buy 2005 element? Need some help

my wife and i travel by car a lot. we go to florida, tenn, chicago etc.
i am concerned about the aerodynamics of this car. how much mileage
does it get on the open road? how does it handle in a high wind
situation? Is there enough power to pull onto the expressway without
getting hit? How does it handle on the open highway at 70-80mph? we
both love the car but are concerned about the ride-is it buckboard or
smooth or what? i would like to keep my kidneys for a few more years.
we are both 45 so i guess if i buy this car i will look and feel a lot
younger. we will also have much younger friends. thanks.

 

Take it for an extended test drive. Use it for a couple of days and then you
have the facts (or at least the answers to your question.

Also, Honda makes a good product, but they have not perfected the removal of
age lines {;^)

Brian

 

-------------------------------
John,

You could sign in and use the SEARCH function over at hondasuv.com, and
get lots of opinions there. The fact that it's a CUBE doesn't seem to
hurt the mileage much, but allowable trailer load is very low. Your last
line about younger friends. . . As long as you don't mind them climbing
in and out of the back seats (while you undo the front seatbelts) you
may be thrilled with the Element. There's another element owner's forum
mentioned if you search the recent Element posts in this NG.

I'd buy one as a (small) company truck, for the volume, safety, AWD,
resale value.

'Curly'

 

I suggest that you consider similar vehicles made by Toyota. I seem to
recall seeing a well made aerodynamic Toyota SUV in a grocery store
parking lot. I don't recall the model name of it. Toyota and Honda make
excellent vehicles.

 

My best has been 28 mpg. on the highway. Average is around 26 highway,
22-23 around town.

Better than my Expedition did, not as well as a car does. About what
you'd expect if you have any experience with a larger, SUV type vehicle
or truck of this height.

Of course. You think Honda would release a car that was unsafe at
highwya speeds?

Test drive one. Either you'll love it or hate it.

If you get one, buy the carpet floor mats for the car. While they might
cost a bit, they are worth the investment in noise reduction, as the
vehicle is a bit noisy with no floor covering.

Aside from that, you'll want to try the suicide doors to see if your
like them or not. Some do, some do not.

Finally, expect to be polarized. Many of the things about the Element I
love, and a thing or two I absolutely abhore. For example, the
external mirrors are essential for seeing on the highway, and yet they
aren't heated (I have an Expedition with heated mirrors, and if I could
have got them on the Element, I would have). Additionally, consider the
fact that the Element is a four person vehicle, NOT 5. There is no way
you could get 5 people safely in this vehicle.

Last but not least, consider where you drive. Mine just went through as
19" snow storm in December, a feat that amazed even me. However, you
may never need the Allwheel option. If so, that can save you money. To
my mind, there is no excuse to buy less that the top of the line model,
as the price is minimally different between the low end and high end,
and the high end has so many more things we would use.

I love my Element. You may or may not if you buy one But, you won't
know until you take it for a test drive.

Good luck,

AL

 

Element is good. Stock tires aren't the greatest but it really is fun to
drive, lots of room, plenty of acceleration and pep, fairly smooth ride
for a compact SUV. Tons of good info and reviews can be found at 'Element
Owners Club' too if you need more convincing. Good luck!