Honda Element question

**IFjane** · 07-30-2007, 05:42 AM

I am looking at a 2006 Honda Element, 15,300 miles, 4WD, perfect (the best I can tell) condition. Looks brand new. For those of you who had a similar model, what kind of gas mileage can I expect? I know what the EPA says, but I want "real world" mileage, not something done in a lab setting.

Also, please tell me any other pros & cons that I may not know about (I've read other threads and you ALL seem to love your Elements - I know about the blind spots caused by the seats when they are folded.....anything else?)

Thank you!

**Blueberry** · 07-30-2007, 06:34 AM

I just bought a pre-owned 05 with 30k miles a few weeks ago. Mine is a 5 speed with 4wd - not sure whether that would make a difference or not (I think the newer ones are actually rated better in the auto).

So far - I love it!! No regrets. You really can roll a bike in - we're still working on the optimum bike hauling method (we're looking at building an internal rack for it).

Mileage has averaged between 21 and 22 with a mix of driving in town and on the highway (commute). Where I have more highway miles on a tank, I suspect it's closer to 23 (haven't measured with just highway, but where I have more highway commuting and less in town, I do see an improvement).

Only drawback - there are more blind spots than average (even with the seats not folded) - you learn to use mirrors very quickly.

Good luck, and enjoy if you get it

CA

**IFjane** · 07-30-2007, 09:15 AM

Thank you CA. I probably will get it - I fell in love from the moment I sat in it. Took it on a test drive around town & was even more in love. I just think it will fit my needs completely & will be a good car to have. Stay tuned!

**Tuckervill** · 07-30-2007, 09:28 AM

On my drive from Arkansas to Oregon my average MPG was 21, which is pretty consistent with my regular driving. I occasionally get tanks that get 23, 24. Where the gas is better, I get better mileage.

The blind spots on the pillars between the windshield and front doors is pretty wide, too. I wouldn't get one that wasn't AWD, considering the kayaking and camping I do. The moon roof is virtually useless in my climate, but in some places it would be heavenly. It comes with the AWD.

I can't really say anything else bad about my E, but I did find out that the cup holder dealy lifts off the emergency brake handle pretty easily. I found out the hard way when my driver's license slid into the e-brake slot just as I was getting out at the airport!

Karen

**Blueberry** · 07-30-2007, 09:52 AM

IF Jane - That's exactly how I felt! Just like it was meant to be my car

Karen- Good to know about the cup holder. I had the feeling it wasn't exactly attached to the floor, but wasn't sure whether it would come up.... Will come in handy the first time I inadvertently spill something down there....

CA

**tygab** · 07-30-2007, 10:09 AM

another E owner. get avg of 23 to 24 mpg for both city and highway driving.

Got an 06 used as well in Jan. Love it. Extremely functional for what I like to do.

The seats are out and I put in a liner and it has hauled yaks on top and bikes and camping gear for 2 inside with room to spare. They appeared to be quite popular among the Tri crowd at IMLP too... can't imagine why.

Much much info on elementownersclub.com.

Agree more blind spots but you learn to compensate fast.

**jeannierides** · 07-30-2007, 10:39 AM

JANE!! What color is it??? I have been considering an Element even before my accident... when I later found out that it had the side curtain airbags standard! Once I'm back at work and actually am drawing a check

that's what I want!!
Hoping that you're going to get it in time to drive in down to Richmond this week!

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 07-30-2007, 11:42 AM

Ours is a 2005 orange one. We LOVE it! You DO get used to the blind spots very quickly, and I don't notice it much anymore.
We leave the back seats out all the time unless we NEED one in (hardly ever).
We haul our 2 road bikes inside it.
Also, with the back seats out, and if you shove the front seats forward all the way, you then have a 6'2" floor in the back. We bring a rolled up latex foam 4" thick mattress and sleep back there when we camp- comfy! Nice to have the skylight cracked open for ventilation while you sleep. We made a screen cloth to lay over it, with magnets on the edges, so mosquitoes don't get in.
We actually bought the Element for minimalist camping- it's the smallest car we can sleep in comfortably.

The one mildly annoying thing is having to open the front doors in order to open the back doors. Makes it odd for rear passengers (which we don't have very often). But it's also a bit harder to sneak in and out the back if you're sleeping in it, to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. It IS possible to get in and out with a bit of gymnastics.

**IFjane** · 07-30-2007, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by jeannierides

JANE!! What color is it??? I have been considering an Element even before my accident... when I later found out that it had the side curtain airbags standard! Once I'm back at work and actually am drawing a check

that's what I want!!
Hoping that you're going to get it in time to drive in down to Richmond this week!

Hi Jeannie! It's burgundy. I'd rather have a silver one because of living on a mile-long dirt road - that burgundy is gonna get dusty fast....but I'll deal with it.

(See you Friday

)

**susan.wells** · 07-30-2007, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by IFjane

For those of you who had a similar model, what kind of gas mileage can I expect?

I have a 2007 4WD AT EX Kiwi

with about 15,000 miles on it. I average ~25 MPG combined driving. Love it and love my bicycle in the back!

Susan

**Tuckervill** · 07-30-2007, 01:41 PM

Tango Red Pearl? That's a 2007 color, and is what mine is. The 2006 red was called Rallye Red, and is not as wine colored as the Tango Red Pearl. Maybe your '06 is a mid-year model and got the darker red.

I love red cars.

Karen

**Zen** · 07-30-2007, 06:03 PM

I have that same pillar blind spot on the Wrangler but I love my jeep.
The new extended cab version would be nice and it gets about the same mileage. I don't know how they compare on price, though.

Watch out for those Elements. There are little talking crabs in there that say
"I peench"

**IFjane** · 07-31-2007, 05:10 AM

I bought the Element yesterday!!! I love it so far - have a ride this afternoon so once I get home from the office I have to throw the bike in and see how she fits.

Zen - I see you've moved from Fredneck to Limbo - hope the move wasn't too stressful!

**Zen** · 07-31-2007, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by IFjane

Zen - I see you've moved from Fredneck to Limbo - hope the move wasn't too stressful!

It's kind of floaty here in Limbo.
But I am stressed, Jerry.

I have Element Envy.
Camping and dogs and bikes and lumber...

**IFjane** · 07-31-2007, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by zencentury

Camping and dogs and bikes and lumber...

"I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok
I sleep all night and I work all day!"

Thread: Honda Element question

Thread Tools

Display

Honda Element question

I did it!

Posting Permissions