Should I get an E??!!..help me out!

[JDM_element]

hey what's up everybody..i'm new to this site..and i have a couple of questions before i make my decision on getting a 2004 black 4wd EX Element next week....1.) How does the car ride (traction, speed, suspension, etc.)??..2.) i read on a message board that some of the 2003's had a problem with the windshield cracking..did anyone have that problem and if there's any problem like that witht the 2004's..and 3.) on that same messageboard..there was a guy from Japan who posted his pics of his E and had yellow foglights, in the US the foglights are clear..does anyone know where i would be able to get the JDM foglights..i can't seem to find any sites selling them...i'd appreciate any kind of help..thanks! :roll:

[IN MY]

Good choice of color! Have you considered an EXS with side airbags? I test drove the E and had the dealer drive. I was able to pay more attention to the E than the road. We drove over some pot holes and things so I got a feel for it. I like the ride and traction, you would have to see for yourself. There have been a few minor defects. The VIN will determine if your exact E has any of them. There are a lot of people that have had problems like the windshield, although their VIN was outside of the defect range. People have had to go to their dealer and try to get it fixed. I think most everyone has had their problems fixed regardless. My windshield just cracked from a rock. I know it isn't from the defect. My E does have some of the other defects though like the driver seat rocking. I need to get to the dealer and have them fix some old and new problems when I get the oil changed. My E had no TSB's, however I think I have three. Check this site for all of the TSB's. I think there are others here that have those fogs, not sure if they are yellow though. Check the Marketplace here for accesories. The prices are much better and the service is great. There are some links to other stores that might sell them if they don't here. I had problems with my dealer. They had scratched my E when I went to pick it up and won't fix it. This site was just updated. Check the archeived section. You will find answers to most of your questions.

[Clivek]

Hey there,

I bought an E (orange or whatever they call it) last August, have put over 18000 km on it, long road trips, lots of town driving and camping. The E is great to have in the city, parallel parks as easy if not better than my Tercel which we still own. The windshield has cracked, and the driver seat started to rock, my local dealer has taken care of everything and it is running smoothly. I also had a rattle from the "B" pillar, a quick adjustment by the dealer and everything is smooth. After 8 months I still love it as much as when I got it, NEGATIVES: it lacks a little power, the gas mileage is not great, and the windnoise at highway speed (120km +) can be high. This is compensated by turning up the stereo.

If you want something different, something that is fun to drive, then go with the E. Nearly everyone I know thought I was an idiot when I bought it, but after looking at it and taking a ride, they are all jealous.

One last thing, this is my first new car, and I have to say that once you have owned a Honda, you might own Honda for the rest of your life.

Go for it.

ck

[JDM_element]

thanks alot guys..i see that both of you have 2003's..i'm planning on getting an 04'..so hopefully those defects were taken care of..oh yeah..what is an EXS?..is that just an EX with extras?..i think i'm gonna go for it..thanks!

[rwven]

The "S" indicates that it has side air bags.

[JDM_element]

yea i found that out earlier when i went to the dealership to take another look at the E i'm interested in..thanks though!

[ttempel]

...we've been quite happy with my E. I had a slight door "ticking" that was taken care of by a dealership, but other than that it's been great. It's no Accord or Acura, so the ride's not like that, but I find it just fine.

[JDM_element]

thanks for the info ttempel..i went to the dealership earlier..and i asked a salesman about the defects you guys were letting me know about..the guy said he has never heard of those problems and has not had 1 complaint about the elements they had..he then asked me where i heard these "rumors"..i said a HONDA messageboard for HONDA SUV'S..with ACTUAL HONDA OWNERS..to be honest..i think he knows about the defects but didn't want to tell me..i'm going to have to go to another dealership who are more honest..thanks alot guys info though..i'll let you know when i get my E!!!!!..oh yeah..if anyone knows any good HONDA dealerships in the southern new jersey area please let me know!

[ttempel]

I may be able to help, as I'm in Freehold (the Borough, not the Township), and work out in the Princeton area.

I got my Element from DCH Kay Honda in Eatontown, as the David Michael Honda/VW/Mercedes dealership just up the road here wouldn't give us the time of day when we went shopping; I have used DM for service, however, which seemed ok that one time.

I've heard good things about Princeton Honda, but haven't bought anything from them nor gone there for service.

[willski007]

Hey everyone. I'm also in the market for a car in the coming months, but it will be my first. I'm struggling to decide between cars like the Subaru WRX and Acura RSX Type S that I've been reading about in Sport Compact Car Magazine or a car that may not be as fast but more practical. The Element's interior sounds incredible and made for my lifestyle but I'm wondering how fun and fast it is and if anyone has modified theirs to get some more power out of it. Also I'm wondering about how people find that gas mileage over time. I'd appreciate any help you can give me.

[ttempel]

I'm struggling to decide between cars like the Subaru WRX and Acura RSX Type S that I've been reading about in Sport Compact Car Magazine or a car that may not be as fast but more practical.

yes, wholly different vehicles that really can't be compared. It's sort of like saying "I want a Mini Cooper that'll carpool a group of five 3-5 year olds, haul 3 yards of garden mulch, and be a sporty two-seater" or "I want a pickup that performs like [either of the two cars you just mentioned]." Just doesn't wash.

The E is fun to drive, but in a much different way than a small/low/sporty two door (I don't care how many doors are on the WRX or RSX, they're effectively two doors). The vehicles are geared differently, have chassis built for different performance profiles, engines tuned for different performance models, etc. The E has pep, for certain, but it's no turbo, and no pocket-rocket. But it'll haul a bunch more people and goods than either of those two vehicles, and stand out from the crowd if that matters to you (it didn't to me).

The Element's interior sounds incredible and made for my lifestyle but I'm wondering how fun and fast it is and if anyone has modified theirs to get some more power out of it.

Sure, there are aftermarket parts to mod just about any vehicle beyond what it was designed to do, and you could 'rice' out the E just as much as anything else. It depends upon what you really want in the vehicle, and what you intend to do with it. I always find it funny when folks buy small pickups, then refit them with hard tonneau lids, small rims, dropped/slammed suspensions, front and side ground effects (for what, local and highway travel?), etc. It's no longer a pickup, handles poorly, drives goofy, etc.

Why not take a good look at what you're expecting out of your purchase--whatever it may be--and see what fits those needs? The old "right tool for the right job" phrase comes to mind. Or be more "general purpose" and useful in a great many regards. The side cargo-doors are great for getting people and cargo in and out. The rear seats are elevated and folks love riding back there (I've been told that sitting back there looking out the windshield is like viewing a wide-aspect 16:9 tv). The wipe-clean floor is a god-send, as nothing stains it. The rear seat flexibility makes it easy to do things that no genuine hatchback ever really could, let alone an RSX or WRX where the "hatch" is almost an afterthought.

Also I'm wondering about how people find that gas mileage over time.

Check my sig, as I have a top-end heaviest of the bunch model, and my mileage increased from 20-point-something to 25 mpg over the 15K miles I've driven. Of course, weather, driving style, commute types, and use of cruise-control and AC all contribute (positively or negatively) in this regard. My commute's 22 miles each way, mostly 50-65mph and I tend to get about 22 in the freezing cold and 24 in the nice weather. If I go for long sit-back-and-cruise turnpike/parkway drives I'll get 25+, and use of cruise control seems to improve my MPG figures (less unnecessary throttle manipulation, I think).

Hope this helps!

[willski007]

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply, that helps a lot.

[ghallgren]

ditto everyone else, with one exception. i find the ride to be a bit choppy on really rough roads. this won't probably bother most drivers, but if you have a lot of rural, poorly maintained roads in your area or much construction, the ride could be annoying. it almost feels like the suspension is just too tight, if that helps. having said that, i still think the E was the best decision for us in terms of utility and handling (and, i hope, reliability), and i enjoy driving it. with 12k on it the driver's seat is rocking, the brakes go clunk and the driver's window rattles when at half mast. good luck with your decision, but please get the side airbags. side crash test ratings were poor without them. they'll cost you $250.

[SnowElement]

Hey all, my first time on this site, very informative. I have an E being built, starting on the 7 of March. One question for anyone who lives in the cold weather. Does the heater put out enough heat to keep the "most impressive" interior warm? The reason I ask is I live in Alaska, and we get a bit cool up here. Also, not that I will be snow-berm jumping or anything, but how DOES the E really do off-road? I live here so I can support my fishing habit and Alaska isn't the most urban area on the planet.


2004 Nighthawk Black Pearl EXS 4WD
No extras YET! Just me the wife 2 dogs and the fishing poles!

[ttempel]

Hey all, my first time on this site, very informative. I have an E being built, starting on the 7 of March. One question for anyone who lives in the cold weather. Does the heater put out enough heat to keep the "most impressive" interior warm?


yes, it gets quite warm quite quickly, all through the cabin.

[IN MY]

Good choice! I find the heater works strong and fast. It has been colder in Boston this year than Alaska at times. I just picked up my E in Sept. I never had the heat on full blast. Can't say too much for the rear. The E has similar vents for the rear as most newer cars do, under the front seats. The floor on the E is sort of sloped so be sure you don't have anything you forgot about that might be blocking those vents! Think about the OEM accesories you are considering. Getting them when you take delivery covers you under your car warranty. If you buy them here you will find them much less expensive. I'm now looking to get the E lit, I thought the NBP might look good lit. The LED's seem to have replaced the neon? That's going to be my mod project, I think.

[Clivek]

I live in Montreal, we had a 2 week cold snap (-30 degC) and it was just fine. I would suggest a block heater however, and as for your off road question, the element has very low ground clearance, for that reason I would say that the 4 wheel drive can handle just about anything that it is able to clear.

Remember that the gas tank protection bar is the lowest part of the car, for that reason I would hate to bottom out because it will be onto the gas tank.

See my other comments above for my overall comments on the E.

[joemcl]

I have it in green. snowed alot here on Long Island this year and I had no problems except for my windshield cracking for no reason. I was told by Honda that the problem was fixxed before my vin number but it still happened. Anyway since it was fixxed there has been no problems I really love the car and recommened it highly

[Michelle5480]

Hello to all! I would like to say I just bought my Element and I love it!
In the area I live in everybody has a minivan or a pick up truck, people keep asking me if its a mini-Hummer.....silly huh? :lol: I love all the attention and the ride for me is great. I drive in the city with a stop sign at every corner and so far Ive put 130 miles with half a tank. I traded my v-8 pick up for the Element and for me this is incredible gas mileage. I really recommend the Element for everyone. :D

[joemcl]

good for you. you will really like the car. what color / model did you end up getting? also anyone on this page if you know where i can get a flip down monitor / dvd player that will fit in the overhead storage space in the element please let me know thanks joe

[IN MY]

Jeff aka sellnacura has a player in the compartment. I don't think you can have an LCD there, won't it block the rear view mirror? Search recent posts since he has a pic.

[Michelle5480]

I got a 2003 since they gave me a great deal. It had 26 miles on it and its the EXS in black. I wanted the blue and almost got the orange but I figured I'd play it safe with the black. It will be easier to find touch up paint for it though. Does everybody with an E use that panel spray, is it necessary? I didnt even know it existed til I saw it in the Marketplace.

[SnowElement]

Michelle brings up a good point, here in Alaska if one wants to have a semi-clean vehicle in the winter you have to either pay top dollar for a detail or use the "waterless" car wash stuff, so the panel spray does intrigue me. Anyone with feedback on how any of the waterless products effect the panels? I am concerned about left over residue and such. Also, I am getting ready to put on the mud flaps (ordered from this marketplace), is it easier if the rear tire is off? One last thing, has anyone found a place to store the table legs?

[IN MY]

Good point on the legs. I have them stored in a closet until needed. I found the table/leg kit make a good display table. It has that "high tech" look.

[JDM_element]

he guys i finally got my 04 Black EX..i got a problem with the trunk closing though..anybody else?..it takes like 5 tries to shut all the way.

[ttempel]

he guys i finally got my 04 Black EX..i got a problem with the trunk closing though..anybody else?..it takes like 5 tries to shut all the way.

Some E's require a bit of an adjustment by the dealer, but here's what you can do:

(1) with the upper tailgate open, look for and find the small "hollow" that's where you're supposed to grab---it's just to the right of center, and looks like it'd hold a juicebox or something

(2) swing down hard, using one hand in this hollow/pocket

If that doesn't work, try the following:

(1) with the upper tailgate open, place your hands near the extreme left/right edges of the sheet metal

(2) swing down hard, but let go of the door before it closes

Both of these techniques are designed to deliver enough momentum to the door to overcome any resistance. DO NOT press hard on the sheet metal with your hands and attempt to force the door shut, as you will end up with palm-sized dents. I've seen a few E's with those tell-tale clean-dimples along the lower area of the upper tailgate.

And, of course, contact your dealer. Often it's just the rubber bumpers that are a bit too new and perhaps standing out just a tad, and it will go away. If the dealer adjusts them too much then once they start to cmpress on their own your upper tailgate door will rattle.

[JDM_element]

i'll try that out..thanks again!

[psschmied]

Instead of trying to compare cars, try to analyze what you actually need.

The "cool" factor is for kiddies who think that what they own determines what they are worth. Buying a car is a guaranteed way to lower your net worth, so you might as well get the best value appliance for your purpose.

How fast do you need to go? 1/4 mile times only tell you if you can merge into traffic safely. Fast enough is fast enough. How much do you need to carry? How many people, how often, and where? If you buy what you need for 95% of the time, you can afford to rent exactly what you need for the other 5%, and be money ahead.

All that being said, the E is for 4 people MAX, 650 lbs people plus gear MAX, highway conditions and a little bit of very mild grade "offroad", like a well drained beach at 10 mph. Drive it responsibly like a car and within those limits, it can be a good value. I think of it as a nimble, intelligently designed cross, between a small truck and a mid-sized station wagon.

I like mine a lot, but an off-road RV it's not. I think that people who drive off roads when roads get to the same places have a strange idea of fun, but so as long as they drive sanely when they are _on_ the roads, it's ok by me.

But do your own analysis. You aren't me. If you were, one of us would be redundant.

[Michelle5480]

I think it should be a little bit of both. You should get what you need and at the same time what you consider cool. I love my E for both reasons. Its got all the features I need and its not a minivan. I dont really like the minivans. As far as the off road situation, with the conditions we get here in Chicago it might as well be off road. The E can handle it though.

:D

[psschmied]

I'm also in Chicago, have been since driving here since before Kennedy was president. I can only recall about 5 winters where the road conditions were so poor that I'd compare them to real-off road driving, which I have also done in miltary vehicles.

IMHO, There aren't many FWD vehicles in the E's weight class that can't easily handle road conditions in the region around Chicago. Can't say the same about the average Chicago driver. The E would have a winter advantage when you get up toward Minnesota, if equipped with better tires than the stock ones. I can't say that I don't like minivans for their purpose, but what they do well is not what I need.

Coolness is subjective. I think that sound engineering, well executed, in a vehicle that is intuitive to drive and economical to operate, is cool, so the Element cool in that sense. My insurance company thinks it is very cool to repair. It could be cooler at the gas pump.

The "love it or hate it" reaction that the E gets from people in the target demographic tells me that Honda missed in their "coolness calculation"-goofed by forcing the car into production so fast, but I'm not complaining, because I like it a lot. I hope that they don't change it radically in future versions.

I'm an engineer, so I am very demanding, and very critical when I make a major purchase. I spent a year and half analysing every vehicle on the market that looked like it might do what I needed, and the E was by far the best all-around choice for me. I bought it for cash.

'nuf said?