Honda Element?

Wilbyman · #1 09-03-2010, 08:16 AM

Hey guys. My '01 Outback has 125k on it and I've been putting a few hundred bucks a year into it on small stuff...thinking about just getting something else.

I do quite a few things which make the cargo space in the Outback helpful...bass gear (upright and electric!), skiing, mountain biking (29'er, I have to take to the front wheel off to chuck it in the back) and when I was playing festival gigs this summer in rural WV/MD, I slept in the back of it on a few occasions. I really like having the option to sleep in the back instead of pitching a tent.

The outback has the 3.0 engine so I know I will be losing some power (and comfort likely) going to the E, but I rarely drive long distances and am not really a driving enthusiast at all.

Just curious how you bass player Element owners like yours...thanks

hover · #2 09-03-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbyman

Hey guys. My '01 Outback has 125k on it and I've been putting a few hundred bucks a year into it on small stuff...thinking about just getting something else.

Just curious how you bass player Element owners like yours...thanks

The first part I don't see as a problem at all, that falls under the "general wear" category...those who don't do this minimal expense, or expect NOT to do this, are just biding time til the BIG break happens. Especially with Subarus...(I'm lookin at you, every seal on the engine...) Personally, I'd keep the Subaru, if it's paid for.

That said, I have3 friends with Elements, and they all love them. I've driven one of them, an 06, and I felt it was very roomy for its size, with the rear seats tucked in up on the sides, it is ridiculously roomy for gear. Big open square, actually. I think they feel a little top heavy in cornering, some pronounced body roll because of the height and wheelbase, but it's not unruly. There is enough power, i think. You'll get comparable to better gas mileage than the Subaru. Neither are particularly thrifty.

blendermassacre · #3 09-03-2010, 09:45 AM

To me, the 4 banger element lags, especially when trying to enter highways. that's why we didn't get one.

Caca de Kick · #4 09-03-2010, 09:53 AM

My drummer has an Element and I'm really suprised at how much room the interior has in it. He has packed a 5pc drumkit and 4 Peavey monitor cabs with two poweramps in that thing.

jugglingfreak · #5 09-03-2010, 10:10 AM

I love the Element. I have a 2005 and a 2010 (well, the wife has a 2010).

Excellent cars. Never a moments trouble. The rear seats can fold up or be removed for massive amounts of space. Interior is a breeze to clean.

To give another example of storage capacity, the wife is a Girl Scout leader and you can fit 150 cases of GS Cookies into a Element.

Wilbyman · #6 09-03-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

The first part I don't see as a problem at all, that falls under the "general wear" category...those who don't do this minimal expense, or expect NOT to do this, are just biding time til the BIG break happens. Especially with Subarus...(I'm lookin at you, every seal on the engine...) Personally, I'd keep the Subaru, if it's paid for.

That said, I have3 friends with Elements, and they all love them. I've driven one of them, an 06, and I felt it was very roomy for its size, with the rear seats tucked in up on the sides, it is ridiculously roomy for gear. Big open square, actually. I think they feel a little top heavy in cornering, some pronounced body roll because of the height and wheelbase, but it's not unruly. There is enough power, i think. You'll get comparable to better gas mileage than the Subaru. Neither are particularly thrifty.

Yeah, I had some oil leaks from the seals on the boxer engine and the AC needed some major work. Other than that, I haven't any bad trouble with it. I tend to agree that at a point, minor maintenance is just a fact. (although something is rattling, I think it's the muffler).

I do tend to agree with you. I might bide my time and see if I can make it to the next generation Element.

steamthief · #7 09-03-2010, 11:35 AM

If you're looking for decent cargo room and increased fuel economy, check out a Honda Fit. Seriously, I bet you could fit eleven clowns in it.

FL Knifemaker · #8 09-03-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

To me, the 4 banger element lags, especially when trying to enter highways. that's why we didn't get one.

Yah........

We had one here that belonged to one of our inlaws. It was an 09. My daughter drove it several times and considered one but after driving the Nissan Cube, went with a Cube.

hover · #9 09-03-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbyman

(although something is rattling, I think it's the muffler).

Ah. I implore you to have the tranny looked at, just to be safe...a "rattling" sound, which we thought may have been a heat shield, krept up on my Mom-in-law's Forester, and ended up being an integral compnent to the all-wheel drive system.

Just play it safe. Not trying to worry you.

warwick.hoy · #10 09-03-2010, 11:46 AM

If that were an EJ (4 cylinder) motor in your Sooby I'd bet you could get it to 300,000 miles easily. The EZ's? Not so much.

Wilbyman · #11 09-03-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

Ah. I implore you to have the tranny looked at, just to be safe...a "rattling" sound, which we thought may have been a heat shield, krept up on my Mom-in-law's Forester, and ended up being an integral compnent to the all-wheel drive system.

Just play it safe. Not trying to worry you.

Thank you sir! I will do that. Maybe it really is getting ready to implode.

hover · #12 09-03-2010, 01:39 PM

Sure. odd as that sounds, never safe than sorry. I hope your issue is a simple one to fix. Best of luck with whatever choice you make.

warwick.hoy · #13 09-03-2010, 01:47 PM

Just reading the posts,...My friend had a late 90's Forester that also had a rattling "heat shield" as diagnosed by a dealership. He has since moved to Eugene so I have no idea if it turned out to be something more.

Honestly I'd keep the sooby (but I'm also a sooby fan),...why go into debt for a car when you have one that still has a lot life left to give. Also for technical knowledge check the Ultimate Subaru Message Board.

www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/

Note: that I also own and love a 95 Honda Accord Station Wagon that is approaching 200k miles. My only complaint,...it doesn't have AWD. If you wanna go the route of a new car maybe check out the Accord Crosstour.

http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-crosstour/

Wilbyman · #14 09-03-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Note: that I also own and love a 95 Honda Accord Station Wagon that is approaching 200k miles. My only complaint,...it doesn't have AWD. If you wanna go the route of a new car maybe check out the Accord Crosstour.

http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-crosstour/

I gotta say, the Crosstour and the Venza just don't do anything for me lookswise. I am certainly dismayed they don't have the Accord Tourer here in the US (though it's coming as the Acura TSX sport wagon). I love wagons, not so much on the CUVs.

I have friends who have driven their Accord wagons to 200k like you, seem like great cars.

My Suby dealer is great I just feel like I've been calling there too much...

bongomania · #15 09-03-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamthief

If you're looking for decent cargo room and increased fuel economy, check out a Honda Fit. Seriously, I bet you could fit eleven clowns in it.

True! The Fit is one of the "most cargo space in a small package" vehicles out there, and it gets great ratings on Consumer Reports.

I test-drove an Element for a good while, and I have to say it felt like I was steering a boat, or a U-Haul. It just felt awkward and bulky to drive. On the same day I test-drove a RAV-4, and it was no contest. The RAV handles nimbly, turns in a tight radius, and has no extra "fat" in the body panels. And its cargo space is really good--probably 19 clowns. That's the main reason I didn't go with the Fit, is I wanted just a tad more cargo room. Also the Fit wasn't quite as smooth of a drive as the RAV.

warwick.hoy · #16 09-03-2010, 02:01 PM

I agree that they aren't the prettiest cars in the world but the seem really functional and I spend most my time on the inside of my car so as long as I find the interior well laid out I can live with a not so hot car.

My car definitely has it's rattles and gremlins but aside from tires gas and oil,...I've haven't had to put any money into it for repairs. It could use a tune up though. I'm definitely dismayed that they stopped exporting estates to the US after my model (CE-1) but at the time gas was cheap and people were buying SUVs,...not SWs.

As for you soob dealer,...take em a 12 pack of beer next time,...they'll treat you good. I should mention that most of my Soob love is for the old Leones (Loyales/DL/GL in the states), and to a certain degree the 90's Impreza 2.5rs and the bug eyed WRX.