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Comments
Any how, low operating costs for the Element seem very likely.
-juice
I noticed that last year when I bought mine december 23rd and most of them still were quoting me MSRP. There's still going to be alot of 2004s through the spring.
It's actually not a high demand vehicle.
-juice
Something that consumers should be aware of - the extreme weight limit noted in the manual. The maximum combined weight limit for cargo AND passengers is just 675 lbs.
Total trailer weight for towing is 1500 lbs maximum (that includes the trailer weight too).
I don't really know if that would have deterred me from the purchase - but something to know.
If a 6 cylinder was available - I would have chosen it instead.
The Element rides great - stereo is terrific. Just came back from driving from FL to NY (snow & ice - weren't a problem). Pick up was surprisingly good with all the highway merges.
Small-ish gas tank required more fill-ups tho.
One of the reasons why I bought the Element was the great versatility (seats up/down...no carpet.. & easy to clean because of our 2 dogs).
Honda must realize it's a great car for dog owners - it would be even better if the rear windows would allow the dogs to put their noses outside. Maybe the next version of the Element.
All in all - a great car. Easy to get in & out. Everyone who rides in it - digs it too!
Would also like to see: compass & outside thermometer included in future car.
-juice
Also ... the interior plastics are very, very soft. They scratch easily, the undercolor is lighter than the surface and you get irrevocable scratches all over the place, even in every day use.
Buy carpets for the front, the rear seats and back. The plastic gets dirty quickly and takes a lot of maintenance.
Steve, Host
-juice
-juice
I'm sorry you didn't get the color you wanted; let's face it - the Element is about the only car that can get away that green and that orange color and look good doing it. On the other hand, after a lot of thought, we thought those colors would get tired after a while. Being practical, and living in the south (even though it was a very cold day when I bought it), I went with Silver and am very happy.
However, that aside (and hey, you're in Minnesota), I think the blue is the best color Element... maybe until the red comes out, but for 04, that blue is just fantastic.
I haven't had any AM reception problems. On the other hand, I usually listen to my MP3 player now that I have that option! I know it seems like I'm reducing some of the utility, but I also ordered carpets as well as the cargo container (Honda parts, but I ordered them separately from a third party that's a lot cheaper than the dealer).
I'll tell you this - given the higher center of gravity and that urethane coated floor, things slide all over the place. I got some bungee cords, but will be much happier when the cargo organizer arrives.
Other complaints... the way the doors open are quite a trade off. I wish my 5 year old understood better that if he stays by me when I open the doors, there's no problem. Otherwise I'm opening the front, opening the back, closing the front, then opening the front, closing the back, closing the front just to get in. Now, I knew that was coming, and it shouldn't be an issue very often (we've been using the Element a lot since it's our new car), and it's been getting better as he learns the routine, but it's still a bit awkward.
On the other hand... when our daughter rides in the car, I only have to open the one side... she gets in and goes to the right side, and I can fasten her seatbelt by getting in the left side - it's hard to explain, it's just that there's so much room to move around, it actually makes things easier when I'm dealing with both kids.
Given the bare-bones quality (which I like) and the price, I think this is one of the most worthwhile cars I've purchased. Certainly I loved the Odyssey when I got it, but I didn't feel like it was as worth it as this Element. I really love it so far.
But I digress...
-juice
The new Ody's are VERY nice compared to what I have, what with 255HP and all the other nice goodies...
Still, since I have a family of four (and there will NOT be any additions), the Element makes a much better second car than the Civic it replaced.
Kind of sad, really. But if you "hang" in the back of your Element a lot, then it certainly looks interesting. I'm also sure that a lot of people use it while the vehicle is in motion...
-juice
So far in the Boston area this year, we've had a wet sloppy winter. It handles just as bad on ice and snow as it does on plain old wet roads. You have to go very, very lightly on the gas to keep the nose pointed straight.
I am a few weeks short of having had Stubby for a year and I wouldn't recommned the 5 speed M/T Element to anyone that lives in an area like ours.
In short, I would expect the performance you describe with stock all season tires on sloppy winter roads, but the Element SHOULD handle as well as any other front wheel drive car (which is pretty good) on just rainy roads with all season tires, unless the stock tires are horrible. Forbes magazine even praised the road grip of the Element.
Besides wanting an Element, I am also curious because we just got a CR-V, which has similar tires. Consumer Reports only complaint on the CR-V handling was weak tire grip, so I have been trying to research tires for these vanlets/new age wagons/cute utes.
Anybody installed mats (Honda or otherwise) and noticed a change in cabin noise?
This issue wouldn't deter me from a purchase, since I view the Element as an alternative to a VW hatchback or Scion xB, that is to say, a funky little vanlet that can hall butt (with a stick shift) one day, and hall camping gear the next.
But I'm still curious.
-juice
I don't think you lose utility, because you can take out the entire set up to wash or replace, vs. on a regular car at best you can take out the floor mats.
I found the stock floors to be slippery to the point of some hazard.
Compared to the CR-V, I like the fact that the Element has passenger car compatible (same height) bumpers, a presumably lower center of gravity (for throwing around curves), and I like it's unconventional styling (a weird blend of a MINI, xB, and H2). What I don't like are as follows:
The "unfinished" floor, but I think floor mats will solve that. Of course, the seats are also "vinyl" instead of fabric, and I think that IS a good idea in a utility vehicle.
The lack of FIVE seating positions! This never mattered to me before, but with a baby, you need five seating positions if you want to take another couple to dinner - with only four seating positions, where do you put the baby?
The SMALL cargo area behind the rear seat. On the CR-V this is HUGE, because the CR-V is a little longer in the body, and the rear seat is a little closer to the front seat. This is a trade off, because on a drive to the mountains, I have no problem placing the packs behind the front seat, the "trunk" is big enough for what we leave behind (out of sight, with a cargo cover, from passers by and bears). On a "road trip," with more personal luggage, I'd rather have a closer back seat (which is occupied only with a baby chair) and more concealed cargo room in the "trunk." I don't think Honda can really address this, since the rear seats are designed to fold up against the sides, and form a bed when folded flat. Once again a trade off. (For us, with a CRV as well, it would be almost a non-issue.)
Finally, the "Aztek" look of the plastic side panels. On an Element with charcoal gray metallic paint and with charcoal plastic side panels, the combination is great, subtle and not overwhelming. On the other cars, the contrast is disconcerting. Question - why so few charcoal gray Elements? I think Honda is going to have to grapple with the "look," it's almost there but not quite. Obviously it's gotta be different from the CR-V, but why doesn't it look as good, from a distance, as the Scion xB? (My opinion....)
Take the CR-V?
I'm sorta going through the same thing. My wife and I starting to consider "baby compatibility" as we look at our 3 year plan. She keeps thinking that both vehicles must be able to accommodate every situation.
Varmint - once you have a baby those 3 year plans go right out the window!!
You have a CRV and a TL right? The first few months you aren't carting around too much stuff - a couple bags and stroller. At 6 months add the high chair and bouncer for weekend trips till about 12-15 months. Then you'll dump the bouncer for a wagon.
We got along fine with an Accord and an Escort sedan for the first child. When the second came along we got rid of the Escort and bought the Odyssey although it was about 6 months before we did. The pups present an additional issue for you so you'll have to plan accordingly.
Good Luck in the car and don't be afraid of babies!!
I did buy carpet from an online site specializing in Honda and Acura accessories... at just over $100, I think it was really worth it. It's one of those Element bonuses that there is no built in carpet to stain and damage, and the accessory carpet can be replaced so easily... maybe once every five years or so? Don't know... just got.
Visibility doesn't seem to be an issue with me, I feel like I see more than enough of the road. Even though I do the over-the-shoulder look when changing lanes, I also have the side view mirrors configured correctly (IMO)... that helps in any car...
Still, I moved to the Element from a Civic, and it seems like I can see a lot of the road without any problems. I never thought for a second that visibility was poor.
-juice
I've already got two. My 1999 CR-V does the job nicely, but the wife and I have kids somewhere in our future plans.
The E is a perfect dogmobile. Especially for small ones that have manageable crates. But the minute you need to use the back seats for a baby seat AND haul two dogs, it gets cramped. Stick with one hound and one kid and everything is just fine.
Just my two cents.
The E is MUCH MUCH better than the last car I drove in the snow, which was automatic, much lighter, and had tiny little wheels. I think the key with a stick in the snow is to know exactly how much power to put down, when. Also, if you've had one for 20K+ miles, I would highly recommend checking your tires. (Especially if your'e a bit of a lead foot who enjoys an occasional squeal like me)
The 2005 side impact test results have not been published yet. Any thoughts on whether the standard side airbags in the 2005 will make a difference here (at least for the front seat passengers)? Any other thoughts regarding these test results?
CR-V and Escape both did much better, for instance.
It's only an option on the EX, IIRC.
-juice
Life is not a PLAN. No offence but people like you scare me. BTW Chuck the palm pilot too!
Prestone sells some stuff that is supposedly more resistant to deep freezes. The blue stuff is only so-so.
I think the alcohol in there also can evaporate, so it freezes more easily.
-juice
If that doesn't work (or you're in a hurry), try warm water. Either directly onto the nozzle or inside the fluid reservoir.
Evaporation is not an issue inside the reservoir. It becomes a problem only when the mixture hits the air and the alcohol evaporates.
tidester, host