"Vimto" (smudgey)
11/25/2014 at 15:35 • Filed to: None
2
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"Vimto" (smudgey)
11/25/2014 at 15:35 • Filed to: None | 2
| 13 |
Hello fellow Opponauts, and welcome to an all-new segment here on Oppositelock!
Inspired by my search to find the perfect vehicle to live in because I'm almost certainly going to be embarking on such an adventure in a few months, I will be taking two vehicles at a time and evaluating their various attributes in regards to sustaining life - and blending in with the rest of society. Each post will have a definitive winner determined by set categories. The categories are organized by importance (my opinion of course), greatest to least.
So, without further ado, lets get started! This inaugural post will feature the Honda Element (2003-2011) and the Mercury Mountaineer (2006-2010).
About the Vehicles
The Honda Element is a quirky little box that shares mechanical parts with the more conventional CR-V. Marketed towards outdoorsy types, it utilizes a 2.4L I-4 (manual and automatic transmissions available) and FWD with optional AWD. Highlights include easily removable/sideways storing rear seats, fold down tailgate, vent windows, and hard rubber flooring (no carpet).
The Mercury Mountaineer, twin to the Ford Explorer, is a far more conventional body-on-frame SUV. Powered by either a 4.0L V6 or a 293 horsepower 4.6L V8, the Mountaineer sports three rows of seating and a vast array of optional luxury features. All models are equipped with automatic transmissions, RWD is standard with 4WD optional on all trims.
Category #1: Space/Utilization of Space
The most important part of obtaining a vehicle for this task is, in my opinion, finding something that you can sleep comfortably in. All the amenities and capability in the world are fantastic, but if you can't rest easily then the endeavor is doomed to fail.
The Element is only 170" long - a foot shorter than the compact Chevrolet Cruze - but uses its available space exceptionally well. Low loading floor, and the rear seats can fold sideways against the C-pillar, or be removed from the vehicle with relative ease. That gives the stealth camper and exceptionally versatile, rectangular area to set up a comfortable bed.
The Mountaineer's generous length and ability to have both the 2nd and 3rd row seats fold into a flat floor make this another great choice for sleeping comfortably, but the body on frame construction confines interior room.
Both vehicles have roofracks for carrying cargo on top - this one goes to the Element.
Category #2: Capability
The Mercury Mountaineer is a clear winner for this category. Equipped with the V8 and toting its rugged, body on frame construction, this SUV can handle plenty of payload and tow thousands of pounds all day without complaint. The negative side of this is a EPA fuel economy rating of 14/20.
The Element has a scarily low load rating of 645 lbs, but that shouldn't be an issue for one person and their gear. It handily trumps the Mountaineer in fuel economy, averaging a combined 23 MPG for the FWD model.
Category #3: Exterior Design
The Honda Element is second only to the Scion xB in being the purest expression of a box on wheels. For living on wheels, this is tremendously beneficial, providing vertical room for the occupant and allowing them to sleep well below the belt line. The rear doors have handy vents that pop out for aerating the cabin without drawing much attention. The two-piece rear doors give you a tailgate to sit on wherever you please, all wrapped in a tidy package that is easy to see out of without being unattractive.
The Mountaineer is a handsome, if rather basic, body on frame design, that is neither offensive nor especially noteworthy. It wears its sheet metal well and wears handy standard roof rack rails for carrying cargo overhead. Short overhangs give the design better offroadability, but the Element takes this round for once again being a model of versatility.
Category #4: Interior Design
The Mountaineer's cockpit is a much nicer place to spend your day than that of the Element's. While the durable materials, storage space and versatility got the Element the win earlier, the Mountaineer cossets the driver with big, comfortable seats and an array of optional electronics. Some of which, you may want to skip - power seats will become an expensive pain with the amount of movement you'll be forcing them through - but others can make your life easier, like the navigation, detailed trip computer, and seat heaters.
I'm biased because I prefer lighter colored interiors, something that the Element doesn't offer - the win goes to the Mountaineer.
Category #5: Value
Thanks to the miserable resale value associated with being produced by a now-defunct brand, Mountaineers can be had for dirt cheap. An Element of the same year and mileage is going to cost significantly more, despite being much cheaper new, and offering less equipment.
However, the Element is largely bulletproof mechanically and will not cost as much to fuel. The win still goes to the Mountaineer for this round.
WINNER: Mercury Mountaineer
I'm going to do some tweaking on this series and take on reader suggestions, if there are any. Thanks for reading!
Captain of the Enterprise
> Vimto
11/25/2014 at 15:40 |
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The Element has a scarily low load rating of 645 lbs
Jesus!, my brothers sonic has a rating around 800 pounds but its a subcompact.
Luc - The Acadian Oppo
> Vimto
11/25/2014 at 15:42 |
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Make sure you re-read 505Turbeaux's handy dandy guide to living in your car.
http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/how-to-live-in…
norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
> Vimto
11/25/2014 at 15:43 |
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I agree with this *Not at all biased because of a Mountaineer in the family.*
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Vimto
> Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/25/2014 at 15:43 |
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I have read that haha. 505 has linked it to me on multiple occasions.
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Vimto
> norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/25/2014 at 15:48 |
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Well yeah, I mean this isn't biased at all given that I have a Grand Marquis.
HammerheadFistpunch
> Vimto
11/25/2014 at 15:48 |
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Why is capability important? we need more info on this "living in my car" experiment.
Party-vi
> Vimto
11/25/2014 at 15:49 |
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Marital-aid?
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Vimto
11/25/2014 at 15:50 |
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My cousin has an Element and it has been bulletproof. It gets mid to high 20's on the highway, and it's pretty comfortable. If I was having to live in a vehicle, it would be towards the top of my list. Reliable, cheap to drive, and easy to clean.
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norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
> Vimto
11/25/2014 at 15:56 |
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Haha, didn't even realized you were the one who wrote this,
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Vimto
> Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/25/2014 at 15:56 |
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Yeah, to be honest I think the Element is the easier of the two to actually live in, possibly the easiest of any vehicle because people put full matresses in them with the front seats still up. My heart wants a full Mercury fleet I guess. haha
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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Vimto
11/25/2014 at 16:07 |
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I can sleep stretched out in my 4Runner without moving the seats. Plus a 1200 lbs payload, means plenty of storage ability.
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Vimto
> Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/25/2014 at 16:14 |
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I think that goes for a lot of the BoF midsize SUVs - Pathfinder, 4Runner, Explorer, etc., all would do well. But the absolute best would surely be a Grand Caravan or Town&Country. Not the most reliable vehicles in the world but huge amounts of space while still being incognito as long as you're careful.
I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
> Vimto
12/14/2014 at 21:39 |
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Would you consider a Volvo station wagon? They are great to sleep in!