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2) You will be able to get a LOADED Element for the price of a BASE XTerra or other V6 SUVs
3) What is the big deal with off-road ability? Honda does not intend this vehicle to be a mud bogging truck. It's only intended to get the surfboards to the beach and the snowboards to the mountain.
It sounds like you had expectations of things that Honda never promised.
Ropedart -- was wondering whether the seats will turn around, as was indicated in the concept/X version. Bummer if they don't. As long as it's not a complet slug, I don't care about the performance numbers.
It was good to hear the handling is first rate, at least in one reviewer's opinion.
Anyone know of any more articles or reviews based on actual driving experience?
Thanks.
While all of these vehicles are segment-leaders, they aren't everything that Honda buyers (myself included) might have expected.
Though some parts are shared with the CR-V, as noted before the engine is a bit different, and it'll be new to the Accord, too. So there is some risk.
The new Accord is getting rave reviews by the press, himiler. Then again 240hp will do that.
-juice
...and this is Honda's fault?
The packaging (i.e. the stripper DX), at least, was Honda's decision. I still don't get why there is no LX, the traditional volume model. Maybe next model year?
-juice
I agree with you in principle, concepts always have cool features that you just know will not make production.
The rotating seat probably would not pass DOT standards for safety. Interestingly, I saw a Renault Escape minivan this weekend that was owned by a diplomat from Norway. Guess what? The seats rotated! Very neat. Mom could spin around to change a diaper.
It was quirky (even to this Subaru owner!) but in a cool way. The 5 rear seats could be configured on 5 different tracks, and yes in either direction. There must be tons of different configurations possible, but he showed me just a few.
So no surprise the Element's seats don't rotate. Reviews no longer mention a hose-out interior, so I wonder if that feature is for real or not.
-juice
Does Honda advertise? :-)
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
http://www.hondanews.com/Forms/honda/Element/seetext?2002082659245
Don't know, however, if they'll be motivated to do so. Especially if they can persuade you to move to the more expensive EX model just because of the A/C.
I would love to have one as a second vehicle myself.
It's a win-win for the dealer. They like cash, and they're plenty motivated.
I remember when I was shopping for my Civic, the dealer kept urging me to spend 1.5 grand more for an LX Accord. I kept telling him we already had an Accord!
But if your not in the demographic you don't care. This is the situation Honda does not want to be in. The wrong demographic buys this car. Middle aged folk using them for utility. Suddenly a cool car becomes uncool. They don't buy-> it has a stigma. They don't buy into Honda. They actually have to find a way of preventing older people from buying the Element at least at first.
I don't want a really fast Honda. I want decent passing and merging power. I would trade top end speed for acceleration any day. I am not in the demographic. LOL
Thanks! That explains why I haven't seen any!
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
;^)
-mike
As far as what young folks want, I'm not convinced they want real speed either. Big domestic V8 coupes are not even on their radar. They want small, efficient engines, not necessarily quick, but as least not dog-slow.
I remember being 17 and putting $3 of gas in at a time. Now it's probably $5 or $10, but still, they want to go a long way on those few bucks.
-juice
Ropedart, I doubt Honda really cares who buys the element. They'll still target Gen Y in advertising and events but won't complain if old goats like buy 'em. It's all a ploy anyway to get new customers to pay attention to the Honda brand. Worked like a charm for VW.
you can save money by going aftermarket, or you can get the factory system and keep it under warranty...up tp you.
-juice
$19,260 the price of an LX cr-v 2wd including destination
a grand "savings" of a whopping $305
does any one else see my point that if honda wants to sell the "bargain" dx to those gen y'ers
it would be in their best interest to hopefully change the pricing estimates since they are preliminary but think about this thats not including adding a radio plus speakers to a dx
not to mention saying you could get an after market cruise for 250 -300 if you want that option as many of us do
food for thought
Now, if you want one and they won't order it, that's another story.
I honestly can't remember seeing a 4wd lx
well let me rephrase that an automatic 4wd lx
I have seen a couple of 5 speeds
I had begun to wonder if their was something to the rumor waaay back about the element debuting in a 2wd only because of the lack of 4 wd crvs that I've seen in my area (Atlanta)
My wife and I have pretty much made up our minds to buy this vehicle even though we are older people. The Element is exactly the vehicle we were looking for. I love to garden...buy antiques...camp....pretty much everything this little bugger was intended to do.
It looks kinda like a little mini Hummer without the expense of repairs, gas etc.
I've also thought it might be a great vehicle to carry my sister-in-law in since she is in a wheel chair....couple ramps on the back and have the tie-downs installed and off we go!
Looking to put a deposit on a Ex this next weekend. Only have to decide on the color....how bout some help with that one here? Black?
Gotta love those Honda products!
As for colors....has anyone seen a pic of the Shoreline Mist color? I think hondanews has every color but that one..they have a black DX, Red/orange EX, Green EX, Silver EX..but no shoreline
Is it some sort of blue? Thanks
Are we talking CR-Vs, here? If so, are you assuming that the EX has RT4WD and the LX does not? The LX AWD model is Honda's biggest seller.
thats exactly what im saying i paid a visit to the dealer today to take a look at the 03 accord
and they had 3 lx 2wd and 1 ex 4wd. right now the crv is basically offered in 5 levels ,2wd lx
and both 5spd and automatic lx and ex
what im saying and the dealer i taled to today confirmed it (at least at their dealership) he said he hasnt even seen a 4wd lx yet
in the southeast atlanta area we seem to be getting mostly lx's and a few choice ex's
it just had me wondering about the rumor way back about a possible shortage of 4wd units thats all
galapogos green still looks almost like an olive derivative
and shoreline mist looks extremely close to titanium it cant be more than a shade off
Then call me a GOAT, because I love the Goatmobile!
A few more pics of the Element, nothing new.
Still amazes me how big the vehicle appears and I doubt that model is a midget.
from those new picks. it kind of makes you wonder if they will offer sport packages
the surfer
the biker
the hiker..........
The Sales manager told me that the expected markup for Elements at his dealership, (Honda of Santa Monica) would be $3500. For comparison, about the same markup on Pilot, $2000 for '03 Accords, $300-400 on CR-V's at this dealer.
Yikes, $25k is at or close to what one will probably pay for a used MDX or maybe even a Pilot by early 2003.
It would be depressing to pay such a markup on a new car when just about every other marque is offering very good terms and incentives but I suppose Honda quality comes at a premium.
I'm going to see about other dealers in greater Los Angeles but that high markup has sort of bummed me out.
I guess Honda is expecting rather brisk sales of the Element if the highly confident markup is any indication. Well, we will see at the release.
Put the $3500 in the bank for a year and buy a leftover '03 Element or a new '04 next Fall.
You're welcome.
pics at http://autoweek.com
Himiler's suggestion is a good one. A little patience and a little wait until the hype dies down and I'm sure the price will be more reasonable. Assuming there is hype of course.
In the unlikely event that the Element debut is a flop perhaps we can all get one at a really good price.
Already I have talked to another dealership that claims to be willing to sell at a lower markup in December. This dealership is quoting $2000-$2500 markup. Still not good but better.
The Element looks like a great package but something like, for example, a 2000 4Runner with neoprene seat covers would probably do the job as well. With the new 4Runner about to to be released the price on the older style should soften at least a little. Should not be more than $20-23K.
Still would rather have the Element if it can be had at list or close. It's practically perfect for my needs.
Nissan is run by a communist? This is disconcerting since I am basically in a Nissan now by way of Infiniti. Too bad, there goes the 2001 QX4 out the window as an option.
I see the same thing developing with the Element. No surprise.
back to element news per the autoweek article we finnaly have some sort of release date of Dec 16
I don't understand? Is there something wrong with their golf towels? http://www.nissan.com/other_stuff.htm
Did you want us to look at nissanusa or nissan-global? Both seem more automotive related...
What's up?
While I am not sure who is a communist and who isn't (I thought we had that sorted out in the 50's...), I am sure that there is a terrific resource with everything you could ever need to know about the Honda Element--it is at the Honda Press Web site.
Here is the URL:
http://www.hondanews.com/forms/honda/element/index.html
Honda does a great job briefing the press and this Web site has press releases, pricing, features, technical specs and a gallery of 170 photos of the Element in multiple colors--inside and out.
I wanted to pass this along in case anyone had not provided this URL earlier.