Element owners...

[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!

[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!