cars.com
+68 -25
This is the way I see it. 1 out 5 people U meet will hate the Element. 3 out of 5 people thinks its OK. 1 out of 5 don't care. Of course this is not very scientific, just some fun. Some forums belch some real awful venom about this car. I mean some people really hate this thing. I think it is normal that about 5 to 10 percent of the population will hate any car at any given time.
Also it will outsell the Aztek
Why isn't the mileage better in the two wheel drive version with the standard transmission?