Elements are not selling very well in the markets we offer financing in (I am the CFO for a regional bank with a very active auto lending business). We are not putting many in our lease portfolio. So, when I was at the auto-show I took a very hard look at one they had. I agree the thing does not look very good on the outside. The plastic body panels were already scratched from people's rings or whatever. I asked the guy what it would cost to replace one and he said they are very cheap. It basically is molded plastic and not painted so that makes some sense.

Next, the inside of it is really big. I need to drywall my garage and that means getting sheet-rock from Lowes to my house and this thing will easily accomodate 4' x 8' sheets. Plus the inside is not carpeted so it cleans up really easy.

Finally, it has decent ground clearance and AWD. Two things that made my Audi great until I lowered it and it snowed 14 inches before Christmas. Furthermore I can drive it down to my cabin and not drag the bottom of it on the gravel roads.

I guess what I realized is that my reasons for getting one are purely practical. And my whole neighborhood doesn't have them.

What do you guys think?

 

I agree on the looks, i think the Element is akin to the Aztec in the looks department, however I agree with you regarding its practicality. If there were a vehicle with an interior with the dimensions and configuration options of the element, that didn't look like it belonged in Ripley's, I would enjoy it as a second vehicle. If you had a teenager about to turn 16 it would be perfect, and if you don't care about the looks...well then it would be a good choice, practical, affordable, versatile, and reliable.

Keith

 

I personally like it. Would get that instead of a CR-V

 

I don't know. It's got a quirky look that I kinda like.

I rented one when I made a trip down to Houston to buy some furniture. The inside was very comfortable and the cargo space was more than enough for what I needed and the suicide doors were really convenient. Overall it was very practical but I couldn't see it as my only car or even as my utility vehicle--I'd probably just get a compact truck if I wanted to haul more often.

Still, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't get it. It sounds like it does what you would want it to do and it's definitely affordable.

[Edit] Wow, carsdirect.com is saying the AWD version starts at $16,687

 

I wouldn't be happy with it and I think it's ugly. I would get something I could live with. I personally like smaller SUV's like Ford escape, Landrover Freelander, Saturn VUE, etc. But it's true it has space, very economical, and awd will be a big help, altho I still could stand to look at it everyday.

 

My girl has one and she loves it. I personally like the looks, its a love/hate thing. We got hers for 17K+TT (a little less than invoice) in early 04. She got an 2004 4WD LX with a 5spd. There is not much you can get for that price that has 4WD and all that space. After spending plenty of seat time in it and a road trip I have to say I am really impressed.

Sup Scotty!

We gotta get a soon! I am planing on hitting up c-bus very soon!

 

prolly the best small truck in my book.

 

I think it's a great truck. You are buying it for practicality, not for turning supermodel's heads - that's what your other car is for!

For your needs, I don't think you can go wrong, unless you want a Ridgeline. . .

 

I'm digging the 05 Xtera for a utility focused SUV. The key selling point is the VQ based 4.0L v6 with roughly 265hp 275lb ft, and the option for a manual tranny. Similar hose-it-down interior, but much better off road specs than the Element. Being smaller than most v8 SUVs it should move out at least as well with that big ol v6. Plus it has beater appeal

 

I never really noticed the element until I recently went to the honda dealer for an oil change. Sat in an element while i waited. Its really nice inside. I dont really dig the plastic, but the salesman said they can paint it for an extra charge. Put some rims on that thing and it'll look pretty pimp.