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Honda Element

4704 messages,  Last post on Nov 14, 2009 at 3:43 PM

You are in the Honda Element Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Honda Element, Hatchback, SUV


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#4664 of 4704
New Stereo by ragets
Mar 24, 2008 (7:13 am)
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I'm looking into getting a Pioneer AVIC-D3 DVD Navigation Receiver for my 2007 Honda Element EX 4WD. Does anyone know why Crutchfield would say that the "factory subwoofer and/or sub amplifier will be lost." If that is true is there a way that it would work? Also, would I need to get all new speaker for this receiver or would the Element's factory speakers be enough? Any assisstance on this would be great. Thanks.
#4665 of 4704
cargo and fabric clean up by napa
Mar 24, 2008 (7:32 am)
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We like the element (price, safety, Honda values), our one questions is about our dogs in the cargo area. We would like to have them stay in the cargo area with a pet guard or cargo divider. We have not seen one on the market that would go fit the element box shape. Anyone out ther have one, that works? Also, we had wanted a car with leather (dog fur issue again) how does the element fabric work, the car we have now holds the fur like glue.
#4666 of 4704
Re: New Stereo [ragets] by ateixeira
Mar 24, 2008 (8:07 am)
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Replying to: ragets (Mar 24, 2008 7:13 am)

I would give Crutchfield a call, and speak to one of their techs.
 
The D3 is a good value but there is a catch or two. First, it only has one CD/DVD slot, IIRC, so you have to remove the map DVD to play your CD. I find that inconvenient.
 
Eclipse has units at this price point that are hard-drive based, so you don't have to choose one or the other.
 
Ask the tech what kind of outputs the D3 has. It may lack a low-level output for your subwoofer/amp, and that may be why they say it won't work. I'm not sure, just saying you should ask about that specifically.
#4667 of 4704
headlamps by kmeisel
Apr 20, 2008 (6:55 am)
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both highbeams work-both low beams dont'.Is it this just a bad bulb?
#4668 of 4704
Re: headlamps [kmeisel] by ateixeira
Apr 21, 2008 (12:05 pm)
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Replying to: kmeisel (Apr 20, 2008 6:55 am)

Bulbs tend to blow out at around the same time.
 
It's an incredible coincidence, but I had a set that lasted 9 years, yet they blew within one week of each other.
#4669 of 4704
2009 Honda Element by ragets
Jul 29, 2008 (8:32 am)
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I just received the September '08 Car and Driver magazine and it has all the new '09 Cars. Under Honda It says that the Element will be restyled with revised sheetmetal and upgraded amenities and electronics. The platform and 2.4 liter 4-cyl engine will remain the same.
#4670 of 4704
Re: 2009 Honda Element [ragets] by ateixeira
Jul 30, 2008 (10:25 am)
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Replying to: ragets (Jul 29, 2008 8:32 am)

It's really hard to update a car with an iconic look to it.
 
It was the same way with the PT Cruiser and the New Beetle - very long life cycles for stand-out designs.
#4671 of 4704
Re: 2009 Honda Element [ragets] by micweb
Jul 31, 2008 (9:32 am)
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Replying to: ragets (Jul 29, 2008 8:32 am)

I looked at the Element yearly - I like it's all business functionality - and came close to buying one in March but (lucky me, with the gas price spike) got the Fit instead. Why?
 
1. The gas mileage on the Element is significantly lower than on the CRV, which doesn't make sense, since they started out with the same engines and the Element now has the 5 speed auto.
 
2. The rear seat is uncomfortable - the floor is noticeably higher in the rear of the cabin and my knees end up too high.
 
3. The rear seat only has 2 seating postions. I have 3 kids. Does not compute.
 
4. The payload on the Element is very low - 800 pounds of passengers and luggage total. Since Americans (although not me and my family) often run 200 pounds a piece, this is too light.
 
5. The suicide doors detract from the utility instead of adding to it. Besides requiring you to open the front doors to let the kids out - and having to keep them open in the process - they make it almost impossible to get kids in and out of the vehicle when parked in a typical parking slot - the front and read door open into a "vee" that prevents access. It shouldn't be this difficult to load passengers.
 
6. The suicide door set up is also stupid because it requires extra bracing, about 150-200 pounds worth.
 
7. If a car veers out of its lane and hits your door, a regular door flies forward and out of your way. If a car hits the suicide door, it closes on you and crushes you.
 
I'd be happy with the Element if they get rid of the suicide doors, increase the load capacity, and add a 5th seating position. I could live with the higher rear floor (I mean my kids could). The large, square hatch provides plenty of cargo access, they don't need the imaginary benefits of the suicide doors. Getting rid of the suicide doors, plus a little aero work (under carriage) might even out the gas mileage advantage on the CRV.
 
It would be nice, of course, if they could lower the rear floor.
 
But the suicide doors are the main mistake.
 
Change to regular doors and you have a "mini-Flex" which is not a bad thing at all. I still like the Element. It's a mini-minivan. It's low to the ground. It's...cute.
#4672 of 4704
Re: 2009 Honda Element [micweb] by ateixeira
Jul 31, 2008 (10:03 am)
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Replying to: micweb (Jul 31, 2008 9:32 am)

You basically want a CR-V, with only the styling from the Element.
#4673 of 4704
Re: 2009 Honda Element [ateixeira] by micweb
Jul 31, 2008 (10:28 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 31, 2008 10:03 am)

Mmm...sort of true. But here are the functional differences that are appealing with the Element:
 
1. The Element rides lower, which affects available space in the vehicle and also the ease of getting in and out.
 
2. The Element is "square" which allows much more storage room in the back. The CRV has less space between floor and roof, and the roof slopes.
 
The rest of it is probably styling, although at one point Honda thought the Element was utilitarian enough (grey fenders, no carpet) to sell for a lot less than the CRV. However the Element has crept up in price, and I'm no longer sure that is true.
 
It IS nice to still be able to get a stick shift on the Element.

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