Are Honda Elements for Girls?

madmax

Keiko wrote: »

My friend owns an Element. Too boxey looking for my tastes.

That ain't boxey, mine is boxey. :biggrin:

I think the Element is pretty cool but the other day I saw 4 people get out of a fairly nice looking one and as each door closed everything rattled and gave me the impression it was a piece of junk. We are talking about a rattle that lasted a second after each door shut, not sure what it was.

jbooker82

xj4094dg wrote: »

Just stay away from the Ford Flex. Its the "Cool-Mom-Car".

I dont have one but would drive this one.

Willow

Who cares what others think, they are not buying it, you are! It's not a chick car, but not the coolest either. This coming from someone who owns a LTD rav4, Nissan Xtrail, and a Nissan altima (98) which is the car I drive to work everyday. Why cause I don't care and I don't have 1 car payment. If it suites your needs buy it!

arun1963

Jstas wrote: »

There's better options for basic transportation with a bit of space. The Fit comes to mind if you have a hard on for Honduh.

Element has acres of reflective surfaces, hard plastic materials that vibrate and next to no sound deadening because you can't get the typical foam and felt materials they use for sound deadening wet when you "hose it out". If you're buying one for a listening environment you must like going to concerts in high school gymnasiums. 'cause that's what it's gonna sound like.

Thats easy to fix. Throw in some thick carpeting that you can remove when you need to use the hose. I'm not smart but I'm sure theres a way to do it. The seats are fabric and hence less reflective than vinyl or leather. The windscreen is huge yes, but it is nearly vertical. If you angle the drivers on the pillars, you can cut reflections of the windshield by a ton. The height of the roof would add delay on reflections and would allow you to get a bigger stage. Deep footwells are great for stage depth.

Jstas wrote: »

Lastly, I didn't recommend the Edge for the listening environment. I recommended it because his wife said she wanted something for the family. He was worried about the listening environment. It's a good compromise for both sides.

I know he bought the Edge for practical reasons. The Edge was practical, but the Element could be practical and a good environment.

Jstas wrote: »

The Edge he has was doomed anyway because he already has a bias against Ford. Which makes me wonder why he got it in the first place when he could have gotten any number of the other competitors for similar prices but hey, to each his own.

Bias? What makes you think we're biased??.. jk

Jstas wrote: »

Oh and I have an Edge too. The stock stereo is 5.1 channel surround sound as well. THX Certified! :rolleyes:

But it's not competion grade sound nor environment.

MacLeod

I bought the edge cause we'd just had a kid and I let the wife browbeat me into getting an SUV. I went with Ford cause I get a fleet discount thru my work and got a really good deal on it. I hate it because its a POS. Engine vibrations coming thru into the cab, transmission waiting to 3000 rpm's to engage then launching you forward, lights in the dash burning out, loose gas tank banging around and so on. That's why I want rid of it.

As for the Element sq potential, yes there are lots of flat surfaces, there are also lots of materials out her to address this. Ive heard one or two of these things at various competitions over the years and trust me, they work.

shack

madmax wrote:

I think the Element is pretty cool but the other day I saw 4 people get out of a fairly nice looking one and as each door closed everything rattled and gave me the impression it was a piece of junk. We are talking about a rattle that lasted a second after each door shut, not sure what it was.

My 7 year old Element with 95K on has no rattles...and it has a fairly stiff suspension. What you may have heard were the seat belt buckles. The seat belts and buckles for the front passengers are attached to the rear doors...so with a hard slam they will make some noise...metal on plastic.

MacLeod

Hey Shack, how's yours for long trips? We head to Texas once a year (15 hours) and to Ohio once or twice (7 hours). You're a sizable fella like me, how would you rate the long trip comfort?

shack

Not too bad. We've taken it to S. Florida, the Upper Michigan peniusula, New Orleans and the Western Arkansas Ozarks from TN....all fairly long trips. The ride is typical of SUVs with fairly stiff suspensions. If you are looking for plush...this isn't your vehicle...but it is comfrotable enough. The driver's seat could use a few more adustments...but again not too bad. I'm 6' 4" tall and even with the seat all the way back there is still LOTS of room for those in the back seat and plenty of room for luggage. Of course head room is not an issue. Got around 24-25 mpg on the HWY (we have the LX awd). The AWD is nice when you get in rain and snow.

gdb

I think there is a Mercedes SUV around $100K that also looks like a square-assed BRICK, cept it's got the MB hood ornament. BFD, drive what feels right to you and your wallet!:cool:

http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1003&bih=598&q=boxy+mercedes+suv&gbv=2&aq=0&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=boxy+merc

mantis

Today a 'MAN'S RIDE" is kinda stupid. Gas prices are so high and such a waste just to LOOK COOL.
I say if the shoe fits here wear it man. A friend of mine owns one and he loves it. He's a biker and uses it to truck around his bikes. It's a fantastic outdoor man ride.

I drive a Nissan Pathfinder and I love it except the gas it uses. I would love to get into something like this.

arun1963

So are you getting it Mac?

cristo

Are Honda Elements for Girls?

No, if you do stuff in the back seat, you'll get about 50% girls and 50% boys on average 9 or more months later.

shack

cristo wrote:

Are Honda Elements for Girls?

No, if you do stuff in the back seat, you'll get about 50% girls and 50% boys on average 9 or more months later.

BACK SEAT? The front seat and back seat fold down in tandem to make a nice long "sleeping surface". :biggrin:

BottomFeeder

I love the Element. Loads of room, decent mileage & I like the looks. Pert near bought one for my daughter but found a bit smaller car, the Honda CRV, which was in better condition.

Like many here, my simple advice is to buy what works for you, regardless of what anyone else says, because most naysayers are saying nay because it doesn't work for them.

& When you DO listen to advice, I think that listening to what owners say is more valuable than what anyone else has to say.