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Comments
This works wth the CR-V and many other cars, but I've never seen it done with the Element. It's one of those "nuisance solutions". Stupid, annoying, and clumsy, but it's cheap and it works.
Step 1: Open the door and find the "trigger" on the sill.
Step 2: Stick a pen or pencil into the door jamb, so it holds the trigger closed.
For the exposed radiator, you can try using gutter guards. There are several brands available at home goods stores. They're essentially wire screens that hold their shape after being bent into the correct form. I know of at least one owner who installed them behind the grill on a CR-V simply as a styling upgrade. They won't work like a skid plate, but they'll keep loose debris from being a problem.
If anyone has installed the factory trailer wiring kit, I would love some feedback. I looked at an aftermarket "custom wiring kit for Honda Element" by one of the big hitch companies and installation looked like a major project involving disassembling about half of the interior in the rear to get at the Honda connector. Apparently the Honda connector is by the rear power outlet with no way to get to it other than disassembling the plastic tailgate slider cover,part of the floor and removing the passenger rear side wall. Even after all that you had to drill a hole to run the wiring outside. No fun at all.
I am hoping that the factory kit is easier to install, perhaps with a custom connector that eliminates the drilling.
If anyone has experience, I sure would appreciate it.
I drive a '91 Jeep Wrangler so I have become used to a very tight turning radius and heading down any dirt road that looks inviting. Would be nice to have a second vehicle like the Element though. I'll keep tuned in here so keep posting.
They do make smaller pop-up campers, in fact one company marketed one specifically to Outback owners back when their towing capacity was 2000 lbs (the camper's dry weight was less).
Consider a Pilot with a rubber cargo liner. We have one in our two Subies and the carpet underneath is spotless.
-juice
The Element would be more fun if you were, say, driving down the coast, along the beaches.
-juice
We have a lap dog and we harness him and he's quiet enough to lay on a back seat passenger's lap.
I guess cats have claws, though.
Where are you going to/from? (slow day on Edmunds, can you tell?)
-juice
Don't want to crate her for that long.
Initially, I was gonna pick up a used explorer or something of the like, but this caught my eye when I was driving by the dealership. Both are in the same price range, so its just a matter of which I like more.
Also, something I was concerned about was the side impact crash tests ratings. Did the vehicle that was tested have the side airbags?
Thanks.
AS
We bought ours here in CA a week ago after a ton of research and love it.
As for the bumpers, Element is actually ranked #2, Forester suffers even less damage:
http://www.highwaysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/low_speed_smsuv.htm
But it does show how the spare location helps a lot, look at the CR-V's damage.
Side air bags would certainly help the score for the front passenger, but the rear passenger's head went through the window and was actually struck by the barrier (simulating the hood of the truck or SUV). So my guess is the overall score would still be "Marginal".
Side curtains would help. I think only the Vue offers those in this class.
-juice
HEAD PROTECTION
DRIVER The dummy's head contacted the window sill of the driver door. This contact did not produce high head injury measures. However, contacts with the window areas should be prevented.
REAR PASSENGER The dummy's head contacted and broke the rear quarter glass. This impact did not produce high head injury measures. However, contacts with the window areas should be prevented.
IIRC, the guy commenting on the results on TV mentioned the head did contact the basher. The text does not confirm or deny that, but until that is clarified I'll stick to my guns.
Maybe I'm geezin' so correct me if I'm wrong...
-juice
2. The dummy used in the crash was roughly the size of a 12 year-old or the smallest 2.5% of the female population (it was short).
3. The barrier used was the size of a full-sized pick-up (tall).
In other words, it's pretty clear that they designed this test to show the worst case scenario for head injury.
The side airbags used in the Element are intended to protect the torso of an adult. However, with such a short dummy, they might provide head protection, as well. As can be seen in this picture, the bag's deployment path does come up to the same level as the window sill. It's very close to where the dummy's head impacted. It may also keep the occupant's body upright in the seat. That could prevent the dummy's head from flopping about quite so much.
Whether or not this would be enough to prevent those head impacts is anybody's guess. However, I think there's good reason to expect that the airbags would increase the rating. After all, the lowest score for the Element was for the torso, not the head.
Rollover, Crash Test Results (NHTSA)
Steve, Host
I agree that the front passenger would be better protected when equipped with the side air bags, in fact that's exactly what the IIHS test proved. For example, look at the Escape with and without them, huge difference.
-juice
I have a feeling lots of Element owners won't even use the back seat often, so to them it may not matter.
-juice
Has anyone thought about adapting one into a camping van type of thing? I don't think it would be hard at all to do something with it. Not to the extent of a customized van or RV type of thing - just add a few things that would make it more like a camper.
-juice
and the even better question did anyone actually find the element clearance?
found everything else , but nothing on element end of year discounts
We got close to getting stuck when the front tires were spinning and the AWD didn't appear to kick in. (After we rocked out of the divits we got going again) After going back and scanning the manual, it said that the AWD can overheat and shut down, this may have happened to us. We didn't baby it we bounced around pretty good, the Jeep folks looked at us like we had ten heads but we kept rolling (a little slower than them) All in all it wasn't bad, but my confidence level wasn't very high while on the sand, I could see us getting stuck at any moment. There were times we had to punch it to have momentum enough to get through the deep sand while the gas tank was bottoming out, but for the most part it wasn't bad. We drove on the beach a coupe of times and went swimming, that was cool, open the doors put the radio on, nice!
I just wish Honda had put in a DUMMY light so we would know that the AWD actually was kicking in.
Try even lower psi next time. My Forester was happiest at about 18psi. The wide tires float nicely. I didn't feel like I would get stuck at any point in time.
They looked at us like we had 5 heads. I think you got slightly more attention than us! LOL
-juice
To see the actual test results click HERE. Click HERE to watch the NHTSA’s side crash test video.
Here's the pic from the IIHS side impact test for comparison:
-juice
I don't see the Element's 4 banger pulling an even heavier vehicle.
Aftermarket wheels are easy to find and abundant in offsets that fit Hondas. Someone mentioned you can even use wheels from other Hondas, maybe lightly used.
I found some 16"x7" rims from MB Motoring that were being discontinued for $75 a pop. Brand new. With tires, mounted and balanced, delivered, and even lug nuts and wheel locks my total cost was $643.
You could even try sourcing that 3rd row seat that is sold in other markets for the CR-V, though that would take some effort.
-juice
here and all have ideas on how vehicles could improve or suit us better. Take the Element, for example. For the target market (20-something surfer dudes) it's probably right on. It's really meant as a two seater with lots of gear room, but if you happen to pick up a pair of surfer babes, you've got a couple of seats in the back for them!
(I won't even go there about the "bed"!) For empty nesters without a lot of grandkids (NOT the target market!), it probably works ok too. For fortysomethings like me who appreciate it's functionality and easy-clean interior (NOT the intended target market, but the group that seems to be snapping most of these things up), it does fall short in a few areas when you have a family to consider.....namely seating and load capacity.
If any manufacturer recognizes what is appealing about the Element and wants to put it in a slightly larger, more practical size for small families, that's ok by me.
BTW - I am interested in the 2WD EX.
After two weeks with my "E", this 39yo (no kids) can say that the set-up works exactly the way it looks in the ads and really works for me. I got an orange, 4wd, EX, 5spd and highly recommend it. It holds all my stuff, moves me around with ease and is easy to take care of and keep clean. No fuss, no muss which is just what I wanted (I traded a Saab convertible for this with no regrets). Don't listen to anyone that says it needs more power. With the 5spd manual it pulls hard in every gear, handles great. You won't go wrong getting and E
Steve, Host
-juice
"The recently introduced Honda Element—radical by U.S. standards—is but a vanilla derivative of a microvan craze that the Japanese have celebrated for nearly a decade. They refer to these practical vanettes as "height wagons," a niche initially popularized by the wildly successful Suzuki Wagon R."
Steve, Host
the element has caught the wife's eye, and she wants to know more. took a test drive today and is ready to take the next step. after 7+ months of existence, there's some good experience posts out there. amazingly favorable for a new vehicle! how can you beat honda...
can any E owners provide input on the following questions:
1. the front passenger seat has no armrest. this is odd. does it bother anyone who transports passengers? is it possible to get one as an accessory?
2. i expected more posts about windnoise at hiway speeds with the non aerodynamic style, but there isn't too much about it. is this a showstopper for anyone?
3. do you have to consciously duck top 'o the clamshell rear hatch to avoid headbumps if you're tall?
4. is the optional shadescreen for the skylight a must if you have rear passengers?
5. wife is a non-manual tranny person. does the E have gimpy accel with an AWD automatic?
6. any early scoop on changes/improvements/updates on the '04's?
7. does the position of the shifter interfere with the climate controls?
thx for the scoop...
Yes, there is a factory installed middle arme rest that is avail as an accesory. I got it but will be installed later today so I cannot give you details regarding the feel and quality after its all said and done. Will post my opinion tomorrow (assuming there are no delays with the installation).
The drive is nice. Our primary car is a fully loaded Maxima so long drives will most like be in the Max but I have a feeling that the E will be a bit loud but thats just fine. It is meant to be different and I guess is a compromise. The inside is AWESOME.
Another note on yesterday's purchase. The delaership gave me 3 years of FREE oil changes. The downside is...how long do these oil changes take? I do not expect the 30 inute treatment but how long? As long as they do it the same day is fine since this is a secondary car after all.
I al going camping this weekend and cant wait to enjoy the added valeu of its space and features...will report.
This discussion groups have made me that much smarter in everything related to cars.
I look forward to getting mt G35 and/or the Bimmer 330X when my Max's lease is over....hee...hee!