Honda Element - Oppopinions?

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
01/03/2015 at 16:50 • Filed to: Oppopinions

In searching for a potential replacement for my wife's Cavalier, I came across a rather low-priced Honda Element. They do come in an AWD flavour, and the seats fold completely flat. I'd say that seems pretty nifty. Anyone have any seat time in one? Was it decent?

DISCUSSION (47)

Funktheduck > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 16:54

I've only known a few people with them but never heard any complaints.

Steve in Manhattan > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 16:56

Never rented one - they were always taken, but I've sat in one at a car show, and it looks wonderfully utilitarian. Hose-it-out easy. Buddy in CA has one, loves it.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 16:58

I've ridden in one on a few occasions. Lots of highway noise, but very spacious.

Tom McParland > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 16:59

From what I know they are pretty solid...a couple of surfer friends of mine had them. Basically a boxy CR-V, tons of space but so-so MPGs with AWD and can be a little shaky at highway speeds. That being said still an improvement over a Cavalier.

Clown Shoe Pilot > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:00

Mrs. Shoe Pilot used to have one. We regret giving it up.

If you get the AWD version, it's likely to have a nasty "clack clack clack" at the rear. This is just the rear diff and means that the previous owner never changed the fluid. Easy fix.

Other than that, totally solid. Would own again.

Alfalfa > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:00

My dad has one, it's pretty livable inside. He doesn't drive much, mostly bicycles everywhere. He really just has it for transporting bikes. He likes the utilitarianism of it a lot.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:05

look at the possibilities!

Kinja'd!!!

Sn210 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:07

I rode in my aunts once. Like others said, there's lots of room and the seats will fold flat. I found it very utilitarian, but if that's what you want it's very good for that. Her floor was rubber too, not sure if they're all like that.

coelacanthist > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:07

A woman I work with has one with some crazy miles on it, I want to say over 300k. I've only ever heard good things. I think they are ugly enough to look good.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:13

I actually like the element a lot. How much is the one you found? Good ones go for about 6000-6500

PowderHound > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:16

come in fwd and awd. Available 5 speed! I have known several people who had the 5 speed and leve them and another with awd and stick. No complaints with honda reliability. All of these people camp and have dogs and really use the spce of them. Bonus washable interior!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
01/03/2015 at 17:16

Er, yes, possibilities! Just like the possibility of catching hepatitis from someone sneezing on the bean sprouts at the grocery store...

In all seriousness, though, I did do a quick search for lifted Honda Elements. It seems like it is possible. It could make for quite an entertaining little vehicle.

WhereAreMyPants > Clown Shoe Pilot
01/03/2015 at 17:16

Exactly what I was going to add.

I got tons of seat time in them when I sold Hondas. Great utility vehicle, super-reliable, surprisingly comfortable. Not an especially exciting drive, but a super practical car.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
01/03/2015 at 17:18

Cheapest I've seen is $4k: http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

Decent ones do seem more around $6k. E.g.: http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

sellphones2493 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:18

A few kids had these in high school. At the time, I thought they were pretty cool, but my mom wouldn't let me get one because she thought they only good for 'canoodling' in the back.

That's the extent of my Element knowledge. I wonder if they're plagued with typical Honda Transmission issues.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Sn210
01/03/2015 at 17:19

I think they all might have the rubber interior. The fold-flat seats do seem pretty handy when hauling stuff. By the looks of it, they might be removable as well.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:21

I'd get one. Im actually thinking of getting one as a DD to replace the ranger once I can afford a project car. Probably wont be for years, but They are sturdy little runabouts.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:22

Sn210 is right, utilitarian is the word. Its a great car if its what you need. With kids its great, plastic fenders are worry free, its configurable inside, doors open wide. I know a surfer with a family and he practically hoses it out, it is what it is, its a utilitarian Honda and it will probably run forever. You can do a mild 3 inch lift too.

Kinja'd!!!

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:24

Father had one - he said there wasn't enough power from the K-series engine lurking under the bonnet and it was so dangerous that slight winds were enough to buffet the car into the next lane.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:31

http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/

Kinja'd!!!

Get an Ursa Minor kit for it!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:37

A Honda Element was part of the weirdest street race I've ever been a part of. I was driving with a friend of mine and we came up to a light next to an Element. I didn't get a look at it because it was dark out and it was an Element, but it had like a 5" tachometer on the dash and was an Element, so I hated him immediately. For some reason when the light turned green, we both punched it and off we went.

I should mention at this time that I was driving a 2000 Ford F-150 XLT Supercab 4x4. Nothing remarkable about it at all. I understand why I went as soon as the light turned (because he was driving an Element with a 5" tach), but I still don't get why he did.

Apparently first gear in the Element is really short, because he had to shift at maybe 20mph, and I pulled out a truck length. At the shift I heard a BOV, so apparently he had turbocharged his Element, which was weird but at least kinda explains the tach. By the time we were through his 2nd gear he clawed back 1/4 length, then I pulled out to 1.5 lengths in his next shift, so I don't know the deal with the linkage...either he sucked or the shifter sucked.

In third he finally started reeling me in, but I was ahead and shut it down at about 80mph.

So...I like the Element, but don't go around racing F-150s, even if you turbocharge it.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:41

My cousin has had one for 6-7 years, and she's never had a problem with it. If IIRC when they got it, it already had 120-130k miles on it. I've driven it, it isn't anything spectacular, but it's a perfectly fine little... thing. It's super easy to keep the inside cleaned out, and it's held up quite well for regularly having two sub-8 year old, ginger hellions on board.

Sam > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 17:59

For the love of God, no. We've had one for probably 6 years now. It's incredibly loud inside, the forward visibility is terrible, and repairs are insane. We had to have the engine pulled to replace the AC clutch. The rear brake discs needed to be replaced and due to the way they're attached it became a 4 day job. Also, the doors are the worst thing ever. If you're in a parking lot and there are people behind you, you have to tango with them to get out. And God forbid someone is in the back without someone in front of them...

E92M3 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 18:55

My Brother-in-law put 300k+ trouble free miles on one. He sells handicap equipment to doctors and hospitals in 5 states. So it was perfect for that. Can't say I would want to drive one everday myself. He views cars as appliances though. I think if I was him I would want something that had more options and rode a little nicer.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 19:19

Id honestly much rather see a lifted one than a stanced one. Displaying stanced versions of cars for everyone is like showing them their heroes after they've taken meth. Not sure why I enjoy it so..

BaconSandwich is tasty. > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
01/03/2015 at 21:19

Heroes after meth. I'll have to remember that one.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Sam
01/03/2015 at 21:20

How hard would you say it is to get a little person (e.g.: child) in/out of the back seat?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
01/03/2015 at 21:21

Excellent. That's one thing I'm wondering about - Will it Baby? I do wonder how difficult it is to get a little munchkin in/out of the back seat with the doors arranged the way they are.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
01/03/2015 at 21:22

Ha ha! That's hilarious!

Given it is a Honda, there's probably a good chance that someone has stuffed a K20 into one.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
01/03/2015 at 21:24

Oh man. I didn't know such a thing existed. But now I do. Hmmm...

BaconSandwich is tasty. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
01/03/2015 at 21:24

I also think the Element would make a pretty cool looking little truck. Now I just need to find one that has some upper-rear end damage, get myself a sawzall, and a MIG welder...

BaconSandwich is tasty. > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
01/03/2015 at 21:25

Nice!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
01/03/2015 at 21:25

Ranger, eh? I like the way you think.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 21:27

Mmmmmhmmmmm

Kinja'd!!!

This was taken on thursday

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
01/03/2015 at 21:46

Just out of curiosity, what year is it?

My brother has a Ranger. I think his is a 1997. Just this past weekend he had his idler pulley break.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 21:56

Mine is a One owner 1993 XLT Supercab with a 4.0L V6 and a 5 speed Manual. 104,800 miles. Comprehensive Maintenance records going back to 9/1993, a meticulously kept mileage and service log. Its in great shape. I should do write up on it at somepoint. This thing is essentially a barn find

TDogg > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 21:59

I approve of this message.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 22:02

They never really had any trouble with theirs with babies, that's the whole reason they got it. Her purple Crapalier wasn't going to cut it.

Sam > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 22:03

I would assume it would be easy. If you haven't seen the suicide doors in action, I'd recommend you check them out. The accessibility wouldn't be an issue however. If you notice, the seating is actually theater style, with the backs higher than the front.

Kinja'd!!!

(Not our Element, ours is the same gen but in green)

JeepJeremy > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/03/2015 at 22:04

My buddy has one. He bought it new, first model year. It's a wonderful vehicle. He's put 200+k miles on it and it really has never had any major issues. It's been driven from Ohio to Seattle, Ohio to Omaha, Ohio to Denver, Ohio to Pittsburgh three times and Philly once, Ohio to Mammoth, California and he lived out there for a few years so it's been a daily driver in both the Cincinnati area and the Sierra Nevada mts. It's a great road trip vehicle. Huge on the inside. Great sound system. His has the AWD system and has never been stuck. I'd recommend one to anyone. Such versatility! Always a pleasure to cruise around in!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
01/07/2015 at 21:25

Nice! You should definitely do a write-up on it!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > sellphones2493
01/07/2015 at 21:28

Canoodling. He he he.

Typical Honda transmission issues?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/08/2015 at 02:05

At some point, when its warmer and I can set up my DSLR on a tripod

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
01/08/2015 at 09:47

Just out of curiosity, what part of the continent are you at?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/08/2015 at 12:16

Colorado

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
01/08/2015 at 12:43

OK. Not too crazy far away, but far enough that I couldn't quite make a day trip out of it. I'm in Southern Alberta, have some camera equipment, and it's been far too long since I've shot something with it.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BaconSandwich is tasty.
01/08/2015 at 13:06

Well if youre ever in my area, feel free to look me up! I'm always up for meeting fellow Oppos