Calling all Honda Lovers

[Shark Attack]

Element vs CRV both 4cyl 2wd. Both priced similar. I need a new company car & would like something that can carry boats. I would be interested in a Subaru, but they don't sell them in Conway.

Wes

[elduderino]

http://www.topgear.com/us/features/more ... ker-fails/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Those fellas at top gear are pretty smart. About halfway down, it talks about the element.

[Clif]

What kinda company-ing will it need to do. These cars are outfitted for different work. E more utility, crv more comfy. Or were when I last looked at them.

[robkanraft]

This isn't exactly an answer to your question, however in anticipation of needing a replacement vehicle I’ve been debating the Element and the Sube wagon. I'm more about utility than beauty, so in my view, Element wins on price, practical and funky with a plus being able to sleep in it occasionally… however, in my opinion the Sube wins on highway handling (wheel base, wind profile and mph) and power, also important to me. I haven’t seen many E’s pulling raft or utility trailers, but I have seen plenty behind the wagons. There is a faction out there that contends E’s are underpowered. My best advice would be to borrow or possibly rent an Element a few days.

Truth is, I probably don’t need AWD, but as for the Honda, I’d hate myself for spending that much money on a 2wd and not having the AWD. I still haven’t figured it out and therefore haven’t done anything, but what pricing and compares I've done I’m probably closer to a Honda on budget and closer repair services than the Sube, and that might be the final consideration. My two cents...

[Jim Krueger]

Wes,

I have been a very long time fan of Volvo's and they are only sold in a place or two in Arkansas, mostly nowhere near where I live...I've had four Volvo's and currently own two, it's never been convenient to get them serviced at the dealership, but I still wouldn't change my mind. My two cents worth is to go get a Subaru wherever that may be, if that's what you really like.

Best Regards
Jim Moose

[Steve S]

My Element will be 4 years old next week, and I have really enjoyed driving it. I do a lot of cycling, so there is always a bike inside (the left rear seat is folded up to accommodate the bike). I use Yakima racks to carry two OC-1's when heading to the river.

Mine has a 5-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. I have never had the need for AWD. My son, who lives in New England, also has a 2005 5-speed Element, but he does have AWD. He says that the AWD is great for the snow and ice that he frequently encounters from November through March.

I saw an Element with a bumper sticker that said "Screw Aerodynamics". The Element is not the most slippery shape moving down the highway. But I get an average of 24 MPG in mixed town and interstate driving. Add two canoes, and it gets about 22 MPG at 70 MPH. The 4-cylinder engine does an outstanding job; I've had passengers who think it has a 6-cylinder.

The interior is easy to clean. But don't believe the rumor that you can open the doors and hose it out. There are a lot of wires running under the floor which won't handle being flooded out. But a wet sponge and a rag have always done a quick and thorough job of removing mud and dirt from the interior.

And when Honda says the Element is rated for 4 passengers, don't think they are being conservative. Because the two rear seats are designed to fold up and to the side, there is no comfortable place in the middle for someone to ride safely or comfortably.

Honda says that the Element has a total cargo capacity of 650 lbs, and that includes the passengers. I've never found that to be an issue. When the car was only a couple months old, we drove from Moab to Little Rock with approximately 1000 lbs including 4 bikes on the roof rack. With the air-conditioner running for all its worth, we got only 20 MPG, but we noticed no deterioration in handling on the interstate.

The ground clearance is no better than the average passenger sedan. It may be classified as an SUV, but don't assume it will handle rough terrain.

The Element's engine shares a trait with the one in the Civic. It is designed to be high revving. At first it is a bit disconcerting to be heading down the interstate at 70 MPH with the tachometer showing 3500 RPM. The engine noise is no more than you would hear in any other small car so the only indication you have is the reading on the tach. After a couple weeks, I quit looking at the tach after I was in 5th gear.

Would I buy another Element? You bet. It is fun to drive and does a great job of supporting my hobbies. And if Honda didn't offer the Element, my next choice would be a Suburu Forrester.

[turboturtle]

As I understand, Subi is going to have to rid themselves of there boxer motor soon as it will not meet future emission specs and the MPG isn't the greatest. It has been a quite reliable motor, just outdated.
When I do break down and purchase a new vehicle I'm going with the new larger Rav like Scott Hanshaws or the Matrix. Both by Toyota. Mid to upper twenties and mid to upper thirty mpg for the Matrix.

My $0.02

Bob

[Zach]

I'm pretty jealous of the space in the back of the element. A guy I ride with has one and we can fit 3 mountain bikes with wheels still on in the back without too much trouble. I've got the older Rav4 which is much shorter. Though I've got a lot more ground clearance so it is a tradeoff.

Another problem is transmission. The Element still comes in a stick shift, but I don't think the CRV or Rav4 have that option anymore.

[Shark Attack]

Thanks for the input guys. The Element I'm looking at has an automatic transmission, not a plus. Having pulling power or 4wd is not an issue as I have other vehicles that can do that job. What is necessary is good gas mileage, big enough for my aerodynamic body and cheap.

Wes

[painterbob]

THE HUMMER 2.5.... AKA THE TOASTER.... HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG!

[RomanLA]

I looked at the Element and XTerra in 2005. I ended up getting the XTerra, because it wasn't much more expensive and it had a lot more engine. I do like the functionality of the Element though. I would definitely consider getting an Outback. I like that it has the low roof for easy loading and unloading. The AWD would probably be nice in some places we go (I don't have 4WD), but I'm not sure if the lack of clearance would be a problem.

[CapnTom]

Being a mechanic at a Honda Dealership...

The Element is an exellent vehicle.
It is a CRV in different clothing.Basically all the mechanicals are the same.
The '97-'01 CRV models were based on the Civic motor design except with more
displacement and duel-overhead-cam configuration. In '02 Honda stepped-up and
used the Accord motor(more power).Honda has not built a CRV I wouldn't own.
My sister has an '02 and an '05 CRV. My parents have an '08 CRV.
That being said...
I would rather have the Element. Function is where it's at.
The side doors are great! The rubber floor-mat is great!

I keep waiting for an Element to gernade a motor so I can pick one up cheap.
No such luck. When we get one in on a trade,(very rarely) it is usually sold
before it ever hits the lot. Most people will drive them until the kids go to college,
then Mom & Dad give junior the Element and buy themselves a new Element.
(lucky brats!!!)

Every paddler I've talked to who owns an Element loves it.


My .02 cents worth(actually .01 cent adjusted for inflation)...

CapnTom...

[RespiratoryMan]

2000 Honda Accord Commute car only w / 210,000. Still going strong, just tires and freq oil changes. Hope to get 400'000 +
Just my 2 cents
Brett

[Cowper]

Steve's thoughts are typical of most Element drivers I have talked to. However, I do have to note that one Element driver I know is rarely seen in it on the weekends now, because he has another vehicle that is much more suited to many of our "ground clearance required" Arkansas roads. I think the CRV has an edge in that department. So it may depend on which creeks and streams you like to float...

[pdavis68]

I assume I'm too late on this topic, but if not, here's my $0.02

I have a 2005 Honda Element. I've never had so much fun driving a car. Mine gets about 30 MPG on the highway. Better than advertised!

I don't have a roof rack, but since I just bought a kayak, I'll be getting one soon.

I do have the cabana attachment, the seat back for the tailgate, the interior privacy curtain, and a few other goodies that are great for camping.

I've never seen a car as well engineered as the Element. The back seats are just one example of the phenomenal engineering prowess at Honda. They can be fully reclined and then they can be folded up against the windows to make it easy to make more space available. Alternatively, you can simply remove the back seats altogether. In either case, the operation is simple and more importantly, putting the seats back in is a piece of cake. Everything just snaps into place without a lot of jiggling and pushing and forcing stuff.

Also, and this is kinda cool: You can fold down the front and back seats, slide them together, and make 2 side-by-side beds. Haven't actually slept in it, so I can't say how comfortable it is, but nice to know it can do that.

Everything about the Element, that I've noticed, is just exceptionally well engineered. I've never found myself thinking, "I wish they had done it this way instead." Instead, I find myself thinking, "Wow, that's clever!"

Anyway, I'm sure the CRV is great too, but I've never been in one. I KNOW the Element is great, especially if you're into outdoors stuff (I doubt you want to take the garden hose and spray out your CRV!)