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Held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the show opens to the public on Saturday, April 15 and runs through Sunday, April 23. Media preview days are April 12-13."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12170944/from/RS.1/
You can now (for '06) get the Element with the plastic body panels painted the same color as the rest of the vehicle. That model is designated as the EX-P (P=painted panels).
The Element is totally different than the Cherokee. I would tell you to drive it for yourself. The Element has a "Real Time 4wd" system. Basically, my understanding is that it is front wheel drive, but the rear wheels automatically kick in when the system detects slippage of the front tires. Your Jeep probably has a traditional 4wd Lo, 4wd Hi, 2wd system that you can switch between.
-juice
Urban Element (Straightline)
Steve, Host
10 extra horses is the only thing news-worthy.
-juice
Steve, Host
Who needs carpet in a cargo area? I put a rubber liner over mine.
-juice
BTW, if its like my new 2006 Accord with 166 hp, it will have the max torque at 500RPM lower, something actually noticeable from my dad's 05 Accord vs. my 06.
I think I paid $20 for the roll. It was large enough where I was able to take the rear seats out of the Element, and use half of it to make a large template to fit from the tailgate, all the way to under the front seats. I then took my template, and transferred it over to the other half and ended up with a piece that fit perfectly in the rear. The backing of the carpet is rubbery, and doesn't slide around on the cargo floor. I cut a couple of access flaps in the carpet that could be lifted up for the rear seat feet to attach to their brackets in the floor.
I then took the piece I used for a template, and was able to cut a piece (one solid piece) to fit on the front floor.
I like this set up a lot, as many people that have looked at the car think that it is the standard carpet that came in the car. Plus, I can take it out whenever I want.
I have to agree.
I guess instead of disliking the Element for all that it's not, we like it for all that it is. We don't have kids, so the fact that the rear doors don't open independently of the front is no big issue for us. I do wish that the sunroof was closer to the front, or that there was a smaller one in the front as well, but when you remove the glass it does generate a pretty good breeze throughout the vehicle. Plus, we will probably take it camping and enjoy the sunroof then.
What it boiled down to for us is that it really is a flexible vehicle, and you get a ton of options for the money. We can take the seats out and haul landscaping supplies for the yard, or haul our dogs. And, in our case, we got an automatic, 4wd, ABS, 4 wheel disc brakes, 270watt stereo with subwoofer and XM and audio controls on the steering wheel (which we love), and the big sunroof all for $20,400 (before tax). In my opinion, that is a lot of vehicle for the money.
Also- I am kind of concerned with blind spots that everyone is talking about. I am 5'5 is this really a huge issue.
Thanks
Regarding the blind spots it's hard to judge what you may find acceptable. My 96 Explorer Sport has very small pillars but in the 10 years I've had it there have been a handful of times where a car was obscured by that pillar. When I test drove the Element the pillar blind spots were more obvious so it forced me to compensate by using the mirrors more. I think I could get used to it eventually but my natural preference is to be able to see everything when I take the time to turn my head to look over my shoulder. Then again, I'm sure some people never look over their shoulder like I do and only rely on their mirrors.
Thanks.
Big news? Seat belts were integrated in to the seats themselves, Chrysler Sebring convertible style.
Simple yet huge improvement. Now you're not anchored to the doors and can let people in the back seat out. I hope they put this into production.
By the way, I saw the FJ, and it's the same way as the current Element, seat belts anchored in the rear doors.
Besides that, and the 10hp bump, the concept was mostly paint and rims.
-juice
Question, with everyhting folded down in the back, is the cargo area totally flat?
I was looking at the pics of the scion and it looks like the back seats are not flat when down, I don't like that about my friends VUE either...it's something that I need, a flat cargo area.....
Do I understand that you must have the front door open to open the back door? How big of a pain is that in the rain carrying packages?
The front doors do have to be open in order to open the rear doors. It has not been an inconvenience for us yet, but if if were raining, and I were loading packages, groceries, etc..., I would probably just load them in the back via the tailgate.
I think the key is to look at the demographic of the driver. I wouldn't be suprised to see that the users of the above vehicles are in the target demographic but the buyer and legal owner is a parent.
Steve, Host
Bought my Element at age 60, for ME.
While I was writing this my neighbor drove by in an Element, I ran over to look at her car, she was completely in love with the car! Says the door thing is a bit of a pian and worse in a tight parking space but completly off-set by it's advantages. I must go drive one and see. She has the 2005 EX.
I wish I could find something between the LX and EX Element, I like the extra storage things in the EX but I don't want or need audio on the wheel, mp3, etc.....about half the extras.....darn
Steve, Host
Does the Element feel unstable at 65? How about high winds? I'm going to go test drive but I'm not sure if they will let me take it on the freeway.
the suicide doors...I'm reading that the front door has to be open...is it that the back door won't open at all unless the front is open (and open how far), or that the back door isn't wide enough for passengers to get out if the front isn't open...(but I could still pull out my gym bag).
When you fold the back seat away, does it fold down? Or when it folds to teh side does it block the window?
for the difference in price I might just go for this year model.
but...my currently honda wagon is still zippy after 20 years..while I don't street race I'd hate a slug. You've gotta' be able to accelerate to move in traffic.
I love to park at the beach and eat lunch (when I get the time), I've been picturing lounging back in that passenger seat with all the leg room, eating lunch with the ocean breeze blowing in.......read a comment about the "back" windows not rolling down....and if you can't open the passenger without opening the front door, can the passenger open their door to get out?
The clam-shell rear doors will NOT/can NOT open unless the corresponding front door is open.
The (two) rear seats fold (almost) flat, flat and tilt up (and yes, they do block the side windows in that position), or come out altogether.
The rear side windows "unlatch at the side, push out to open" but do not roll down.
I would recommend you go see and drive the car, then ask your questions.