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Honda Element
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 2010-02-03 9:15 PM |
Master  1669     "Home of Superman" |  Subject: Honda ElementWhat say you? Likes and dislikes please. |
| 2010-02-03 9:27 PM in reply to: #2653733 |
| Payson, AZ | Subject: RE: Honda Element Blind spots are HORRIBLE. It is more comfortable then I thought it would be. Sleeping in it though is not if you sleep on the folded down back seats. Better off with a mat and sleeping bag on the main floor. Love the amount of space in the inside as you get in and out of your snow gear as your greating ready to go board/snowshow/cross country ski. Did I mention blind spots? Can you tell what my main focus is vehicle wise? I did not use it to haul bikes. I have my truck for that with a rack. |
| 2010-02-03 9:39 PM in reply to: #2653752 |
Master 1669 "Home of Superman" | Subject: RE: Honda Element bzgl40 - 2010-02-03 11:27 PM Blind spots are HORRIBLE. It is more comfortable then I thought it would be. Sleeping in it though is not if you sleep on the folded down back seats. Better off with a mat and sleeping bag on the main floor. Love the amount of space in the inside as you get in and out of your snow gear as your greating ready to go board/snowshow/cross country ski. Did I mention blind spots? Can you tell what my main focus is vehicle wise? I did not use it to haul bikes. I have my truck for that with a rack. I was looking at all the room as well. Hoping it would be easy to sleep in at tri ans such. Trying to cut back on hotels. It has some neat accessories with it, the canopy, tent, etc. I haven't driven one yet. I hear it has blind spots, you had any expierence with that? HA How is it as far as power goes with on ly a 4 cylinder? |
| 2010-02-03 10:06 PM in reply to: #2653770 |
| Payson, AZ | Subject: RE: Honda Element medic1962 - 2010-02-03 7:39 PM bzgl40 - 2010-02-03 11:27 PM Blind spots are HORRIBLE. It is more comfortable then I thought it would be. Sleeping in it though is not if you sleep on the folded down back seats. Better off with a mat and sleeping bag on the main floor. Love the amount of space in the inside as you get in and out of your snow gear as your greating ready to go board/snowshow/cross country ski. Did I mention blind spots? Can you tell what my main focus is vehicle wise? I did not use it to haul bikes. I have my truck for that with a rack. I was looking at all the room as well. Hoping it would be easy to sleep in at tri ans such. Trying to cut back on hotels. It has some neat accessories with it, the canopy, tent, etc. I haven't driven one yet. I hear it has blind spots, you had any expierence with that? HA How is it as far as power goes with on ly a 4 cylinder? The 4 is not so bad. It's a pretty light little sucker. One thing you do want to look into though is it's towing power. Or lack there of. Might not be a concern to you of course. Also, if you plan on putting a roof rack on top you'll want to change out what Honda has. I mentioned the blind spots right? |
| 2010-02-03 10:11 PM in reply to: #2653733 |
Extreme Veteran 745 Colo Springs, CO | Subject: RE: Honda Element We test drove one and the road noise was pretty noticeable. So we decided against it as our main vehicle (the one we take for long road trips.) Then when my Blazer died, I was going to get an Element as my "around town/haul the training stuff" vehicle, but ended up inheriting my dad's Tacoma, so no Element for me (I really wanted the orange Element!) |
| 2010-02-03 10:21 PM in reply to: #2653813 |
Master 1669 "Home of Superman" | Subject: RE: Honda Element lodewey - 2010-02-04 12:11 AM We test drove one and the road noise was pretty noticeable. So we decided against it as our main vehicle (the one we take for long road trips.) Then when my Blazer died, I was going to get an Element as my "around town/haul the training stuff" vehicle, but ended up inheriting my dad's Tacoma, so no Element for me (I really wanted the orange Element!) Probably wouldn't take it on trips over 3 hours or so. How bad is the noise? It had enough room for you and your stuff though right? |
| 2010-02-03 10:22 PM in reply to: #2653813 |
| Payson, AZ | Subject: RE: Honda Element lodewey - 2010-02-03 8:11 PM We test drove one and the road noise was pretty noticeable. So we decided against it as our main vehicle (the one we take for long road trips.) Then when my Blazer died, I was going to get an Element as my "around town/haul the training stuff" vehicle, but ended up inheriting my dad's Tacoma, so no Element for me (I really wanted the orange Element!) That is true, it is not the quietest vehicle. It's not far off from my truck really. Especially if you put snow tires on it. But, I consider it reasonable for the type/purpose of the vehicle. |
| 2010-02-03 10:26 PM in reply to: #2653733 |
Master 1669 "Home of Superman" | Subject: RE: Honda Element Great info, thanks. |
| 2010-02-03 10:32 PM in reply to: #2653822 |
| Payson, AZ | Subject: RE: Honda Element medic1962 - 2010-02-03 8:21 PM lodewey - 2010-02-04 12:11 AM We test drove one and the road noise was pretty noticeable. So we decided against it as our main vehicle (the one we take for long road trips.) Then when my Blazer died, I was going to get an Element as my "around town/haul the training stuff" vehicle, but ended up inheriting my dad's Tacoma, so no Element for me (I really wanted the orange Element!) Probably wouldn't take it on trips over 3 hours or so. How bad is the noise? It had enough room for you and your stuff though right? You'll easily be able to listen to yourself sing to whatever you got playing on the stereo as you roll on down the highway. It will easily fit all your stuff and then some. I actually know two separate people who have moved across country using Elements. Granted that was just personal stuff, not furniture, but still quite impressive. |
| 2010-02-03 10:34 PM in reply to: #2653733 |
Extreme Veteran 513 Albuquerque | Subject: RE: Honda Element My mom drives an Element and loves it, and I've loved borrowing that car. I have said for years that I would get one as my next vehicle... the interior space, the head room, the drivability... it suits my needs very well. And great for dogs. Also, check this out. Convertible pop-up campers for the moon roof options... pricey, but really really neat. http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/camper.htm ETA: link not working Edited by megtrow 2010-02-03 10:37 PM |
| 2010-02-04 4:20 AM in reply to: #2653733 |
Extreme Veteran 371 Jakarta Selatan, Unknown | Subject: RE: Honda Element If I were 18 and live in a suburb, I definately be driven one of those. It has a "hip" element to the car. Rugged but also blend to the surrounds environment.. But if you wanted to use for cross-terrain (carrying heavy equipment accross countries), it may not be the optimum vehicle for that. It's a cool car, but not too practical... I found it cute  |
| 2010-02-04 8:30 AM in reply to: #2653733 |
Champion 11989 Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: Honda Element |
| 2010-02-04 9:09 AM in reply to: #2653733 |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: Honda Element I have 2 friends with Elements that love them. If I didn't have 5 kids to tote around I might consider it. Very functional. |
| 2010-02-04 9:18 AM in reply to: #2653733 |
| Hawai'i | Subject: RE: Honda Element It is a pretty simple car. There is plenty of leg, shoulder and head room in the front. Rear seats are great for kids, I can't sit comfortably back their at 6'3". If you are over 6 foot and sit straight (very straight) you may notice the head rest pressing against the back of your neck or upper back in the front seats. Most people don't have that great of posture so they never notice it. I don't have any issues with blind spots but my other car is an FJ and that is chock full of blind spots. Either way if you drive alert you can see everything. The seats are not great for sleeping, no matter how you configure them. I guess lifting them up and sleeping on the floor would be best but then really I can't imagine planning to sleep in a car. The interior room is nice and being able to remove or lift the back seats helps. Whenever we do trips of any distance we can keep a cooler behind the front seat and it doesn't get in the way of the kids room and we can easily grab snacks. There is no towing capacity (maybe 1500lbs possibly 1000), so don't buy it if you have any plans of towing anything other than a light trailer to carry rubbish to the dump or small home depot runs. The 4 cylinder is adequate. You will have no problem merging onto any highway. We take ours over the roads that can be steep and it goes up it with no problem. You aren't going to be beating anyone off the line but it has enough to not feel sluggish. I don't notice the road noise that others have spoken of, but I may not be paying attention for it. Gas mileage is only ok, you get mid 20s depending on how hard you push it. There is no clearance so the fact that it is 4wd does not mean you can go off road with it on anything other than a fire road. It just isn't designed for that type of driving, plus it only goes in 4wd mode when it thinks it needs to. It has more offroad range than a honda civic but nothing compared to a Jeep. It is a great vehicle for many uses. We like them for how practical they are. They aren't perfect for one specific use but can cover ground for a whole bunch of different ones. Finally, yes they are ugly. Edited by bigislandfj 2010-02-04 9:21 AM |
| 2010-02-04 9:21 AM in reply to: #2653733 |
Champion 5874 Milton, GA | Subject: RE: Honda Element Likes- You can fit 2 road bikes in without having to take the wheels off Dislikes- Ugly (of course, matter of opinion) |
| 2010-02-04 9:26 AM in reply to: #2653733 |
Expert 770 Long Island, NY | Subject: RE: Honda Element Ugly as s#$t but I loved mine and frequently wish for it back. It was like a Swiss Army car and it's nickname became my screen name. I sold it for a Mustang when we got an Odyssey and no longer needed two haulers. Bikes fit with the wheels on. I've had loads of firewood, belgian blocks, lumber, 800lbs of concrete bags, and almost anything you can think of in mine. Long trips with the family were no problem, and snapping kids in carseats is so easy with the suicide doors. I had a cargo turtle for extra storage when I needed it for journeys. Not too bad to sleep in, either. Really does hose out clean. Yes, I miss it. |
| 2010-02-04 9:38 AM in reply to: #2653733 |
Extreme Veteran 371 Jakarta Selatan, Unknown | Subject: RE: Honda Element I drove something like that many years ago. It is similar to the element (except with the suicide door). I think it fits more into inner city or beach nearby place, and its associated to family with small children.. |
| 2010-02-04 9:56 AM in reply to: #2653733 |
| over a barrier | Subject: RE: Honda Element Love my Element. Its the perfect Tri Lifestyle car. I don't even keep the back seats in the car anymore. Just roll the bikes in the back and you're done. I've had 5 bikes in the back with no issues.... I don't think they're ugly. I don't have any reasons to tow anything so I can't comment there... Edited by running2far 2010-02-04 9:56 AM |
| 2010-02-04 10:41 AM in reply to: #2653733 |
Master 1641 Seattle, California | Subject: RE: Honda Element I absolutely love our element. I can easily fit 2 road bikes in the car with only 1 seat flipped up against the side. In fact I can fit almost anything in there. Gas mileage is pretty good and I have taken it over the rockies numerous times. Not the fastest car on the road but it gets the job done. I highly recommend this car to people without kids or who wont be carrying passengers in the back seat often (see point 3 below). There are a few negatives though. 1) Blind spots there are a few of these but in general if you use your mirrors this is a non starter for me. 2) Coolness factor. You are going picking up cool points driving one 3) Rear seat passengers. If you are going to have people in the back seats a lot the suicide doors can be a major pain in the a$$. It's just me and my wife 95% of the time so I don't really care. If I had kids I was constantly trucking around in the back seat I think I would become annoyed beyond belief. It is very hard to get people out of teh back seat if you are in a tight parking spot. When you have lots of room though the opposite is true. Suicide doors are awesome if you have the space. Edited by Global 2010-02-04 10:44 AM |
| 2010-02-04 11:06 AM in reply to: #2653838 |
Champion 4835 Eat Cheese or Die | Subject: RE: Honda Element megtrow - 2010-02-03 10:34 PM My mom drives an Element and loves it, and I've loved borrowing that car. I have said for years that I would get one as my next vehicle... the interior space, the head room, the drivability... it suits my needs very well. And great for dogs. Also, check this out. Convertible pop-up campers for the moon roof options... pricey, but really really neat. http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/camper.htm ETA: link not working That conversion is seriously awesome. |
| 2010-02-04 1:47 PM in reply to: #2653733 |
Champion 6786 Two seat rocket plane | Subject: RE: Honda Element Ours is a 2005 that just recently rolled 100k miles. As a practical vehicle for going to rides/races, I can't think of a better vehicle. I had two Outbacks before the Element, and thought it couldn't get any better than that. HIghs and lows on the plus side:
On the DL:
Bottom line: I'd buy another one. |
| 2010-02-04 4:08 PM in reply to: #2653733 |
Elite 5316 Alturas, California | Subject: RE: Honda Element Um.. but the conversion is $5000.... that is 50 to 100 nights in a hotel room for races (depending on motel 6 or Holiday Inn. I am not sure you are saving anything unless you go to a lot of races. If you race 5x per year 2 nights per race that is 5-10 years to pay off the conversion and if the car lats 5-10 years.... So mostly it would just be for fun. |
| 2010-02-04 7:26 PM in reply to: #2653733 |
Expert 958 Mississippi | Subject: RE: Honda Element I absolute love my '08 SC. I knew I wanted an Element, coming from having a full size truck, I'm quite surprised how much I love it. It rides higher up like a small truck, but it is maneuverable like a car, which I love. I've put 30,000 miles in a 15 months with it. Haven't had any problem yet, KNOCK ON WOOD! The room is great inside, I am able to fit two bikes inside, and all my junk for stage races. I've slept two night inside the thing, I just love it. I'll leave you with a picture:  |
| 2010-02-04 7:38 PM in reply to: #2655685 |
Champion 4835 Eat Cheese or Die | Subject: RE: Honda Element Baowolf - 2010-02-04 4:08 PM Um.. but the conversion is $5000.... that is 50 to 100 nights in a hotel room for races (depending on motel 6 or Holiday Inn. I am not sure you are saving anything unless you go to a lot of races. If you race 5x per year 2 nights per race that is 5-10 years to pay off the conversion and if the car lats 5-10 years.... So mostly it would just be for fun. Some of us do more then just tri racing. I could easily spent 10 to 15 nights a year camping out of it without using it for races. My wife's car that we just traded was 10 years old. My car is 9 years old and we've owned it for 7. We plan on owning it for at least another year. Hoping for 2. All that being said, I would probably not go for that conversion. If I am sleeping in the car I am by myself and I get by with a backpacking tent now and would just sleep in the back. BTW we don't own one now. We have a Honda Pilot, which is the newer vehicle, and the old one is Ford Escape. The Escape is mine and the short list of possible replaces is a Subaru Outback or WRX, an Element or another Escape. Edited by graceful_dave 2010-02-04 7:44 PM |
| 2010-02-04 8:37 PM in reply to: #2653822 |
Extreme Veteran 745 Colo Springs, CO | Subject: RE: Honda Element medic1962 - 2010-02-03 9:21 PM lodewey - 2010-02-04 12:11 AM We test drove one and the road noise was pretty noticeable. So we decided against it as our main vehicle (the one we take for long road trips.) Then when my Blazer died, I was going to get an Element as my "around town/haul the training stuff" vehicle, but ended up inheriting my dad's Tacoma, so no Element for me (I really wanted the orange Element!) Probably wouldn't take it on trips over 3 hours or so. How bad is the noise? It had enough room for you and your stuff though right? It was louder than my Chevy Silverado 3/4 ton and my Toyota Tacoma and my hubby's Nissan Xterra. It was quieter than our LandRover Defender 90 (but everything is quieter than one of those!) Tons of room, and I loved that the back is all plastic so you can wipe it down. |
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