honda element
 

Does anyone have thoughts / experience with the HONDA ELEMENT?

I'm considering looking at one for a daily driver/ work vehicle . My current work van ('97 chevy express - is tired and I'm tired of it)

The element , looks to offer some functionality and creature comforts.
We drive anywhere from 40 to 150miles a day depending on the job. I need to carry a tool bag or two and occasionally a few boxes of material.
A pickup( f-150) might be an option as well.

budget $8-12k

I'd like Ex version and manual transmission.

The youngest stepdaughter drives one. Good vehicle with lots of versatility.

I have an '07 EX, automatic with all wheel drive. I bought it specifically to haul my two large labs to the beach.

My impressions:

Because it is a box on wheels, the gas mileage is about 25MPG. There is some wind noise because I have a large roof rack.

I have driven the manual model and the shifting is somewhat sloppy due to the cable linkage design.

The Element has the same engine/transmission as the Accord so it is pretty bullet proof and has ample power.

Like all Hondas, you have to be maintenance consious with the fluid you use. Honda recommends using their brand antifreeze and transmission fluids which I highly recommend. Also, the use of aftermarket oil filters should be avoided. The filter is small and the Honda filter is designed to fit perfectly and do the job correctly.

The utility of the vehicle is outstanding. I folded up the rear seat and was able to load a full size washing machine in the back. My dogs bring lots of sand in and all I do is hose it out one a week or so. The sound system is great, witha subwoofer built in and XM/Sirus radio in the unit if you want to subscribe. (EX model only). The seats are fairly comfortable but there is a lumbar support and lots of head room. It is very easy to get in and out of.

Like all vehicles, it is not without glitches. The brakes had a recall for soft pedal. The '04 and '05 models had heater core problems (Honda took care of it). The gauge needles have been known to fall off but it is an easy fix. Fixed my tach needle in 5 minutes. The engine does NOT need a timing belt replacement but does require a valve adjustment at 100,000 miles. The battery is very small and lasts only 3 to 5 years. DIY oil changes are a pain in the butt because of the location of the filter. I just go to the dealer and use a coupon for a $19.95 oil change. In AWD models, you must change the rear jackpot fluid every 45,000 or so.

I am very satisfied with my Element. I must admit that it is not for everyone but is you want a tough utility vehicle that is very reliable, you can't go wrong.

Just make sure that you get one that has not been abused and has the recall work done. You should be able to get a nice one in your price range.

You can get a ton of information here: Honda Element Owners Club Forum

You can get lots of accessories and maintenance items here
Honda and Acura Accessories dot com - Genuine Factory Honda and Acura Accessories at discount prices.

I think Honda made a big mistake dumping the Element.
 

Wife drives an 04 EX AWD automatic. It now has 140K miles plus or minus and runs great with no issues. The interior has held up very well. She does art shows and between the roof rack and the removable rear seats can pack her entire displays and artwork into the thing. Somehow or other it used to take our old Suburban to do the same job. Lots of winter travel thru the AZ high country on ice/snow and the AWD is perfect. It's utilitarian, noisy like the entire Civic platform seems to be but we don't care about creature comforts much.
Good luck finding one. I got a cold call from the dealer who sold and services ours wanting to buy it. He said he gets a half dozen people a day looking for Elements and there are apparently NO 2011's left anywhere. We plan to drive this one into the ground.

Posted this a while back, giving my thoughts. The short version - if you don't desire significant creature comforts, and place a high value on utility - it's an awesome vehicle with few equals.

To add to my earlier report - I'm also a believer in the safety of the vehicle. Ours was totaled a couple months back - we were hit from behind at 45-50MPH by a full size truck, while we were at or near a stop. The Element saved our bacon...rear crumple zones worked beautifully, crunching with almost perfect uniformity right up to the passenger area.

That being said - we're replacing it with an Outback. We'd have considered another Element, but wanted to buy new for our daily driver and it's been discontinued. Wife is happier, as the Outback drives far nicer, has leather/heated seats, etc. - but with much less utility. We're giving thought to selling off our 124 wagon and picking up another Element for use as a 2nd vehicle.

I don't believe this is correct...everything I've read, says the Element shares the CRV drivetrain.

As to power - agreed, I found it perfectly acceptable 90% of the time. It even tows very well...I routinely pulled a ~1200 lb. enclosed trailer with mine, and hardly noticed it was there. I even pulled a ~2500 lb. boat up and over the Grapevine on I5 a while back, and with OD disengaged, it held the speed limit with power to spare.

Where did people get the idea to hose out the interior? My mother had one for a short while and the dealership told her to never do it as they had seen it can obviously cause electrical problems.

People see nothing but plastic back there, particularly when the seats are removed...and do retarded things. Who knows where the "spray out the back" wives tale started.

Still, it's far and away the easiest to clean interior of any vehicle I've owned. Shop vac, followed by diluted simple green and a sponge - done in 10 minutes.

All the plastic back there does get scratched easily, so if that's a concern - plenty of folks pick up those heavy rubber horse stall mats from Tractor Supply, and cut to fit. Supposedly, this also helps a tad with the interior noise as well.

You're right, it's built on the Civic platform, same as civics, CRVs etc. Same engine and transmission.
And yes, hosing out the interior is not a good idea. My wife does routinely take the back seats out and wet mop the rubber floor though. I don't know about the later model EX Elements, but the entire interior of ours including the seats is wet wipeable. No plush, no carpet, no soft cozy fabric, just heavy duty rubber and plastic. Great utilitarian interior.

I don't know where you guys get your information but the Element has the same 2354cc 4cly 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC K-engine as the Accord and the same tranny. The Element engine is a bit detuned and has 11 less horsepower. From 2007, the Element has the 5 speed automatic instead of the 4 speed.

It does not have the same engine as a Civic but it is based on the CR-V platform.

The third generation CR-V (2007 and on) has the 2.4 engine, same as Element and Accord.

Please read from Honda "A redesigned CR-V was launched for the 2007 model year. The third generation CR-V is powered by the latest version of Honda's standard K-series 2.4 L inline-four engine, similar variants of which can also be found in the current-generation Honda Accord and Honda Element. "

I have entertained the idea of selling my beloved Volvo 240 wagon and getting an Element. Elements in the OC and LA area tend to hold their value. I want a late model but most go for $14k. The '03-'05 are around $11-$12k. My wagon does the job when I need to haul my bikes or other things, and it's cheap to own to boot! But I really like the utilitarian nature of the Element and its compact design. Also got sold on Honda ownership after owning my first-gen Honda Insight. Easy DIY car for a hybrid and I imagine Hondas of that era are too.

A colleague has one and I've been a passenger in it often. I rather like it. I think the front seats at least are quite comfortable though I found the back ones to be less so. Not quite sure why. But if there's only two people in it that's not much of a concern. I don't like the A/C though. I think it's inadequate. Of course I live in Phoenix and depending on where you are that may be less of a concern to you.

- Peter.

I agree, pj, the back seats are not for anyone other than small kids....very small kids.

And jganzier, if you are serious about one, I would look for an '07 and newer. Big improvements....5 speed automatic instead of 4 speed, upgraded HVAC and sound system, stability control system, side airbags and no black black body panels.

My 04 has front side airbags, although the were an option then and aren't curtain type. The dealer told me he thought I could get 9K for it in a heartbeat, more if I detail it. Not bad for a 140K mile 7 year old car I only paid 20K cash for in the first place.