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I don't have the brochure with me, but I remember there being something in the Element brochure about the shifter being up high on the dash to free us space down on the floor.
I get a kick out of hearing people say they will buy an Element as soon as the shifter gets moved to the floor, or the 4 doors open independently of one another, or when it gets power seats, or a power sunroof, or carpeting...
Well, IMO, the Element isn't intended for these people - they need to shop the CR-V!!!
I think someone on this forum said it best that the Element is, "The ultimate status symbol for people who don't care about status symbols."
Anyways... I'm looking forward to the '07, even thinking about a possible trade... especially the model with the projector beam headlights.
Don't have any kids, so the rear seat access hasn't been an issue... but it really is a pain in the butt to use in parking lots. I swear that I'd be so much happier if Honda made a sliding rear door (mini-vanish, i kno).
Anyone else who owns an element hearing a clicking sound from the driver-side seatbelt area around the left ear??? bugs the crap out of me but don't know if it's worth getting serviced for.
Yeah you're probably right, I just need to adjust my thinking about the shifter on the dash. In my defense, I learned to shift on the family Desoto. A 1937 Desoto. In 1952 or so. No I wasn't driving, my Mom let me shift gears while she drove, when I was 12. By gosh THAT shifter went into the floor! I could scoot over to the middle of the bench seat then because seat belts hadn't been invented. Lucky to be alive now, huh.
http://automobiles.honda.com/images/banners/2006/element/element_factsheet.pdf
4-Speed Automatic Transmission (Available)
Gear Ratios: 1st: 2.684, 2nd: 1.535, 3rd: 1.081, 4th: 0.733, Reverse: 2.000, Final Drive: 4.438
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Gear Ratios: 1st: 3.533, 2nd: 2.042, 3rd: 1.355, 4th: 1.028, 5th: 0.825, Reverse: 3.583, Final Drive: 4.765
P.S. Shun the worthless dealer who could not give you readily available information...
tidester, host
If I find the link, I will post.
Meaning maybe it was a faulty driver's seat in one vehicle. I'm not exactly light and I've never felt it in mine.
Hello I just wanted to tell everyone that HONDA really backs up their product.
I just had the trans replaced a power door-lock (slider driver) and replaced the ignition interlock on a van that is OVER 7 years old and has almost 80,000 miles on the odo. No hassle, no BS just yes sir we will repair this under Honda's warranty service. I never bought an extended warranty either. I will drive nothing but Hondas from now on and I will most likely buy them at Norm Reeves in Cerritos SoCal!!!!
Sidenote, - I had a lincoln continental, blew the trans at 72K, the motor at 75K and the suspension at 80Kmls. Ford told me to go fly a kite every time! Guess what? -- I dissuaded at least three peoples from buying a ford product, but have swayed at least six peoples to buy Hondas. I have three Hondas: a '91 Accord, a '99 Odyssey, and an '05 CR-V...
And I really want to add an Element to the list... :-)
With that said, I understand the various reasons why these mpg's are true - large (size and weight) vehicle for the class, high level of wind resistance and so on. With all that, I guess it's reasonable to expect this kind of mileage.
I have been looking for other SUV types and have found nothing that holds up to the specs of the Element.
I've searched and searched for the upcomming (2007) model and have only found the new SC model - lowered and tricked out.
I've heard rumors about a new 5 speed Automatic transmission but can't find any confirmation to this rumor - hoping it's true.
Enough rambeling -
Is there something I'm missing about other alternatives - is there any truth to the 5 speed auto rumor - is there additional information out there that you can point me to?
:: stepping of my soap box::
I am not sure whether they are going to include ESP (stability control) like on the CR-V, but it sure needs it, on the Honda consumer test drive course last year I almost tipped one over zipping around traffic cones, it plowed and rolled a lot. Of course neither I nor most people usually drive like that!
Those include Honda's own CR-V, the RAV4 4 cylinder, and the Forester non-turbo models, especially the LL Bean since it has a similar uncarpeted cargo area.
Outside the small crossover class, you might even include the Matrix for its plastic cargo area. Or even the Toyota FJ Cruiser, for the suicide style doors.
Nowadays people cross-shop all over the place, so don't be surprised if people also consider a Prius and a Vespa.
-juice
It has draw backs though in that the suicide doors can be a pain. For the same reason many families do not consider coupes as daily drivers, the suicide doors are a limitation and seem better suited to infrequent back seat use. They are better than a coupe but you have to contend with them. You will notice the back seat is LOW for adults - again not a problem for kids.
At least on the new SC 2007 "urban" Element the need to take off the front seat belt to get at the rear doors has been resolved. My understanding is that the rest of the Elements still have the suicide door design issue with the front seat belt. Not an issue with little kids though and some parents like the added safety of being in control of when kids leave the vehicle.
So the doors killed it for me and the lack of a telescoping wheel.
I was initially very enthusiastic about an Element as a family vehicle but ended up getting an Odyssey which is much much more practical for our family. My kids are 2 years and 6 months. The Ody also lacks a telescoping wheel but the model we purchased did have power pedals and the Ody has generally more front leg room.
The Ody lacks the funky cool of the Element and is not as aggresively priced.
The Element is not a crazy choice. It is fun and well priced. Just know what you are getting into before you take the plunge.
Thanks for your response. I appreciate the broad range of choices that are out there. A few things that most interest me is versility and mpg - one of which the Element provides. Most of my driving is in-town so the 16-18 mpg ave concerns me.
Looks like the '07 may help that somewhat.
Thanks again.
That is odd...my wife's '06 4wd, automatic is getting 23mpg consistently in town. I took it on a highway run last weekend to pick up 3 pieces of furniture 140 miles away (280 mi round trip). I got 26mpg with it loaded down with a dresser, 2 end tables, and a large framed mirror on board. It currently has 3,500 miles on the clock.
As a mater of fact, there is a post on Edmunds that specifically talks about gas mileage for the Element that discusses in detail mpg across many members.
I'm going to check it out again.
Also, conventional doors have child safety locks, i.e. the doors only open from the outside. We use them all the time. Funny thing is the kids try to climb out the FRONT doors!
-juice
The bad news is that everything on the floor slides to the front/back (shoes, french fries, etc.). And the suicide doors are painful when everyone is trying to get in the car at the same time.
But to my original point, is there some reason why you can't get a power sunroof on the Element? Is it something to do with its center of gravity? Would adding that weight to the top make it too top heavy and cause it to tip in accident avoidance testing? I also wish they offered that big rear sunroof in the 2WD EX model and not just the 4WD. That's the biggest sticking point with me now. Even though I have some dirt roads, they've never been that bad to where I would need a 4WD vehicle. I currently drive an S-10 extended cab and have never gotten stuck. Since gas mileage is certainly a big factor, I don't really need the extra weight (and costs) 4WD offers up. But is there really a noticeable mileage difference?
Just my two cents!
There's a more conventional one in the CR-V, the Element is just, well, unconventional.
-juice
In addition to their extraordinary level of practicality, each has its unique identity. The Element has the "I want to be an SUV" identity, while the Mazda5 has the "I want to be a Minivan" identity. Either does a perfect job in the "I want to be" department, but both hit high marks on the practicality and category killing at an affordable price range.
As a side note: If you are looking for high BB ratio (bang/buck), then take a look at xB. Not much to look at or drive on, but it has very HIGH BB ratio.
-juice
Yes! I have had the same problem. Strangely enough it is coming from the door hinge. The quick fix is a little bit of lubercant on the metal piece. But if that doesn't work you might need to have it adjusted.
-juice
The extremely versatile Honda Element SUV undergoes a transformation for 2007 with freshened styling, 10 more horsepower, new 5-speed automatic transmission (available) and extensive new standard safety equipment that includes side curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist(TM) (VSA(R)).
and also:
In addition to new safety equipment, more than a dozen enhancements have been made to the Element LX and EX, highlighted by new headlight and grille styling, a more powerful 166-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, Drive-by-Wire(TM) throttle control system, new interior color schemes, standard painted exterior body panels (EX only), Maintenance Minder(TM) system, black urethane flooring, new gauge designs and more. As a further enhancement, the addition of seat-integrated front safety belts to all Element models allows for much easier rear passenger loading and unloading.
The biggies: side curtain airbags, and stability control! Yay, finally, now if the backseat ride isn't so harsh, it is definitely back on my list!
In the not too shabby department: seat-integrated front safety belts, 10 extra horsepower (and most importantly, you can get it with a stick shift, I was stuck with an automatic on my former minivan).
The other models' grille seems to sit just above the lights, which is a bit odd. But I prefer the grille, and the two-tone gives it some added character.
-juice
-juice
I do like the added color of the GALAXY GREY, one has to see this color in bright sun close up, what a cool color this is!!! It caught my eye on a Civic, but I really didn't expect to see it on the Element.
Mine will be an '07 4WD EX in GALAXY GREY!