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Comments
2004 Honda SUV Olympics
I already enjoy this car a lot. It's huge, versatile, as every Honda dependable. The gas mileage I get is 24MPG in 50-50 driving (not bad for a new engine). I hope I'll get even more.
I used almost all cubic inches once - there's a lot of them!
I paid 18,4K (20,03 in-the-door) for 2WD EXS, they also threw in cargo cover and carpeted floor mats. Afterall my buying experience was B at Continental Honda in Countryside, IL (these guys are bloodsuckers, but I guess it's all them).
Now I hope my glass won't crack, my MPG will reach 30 with declining gas prices.
We are interested in the Element mostly for hauling two people and two (maybe three) dogs; therefore payload is not a major issue most of the time. But when the family assembles, the four of us surpass the 675 payload limit by about 20 pounds. Add the dogs, and we're way over.
True, I suppose we could all stand to shed a few pounds or put the dogs in a trailer, but more to the point, is Honda seeking to rectify this shortcoming for 2005?
;-)
-juice (who needs to diet!)
The only issue is people might want a little more power to the front so just turn off the A/C and open the car up down the road, as with any 4-cyl vehicle
The trailer itself has its own axle, that axle is withstanding the rest of the weight, i.e. all except for the tongue weight. Check your trailer's GVWR and subtract the weight of the trailer itself to find out it's payload.
I'll be honest, if you have to ask questions about payload this is probably not the vehicle for you. The CR-V has an 850 lb rating, the MDX is rated for 1362 lbs, for comparison. There are heavier duty choices out there if you tow and haul heavy loads.
-juice
The FWD/MT weighs 3391 per Honda's web site. That would leave a payload of around 1050 pounds.
The manual says to include the tongue weight along with occupants and cargo.
I never understood why that number is so low.
-juice
Varmint
2004 Honda SUV Olympics
Just food for thought!!!!
I haven't brought up my trade-in yet since I'm working on lowering the price of the Element first (divide and conquer). Once I get them to agree on a price, then we'll talk trade. Is this a good tactic?
#1. Negotiate the trade value first. The theory being that you are still attached to your current car. If you already have a price on the new car, you might be tempted to give away old-n-busted and speed up the process of getting into the new hotness.
#2 Negotiate the sale price of the new car first. This theory assumes that you will introduce the trade in vehicle late in the game, thus taking your salesperson by surprise. "What? You're not paying cash?" This would (theoretically) place the drool factor in the other court. The salesperson is supposed to be willing to give ground on the trade because they are salivating over the $ale of new hotness.
Personally, I think it depends on how well you regard your current car. If it's a scrap heap that you hate more than the voice of Elmo, #1 may not work for you.
The deal also depends on the kinds of skills you bring to the table as a negotiator. Some people are better at playing hardball, while others go further with a little sugar and spice.
Or go through a Credit Union, often they negotiate a price near invoice for you, even finance the loan.
Finally, there are buying services, too.
Haggling isn't for everyone. I've purchased cars both ways and left much, much more satisfied with the no-haggle experience.
Good luck.
-juice
Kind of a bummer. I checked their Elements for you and sure enough, no pricing is listed.
Honda might lose a few sales to people that don't want the hassle. Locally, Toyota does have such a place, and they always list their price up front. It's so much easier than getting a low ball price and walking in and finding out that your car has a bunch of dealer installed stuff you didn't want *cough* College Park Honda *cough*.
-juice
No haggling.
-juice
I calculated my last MPG and I got an average of 26.23 (355.4 miles/13.551G). I drove a mixed conditions of 50% city and 50% highway. Plus a couple tips which most of you certainly know:
- rather slow acceleration (The Element can't match those youngsters in their sports cars anyway) from full stops
- hardly ever exceeded 65 mph (lately I got a warning for driving 64 in a 55 speed zone)
- I had no need for A/C lately however that is changing with the weather
- I didn't overweight the car (except with my own 275 lb [and I'm not fat, I'm big 6'5"]
That's it. I think there's still place to go. But the average of 26.23 is satisfactory already, isn't it?
1. Was the 26.23 mpg for the entire 2,000 miles or just for the 355.4 miles? I have found that you usually get some variability in how many actual gallons go in each time you fill it depending on lots of things (your accuracy, impatience, the ambient temperature, the specific nozzle you're using, etc). The best way to do mpg check is over a minimum of 5 or 6 fill ups so the discrepancies even out.
2. I am not as tall as you (I'm 6' 2") but always find seat comfort an issue. How do you find the seats (especially the lower cushion) in the Element? I have only driven it briefly and it seemed OK, but lots of other cars I've driven leave my leg cramping up over time if the bottom cushion is too short front to rear (all Toyotas for example).
Thanks
-juice
-juice
-juice
And Ozzy and White Zombie just ROCK on that stereo. Who sez ya gotta grow up??? I'm 53!!
Congrats. What color?
-juice
2. I think being 6'5" I got used to some discomfort as it comes to seating. Maybe when I own the Hummer the discomfort will go away. Actually the E is the biggest car I have ever had. Guys, I owned cars back in Europe where Mini Cooper is considered a midsize! But still driving my VW Polo on autobahn in Deutschland was a real pleasure! And the mileage was 54mpg... (diesel)
-juice
-juice
ANYTIME, the streets were damp and slightly slippery, starting from a stop and accelerating is a very tricky deal with this vehicle.
It's even slippery on woodchips and mulch. This 'car' needs some kind of limited slip differntial for the 2wd drive versions.
We got the E thinking that it would be great for our upcoming young drivers, since Honda had targeted the youth market. I can't believe they even sell the 2wd vehicle. Young, inexperienced drivers can't help but be in trouble with this puppy.
FYI it's going in next week for a new overhead light (makes wierd sounds when going off), a dash rattle (4 hours min to take apart and reassemble) and a nasty squeaking sound in the clutch pedal.
Can you tell when the 4WD kicks in? Is there a light on the dash or something?
I've been in the Boston area for over 20 years and my last M/T car was an AWD Turbo Laser. It was a blast in the winter. But we had a Sable wagon that my wife drove and it was FWD and never exhibited the slippery nature that the E has.
My kids don't even want to learn to drive in this thing.
Thanks