"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars)
06/01/2016 at 13:29 • Filed to: None
1
37|
"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars)
06/01/2016 at 13:29 • Filed to: None | 1
| 37 |
Hey all, I’m looking to buy one as a shop vehicle to keep and beat on. I’ve driven the stick version and was pleasantly surprised with it’s driving dynamics. I’m just curious as to the group consensus of it.
I’d probably side more with an automatic (blasphemy, I know) because the highway gearing is longer and I’m on the road constantly. But I’m a big fan of the versatility, usable cargo space and rubber floors. I’m also a fan of the seats folding into a bed so I can sleep in it if needed.
So let me know your opinions. I’ll probably ignore them all. Or maybe not.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:34 |
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I know that they’re pretty much the best thing going for people 6'4" and up. Not that I am, but there’s a guy at work with one like that, and the gun reviewer Hickok45 has one for that reason as well. Versatility is also very high, obviously.
HammerheadFistpunch
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:35 |
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as a work truck, I’m sure it will be fine. That being said, so would a minivan.
Twism
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:37 |
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Biggest issue with these is the styling.
If you like it, it’s a pretty bulletproof and surprisingly roomy little car.
KeedyT
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:38 |
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“On the road constantly” sounds horrible in an Element. I had one for 10 months, had the most horrible seats in any car I’ve ever owned and was god-awful on the highway (buzzy, cross-wind prone, etc). I’ve been a Honda fan-boi in the past and the element has it’s very very cool points but...
ymmv
Your boy, BJR
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:39 |
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Best car made since Hupmobile went under.
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Jay Lauer
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/01/2016 at 13:40 |
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Well I’m 5'11" on a good day. But you’re right. There’s tons of head room. It’ll work with my 10 gallon hat.
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Jay Lauer
> Twism
06/01/2016 at 13:40 |
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I’ve owned an STI before. This is an improvement on styling.
dogisbadob
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:42 |
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It’s a cool-looking versatile reliable Honda, but one thing you need to know: you CANNOT hose down the interior!!!!!!! There is no drain hole.
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Jay Lauer
> KeedyT
06/01/2016 at 13:42 |
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Well what’s the alternative to an element, a small truck?
I’m genuinely curious; I’m open to any suggestions. I have no biases.
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Jay Lauer
> Your boy, BJR
06/01/2016 at 13:43 |
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For being utter dogshit?
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Jay Lauer
> dogisbadob
06/01/2016 at 13:43 |
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And from what I remember, the ECU is under the floor. I may be wrong; that’s just heresay.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Your boy, BJR
06/01/2016 at 13:46 |
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Some days I think for a moment that Hupmobile boosterism is a joke that’s gone too far. But then I remember - THE HUPP IS REAL.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:48 |
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Hupmobiles have a bitching art deco grill, stylized “H”, and are the only car with a passenger rocketship hood ornament. You are therefore wrong.
SkyNet
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:48 |
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Hideous but useful.
Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:50 |
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I remember there being a possibility with some folding of seats that there’s A TON of cargo room. Was on the short list of cars my dad wanted to get me to take to college.
Normal you know. It’s a Honda. Transmission problems with high mileage. Super cool car.
Tekamul
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:52 |
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I haven’t owned one, but a former coworker has. She’s had it for 10 years, still loves it. If you don’t mind ugly, they do lots of things very well.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> HammerheadFistpunch
06/01/2016 at 13:52 |
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A little easier to park/etc. than most minivans, and beats hell out of at least one of the alternatives (PT). Not sure how it stacks up vs. an HHR.
Sneaky Pete
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:53 |
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I’ve always liked the versatility, but for a little 4 cylinder, the mileage isn’t very good. Always liked how the ex has the removable sunroof over the cArgo area.
adamftw
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:54 |
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You LIKED the way it drove? It is one of the most anemic and boring vehicles to drive, ever. My buddy owned one for years and 140k miles and when he got rid of it (waited to get his money’s worth of it) he was so happy. It even was a 5 speed.
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Jay Lauer
> adamftw
06/01/2016 at 13:57 |
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It’s a box. I’m not expecting it to drive like a GT3. It drove pretty fine to me.
Ross Kraz
> dogisbadob
06/01/2016 at 13:58 |
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a gun will fix that
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Jay Lauer
> Sneaky Pete
06/01/2016 at 13:58 |
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I would’ve preferred they do a v6 to keep the revs down, but oh well. The mileage isn’t great; you’re right. But it’s also a brick in the air.
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KeedyT
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 13:58 |
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There’s a Kia Soul in my garage now that I drive a couple times a week and find imminently more comfortable than the Element was. Older Scion Xb? Pontiac Vibe? (all probably cheaply available as older used and beat-up-able and good on gas)
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Jay Lauer
> Tekamul
06/01/2016 at 13:58 |
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That’s how I pick a mate.
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Jay Lauer
> KeedyT
06/01/2016 at 14:01 |
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I’ve had an 08 Scion xB before. They’re great cars, but I couldn’t fill it with car parts the same I could an element with rubber floors. That’s my only hesitation.
And I don’t like buying the same car twice. Personal thing. No real reason.
jariten1781
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 14:02 |
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Nothing bad to say about it, but not a lot of experience with them either...seemed fine. That said, early Transit Connects are going for 4 figures now (much lower with some miles) and are pretty much the best small work trucks out there.
CalzoneGolem
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 14:06 |
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You’d think a Land Rover guy would understand that.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> CalzoneGolem
06/01/2016 at 14:12 |
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Range Rovers are comfortable and pleasant to drive, other types of Rover are lurchey and abusive to drive. The important part is not to be
boring.
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CalzoneGolem
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/01/2016 at 14:16 |
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other types of Rover are lurchey and abusive to drive.
RamblinRover
RamblinRover are lurchey and abusive to drive.
Chasaboo
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 14:18 |
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Totally rad.
marshknute
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 14:18 |
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That lead pic is really fantastic! Such a cool composition!
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> CalzoneGolem
06/01/2016 at 14:31 |
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It’s a fair cop, but society’s to blame.
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KeedyT
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 14:37 |
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That’s plenty reason enough brother!
The Element may just fit the bill for your need it was just a low spot for me. I will say that it did my little mobile detail business duty quite well w/ the ease of folding up the seats and not worrying about carpets.
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 15:14 |
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Everyone I know that has one is always gushing about how practical they are.
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adamftw
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/01/2016 at 18:59 |
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This guy gets it. Not boring is key.
wafflesnfalafel
> Jay Lauer
06/01/2016 at 19:38 |
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my brother in law has one - had it for several years with no issues. It gets crappy gas mileage for it’s size and goes through windshields quick (rock dings/cracks.) A super flexible, useful vehicle.
torque
> Jay Lauer
06/02/2016 at 07:50 |
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The Element is definitely a very decent box on wheels. If I were looking for one, I’d look for one with a manual, since I think Honda had issues with auto trans. on this (at high miles at least).
Thinking of alternatives (Since it hasn’t been suggested yet), you might want to look at Mazda5's
Another decent small box on wheels like the Element & they can also be found with a manual transmission option. Shares a lot with the Mazda 3, so handling is ok.
So-so fuel econ., though if you live somewhere that uses salt on the roads in winter, get as new a model year as you can as Mazda (like Subaru) had rust issues especially around the rear wheels that seems to have improved quite a bit in the past 6-8 years vs. older Mazdas