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Honda Element Maintenance and Repair

224 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2013 at 10:04 AM

You are in the Honda Element Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Element, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 23

#1 of 224 Honda Element Owners: Problems & Solutions by pleiades

May 07, 2006 (10:03 pm)

I've been shopping the Element and CRV, trying to decide...
I was just reading the CRV problems and solutions...is the Element more trouble free?
the CRV owners are complaining about a pull to the right, cruise control, etc...

#2 of 224 Re: Honda Element Owners: Problems & Solutions [pleiades] by cwalti

May 07, 2006 (10:40 pm)

Replying to: pleiades (May 07, 2006 10:03 pm)
We bought an '05 Element EX 4WD automatic last September. I drove it off the lot for $23,200 in Orange Co, Calif. Absolute trouble free and a joy by any measure. I personnally would have preferred the Element, but...
 
Chris.

#3 of 224 Re: Honda Element Owners: Problems & Solutions [pleiades] by cwalti

May 07, 2006 (10:42 pm)

Replying to: pleiades (May 07, 2006 10:03 pm)
We bought an '05 CR-V (sorry screwed up in the previous post...)EX 4WD automatic last September. I drove it off the lot for $23,200 in Orange Co, Calif. Absolute trouble free and a joy by any measure. I personnally would have preferred the Element, but...
  
Chris.

#4 of 224 Re: Honda Element Owners: Problems & Solutions [cwalti] by tidester

May 07, 2006 (11:06 pm)

Replying to: cwalti (May 07, 2006 10:42 pm)
BTW - after posting, you may edit your post for 30 minutes.
 
tidester, host

#5 of 224 Re: Honda Element Owners: Problems & Solutions [cwalti] by pleiades

May 08, 2006 (11:14 am)

Replying to: cwalti (May 07, 2006 10:42 pm)
Curious (since that is my dilemma now) why the CRV if you preferred the Element?

#6 of 224 CRV vs Element..Info for "pleiades" by 1racefan

May 09, 2006 (10:39 am)

These are the 2 that it came down to when my wife and I purchased our '06 Element EX, 4wd auto 2 months ago. Going into the dealership, I favored the more traditional looks of the CRV, she favored the Element. We ended up driving the Element, and a 4wd, EX CRV auto.
 
I liked the fact that the CRV interior was more "refined" than that of the Element - my wife liked the "bare bones" look of the Element more. In hindsight, I am happy that we ended up going with the Element, as there is a ton of room in it with the seats folded up against the side (and with them completely removed)....much more cargo room than in the CRV with the seats folded down.
 
One thing we did like more about the CRV was the position of the sunroof (in the front of the car where it belongs) vs the rear sunroof of the Element - although we have had the rear sunroof completely out of the Element a couple of times, and it does generate a good breeze throughout the vehicle.
 
When we drove both vehicles back to back, we both got the feeling that the Element was more nimble than the CRV. Even though it looks more top heavy than the CRV, it seemed to feel more stable. The Element does have less ground clearance than the CRV (it sits lower), which would probably help it handle a little better. You need to feel the steering of the Element...it is very precise and tight - no deadspots at all. My wife also said she had better rear visibility out of the Element than the CRV - which is a big selling point for her (and this is her daily driver).
 
One other thing to note is that the CRV utilizes a 5 speed automatic vs the 4 speed automatic in the Element. After driving both of them at highway speeds, I personally did not notice the 4 speed auto in the Element being any noticably louder than the 5 speed in the CRV. And speaking of noise...this is very subjective, but we did not notice any more road noise in the Element than we did in the CRV.
 
As far as gas mileage for the Element goes, I can't comment on that. My wife only puts about 150 miles per week on it while driving it to work. We have a different vehicle that we use for long trips.
 
You really should look at, and drive both. However, I would say that if you frequently carry backseat passengers, the CRV would probably be the route to go. If that is not an issue for you, I now personally prefer the Element.
 
P.S. - we LOVE the audio controls on the steering wheel in the Element. I don't think these were available on the CRV.

#7 of 224 Re: CRV vs Element..Info for "pleiades" [1racefan] by pleiades

May 14, 2006 (10:22 am)

Replying to: 1racefan (May 09, 2006 10:39 am)
What a great review! You could write for CR!
Visibility would be an issue for me too, and cargo but passengers... not. Funny, CR mentioned road noise and freeway handling as not being great but every Element owner I have spoken to has said they don't find any difference from other cars. I was concerned because I'm told they won't let you testdrive on the freeway (didn't want to find out it was uncomfortable after (if) I bought the car). I like the idea of the venting sunroof, I sunburn easily so I don't need the expose, but my old bug had a sunroof that was great for letting heat out when parked in the sun for a while.
The interior looks very plain and the dash board looked like an odd shape to me, but too many of my friends have SUVs with dash boards that look like the cockpit of an airplane (overdressed with gauges), I just see that as wasted money (though I'm sure it's poplular with some). I'll go drive some Monday...(CRV's and Elements). Thanks for the info!

#8 of 224 Brakes by bigfur

May 15, 2006 (11:05 am)

I have heard the Element has a problem with rear brakes from the factory wearing out faster than the front? Anyone run into this problem?

#9 of 224 Re: Brakes [bigfur] by jesbecause

May 16, 2006 (3:39 pm)

Replying to: bigfur (May 15, 2006 11:05 am)
I have an 05 and since i've had it , I have always heard a grinding noise from the right rear wheel. Taken it back to 2 different dealers and could not replicate the problem . One said it might be dust or pebble caught in between . I pull on the emergency brake to try to quiet the noise , sometimes it works and sometimes it don't . Please post if recall or some sort of fix . Next step i'm going to change pads

#10 of 224 CRV opinion by tomsr1

May 17, 2006 (12:14 pm)

I had a 2002 CRV and it always had a clicking
noise from rear brakes. At 36000 miles the drivers seat was wearing out and the steering
wheel was worn badly.This car did not look like it would hold up cosmetically so I traded
it for a 2004 Toyota Highlander.It is much better quality.

Messages Page 1 of 23

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