i have a 2004 element 5-spd rt-awd...it really is awesome to drive. The interior makes you forget how different the exterior looks. I am a fan of the unusual textures and materials honda used. The k24 is pretty nimble but i hear thats only because mine is s stick.
My wife and I bought it brand new off the lot after I'd researched (real deal as in asking personal friends that have worked at Honda dealerships for years) them and found them to be one of the most trouble free models Honda offers.
While I cannot directly compare it to a Fit I can speak upon how much I love the Element.
I run a Honda/Acura only repair shop, so I've done all the maintenance on the Element. So far no REPIAR work has been needed in these first 50K miles or so. I've replaced the stock crapola Goodyear tires that wore out at 26k miles with Michelin LTX and it's been the best "mod" I can imagine. Other than that the battery was replaced at 45K/4 years.
I'll list the very few "cons" first:
1. Only seats 4 people
Due to the way the rear seats split/fold/remove there is no center seating in the rear.
2. Stock Goodyear tires suck balls
3. A few random rattles from the dash and left rear plastic panel, but they've been gone now for about a year - no repair was done
4. Noisy A/C idler pulley
Stated at 25K and has stayed the same since. Local dealership "replaced drive belt" whilst under warranty, but I told their dumb asses then that it was the tensioner itself. This would be a big deal if it wasn't also a noise found on EVERY single Honda made after 2003.
5. Front seat bolsters are starting to separate from seat insert materials
It looks like the threads that attach the rubbery seat bolster to the fabric insets is startign to stretch. This may turn into a full blown tear sooner or later
6. Gas mileage is not "wagonish" at all
Since we've owned the car we've gotten what I'd call dissappointing gas mileage. it's not uncommon for us to get under 300 miles per tank, and the tank has been filled up with about 14-15 gallons or so. It averages about low 20's which compared to wagons with stock engines SUCKS.
Now the good, which IMO far outweighs the bad:
1. Reliable - period
Unlike the CR-Vs the Elements don't suffer from random door lock actuator issues, or exploding A/C compressors that take the entire system out with it (to the tune of $2,000.00). The K24A and attached tranny is rock solid.
2. Refined, quiet, smooth ride
3. Better ground clearance than wagons
4. CARGO AREA
Seats in, seats folded out of the way, or seats out - this thing just flat out has tons of space. I'm sure you'd get REAL creative in what you'd fit in there.
5. No carpet to worry about
6. Excellent factory sound system with EX model
MPS auxillary jack built into dash, nice subwoofer, and a great head unit (with XM if you care) all add up to a great factory sound system.
7. Super huge leg and head room for rear passengers
People who ride in the back always comment on how much room they have all around. Stadium seating is a nice feature too. Rear seats are reclinable for extra comfort.
8. Safer than wagons
Airbags everywhere, ABS, crumple zones, etc. - I'd rather my wife and child get smacked in this thing than a 19 year old wagon.
There's more. If you have any Q's feel free to ask away. I'm keeping our Element literally forever if possible. We got an auto model because we actually wanted a comfy car that we could just gas and go. I'm a huge fan of stick shifts, but the auto is actually really nice to have on at least one car. Unlike so many other post 1998 Honda auto trannies the Element has seemed to have dodged the suspect tranmissios found in many other models.
We would have bought an Element brand new years ago if it were not for the relatively low cargo weight capacity. If you subtract the curb weight of the vehicle from the GVWR, you end up with about 660 lbs for passengers and cargo.
If you plan on doing camerawork with the vehicle might i suggest the Element - can get more places. If your job sometimes requires that bit of extra elevation, then the element works there too.
2004 RT-AWD EX Fiji Blue Pearl
94k miles
5 speed manual tranny
I have owned the car for 18 months
It has roof racks, removable rear sunroof, nice wheels, awesome stereo
The only "mods" were the Mugen shift knob and the iVTEC decals
Clean in and out...havent had any major problems.
In the time I have owned it besides regular oil changes I put new OEM rotors and pads, a new radiator, and 4 new tires.
here are a couple crappy pics I took a while ago...sorry i dont have any better ones but i can take some
i have an element sub and cd player from the ex model if any one is interested..........my friend thought his was a ferrari then opps he crashed it.............it was a nice car from what i could see
i have a huge bucket of legos...my excuse is that im spending time with my son, but in reality i still love to play
i also have a gigantice bucket of legos in storage; and an even bigger box of K'nex- i got really into
k'nex when i was like 16-22years old... but i put them back in storage too...
Comments
The Fit reminds me of an evolved wagon. To each their own
what about a Honda Odesey? the new shuttle...
you can get a JDM 2.4 s/c special edition. someone here in the UK has one, got it for DIRT cheap too!
Fit/Jazz are too small imo. you see lots of middle age mom's driving them here, and old people lol
its AALLLLLLL about the old school!
I am probably selling it soon tho
"""Official thread jack:""" How much, how many miles, and where are you located?
WERD!!! more info please... color? sunroof??? mods if any???
LOLS thread jack my own thread...
What was your cousin doing in Atlanta...? lol I know exactly where that picture was taken.
That was from the Spring IA meet. Haha.
man i love your wagon..dude you got to tell me where you get you parts from
I own a 2005 Element EX 2WD.
My wife and I bought it brand new off the lot after I'd researched (real deal as in asking personal friends that have worked at Honda dealerships for years) them and found them to be one of the most trouble free models Honda offers.
While I cannot directly compare it to a Fit I can speak upon how much I love the Element.
I run a Honda/Acura only repair shop, so I've done all the maintenance on the Element. So far no REPIAR work has been needed in these first 50K miles or so. I've replaced the stock crapola Goodyear tires that wore out at 26k miles with Michelin LTX and it's been the best "mod" I can imagine. Other than that the battery was replaced at 45K/4 years.
I'll list the very few "cons" first:
1. Only seats 4 people
Due to the way the rear seats split/fold/remove there is no center seating in the rear.
2. Stock Goodyear tires suck balls
3. A few random rattles from the dash and left rear plastic panel, but they've been gone now for about a year - no repair was done
4. Noisy A/C idler pulley
Stated at 25K and has stayed the same since. Local dealership "replaced drive belt" whilst under warranty, but I told their dumb asses then that it was the tensioner itself. This would be a big deal if it wasn't also a noise found on EVERY single Honda made after 2003.
5. Front seat bolsters are starting to separate from seat insert materials
It looks like the threads that attach the rubbery seat bolster to the fabric insets is startign to stretch. This may turn into a full blown tear sooner or later
6. Gas mileage is not "wagonish" at all
Since we've owned the car we've gotten what I'd call dissappointing gas mileage. it's not uncommon for us to get under 300 miles per tank, and the tank has been filled up with about 14-15 gallons or so. It averages about low 20's which compared to wagons with stock engines SUCKS.
Now the good, which IMO far outweighs the bad:
1. Reliable - period
Unlike the CR-Vs the Elements don't suffer from random door lock actuator issues, or exploding A/C compressors that take the entire system out with it (to the tune of $2,000.00). The K24A and attached tranny is rock solid.
2. Refined, quiet, smooth ride
3. Better ground clearance than wagons
4. CARGO AREA
Seats in, seats folded out of the way, or seats out - this thing just flat out has tons of space. I'm sure you'd get REAL creative in what you'd fit in there.
5. No carpet to worry about
6. Excellent factory sound system with EX model
MPS auxillary jack built into dash, nice subwoofer, and a great head unit (with XM if you care) all add up to a great factory sound system.
7. Super huge leg and head room for rear passengers
People who ride in the back always comment on how much room they have all around. Stadium seating is a nice feature too. Rear seats are reclinable for extra comfort.
8. Safer than wagons
Airbags everywhere, ABS, crumple zones, etc. - I'd rather my wife and child get smacked in this thing than a 19 year old wagon.
There's more. If you have any Q's feel free to ask away. I'm keeping our Element literally forever if possible. We got an auto model because we actually wanted a comfy car that we could just gas and go. I'm a huge fan of stick shifts, but the auto is actually really nice to have on at least one car. Unlike so many other post 1998 Honda auto trannies the Element has seemed to have dodged the suspect tranmissios found in many other models.
Good luck with the choice!
2004 RT-AWD EX Fiji Blue Pearl
94k miles
5 speed manual tranny
I have owned the car for 18 months
It has roof racks, removable rear sunroof, nice wheels, awesome stereo
The only "mods" were the Mugen shift knob and the iVTEC decals
Clean in and out...havent had any major problems.
In the time I have owned it besides regular oil changes I put new OEM rotors and pads, a new radiator, and 4 new tires.
here are a couple crappy pics I took a while ago...sorry i dont have any better ones but i can take some
looks like a massive Lego car!
me too. i have a collection of over 100 sets, i sold to some peado years ago. i should of kept it, would be worth a furtune now
i also have a gigantice bucket of legos in storage; and an even bigger box of K'nex- i got really into
k'nex when i was like 16-22years old... but i put them back in storage too...
You SOB!!! Ban yourself...
So what's next??
But next on the list is an Element.... currently on the hunt; test
drove one yesterday- but couldnt get past teh blue trim on the
interior...
I will snag another wagon next summer... got a lil stock pile of
wagon parts in hiding...
If you get an Element please get one with the painted side panels. The ones with the unpainted plastic side panels just don't look as cool...
i have 2 picked out; both have unpainted side panels... LOLS!!!