| Author | Message | ||
     Mr_grumpy |
When we were over in Newfieland last year my mrs saw a Honda Element & rather liked it. As your lovely dollar is currently languishing in the basement, my Euros go a lot further so I told her maybe she could have one. I'd like your opinions on it's economy, reliability etc etc. Also prices, looking for a 03/04, manual box, 2wd is fine for here. Thanks. She also likes the Toyota FJ Cruiser but those are way too expensive to import. | ||
| Mikej |
Test drive one first. We test drove one and it started to make me car sick, and I never get car sick. Something about the curvature of the windshield and the bounciness of the suspension and length of wheelbase and probably a few other factors. We wound up with a Subaru Outback wagon instead. A Mini Cooper was running a close second on my list, a distant fourth on her list. | ||
| Doughnut |
Mikej, I am looking to finally get a "nice" care and have been back and forth on the Outback (200o-2002 area), or the last of the Jeep Cherokee Sports (2000-2002). ( Really want a 2-dr diesel Tahoe, but good luck finding a good one.) Any thoughts on Subaru vs Jeep? | ||
| Thumper74 |
I worked at a Honda dealer and loved'em until the gas prices went up. Skip the Navi if you can help it as they're kinda finicky in any place but flat land and open skies. The Navi is super exspensive to repair when out of warranty. Honda Care's extended warranty is REALLY phenominal and you get all OE parts when repairs are made. They're pretty rock solid 'trucks'. The trunk thing in the bed has a drain and is water proof, use it for a cooler. The ONLY complaint we had is that if the rear differential fluid wasn't changed every 15k miles or so, they would develope a groaning noise when making tight manuevers at parking lot speeds. | ||
| Thumper74 |
The good news is that the Cherokee is bomb proof with a manual transmission. | ||
| Cereal |
I have a friend that has a Porsche Boxster and an Element. She likes the Element better. Never had a single problem with it in 4 years. | ||
| Mikej |
Get a Jeep if you want a Jeep, get the Subaru if you want a car (if that makes any sense). The Sub gets us about 25mpg with a manual tranny and has a decent towing rating with a receiver type hitch. I like Jeeps, but don't like their mpg. If you're going to set it up for off road rock crawling then the Jeep is the way to go. | ||
| Reepicheep |
It was on my short list of cars to look at to replace my trusty 95 Saturn. Never got far enough to test drive it, it didn't make the cut before then. Visibility is apparently an issue, its not "that cheap" relative to the rest of the market, and fuel economy isn't so hot. | ||
| Bads1 |
Grumpy, I have a 04 Element. Is it ugly?? The eye is in the beholder. Its a very,very dependable car/truck. It will tow up to 1500 lbs. It doesn't however get the best MPG about 24/25 HWY. Mine is 4WD though. The rear seats lay flat and up against the rear wall's or they can be removed in just minutes. Dirty inside??? Thats easy start up the leaf blower and open the doors. There is no carpet so blow it out and wipe them down with window cleaner and then they are just like brand new. Very roomy as far as leg room for rear passengers,really great sound system from the factory. Let me know what you wanna know. I like what mine does. Its a very unique SUV | ||
| Bads1 |
Doughnut, I had a Outback that we bought new in 2000. Sold it to a friends Mother. Till this day nothing has went wrong with it. Beware though that Subaru isn't cheap on parts. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I like the Element without the plastic on the sides. Don't know much about them, other than I have a buddy with one, and has had zero problems with it. I do not like jeeps at all anymore (after driving 3) I like subaru's, the gas mileage isn't great, but it's sort of an all around, do everything vehicle. | ||
| Bads1 |
I like the Element without the plastic on the sides. Mike when the 05's came out I thought the same. Why didn't I just wait one more year. Well I'll tell ya. I like it because its alot less to take care of and scratches and the like don't show. My little Element gets treat alittle rough... but its taken care of and it treated me well. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Notice: Complete retard on the previous note above. I was thinking Ridgeline... Elements are rock solid but also have the aforementioned noise concern with dirty rear diff fluid. I really never had one in for ANY repair while working for a dealer. They only came in for maintenance... (Message edited by thumper74 on March 19, 2008) | ||
| New12r |
I really never had one in for ANY repair while working for a dealer. They only came in for maintenance... I am certified Honda tech, You will not go wrong with the 2.4 motor in that little thing. Keep the trans and diff fluid changed every 30k and you will go forever! The only repairs I did was on one a jiffy lube didn't put oil in and a couple rattles/wind noise complaints. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I just retired the '04 Element. 157,000 miles, a bunch of windshields and one clutch. 10,000 mile oil changes withe 20,000 mile filter changes (that's by the book and I ran with it.) Probably the most versatile vehicle I've ever owned. Vacations, trips to Lowes for home improvement stuff, motorcycle stuff, great car/truck/xuv. My list of negatives: 1. Noise machine & rattles 2. gas mileage sucks 3. The '04 consumes windshields like crazy (Honda lost a class action suit and did send out like $400.00 for a one time deal.) I *think* the newer models kicked the bottom of the front glass forward a bit to help resolve this issue. I'm a huge Subaru fan -- like Buells they excel in the the twisties  | ||
| Bads1 |
Just changed out my Diff,cabin filter,oil,and thats all easy done at home. Cabin filter is kinda a joke what they charge for it and install. Cost is like 20 bucks and 20 minutes to put in. The dealers wants to nail ya a hour and I think 70 bucks for the filter. One thing is true you will be very hard pressed to find something that will do what my Toaster will do for Price,Size,and class. Yes I call it a Toaster. | ||
| Oldskoolef |
I have an '03 Element 4WD. I have had only one problem with it. The drivers seat had a rocking problem. Bad bushings that were replaced and the problem went away. The thing is as aerodynamic as a brick. It has lots of road noise. There are some squeaks and rattles. Gas mileage is around 20 MPG in town and 25 MPG on the highway. Where Bads1 said his tows 1500 LBS., mine has a recommended maximum passenger and cargo including towed cargo of 600 LBS. I still love mine. It is one of the most practical vehicles I have ever owned, and one of the best quality too. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Hmmm lots to think about, the windshield question worries me a bit, as it's not a model that was sold in Europe replacement could be tricky. I like the idea about cleaning it though, we've a big white dog & it's a nightmare when we have to take her somewhere in the car, white hairs everywhere. What sort of money could I expect to pay for a 03/04 with about 50-60k miles on the clock? Gotta be manual box, madame won't drive an auto. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Around 15k. www.autotrader.com | ||
| Bads1 |
Where Bads1 said his tows 1500 LBS., mine has a recommended maximum passenger and cargo including towed cargo of 600 LBS. Read your manual it is 675 lbs. and that cargo and tongue weight.Now turn to page 136 of your manual its says.The total weight of the trailer and everything loaded in it must not exceed 150 lbs. | ||
| New12r |
I have a 2000lb camper that Kdan pulled behind his Element(2 wheel drive manual) with little trouble. | ||
| Bads1 |
Just seen one sold at the dealer for 13,500. It was a auto but about the same milage. Grumpy I am aware of the windshield's. I have been lucky I guess. I've owned it for 4 years now and not had any problems. Yes it has some wind noise not real bad though. Yes it has had some rattles and they were taken care of. I have two 145 lb dogs and its perfect for them. | ||
| Bads1 |
12r, Man it must of been really dragging in the back. But I wouldn't doubt the damn thing could do it.lol | ||
| Blake |
"The total weight of the trailer and everything loaded in it must not exceed 150 lbs." You meant "1500" yes? Or are you that much of a daredevil? | ||
| Oldskoolef |
I can't get to my manual now but I'll have to believe you. I thought I remembered(obviously incorrectly), that the towing capacity was very low. I'll look at it later when my wife gets home with the E. I never tow with it anyway. I use the V8 Tundra gas drinker (15MPG). I also never had any of the windshield cracking problems that some had. Check here for lots of info on the Element http://www.elementownersclub.com/ | ||
| Bads1 |
Blake, I'm both. Most of all just like to clown around.LOL | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I sold a 2003 Element last year, after driving it cross country. I really became attached to that vehicle. It has to be the most practical vehicle I have ever driven. Even though it is a soft roader, I took it over a crazy pass in colorado, while heading to Telluride. Even at 11k ft it did just fine. At the time I had about 500lbs of furniture in it at the time.  Here it is off road.   | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
OK here's the next questions. 1. What sort of spare does it carry, full size or space saver, & where mounted. 2. Are there any "dead" spaces inside or underneath. The reason for these questions is that, if we get one I'll want to convert it to bi-fuel, & need somewhere to put a propane tank. An easy fix is a toroidal tank in place of the spare, & carry a get you home aerosol, or mount the spare elsewhere or twin small tanks etc etc. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Spare tire well in the rear for a temporary space save tire. There's little to no dead space and plenty of little storage spots for 'stuff.' You can add the deluxe drivers armrest for even more storage -- Honda says it won't work in the stick shift version, but it does and it works just fine with no interference with anything (well,,,,,the parking brake is a bit tougher to reach, but driving is a non-issue.) | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Thanks, is it an internal or external well, if external can fit a bigger tank. The other alternative is taking the original tank out, cutting it in half & put the propane tank in the space that's left. I expect it's a plastic tank, so shouldn't be a problem . | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Thank you all for your contributions. I've just been informed of the shipping, taxes, & registration costs, which will add about 50% to the buy price. So unfortunately this idea is...  |
