Honda Element First Drive

[Sputnik]

The other day canadian Driver posted a review of the Honda Element.http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/ ... ent.htmThe ugly cars topic prompted me to start its own thread.

[Triton]

$23,900 to $28,900?!?!?!?! They better be offering some pretty hefty rebates on it! Oh wait, they can't do that! They just spent millions of dollars on advertising it during the Super Bowl! I would like to know how much they spent on advertising on Sunday. Honda has really lost it this time. That is way too much money for that thing! Honda must think that because they sell so many cars that they can just say, "Here. If you don't like it, too bad!" Either that or they are just trying to get back some of that advertising money.I would really like to see how much room is inside of one of those. It can't be that much more than the Vibe to justify the cost. BTW, did anyone else notice the funky bend to the stick shift? What the heck is up with that?!I hope I didn't sound too opinionated in my post here. I am not usually like this. That price though...

[redtrdmatrix]

That thing looks hideous.

[Flip-Side]

quote:the car is suppose to be targeting to the younger crowds, such as college students.So was the Aztec...hmmmm...starting to see a pattern.....

[Sputnik]

Thats Canadian funds - its really not that much different in price than the Vibe. My Vibe was $26100 sticker price.

[Triton]

WHEW!!! That's a little better I guess. Still too expensive for what it is. The U.S. dollar suggested retail is starting from $16,100 to $20,850. I built one that would be similar to the options I have on my Vibe at it came to $24,727. Get this, they charge you for carpeted floor mats and the ash tray (not that I use mine, but still). If anyone wants to see the prices, take a look at Honda.com and build one. Here is the color I picked...LOL!!!

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[KSNeptune]

The only thing I don't like about it is the checkerboard paint job. It's Aztecish, and would look alot better monotone.The overall shape I could get used to, if the cargo capacity and versatility proved to be very useful.KSNeptune

[ngilbert]

quote:The car really reminds me of the old Willy's Jeep or am I the only one who thinks that? It isnt that bad looking, I actually like it.You're not the only one, I like it too. One of the reason I like the Vibe so much was that it was a little different than what everyone else was driving (and coming from a Z24, it seemed like everyone had one). This Element fits the "different" bill, I like the looks, the versatility, the easy on the fuel bill design, and if the Vibe didn't exist, and there wasn't a GM vehicle available like it, and if I didn't have a bunch of GM Visa dollars available (a bunch of ifs..) I think an Element would be in my garage right now!

[mu_ohio]

quote:the car is suppose to be targeting to the younger crowds, such as college students. Remembering back to my college days, I really wanted a vehicle that didn't require me to work 40 hours a week. At that rate, you will not have a chance ot use the vehicle for anything fun. It might appeal to the post college crowd like me, but still a little steap.

[JustinVGT]

I'm in college full-time also. I like some of the design features on the Element, but not that gray plastic paneling. The interior design is cool, the way the seats fold, and I like those suicide doors. I don't care for the dash though. It looks like they copied some of the design from the Vibe/Matrix, but it looks a little to cheap or FisherPrice comes to mind. I still love the Vibe, and would take it over the Element any day.Later,

[Stang2Vibe]

quote:the car is suppose to be targeting to the younger crowds, such as college students.Yes, the blind ones. But I'd bet that even Helen Keller would say it is ugly after feeling some of the body panels. I'm a full time college student and car enthusiast and I can guarantee that the Element might just be the very last car I'd EVER desire to own. I'd rather walk than drive that monstrosity. Just another reason for me to hate Hondas. God, I'd hate to have to work at a Honda dealer with those fugly things sitting around all the time. It would make me want to poke out my eyes so I'd never have to see one again. I can't believe that my girlfriend actuall likes those nasty looking things. Eeeecccchhhh. Can anyone post some pics of any crashed up Elements? I'll be cheering when I see them (though not hoping that anyone was hurt).There is a new Mercedes coming out soon that looks similar to the Element but without the exceptionally hideous plastic body cladding. It isn't very attractive in my view, either.

[viBert]

I'd like to see it in brown monotone with UPS painted on the side.

[Triton]

quote:I'd like to see it in brown monotone with UPS painted on the side.LOL!!! That would be perfect!

[kaybeejay]

I don't think its that bad. I mean, its not my style - but I can see this having its niche. The Interior has alot of pretty nifty goodies, the base price is fair and it is backed by Honda quality and reputation.This would make an excellent "fleet vehicle" used for advertising and marketing. I can see Radio stations or pizza joints buying these up to put stickers and decals on them cause they naturally draw so much attention (similar to the Xterra/Vibe/Aztec/New Beetle/H2/etc..)Remember this is marketed to those with an active lifestyle. I has sat in one of these and the interior is huge! Since the inside is "waterproof", it is the ideal place to change in and out of dirty and wet clothes (wetsuits and the like). And when the seats fold down, it makes for a nice bed for two adults. Very functional and with the Honda name, it should have a decent resale value.

[Mr. Poopypants]

I personally like the Element, however, the base engine has about the same horsepower of the base Vibe. You would think that they would beef it up a little more, I would hate to see the 0-60 time on that thing.

[Faultline]

I climbed in and out of one at the LA auto show, And I was impressed for the price! these things are big and roomy , totally utilitarian--and wash it out with a hose after a day and the beach...I give it

[philndz]

its a lifestyle thing....if the visa points were not an issue then i would definately get an element!!!

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[KSNeptune]

I parked next to an Element today. First one I've seen in my town. Got a close up view since it was right next to my car. - Looks like a panel mini-van. Honda's Oddesy popularity apparently wasn't enough of the mini-van market for them.- Stole the rear-opening back door idea from recent pickups, who stole it from large vans.- Looks way to boxy to be very aerodynamic. Watch out for crosswinds, and don't expect good highway mileage.- Looks like they couldn't get various body part makers to agree on the same color. So they settled for "if it's any shade of gray, it's close enough".- Might sell more if they marketed it to plumbers, electricians, and others who work out of vans.But that's just my first take. KSNeptune

[allelejean]

I tested one of these before I got my Vibe. The one I drove was completely stripped down (No radio, no A/C, etc), but it drove great. It has a very comfortable ride, and I really liked how the interior can be sprayed out with a hose. Yeah, it looks weird, but its very functional.

[Geo]

I'm one of those college students with an active lifestyle (Road/mountain bike racing and trail/road riding, camping, hiking, and mb some other stuff to be added in there soon) And I was just about sold on it, till I saw the Vibe.Only thing that it has that I wish the Vibe had: A stock plugin for MP3 players.Just over 800 miles on my Vibe so far, couldn't be lovin' it more, I made the right choice ;D

[Sputnik]

I saw two Elements in the past two days! First one was the blue and second one was half an hour ago - orange! I actually kinda liked it.

[pmh013]

Saw my first Element on the weekend. It was black, with the horrid grey plastic. Don't like the looks of it ... it's like the Aztec, but with 2x the plastic. Maybe it is the ultimate in utility vehicles, but I don't need that much utility. I can't imagine you need that much SUV to haul your clubs to the golf course (which is where I spotted this one).

[yank dini]

A few of these are around town hereUGLY!!!!!!!!!

[joatmon]

Looking at it makes me wonder:How many people who buy it will actually use it for all the extreme sports it's marketed for? (How many SUVs never leave the city?)How long will it be until a car maker decides to do away with paint, and make the whole exterior gray textured plastic?Is that a shifter, or was the car happy to see the photographer?I don't like it, but they'll probably sell a bunch. The base 5 speed is rated at 21/26 mpg. My base Vibe 5 speed is rated at 29/36 mpg. The prices in the review are Canadian ($23.9K and up) Honda's web page says that base model starts at 16.1$K US, so I guess it's comparable price to Vibe. (Do you folks up north earn a proportional amount more to make up for the currency difference?)

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[ColonelPanic]

I'm clearly not in the demographic Honda targets this thing for, so my views really don't mean much. I am probably in the right age group, but definitely don't have the right lifestyle.IMHO, a litle too utilitarian for my tastes. I was looking at kbb.com, and you can indeed get a DX for the $16,000 range. But if you want A/C and a radio, your only choice seems to be shelling out $19,000 for the EX. No options are available, you get what they give you with the trim level you select. Even the most stripped-down Vibe you could find would seem very well equipped in comparison to the DX. At least we get A/C and a CD player. They do have some neat features, such as the reclining rear seats and the skylite in the back, but it sure doesn't seem to be much car for the money. And I would really rather prefer carpet, even if it's harder to clean. I don't really care much for them, but I still think that something like this rolling off a Honda assembly line is interesting - they really took a chance at making something "different." I wish them luck in this venture... I'm all for a small vehicle that offers versatility yet still delivers decent fuel economy. Even if it is hideous.

[Lee]

Saw my first one on Monday-did not like it at all! But it did catch my eye, I must admit-thought it looked a little like a cartoon car! Not my style, that's for sure!

[slbpsi63]

I saw one at a dealer when I sent to take my fiance's civic in for an oil change. They only added 18" chrome rims and re did the interior w/ leather and they wanted $31,000. I almost hit the floor. For that ugly thing