Element owners...

[tygab]

Well, I didn't want to hijack the other thread in which Elements came up a few times, so... I am considering getting one and would like owner opinions.

what do you like best about the car? what do you like least (if anything)?
how has it helped you for biking?
What non-biking activities have you used it for?
What's your gas mileage like?
Can you really hose it out?
What options would you recommend?
Does it accelerate reasonably well, say to merge onto the highway?

I would love to get some real user opinions before I subject myself to salesweasels...

Thanks!

[LaBiker]

Well, I didn't want to hijack the other thread in which Elements came up a few times, so... I am considering getting one and would like owner opinions.



I researched a lot of SUV-type vehicles before deciding on an Element ... and I really decided before I test drove it. (Any vehicle under consideration needed to be wide enough through the interior to accommodate two wire dog crates). I didn't want a van or a mini-van.

The first time I got behind the wheel, I knew I'd made a perfect choice. Two years later I still think so.

What I like best is the amazing amount of cargo space. I immediately removed the back seats. It is easy to take them in and out, but I don't need them more than once a year.

What I like next best is the handling and general driving experience. I owned Subarus before my Element. It had gotten to the point that there were some freeway entrances that were simply too dangerous for me to use because I did not have the needed acceleration.

The Element really GOES. It's common for new-to-Element drivers to lay a bit of front rubber because the vehicle is so responsive. That's for the stick shift, which I have. I also got the AWD model.

I'm not sure how many bicycles could be transported in one, but I can readily get two in and have lots more room.

I use Quint (Quintessential Element) as my overnight vehicle at dog shows. I back her up to a EZ-Up Shade Canopy, unload the dog crates and all the gear and I've got a really comfortable and inexpensive campsite. I sleep in the back on an air mattress and one dog sleeps with me and the other dog sleeps on the passenger seat laid out flat as a "bunk bed."

I made privacy curtains from a pattern constructed by my friend who also has an Element.

A fun source of information is the Honda Element owners club. Check out the website: www.elementownersclub.com

What I like least: Rain drips from the top of the door frame onto the seat when you open it -- best to travel with a towel if you live in wet country like I do. I have a 2004 and they may have designed a better door by now.

And no, you can't hose them down, but they are very easy to clean.

I've gotten anywhere between 22 and 30mpg and I average around 24. I haul a fair amount of gear and the vehicle itself is heavy, so I am pleased with the resulting mileage. I've had her up to 90mph sort of by mistake ... I was just cruising along in a 75mph zone and it felt effortless.

I've had people tell me I drive the ugliest car they've ever seen. I just smile and say "I know." To have one is to love one, whether you like the looks or not.

[Ashgarth]

my mom has an Element and LOVES it!
She had a RAV4 before hand and was o disappointed with the cargo space (she hauls a lot of furniture). After a year or so she decided to go for the Element and she is so glad she did. She doesn't bike or anything, but I have taken my bike on trips using her car and it's perfect. there is plently of room to haul it, and the fact that the bottom is rubber (?) you dont need to worry about things getting scratched.
I think she gets mid 20's in terms of gas mileage..so pretty reasonable.

[redhot3368]

Well, I didn't want to hijack the other thread in which Elements came up a few times, so... I am considering getting one and would like owner opinions.

what do you like best about the car? what do you like least (if anything)?
how has it helped you for biking?
What non-biking activities have you used it for?
What's your gas mileage like?
Can you really hose it out?
What options would you recommend?
Does it accelerate reasonably well, say to merge onto the highway?

I would love to get some real user opinions before I subject myself to salesweasels...

Thanks!

LOVE IT!!! I have the Green 2004 Element...as does Emily_in_NC!!
It is Great!!
I first noticed it when they it the adverstising car for Mountain biking Magazine!!
I USED to haul bikes in it, but about a year ago, got a rack for the back.
Gas milage is good, about 23 miles to the gallen, freeway miles.
the back seats are great, they sit up higher then the front, quite a bit of leg room in the back too.
the whole vehicle has LOTS of room.
Quite affordable for an SUV type of vehicle.
I have not tried to hose it out...
I have taken both back seats completely out, to haul bikes and gear.
the seats can hook up to the side windows too but I hate driving when the seats are up like that, can't see too good.
Its does accelerate well onto the freeway!
I have had no problems with it.


all in all a GREAT car.

let me know if you have any more questions!!

karen

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

We put both full sized bikes standing up inside the back of our Element. One is strapped to each side, strapped to the handy hooks inside near the ceiling- easy! We don't take any wheels off, the bikes stand inside leaning against the sides of the car. Then load all your cargo in the middle.

We usually have the back seats OUT. (We use our other car for passengers usually). If you take the back seats out and push the front seats all the way forward, you can fit a 6' 2" foam mattress in the back for sleeping. That's how we camp out, then rigging a tarp off the back for a "kitchen/dining/living area", like this:
http://www.oldsongs.org/blackcreek/2005/2005-Pages/Image1.html (that's a friend mooching coffee in the picture)

What I love best: no rugs!!! also: Skylight that opens so you can get air while sleeping (we throw a screen cloth w/magnets over it to keep out bugs)

What I love least: that you have to open the front doors first in order to open the back passenger doors. They overlap to close. annoying.

Most useful accessory: bought the official privacy full wrap-around curtain for the inside- and it is really nicer than stuff we used to rig up ourselves.

[twin]

I like to haul my bikes and bike related items in my Element and head out for another area. I have fairly large bikes 56/57cm and they fit fine. I can put a bike in the space between the front and rear seat if I take off the front wheel.

It is easy to clean because you do not have rugs so you can sweep it out very easily.

The Element is great for bringing items home from places like Home Depot and the grocery store and when I have had to move.

I have not taken my Element on a long road trip yet and I will most likely for backpacking and it will hold all the gear for three I think.

One of the best features is the acceleration, the Element is so good at that. It seems a bit faster than my sisters CRV. I like how the back seats are a little higher so the people in the back can see better and I know the CRV does not have that feature.

It does not have three seatbelts in the back and sometimes I find that to be a little bit of a disadvantage.

Overall I have no complaints and all good feelings about my black Element. Gas milage is ok.

[dakay]

I love my Element. It is a 2005 AWD with a stick shift. I usually have the back seats out. I built a shelf for one side of the back for my wire dog crate to sit on and there is storage underneath it. There is room for 2 bikes to stand upright next to the dog crate. I like all of the tie down points to keep things from sliding around. Like LaBiker I have camped in mine at dog shows.

My husband and I drove it from Seattle to Ohio about a month after I got it last year. There was plenty of space for everything, even with the dog crate in the car. There is a lot of room in the front so you don't feel cramped and can move around some on long trips. Before the Element I drove a VW Vanagon for several years and then a Subaru Forester. The Element is much more stable and peppy than the VW and has a LOT more room than either the VW or the Subaru. The inside height is great and it is wide enough that my bike will fit across the car without taking the front wheel off.

When you drive the Element it feels like you are sitting up high like a van or a truck but it is very easy to get in and out of. Having to open the front door to open the back is a bit of a hassle but the accessability with both doors open is nice. I agree with twin that there are times when 3 seat belts in back would be good.

The Element is the most practical car that I have ever had. It works great for me.

[KnottedYet]

When my dear old Subaru Legacy was on it's last legs, I was considering an Element.

There were only 2 things that I didn't like: 1. The safety pillar was "made" out of the overlapping doors rather than being part of the roll cage. 2. The AWD version cost more than the Subaru Impreza and I couldn't get AWD and manual transmission. (2005)

My old honda Accord was a great car, and since the Element is built from a Civic (also a great car) I had no concerns about quality. But I did worry about the safety pillar, the price, and I'm a stick-shift afficionado. ("if it don't clutch, it ain't much")

So I got Subi #3, but I still have a little lust in my soul for an Element...

[DebW]

Anybody put things (kayaks, canoes, bikes) on the roof of an Element? Does it take a sturdy roof rack (like Yakima or Thule)? Are there strong tie-down points under the bumpers? Do you feel like it's a excessively high lift to get things up there?

[dakay]

Anybody put things (kayaks, canoes, bikes) on the roof of an Element? Does it take a sturdy roof rack (like Yakima or Thule)? Are there strong tie-down points under the bumpers? Do you feel like it's a excessively high lift to get things up there?

I have a Yakima rack for my Element. I use it for kayaks. There are tie down points under the bumpers. The biggest problem is that the towers can only be located at certain points so they are only about 2 ft. apart and not close enough to the rear of the car. It's not too bad to get the kayaks up with 2 people but I doubt if I could do it by myself. Yakima makes a little pipe thing that sticks out from the end of the pipe on the rack to make loading with one person easier. You can lift the bow onto the pipe and then manuver the boat one end at a time onto the rack. It looks like it would work.

[emily_in_nc]

Anybody put things (kayaks, canoes, bikes) on the roof of an Element? Does it take a sturdy roof rack (like Yakima or Thule)? Are there strong tie-down points under the bumpers? Do you feel like it's a excessively high lift to get things up there?

We bought a nice Thule roof rack and kayak cradles for our Element. It is a tall vehicle (and I'm under 5'3"), so it's a bit of a challenge to get our long/heavy touring kayaks up on top. We only do that if we're taking a rather major trip. For close-to-home paddles, we put them in the back of hubby's pickup (he made a little restraining thing for them). But yes, it can certainly be done.

Emily

[Pascale]

We have a green 2003 Element, but we bought it for really one reason only....

HUGE dogs!

It's like a kennel on wheels, the hair has nothing to stick to, and it wipes clean. There's been nothing we've not been able to haul in it (my husband transported a motorcycle in it over the weekend) and the dogs LOVE it. Both bikes fit inside (as long as we pull the front wheel off of mine). We also love the MP3 jack (in 2003, that was still fairly rare).

There's just nothing like it! Oh, and the turning radius is AMAZING - I can turn that sucker around in the smallest places - I'd buy another one in a HEARTBEAT!

http://www.frontiernet.net/~pasos/element.jpg

[tygab]

This has been great feedback - thanks everyone! I too currently have a Subaru (WRX) so it seems to appeal to a similar person. My husband's car is also a Subaru. I wouldn't be considering a move away from it but we have the need to haul things the Subarus can't, and that need will be increasing over time. Both our cars are also in their upper mileages, so it may make sense to do a trade in while my car still has some value. For camping and fun things we like to do, the Element sounds pretty similar to the Subie (although, not quite as cool looking for sure).

I would definitely want the AWD, after having it with my Subaru I don't think I could go back to a FWD car!

I am glad to hear so many of you are happy Element owners.

[emily_in_nc]

Yep, I'm a former Subaru owner too...loved my 2001 Forester until it developed numerous problems in its fourth year of life. Began with the "check engine" light coming on over and over despite multiple fixes from the dealer. Ended with a shot transmission and estimate of $4K to replace it (Subaru dealers will not repair transmissions, only replace them). This in a 4 year old car!!! The Subaru dealer here was such a bunch of jerks, too, at one point my husband had to go down and yell at them to give me a loaner car because my car lived in their shop, for the most part, for the last few months of its sad and short life, and they never once offered me a loaner.

Finally I threw my hands up, traded the Sube in for an Element, and have never looked back! There is at least twice the cargo space (with the rear seats removed) in the Element - no more lying bikes down on top of each other or getting grease on the carpet, either! :)

I loved the environmental bent of the Subaru brand, but after my experience, I wouldn't take the chance on buying another one.

I sure do miss my little digital thermometer thingie showing the outside temp, though....Elements did not have them as an option, at least in the 2004 model. :(

Emily

[DrBee]

I've been out of town - so I'm finally getting to pipe in on this thread.

I, too have an Element (2004). We love it! Mr. Fish (hubby) is a woodturner/woodworker so we are constantly picking up logs from interesting trees from the side of the road.

It's great for hauling the dogs around and the kids! We have 2 young children and have taken the Element of numerous long (multi-day) road trips and it still looks (almost) as good as new. I love being able to wipe everything down and being able to sweep it out! I have not yet taken the hose to it, but I'm dying to try it!

I've also transported 2 bikes in it (w/o kids) with no problem at all! You can fill the thing pretty much endlessly. We say it has a black hole generator. :)

Once you get in one - you'll love it!

[DrBee]

Some advice when car shopping. Get an internet quote!!! It will save you hours of dealing with car salesmen. Once you have the quote - you just go in and buy it. It's painless. That's how I purchased my last 2 hondas.

[pooks]

We've had our E since 2003. There's an Element list on yahoo and the element owners club site (already mentioned) that have lots of info.

What I love most:

It represented the life I wanted to have but didn't!

I know that's crazy, but I'd been driving a leather interior Chrysler Cirrus (which I loved), black (which showed every spot but was so pretty when shiny, and I did keep it shiny). But one look at that Element commercial on television and I was hooked. I looked them up online, read about them, loved what I read. Hadn't seen any on the roads and then a Sunset Orange Pearl (the official name for "orange) passed me and I knew I HAD TO HAVE THAT.

I demanded that we go test drive them. My husband was doubtful, but he LOVED it. When I drove it, I couldn't believe how FUN it was to drive. "More fun than a food fight," is how I used to describe it.

It was great for our dogs, and I love not having carpet. So quick to wipe up anything from mud to spills. No, you can't hose it, but I just keep a small whisk broom in one of the side pockets. On the rare occasions I decide to clean the floor I whisk it out, then if I really want to go all the way, bring a big container of soapy water (just a little dish soap, not overly soapy) and wipe the floors. Then wipe them with clear water. Then finished. And this doesn't take long, believe me.

Okay, so we immediately took ours camping and it was great. We tent camp, and take all sorts of things with us, but it held it all. (We actually decided we like leaving the back seats in place for that, instead of having one big open area with stuff just piled and stacked.)

http://planetpooks.wordpress.com/files/2006/08/loaded-element.jpg

Turns into:

http://planetpooks.wordpress.com/files/2006/08/interior-tent.jpg

and:

http://planetpooks.wordpress.com/files/2006/08/second-site.jpg

I said we tent camp. I didn't say we rough it! LOL.

We don't camp nearly as often as I'd like, but now we've added biking to the agenda, and are LOVING it. (Our bikes are extra big so we have to pop the front tires off to fit them in the E, but we're the only people we know who do so I'm thinking it's because they're shaft drives and are just a little bigger than most, plus they're 27" tires.)

I'm wanting a canoe or kayak, next.

So for us, buying the E opened us up to the ability to live the kind of life we've always wanted to do but never got around to doing!

Mileage: Loaded down for camping and including mountain driving two weeks ago, we were getting 23-24 mpg on the road. In town we don't get that, but I'm heavy on the gas pedal and need to break myself of that habit. (I did say it was fun to drive, right? Well, that's what makes it fun. Zoooom!)

Would I love a vehicle with better mpg? YES. A hybrid E would be perfect. But when you consider that this is NOT an aerodynamic vehicle and we didn't buy it because of its mileage, and yet it gets better mileage than my old Cirrus, than my husband's Caravan, and than my friend's Odyssey? I can't complain.

My husband is ready to buy a new vehicle and is seriously considering getting himself an Element, too. THAT'S how much we love it.

But what I'd rather do is get a Prius. To me, that would be the perfect combination of vehicles. (He doesn't like small cars, thinks they're unsafe, so is not enthusiastic about the Prius, but I haven't given up yet.)

You'll love the Element. Just get behind the wheel and give it a test drive.

[pooks]

Some advice when car shopping. Get an internet quote!!! It will save you hours of dealing with car salesmen. Once you have the quote - you just go in and buy it. It's painless. That's how I purchased my last 2 hondas.

I took various bits of advice I'd read on the Internet and did the same, with a twist. On the day we were ready to buy -- I mean, seriously ready -- I emailed all the local Honda dealerships' internet sales depts. I said, "Tomorrow I am going to buy a Honda Element. I want Orange, 2WD, automatic. I don't want a lot of extras and don't want to pay for them. Please give me your best price, and if it's the best price I get, I'll be at your place tomorrow morning!"

NOTE: One thing I read is don't expect to get a good price when you're "just looking." Only if you're serious will they really bring out the good prices, so don't bother talking money until you're ready to spend it, and then you'll get a better deal because they won't have already dug their heels in on a higher price.

BTW -- the two things I'd do different are 1) get sidesteps -- not necessary for the front seats but the back seats are easier to get in with them, and 2) probably a rooftop rack, although a lot of people claim the aftermarket from Thule and Yakima are superior to the Honda racks, so I'm not sure about that.

Anyway, I sent that email on Thursday evening. I woke up Friday morning to find one response already waiting. A couple of other places responded, and they were higher than the first. When I emailed them back and told them that I'd already gotten a price of "XXXXX" they both said they couldn't beat it. But they also asked me, "Does that include ..." and "Be sure that they don't .... " In other words, they were coaching me against the competition. Very fun.

I heard back from some other places; they didn't have what I wanted or wanted too much money, and weren't as friendly.

As it turned out, the first price WAS the best offer we got, and we bought the E that afternoon!

[emily_in_nc]

Pooks ~

Love your Element pictures and your luxurious tent camping set-up! My husband and I would like to do something like this too. Where were you camping? It looks absolutely gorgeous!

Feel free to PM me with this answer since I'm kinda hijacking the thread here.

Thanks much!

Emily
Green Honda Element '04

[pooks]

Emily -- Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Our favorite place to camp! More pics here:

http://planetpooks.wordpress.com/2006/08/12/home-again-home-again/

and

http://planetpooks.wordpress.com/2006/08/12/old-fall-river-road/

and I may post more later.

One more thing about the Element. For some odd reason they don't have as high a towing capacity as many SUVs. I forget what it is, but only lightweight trailers, popup tent campers, etc.

When we were at RMNP another orange element rolled in pulling a small popup. They of course honked, waved, and we ended up visiting. (Element owners tend to be instant friends that way!) They had driven from Michigan and were getting 22 mpg on the highway with the trailer.

[emily_in_nc]

Pooks - thanks so much for the info! I totally missed your response because we were out of town for five days, and I got hopelessly behind in my TE threads.

Hubby and I have been dying to go to RMNP, and your pictures surely clinch that idea. It's simply gorgeous!

And just to keep this thread on topic, here's our Element in the process of being loaded for our Ohio trip (where I was last weekend):

http://home.earthlink.net/~emilys7/cycling/element_bikes.jpg

Those are our Bike Fridays, on a homemade rack my husband made.

Thanks again!
Emily

[PinkBike]

I'm now seriously considering an Element but wondered about real-life gas mileage. What do y'all get city and highway?

[pooks]

Hwy -- we got 22 to almost 25 on our trip to the Rockies, usually using AC. I know people who claim to get better than that.

In town, I'm only getting 18-20 this summer, heavy duty AC time in Dallas. In winter, it's better. Again, I know a lot of people who claim to get better mileage.

Here's a great site to lurk or post and ask questions if you want more info:

http://elementownersclub.com/



Those are our Bike Fridays, on a homemade rack my husband made.


I love that rack.

[emily_in_nc]

I honestly never keep track of my MPG. I know it's not great compared to a hybrid or a smaller car, because Elements are rather tall and boxy.

Emily

[tygab]

:D :D :D

Guess what I just got!!!

(Hint: big, boxy, and SHINY SILVER!) We found a 2006 that had been turned in with low mileage and went over today to the dealer with a price in mind. We got very close to that price and are happy with the outcome! I have a nearly new car!

I get to pick up on Wednesday (after getting required insurance, reg, etc taken care of)! It will be a busy start to the week!

Thanks to all who gave their input here. I'd made up my mind months ago but was just waiting 'til the stars lined up for it to be the right time. Guess that was today!

I am sure I will have more questions for you all as I get acquainted with the new baby!

[pooks]

Woohoo!

You're going to LOVE it!

Driving it is more fun than a food fight!

[Tuckervill]

I'm responding without reading the other responses, so there may be some duplication or contradiction here.

I just got an 07 Element in November. I don't like the gas mileage, because I was driving a 40 mpg diesel Beetle before this. :( No, you can't hose it out--there are a lot of electronics that could be damaged. But I do use a rag and a bucket to clean the floors after I vacuum. I don't like that it doesn't have an outside temperature gauge. It holds my bikes just fine. I will put a hitch on it so I can use my bike rack, too, but I don't really need it.

I'm not really, truly happy with the acceleration on the freeway. It's kind of sluggish, but I can adjust my driving to that. I don't regret buying it, though it doesn't have the sense of tradition or panache that the Beetle did!

OH! I see you got one already. Congratulations! :)

Karen

[PinkBike]

congrats tygab!!!
after posting here, i finally settled on the CR-V, got a 2004, probably paid too much, but it drives nice.

[tygab]

I just got an 07 Element in November. I don't like the gas mileage, because I was driving a 40 mpg diesel Beetle before this.

>>I currently have a Subaru WRX wagon AT, so mileage will be a wash, but I won't have to buy premium gas. We may keep the WRX as the 2nd car for a while longer instead of my husband's current one. We are in part trying to space out our car purchase planning since we both had new cars when we first met.

No, you can't hose it out--there are a lot of electronics that could be damaged. But I do use a rag and a bucket to clean the floors after I vacuum.
>>Yep, I see that is an "Element urban legend" now...

I don't like that it doesn't have an outside temperature gauge

>>I plan to get one and add it, have seen a few nice ones out there. This will be less expensive than a dealer offered one would be anyway. The WRX doesn't have one either, so not something I will be missing right off.

I'm not really, truly happy with the acceleration on the freeway. It's kind of sluggish, but I can adjust my driving to that. I don't regret buying it, though it doesn't have the sense of tradition or panache that the Beetle did!

>>I hear you. That's my one worry about it, because the WRX is an extremely fun car to drive - a true performance car. It's also got better AWD, or at least I don't expect to get as much from the E's AWD. If we keep it [the WRX] tho, I will still get to take it out for fun once in a while. In dry and or in snow (if ever we get any). Put another way, the WRX is a car with a lot of soul and emotionally I love it. But practically, we need one car that can haul a lot of stuff, more than what I can comfortably put in or on the wagon (or his car for that matter). And we didn't want to go the luxo-SUV/Minivan route. It's a trade off that I am making (but also why I am lobbying the DH to hang on to the WRX for a while longer :)).

OH! I see you got one already. Congratulations! :)
>>Yep! I did. I plan to tweak it up both in creature comforts (electronics, mainly) and styling a bit too. I'll enjoy that part.

[twin]

My 2005 Element is wearing a For Sale sign on it because now that I have moved to a town where I can ride my bike most of the time I think I can live without it. When I lived in a larger town it did everything in the world I needed. I also had a newer Volkswagen bug and loved it however when I had my accident on my fixie that I no longer have I could not shift for a very long time and that is when I decided on the Element. I still like all the Element can do and if I can not sell it I will be very happy with the Element.