Honda Element; Anybody own one? (F150, motorcycle, SUV, AWD)
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I'm seriously considering a Honda Element when my Ford F150 expires. The Element is probably not a logical replacement for a pickup, but I really like the looks of the Element and I think it'd be a little more practical. Anyway, I'd like to hear from Element owners. What do you like/dislike about it? How do you clean/preserve those plastic side body panels? Any input would be appreciated!
I'm seriously considering a Honda Element when my Ford F150 expires. The Element is probably not a logical replacement for a pickup, but I really like the looks of the Element and I think it'd be a little more practical. Anyway, I'd like to hear from Element owners. What do you like/dislike about it? How do you clean/preserve those plastic side body panels? Any input would be appreciated!
This is an old post, but I was talking to someone who has one (aside from seeing one at the show), and he likes it because you can clean the inside with water (wet towel) as the seats/floor/walls/dash are designed to be water resistant. He is able to fit a full motorcycle inside. For loading, the hatch and suicide doors seems to give a lot of flexibility.
Since you're still checking this thread I'll weigh in. I owned one for almost 4 years, and the exterior plastic still looked fine. The interior plastic, on the other hand, was scratched to oblivion. It's very soft and easy to damage. That was a 2004 model though, I think they might have reformulated it since then.
It was a peppy car, fun to drive, maneuverable, super useful and got me about 25 mpg.
I had one back in the day, verry light weight car and pretty peppy for a little box. It was extremily easy to load things into and get in and out of. Nice car.
I looked at it, but what I want is a "cute Ute" (small SUV) or crossover that has interior space but gets reasonable gas mileage. The Element, RAV4 and CRV just don't get very good gas mileage. AWD is a plus because of where I live.
I had one, briefly, a 2008 Suzuki SX4 - good interior room, front wheel drive with selectable AWD and even a 4WD low, and it got about 32 mpg on the highway and mid/low 20s around town - alas, a young gentleman ran a stop sign and t-boned me and my car, totalling it. He was going about 45 and I was going about 10-15, and I walked away without a scratch, so it did a great job protecting me.
The few disadvantages of the Suzuki - it was an inexpensive car (I paid $16,000 earlier this year, brand new and the dealer "threw in" - yes, I know you pay for that stuff somehow - the extension of the factory warranty to 7 yr, 100,000 miles) and the interior is minimal and the seats so-so. I'd like just a tad more comfort. It's also a little under-powered and desperately needed a further overdrive gear.
Many thanks, ALL! The Element was my second choice; my wife says that I just don't look right in anything but a pickup. So I bought a 2008 F150. But if I ever win the lottery...
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Still debating but will feinally decide early next year.
