You are here: Forums Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Honda Element Prices Paid and Buying Experience

Honda Element Prices Paid and Buying Experience

729 messages,  Last post on Jul 18, 2009 at 2:11 PM

You are in the Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum. Your Hosts are car_man & kyfdx

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

Messages Page 5 of 73 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 73 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#41 of 729 Re: Steering Wheel/Speedometer by losangelesgurl Sep 29, 2003 (5:14 pm)
To answer your question, I'm 5'4 3/4" tall. But I was thinking about it. The actual height would be from the bottom of the butt (in a seated position) to the eyes, yanno? And even then, there'd be some variation, since not everyone has the same leg length, even if they did have the same distance between butt and eyes. Not to be toooooo technical and all, but then again, kind of have to, since I believe if I was an inch taller (or shorter), that I'd probably be able to see the speedometer just fine. Maybe I'll just buy the thing and raise the steering wheel to the highest position, and hold the wheel at 7 o'clock and 5 o'clock position. :::grumble::: On top of it all, CA's car tax triples as of October 1, so if I want to save something like $800 (according to the dealer), I should buy before Oct. 1.
#42 of 729 Height by bigkahunafl Sep 30, 2003 (3:42 am)
I agree with the way you describe measuring height, but I was trying to be sensitive about upper torso measurements and not mention it - don't want to be kicked out. And how does one actually measure from the butt up?
#43 of 729 by briancorr Sep 30, 2003 (6:17 am)
Perhaps if you measured from the roof to your eyes, rather than from the lower regions up, it would be easier to get an idea of what works. I'm 5'11" and don't recall there being an issue with seeing the speedo. (It's my wife's car, so I usually only drive it on the weekends.)
#44 of 729 by zenzikora Sep 30, 2003 (8:27 am)
I think the problem could easily be solved by allowing the wheel to tilt higher - I noticed it really doesn't tilt Up very far, but you can go as low as you want. I think I have it on almost the highest setting, and it is still pretty vertical. I hate to sound like the salesman, but are you SURE you tried all the options? up/down/forward/back and the leaning and the tilt? I thought it had a good flexible range, but I can see how if you had a torso an inch or two 'taller' than me, you could be blocked. . .   I'm just glad I'm short I guess. . .
#45 of 729 Re: Steering Wheel/Speedometer by losangelesgurl Oct 01, 2003 (4:04 pm)
Zenzikora, yep, I sure did try all the different positions of steering wheel tilt, seat height, and seat forwardness. The only way I can see the speedometer (and still reach the pedals), is by having the steering wheel tilted ALL the way up. That is soooooo not a comfortable driving position, so that is why in my previous post I mentioned that I could just drive like that and have my hands in the 7 o'clock and 5 o'clock wheel positions. (Not a good idea, in my opinion.) So, here I am, Elementless, and not sure what I will be doing about it. I guess I could get a big huge pillow and put it under me. Hmmm, would that work? But still, what a drag.
#46 of 729 by zenzikora Oct 02, 2003 (1:09 pm)
I thought tilted all the way up wasn't all that far, actually, but it's all a matter of opinion and personal comfort. Maybe you should try the CR-V, it's not as cool, but it's the same underpinnings, or a Forester, etc. . . That would suck though, I know I didn't really look at any other cars (seriously) when I got my E, so it would have been a real bummer to not find a good position
#47 of 729 by losangelesgurl Oct 03, 2003 (12:24 am)
Yeah, it's a real downer. I am seeing Elements all over Los Angeles right now, too, so I'm feeling real down. I might take a pillow to the dealership and see how that works. But still, I don't like the idea of having to sit on a booster chair in order to drive.
#48 of 729 True Market Value? by losangelesgurl Oct 04, 2003 (6:47 pm)
Hello again. What's True Market Value mean? I saw it in another post, and looked it up here on the site, but I still don't understand what it means. Also, how come there is a color adjustment, and what does that mean? I'm new at this car stuff so sorry if these are dumb questions, but I don't know this stuff. Thanks.
#49 of 729 TMV by steve_ HOST Oct 04, 2003 (6:51 pm)
Short answer is that it's what people are paying for a certain car in your region. And some car colors bring more money than others - silver is generally worth a little more than yellow for example, because fewer people want a yellow car.   Long TMV answer:   Learn More About TMV®   Steve, Host
#50 of 729 Buyer Beware?? by hosebunny815 Oct 11, 2003 (6:58 am)
I have been reading a lot about the Element on these message boards, while researching. I consequently have my mind set on a 4WD 5-speed Element. Furthermore, i keep coming across plugs for Grand Honda in Elmhurst (i.e. #32), so living in IL, I go there to possibly buy an Element. I live about 2 hours west of there and talked with Salesman 1 on the phone twice, asking a price (4WD 5-speed-$18,900), and if they HAD them in stock. I was answered with a definite YES. I called Salesman 1 TWICE that day to confirm whether they had them there...as i was coming for a test drive in the evening after work (dragging my tired 9-yr old), and i lived 2 hours away. Well, i get there, and Salesman 1 is lounging around with some co-workers. After polite introductions, Salesman 1 runs off somewhere leaving me with Salesman 2 (Salesman 1, i'm told, is with a customer....ok). I am then told that there are no 4WD 5-speeds on the lot. At this point, I'm almost in tears. I told the salesman that i drove quite a ways, and confirmed that the vehicle was here TWICE, before i left. He then told me that they could "spot" one, but this was going to cost me an extra $500, unless it wasn't delivered in 7-10 business days. He also told me that there were TWO 5-speeds there earlier that day, but they must have been sold. He tried talking me into an automatic...told him i was set on a 5-speed. He then told me that "5-Speeds were hard to come by because they don't sell very well". Excuse me...but did they not just sell 2 in a matter of 3 hours? Nothing was said to this. Perhaps the 5-speeds were hidden on the back of the lot somewhere, awaiting an extra $500 "spotting" fee.... I thanked him for his time, and my tired kid and i prepared to make our journey back home. As we were leaving he then tried selling me a used CRV or something. I won't do business with these people again. I was lied to. I was also told that i was "being done a favor, by allowing me to test drive a 4WD automatic, and a 2WD 5-speed" (of which i didn't bother...have already test driven those at another place). I don't know what to make of all this, as I'm not too experienced in the new car buying business. Maybe girls STILL get the shaft when they walk into a car dealership???...i thought those days were OVER. Anyways...getting a good deal at McGrath Honda in Elgin...$19,000....and NICE salesmen.

Messages Page 5 of 73 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 73 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Honda Element Prices Paid and Buying Experience