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Comments
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/roadtest/61673/article.html
Mainly for the shape and appearance in silver with blocky dark fender trim.
PT Cruiser - Gobs of style, fairly low price, and decent utility for such a small vehicle. The lack of 4WD won't matter to these buyers as much as the styling. The Element provides "younger" styling and more utility.
The Aztek - Most people who buy an Aztek needed a minivan, but didn't want the stigma. What they get is a vehicle with great utility at a warehouse-sale price. Buyers simply trade the mommy look for the freakish look. The Element provides a less freakish and more funky alternative at the expense of some utility.
The Matrix - A bargain import-lovers car that provides unique styling and some utility. While one is sport oriented and the other is utility minded, both provide a "fun" image without losing sight of utility.
You're an Ad Copywriter, yes?
"trade the mommy look for the freakish look"...great line, but watch out for "lito".
I hesitate characterizing or otherwise passing judgement on aesthetics; it's so subjective, though I like to think I have good taste. One man's Element is another's Aztec.
I'm going to make an effort to see the Element in person the next time it is within reach; and with a tape measure and a camcorder. Wherever that is.
I agree that the styling of the Element will be a love/hate affair. I love it, my wife hates it. It won't have the near-universal appeal of something like the PT Cruiser. But I think it will work well with the demographic they are trying to sell to.
I regret that you have a wait for your Christmas present....savor it.
Some of us are also waiting on the new Pilot which is being sold beginning with a June 3rd roll-out, and brochures/info is still not complete. Models and prices were broadcast on the web last week, but colors/interior colors are not absolute. Prices were nearly 5% higher than originally announced.
I suspect it will be similar with the Element. Info & pictures will trickle out as Ohio production begins maybe Sep, Oct for an early December roll-out. Before then Honda will also be rolling-out the 03 Accord in the Fall with auto show preview in mid-June. There is also a new 03 MDX (well, at least the new 3.8L motor) to intro.....
You might want to visit an auto show which previews the production Element. I'm planning on that....should've made the effort to visit NYIAS.
As for options at this early stage, you might take a look at the College Hills Honda site 03 Accord models/options page for a hint at what may be offered in Element. Apparently Honda will offer NAV on all the 03 Accords, but that may be academic. My Pilot dealer said that NAV & RES options were not available in the June build dates - (and fine with me). (Oh, and by the way, get used to terms like "build date", "allocation", and "MSRP"...=)
I guess I'm more of a like-dislike kinda guy. The original Aztek, I disliked (not hated), and the 02 I consider more attractive. I guess I don't invest as much emotion in the vehicles I see (or drive).
The PT Cruiser is photogenic. I originally liked the design, until I saw one in person, and realized that it was only about 3/4 the size I perceived (that word again) it to be. Thereafter I discounted it as not being a serious vehicle.
The Element is appealing visually and functionally, and I suspect will be even more attractive in person. I already have a feel for the scale of the vehicle at 70-72" tall, and larger than a CR-V. Also, the hints from folks like juice (I recall) who have seen it live, and called it "superb" reinforce my expectations.
This from a guy who is buying a Pilot sight unseen and for entirely functional reasons. By the way is that you (6'-1") in the Pilot Spy photos at HondaSUV.com?
I actually think that the '02 Aztek looks worse. The half-painted front bumper gives it a storming-the-beaches-of-Normandy appearance. It looks like a military landing vehicle. Instead of having a big blunt snout, it now has an upturned lower lip. Like a bulldog. The spoiler just makes me laugh.
OTOH, the Element is a more integrated design. The front matches the sides, which matches the look of the back, etc.. In this respect, I think it has better styling than the CR-V, which looks kinda random. The Element looks like the function it serves. The Pilot does, too.
Odyssey w/less than 12,000 miles and
Those prices are excellent and I would not pass them up, and they are Honda's, not aftermarket. One guy paid $6 grand for a new tranny, and the Pilot is only heavier and more likely to stress the trans. It might cost a little more because of VTM-4. But you could get a 7/75 warranty if you don't pile on the miles too quickly.
So mine would be $32k with the warranty. I'd better get a promotion or hit the lotto first! Actually the wife bought a wagon, but I'm still always looking around for fun.
I really liked it. I think you're getting exactly what you expect to get, no more no less.
Matrix may be small to compete with Element, but I guess the plastic lined cargo area sort of targets the same buyer.
Freelander are much pricier, even a stripped one will cost $5 grand more than a loaded Element.
Check out the Amateur Design Studio thread, someone "fixed" up an Aztec by removing some of the gills and flattening the roof.
-juice
Thanks for the great lead; excellent prices!
-juice
The supplimental part is important as they are not to be used without, or in place of, seatbelts. Otherwise, I think Juice is correct. The "S" prefix probably means "side".
Any thoughts?
Would you please provide pointer to MT reference regarding weight? .......tnx
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/auto/article/0,12543,249603,00.html
"glitter in the body panels"....?
Not to worry about engine thefts...the new 03 Accord will have an even more potent 170+ hp version of the 2.4L motor. That will maintain the Accord at the top of the most wanted (among auto thieves) list.
Why did Honda pick blue color for the cladding? After years of sunlight and UV exposure it will fade and you will never match repair panels. Black would not fade and is very UV resistant.
Lastly, will the cladding droop and sag after a period of time? Plastic creeps over time. Gaps will grow.
"...the penalty for a stiff structure, despite the absence of B-pillars, is weight: with optional RT4WD (FWD is standard) and the automatic, more than 3520 lbs."
They also note that the body cladding will be gray for production models.
As for the overall weight, yes, vehicles like the RAV4 are indeed much lighter. Of course they also can't haul more than two duffel bags without kicking out a passenger or two.
If weight is a problem, Honda has other options.
The preceeding is loosely based on an article I recall.
AN had an article about how Honda will handle the 3 launches, and apparently the Element will get the full attention it deserves.
Gray cladding is best. Volvo uses blue (so-so) and brown (downright ugly) on the XC. Still, the Element's style lets it get away with riskier colors.
CR-V has no FWD 5 speeds, but I hope Element does.
RAV4 has a 760 pound payload. It's a light-weight.
-juice
Though I doubt they'll give the Element more power without also giving it to the CR-V. So I'm guessing we'll see it start with 160 hp, then get more power a few years later. I expect that Honda can get another 20 hp out of the 2.4 without seriously affecting the torque curve (we don't want another high revver with that kind of weight).
That'll create a halo effect and enough positive publicity to draw people into showrooms, even though most will end up buying the 160hp model.
-juice
Regardless of the cladding's color, I would like to see an Element in a single solid color. I think that would make the Element look better as the 2-color treatment breaks the exterior's overall solidity.
I agree with you on the Blue (w or w/o sparklies) cladding, but your black on black rendering is baaad!
Coool!......actually one very hot beach buggy!
-mike
Thanks for the photoshopped renderings. Those are great.
"I can't believe your people don't like the 2 tone design, it look so funky in blue. Yeah baby"
Now see, make it all silver and you'll see how much cooler it can look without the 2-color design...
-mike
-juice
thanks
I doubt other color will work, unless you drive it like a Mercedes.
It begs for modification though. I think a nickname will come out in no time!
email it if u want to play w it yourself in photoshop
-tino
-juice
The men with the white suits are coming again, I'd better keep quiet!
-juice
2) those wheels gotta go, they belong in the odyssey
3) since the doors have such a large area with no rubber strips, large "VTEC", "Powered by Mugen", stickers are in order.
c-a-n-'-t t-o-w t-h-e c-a-m-a-r-o