What do you know about these cars, aside from the pecular look? I am looking for real worl info like mileage, good years/bad years, options to get, etc.

Honda only started to offer it here since 2003,
so commenting on good/bad years is somewhat
difficult.

As with any new model the first year usually is
plagued with some bugs that need worked out.

I my memory serves there aren't to many options
available(I could be wrong).

The car stereo competition scene seems to like it.
Not that that would matter as an opinion.

Louis.

We tested one before we bought the Subaru, and I would extend that to include that an Element would not be able to outrun pretty much anything except, perhaps, a Smart. And that would be close.

There are many things I liked, including the interior materials and storage capacity, but the driving dynamics are terrible. They also get expensive fast, and I didn't want to spend as much as a new Legacy.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

I don't like the Element for the simple fact that it is useless. Here's why. It is rated to carry a maximum of 675 pounds. That's total capacity, including people, luggage, slurpees - everything. That's a complete joke. Four people will represent at least a full load - probably an overload - without any luggage. Going to the nursery with the wife? Don't buy more than six or seven bags of mulch - you'll be over the max.

For reference, the ML320 is rated to carry 1340 pounds.

Here's a listing of capacity: http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/display_report.jsp?WebLogicSession=QT2aOictUAaikPx7BhbhIq5NgmMqdTrihqSFQ3NSUSPIoTIncEdc|-3346540371581981249/169937912/6/7005/7005/7002/7002/7005/-1|8372910805234092779/169937913/6/7005/7005/7002/7002/7005/-1&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=338337&bmUID=1094687290219

- JimY

8 bags of mulch is what I heard...and it is good if you have a taco bell mess to clean up...but Infinitis are still the way to go...

__________________
1999 F350 Crew-Cab with 5th Wheel Trailer Good 'ol Bass Boat (no-name..flea market special)

1992 Dodge Grand Caravan (don't laugh it has never let me down)

1987 Buick Grand National GNX (sitting right will she will be sitting for many years to come!)

1982 Buick Century V6

1986 Dodge Daytona Shelby (sold)

1968 Unimog 404

My philosophy has always been never drive a Honda...

Wow I was surprised at the low weight limit it can carry, but then again I am not buying it for that purpsoe. I want a car that is low cost, different, 4WD and has lots of room. I just drove the car tonight I was quite impressed given what it is. It is not a luxury car by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a fun car, drives well and like all Honda's they are pretty much bullet proof. I found a forum just for Element's, it has lots of information.

http://www.hondaelement.org/

But then again, most of the people would wonder why I would drive a 20 year old diesel with 500K miles on it when I could be driving a brand new E-class.

I think it is a cool car.

I think Consumer Reports just had a write up on the Element and the Scion Xsomething (you know the boxy one)

My best friend just bought a green one. Be aware that it gets expensive quickly when you start adding stuff on. Arrive at the dealer with your teflon coat on or you will pay dearly. If you're use to 4 bangers like I am you will love the elements engine. Its not fast but its one of those Honda engines that you open up the hood only to change the air filter and maybe oil, and not much else. I wish Mercedes was like that.
The interior is huge, but thats coming from the perspective of someone who would not be caught dead in a ladder frame SUV LOL He bought the 4wd ex and I was really expecting the ride to be a lot less harsher than it was.
I don't know why the sunroof is in the back, it doesn't slide and is manual. But its pretty cool that it is removable. The CD player doesn't play mp3 disks, for that you need to get the option, so much for the fun in the sun factor. 8 speaker stereo with sub, there is no adjustment for highs just for treble so the sub sometimes drowns everything if you have the bass up. A/C is an option on the cheaper packages!
Everything else is just typical Honda...no surprises. If the Civic SUV is the CRV then this would be the Civic Hummer The price is the only thing that erks me.

I was talking with a customer of mine today who takes his Element on Hunting trips, they sleep & cook in the car and he has no problems off road with it. I do not know how comfortable I would feel taking it offroad, but he likes it becuase it can go into tighter spots than his pick up can.

I was talking with my one of my clients today and he likes it because he can haul his buddies around whent they go drinking. This way if they get sick it is easy for him to clean the mess up. They party in there all night long. And the folding seats and tinted windows come in handy too

SO the question is why would you NOT get one?? But used ones are the way to go!

__________________
1999 F350 Crew-Cab with 5th Wheel Trailer Good 'ol Bass Boat (no-name..flea market special)

1992 Dodge Grand Caravan (don't laugh it has never let me down)

1987 Buick Grand National GNX (sitting right will she will be sitting for many years to come!)

1982 Buick Century V6

1986 Dodge Daytona Shelby (sold)

1968 Unimog 404

If you do fold the seats down watch out for the resident fox. They look like cute animals, but they can be very nasty and bite.

Honda has done great marketing to get the Element
popular with young buyers.

It looks like a mini van to me. I bet the resale value will be low
in a few years.

I think the Honda Elememt single handedly is the TEN most ugly cars in the world(just get 10 of them together and there you have it). They said that the AZTEK was an ugly duckling and it sure as hell wasn't pretty, but this dog......Even after 10 good stiff drinks, I still would not be drunk enough to pick it up and take it home from a bar!

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Regards,

Albert
aldedmon@yahoo.com