Honda Element

hickok45 · 12-19-2005, 06:40

Anybody had much experience with the Honda Element. I looked at one yesterday and was fairly impressed for what I might want.

Pretty cool, and seems smartly designed, even if it is ugly. I'm more into practical vehicles than power and style. I drove boxy old Volvos for about a decade - nothing sexy about them. Guess that's why I was amost first on the block to fall in love with Glocks!

Dandapani · 12-19-2005, 07:23

IF I had to choose among the box cars, I would get the Scion instead. The Element never appealed to me at all. Fugly from the word go. Too much plastic panels. Even in all black, it's ugly.

Markcuda · 12-19-2005, 07:39

Quote:

I would get the Scion instead

Now that is one "Fugly" lookin' thing;f
What are you, 17?;z ;z

epsylum · 12-19-2005, 10:26

Quote:

Originally posted by dmobrien2001
IF I had to choose among the box cars, I would get the Scion instead. The Element never appealed to me at all. Fugly from the word go. Too much plastic panels. Even in all black, it's ugly.

I hate to say it, but I agree.

The xB isn't exactly pretty, but it doesn't have those butt-ugly flat black panels all over it.

I saw an element in a parking lot where the idiot owner tried to wax the black panels. It had a nice dull white coating all over it.

^2
;f

hickok45 · 12-19-2005, 13:23

Come on guys, don't be superficial! Glocks are ugly, too, but the beaufy lies in their function and intelligent design! The way cars rust away, I'd just as soon Gaston Glock make the bodies for all of them.

Anyway, I do appreciate the input. I've looked at the Scion, too, but it doesn't seem as solid. I'd need to drive them both again to have any credible opionions, though.

Dandapani · 12-19-2005, 15:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Markcuda
Now that is one "Fugly" lookin' thing;f
What are you, 17?;z ;z

I wouldn't buy any of the box cars, but IF I had to choose... At least, with all metal box, you can do something interesting with the paint job.

No, I'm 50.

Eagle78101 · 12-19-2005, 17:23

There is an entire forum dedicated to the Element. Google "Honda Element Owners Club and it should come up.

My neighbor has an Element. It runs great and is smooth and easy to drive. It holds an amazing amount of stuff and sips gas. Great car.

tog · 12-19-2005, 21:14

element is the glock of cars

***Norman*** · 12-20-2005, 11:56

Why not one of those new Explorers? They look pretty nice, and they aren't a complete box.

grecco · 12-20-2005, 12:02

looks like a mini cooper had sex with a hummer,
actually all i can say ,
ITS A HONDA

actually i did alot of research and thought about getting one,
they are not ugly,just different.
they ,like all honda cars are very well thought out.
they have the usuall engineering and quality honda is known for.

i was about to buy it, until i drove the accord v6 coupe.
just could not say no to the 240hp.

i have,or we have owned the following honda's
1986 accord...sold w/139k miles on it.
1990 accord...still running
1992 accord...still running
1996 acura integra(honda product)....stolen
2003 accord v-6...still going strong and no issues at 49k miles.

benji · 12-24-2005, 10:53

i have an element an i absolutely love it. it is kind of ugly on the outside, but you get used to it, and now i really kind of like it. it has way more interior room in it than anything i've ever had. it definitely puts my last vehicle (ford explorer sport trac) to shame in every way possible. i've been moving lately and the element can fit more boxes in it than you would ever imagine. i love the ugly little bastard.

GoGators · 12-24-2005, 19:54

function over form for me. go with the honda

ShipWreck · 12-24-2005, 21:06

I really like the way it looks. It's a 4 cylinder, but is faily heavy so the gas milage is not quite as good as a 4 cylinder. I have a Toyota Matrix, and would get an Element next time, but I need that little extra milage difference, since I work out of town.

I think the element looks pretty cool - especially the red one and the burnt orange color.

As for the comments that the Psicion Xb looks nicer - you gotta be crazy :p

ChuteTheMall · 12-27-2005, 18:07

I heard they barely get 19 mpg in the real world. ;Q

I'm hoping for the impossible, a 2nd generation with a V6 which also gets better mileage, and maybe a longer cargo space (big enough for a bed, to sleep inside), and a sunroof in the proper location.

And a properly located drink holder too. I wouldn't mind a 4wd with better ground clearance, maybe a slightly lower roof too. But then it wouldn't be the Element anymore.

hickok45 · 12-28-2005, 12:05

Well, since starting this thread, I've researched, test driven, and shopped pretty extensively.

I now have a big smile on my face because my new ride is a Rallye Red '06 EX AWD Element, and I'm just strange enough to love it, although I may need to put an NRA sticker on the rear window to avoid being mistaken for a leftist.

While they appeal to a variety of folks, I do see a lot of leftist-looking folks wheeling around in them.

ShipWreck · 12-28-2005, 14:04

Well, I think its a nice vehicle, myself. If the milage was a tiny bit better, I'd contemplate getting one for my next vehicle. I'll probably just by a 2nd Toyota Matrix, but the Element would be my 2nd choice...

benji · 12-29-2005, 06:11

i got 23 mpg on my last tank, and i drive like an idiot. congrats on the new purchase! check out www.elementownersclub.com, every question you could think of has probably been beat to death there.

FlaFF · 01-06-2006, 14:51

The lowest my wife has gotten is 23mpg in stop and go driving. When I drive on long trips we regularly get 27-28mpg. It is easily th emost functional vehicle without a bed (truck) I've owned.

FlaFF

hickok45 · 01-10-2006, 18:52

My first two or three tanks gave me 23 to 24 MPG, but I just gassed up and did the math on my 4th tank and got exactly 25 mpg. Mostly open road driving, which is mostly what I do, but I expect this to be about as good as it gets. That's okay; I really like the car thus far. I'll give up the 5 mpgs for a car that I fit into better and is a bit of a Swiss Army knife of a car.

ShipWreck · 01-10-2006, 18:55

Quote:

Originally posted by G. Glock
My first two or three tanks gave me 23 to 24 MPG, but I just gassed up and did the math on my 4th tank and got exactly 25 mpg. Mostly open road driving, which is mostly what I do, but I expect this to be about as good as it gets. That's okay; I really like the car thus far. I'll give up the 5 mpgs for a car that I fit into better and is a bit of a Swiss Army knife of a car.

Post pics!

hickok45 · 01-14-2006, 12:36

Your wish is my command. I'm glad to post of pic of the little red brick!

ShipWreck · 01-14-2006, 16:54

Quote:

Originally posted by G. Glock
Your wish is my command. I'm glad to post of pic of the little red brick!

That is sweet. The red and the burnt orange are my 2 fav elements - Nice

obxprnstar · 04-30-2006, 10:19

I test drove one the other day, and was not really impressed with the lack of "get out of it's own way" ness. The drink holders are also a bit of a hickup, otherwsie, I really liked it.

bb guns · 04-30-2006, 14:20

I have a 2003, BEST car I ever have had! It's all wheel drive, get's 24-25 on long trips, and 19mpg in town.. I am 6'2", 290 and it has more room behind the wheel than my Tahoe had. 36,000 miles on it and NEVER had a problem...

Old School · 05-01-2006, 12:09

Plastic panels also mean less metal area to wash & wax.