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Comments
The xB is a touch too small for me overall. If it was 170" long we'd own four of them at work. Great packaging efficiency but not quite big enough for large humans. The CR-V, Forester and other cute utes make me gag, but to each their own. The Mazda dealer I went to today - Talerico in Manchester NH had plenty of Mazda3 wagons, but not 6 wagons, it didn't seem. I was underwhelmed and will stop by a MA Mazda dealer later this week.
Funny thing about that xB - it seems that it has more passenger space than the Outback. Not checking spec sheet - just feel. Cargo space is quite small in xB.
And back to the E because that is what this forum is about - it feels more substantial than the xB - about $5000 more substantial.
I've actually read a lot of comments on various forums about the price difference between the Element and Scion xB. Scion's no-haggle pricing on the xB is $14,999 and according to Edmunds, an Element LX can be had for $16,703. Difference of $1,704.
Howard
-juice
For that Element shopper the Mazda5 alternative can probably be test driven again soon.
-juice
I also heard a Mid-November arrival date at the dealerships....the EX-P model is the only one I will consider buying....Although I disagree a little with the post above...I don't think the increase in price will be $1400....that's too much...The completely redesigned Civic EX Sedan only went up $725 from 05....the element remains unchanged for the most part...with the exception of painted panels...steering wheel radio controls...and few more colors....that's about it...
Thanks
I'm happy.
I do have a few other questions for you if you don't mind....
A little about my situation.....I currently live in Florida but will be moving back to the mid-west here in the near future and I was thinking about getting an AWD vehicle....now I must admit I already have a Pilot which my wife drives to haul around the kids and I drive an Acura at the moment...anyhooo...I started to think about the element....I never really noticed it before but recently gave it a separate look once I heard that they are going to offer the painted fenders in the new EX-P line...my wife is not real crazy about it but doesn't mind much if I decide to get one...my questions to you is how do you like it overall? If you have kids, is it a pain to get in and out of it because of the rear door? That right now is the only drawback that I can tell....Have you noticed any rattles or annoying things about the element? Just to show you how wide open I am...I am also looking at the Toyota Double Cab V6....drove one today....not bad...but the element is still on my mind....any help and or inputs you can give would be greatly appreciated....the great thing about this board is you can get the straight skinney on what's going on with a particular vehicle...
Thanks again!
I'm sure the LX will see a significant increase with the addition of ABS and the metallic-look body cladding from the EX. If the LX increases much, the EX will probably also jump up a bit. I'm hoping that's not the case, though.
The only negatives are: It is unusual looking, but I like the plastic panels. Rear door cargo access is not as convenient as a minivan sliding door, but it's no problem. No rattles or other problems. The last negative is that the road noise is higher than I like. The stock tires contribute and will be replaced reasonably soon. I also plan to dampen and insulate the doors and cargo area. There are long threads about this on Element forums, and it isn't that difficult.
Other than than, great little vehicle.
I heard the new 06 element won't hit the showrooms until mid-November....so will have to wait and see....
About the Element, I must say it's grown on me. I really like the utility but also like driving it. No rattles. Seems to be very well constructed.
Vibration dampers e.g. Dynamat
Seems like it's mostly the audiophile crowd that buys Dynamat anymore.
Steve, Host
Does your dash near the widshield rattle? I have heard this is a common occurence but wanted input from another owner. Also, have you had to replace any windshields yet? I have one time do to a crack, but I have a neighbor who is on his fifth. The dealer says it is a faulty design because the glass is too thin....it was covered under the warranty.
I'm waiting for the new 06 EX-P trim model to come out....then will get down to serious business...
Thanks for your input.
* washable floor and cargo area
* suicide-style doors
* blocky dash design
So, are you owners flattered by this imitation? FJ will be more trucky and bigger, but it sure does ape a lot of features from Honda.
-juice
Hmmm... You're right. Not identical in any way, but they look like variations on the same theme.
Pretty wild, no?
-juice
-juice
So what do you think about the painted panels and new colours?
As it stands, every model is available in-
Alabster Silver
Atomic Blue (like the new Civic, like it much better than previous Element blue)
Nighthawk Black
Rallye Red (LX only, bright red)
Tango Red (EX, EX-P only, dark red, way to burgandy looking for my taste)
They annouced several more colors than this when they released '06 model info, still odd to have so few colors right now, though. I'd love to see the Carbon Bronze color from the Accord and perhaps the Galaxy Grey from the Civic.
Can't wait to see an EX-P in person. So far, looks best in Atomic Blue to me.
Rallye Red will be available on regular EX model (not EX-P)
Kiwi (funky green) will be availbe on LX and EX-P, but not EX?
Tangerine will be available on EX-P
It looks like the Kiwi and Tangerine will be available in 12/05, not sure about the Rallye REd EX, but you can get Rallye Red on the LX now. Too bad Cargo Khaki from last year isn't back again, but who knows? Maybe they'll do limited edition colors like they did with that one last year.
Although I guess it would be like having an access cab truck now a days....those back doors open the same way....
The blue (EX-P) looks about the best to me also....
Can't wait to see them in person....
-juice
I wonder how close to reality those colors even look, the red on my screen looked very artificial. I bet it looks differnet in person.
-juice
I'll wait to see it in person, anyway. I didn't think the red looked very realistic, so who knows what the Tangerine would look like out in the sunlight.
-juice
If anyone has a photo of an Atomic blue pearl Element with or without painted panels, I would love to see it. I am talking real world - not the photoshopped pics in the 2006 Element Brochure! :-)
Where are you located? Was the Element you seen an 06?
I seen an 05 used one that someone had painted......
Thanks
Red might be cool. The black seems a waste - just get the non-painted panel version.
Can't figure out why Honda waits so long in the new model year to bring out the 06 Element....it is the last 06 model for Honda to bring out....
They did the same thing last year.....seen the 06's on the honda webpage but have not found any invoice prices....how about you?
KBB...Edmunds....doesn't have the invoice price posted yet....
Can't wait to see them.....I was one of those guys that thought I would never own one....in fact I didn't really notice them at the dealership....been there many times with my Pilot....finally took a look at one and now have a different feeling towards them now...especially with the EX-P coming out....
Will have to wait aand see....
Thanks
In a perfect world, dealers would like to have a new product (or redesigned product) every month. It keeps the buzz going and attracts showroom traffic. So they stagger the launch dates of the vehicles they sell.
My favorite colors of all on the Element are the Rallye Red (not available on EX-P) and Atomic Blue. The Atomic Blue is actually better looking on the EX than the EX-P.
Actually, besides the cool Tangerine color, the EX-P isn't as appealing to me as I thought it would be. I think I still prefer the regular EX. I'm not too crazy about the new EX wheels, either.