Honda Element
#26
Senior Member
LOL, Even on ramps there's not a lot of room when your on your back using various tools and your hands trying to maneuver around in tight space. Just getting the tools onto the knock sensor from underneath takes an act of god, luck, at least 20 F- bombs, etc.
Obviously I've ruffled some feathers by my comments on the Honda. I'm not a Honda Element hater, in fact I want to like it. But our version has been a piece of crap, plain and simple. Heck, I'm debating a new (used) buy right now and there's a beautiful Element for sale local with only 50,000 miles. I'd be all over it except that I just can't come to trust them now. Way too many issues with out that go beyond the starter problem.
Obviously I've ruffled some feathers by my comments on the Honda. I'm not a Honda Element hater, in fact I want to like it. But our version has been a piece of crap, plain and simple. Heck, I'm debating a new (used) buy right now and there's a beautiful Element for sale local with only 50,000 miles. I'd be all over it except that I just can't come to trust them now. Way too many issues with out that go beyond the starter problem.
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#29
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I'm actually in the process of looking for a replacement for my Mini Cooper Clubman with a smallish vehicle that can store a bike(s) upright (with front wheels removed), and every article discussing the best car for bikes mentions the Element. I wish it were still made.
#30
Senior Member
Not so be "that guy," but...My first vehicle was a '77 Ford F150 with a straight-six engine and a three-speed manual transmission. I could hop up and sit on the fender, with my legs dangling into the engine compartment, and reach everything that was worth reaching.
Today's cars are much more efficient and reliable, but looking under the hood bewilders me. I haven't even changed my own oil in over twenty years.
Today's cars are much more efficient and reliable, but looking under the hood bewilders me. I haven't even changed my own oil in over twenty years.
#31
dot dash
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Great vehicle for cyclists, although I actually bought mine to transport sails and other gear for a 40' boat. To transport two bikes, I use a 2 x 6 with front fork hardware and it couldn't be easier or more secure. Got mine in 2004 and it's a mess, but everything important still works. Very good standard sound system and climate control are a plus and the variable 4WD is great in the winter.
#33
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#35
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I can transport bikes inside but use the receiver hitch with a basic Thule rack which is handy for me to stage (last minute tire pressure check and cleaning) my bike prior to rides.
Love the concept. It is disappointing that I can't find enough love for the maintenance (have had some sub-par servicing over the years). I have an Ingen stainless cat back exhaust, and switched to 18" wheels that were originally for a Honda 5 door Accord (I can't think what that model is called). I also replaced the original motor mounts (4 motor mounts and one transmission mount) with urethane motor mounts. I am about to get my manual trans bushings replaced with aftermarket ones. I have replaced the struts and springs twice. The front end still has squeaks and random "thunk"ing noises over rough terrain. The 4 cylinder block I have heard is super robust and racers seek out these engines for self fabricated turbo or drag racing project engines.
Last edited by masi61; 09-13-21 at 03:03 PM.
#36
Live not by lies.
2004 Element FWD 5 speed manual here. Purchased new. It has 211 thousand miles on it now.
I can transport bikes inside but use the receiver hitch with a basic Thule rack which is handy for me to stage (last minute tire pressure check and cleaning) my bike prior to rides.
Love the concept. It is disappointing that I can't find enough love for the maintenance (have had some sub-par servicing over the years). I have an Ingen stainless cat back exhaust, and switched to 18" wheels that were originally for a Honda 5 door Accord (I can't think what that model is called). I also replaced the original motor mounts (4 motor mounts and one transmission mount) with urethane motor mounts. I am about to get my manual trans bushings replaced with aftermarket ones. I have replaced the struts and springs twice. The front end still has squeaks and random "thunk"ing noises over rough terrain. The 4 cylinder block I have heard is super robust and racers seek out these engines for self fabricated turbo or drag racing project engines.
I can transport bikes inside but use the receiver hitch with a basic Thule rack which is handy for me to stage (last minute tire pressure check and cleaning) my bike prior to rides.
Love the concept. It is disappointing that I can't find enough love for the maintenance (have had some sub-par servicing over the years). I have an Ingen stainless cat back exhaust, and switched to 18" wheels that were originally for a Honda 5 door Accord (I can't think what that model is called). I also replaced the original motor mounts (4 motor mounts and one transmission mount) with urethane motor mounts. I am about to get my manual trans bushings replaced with aftermarket ones. I have replaced the struts and springs twice. The front end still has squeaks and random "thunk"ing noises over rough terrain. The 4 cylinder block I have heard is super robust and racers seek out these engines for self fabricated turbo or drag racing project engines.
The first part of any cars suspension is the tire sidewall. I wouldn’t change any wheel/tire combo to lower profile, just to turn around and try to chase clunks and squeaks.
I actually think the trend toward ever less sidewall is asinine for a car that’s never going on a track or autocross test.
#37
Dirty Heathen
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Honda Elements are basically the perfect bicyclist vehicle. Unfortunately, they haven't been manufactured in many years, so pickings are slim for good ones.
Another option to look at is the Ford Flex. It's not particularly attractive - but hey, if we were already talking about the Element, we're not too concerned about looks - but it's a pretty solid vehicle for bike hauling.
Another option to look at is the Ford Flex. It's not particularly attractive - but hey, if we were already talking about the Element, we're not too concerned about looks - but it's a pretty solid vehicle for bike hauling.
I actually like the look of it, but then I've had a bunch of station wagons, so I'm partial to the shape. That, and I needed a 6+ passenger vehicle that wasn't a full-size SUV or a Minivan.
For versatility and hauling space, it's hard to beat a minivan, though (as much as I dislike driving them)
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#38
Dirty Heathen
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LOL, Even on ramps there's not a lot of room when your on your back using various tools and your hands trying to maneuver around in tight space. Just getting the tools onto the knock sensor from underneath takes an act of god, luck, at least 20 F- bombs, etc.
Obviously I've ruffled some feathers by my comments on the Honda. I'm not a Honda Element hater, in fact I want to like it. But our version has been a piece of crap, plain and simple. Heck, I'm debating a new (used) buy right now and there's a beautiful Element for sale local with only 50,000 miles. I'd be all over it except that I just can't come to trust them now. Way too many issues with out that go beyond the starter problem.
Obviously I've ruffled some feathers by my comments on the Honda. I'm not a Honda Element hater, in fact I want to like it. But our version has been a piece of crap, plain and simple. Heck, I'm debating a new (used) buy right now and there's a beautiful Element for sale local with only 50,000 miles. I'd be all over it except that I just can't come to trust them now. Way too many issues with out that go beyond the starter problem.
Hard to get a car with a dead starter up on ramps, LOL. Try something really low like a Pontiac Firebird (and SBC starters are both bigger and heavier than you'd expect)
Can't say why you had so many problems with yours; The K24 motor shows up in a bunch of places in the Honda/Acura lineup, including the CRV that the Element gets its suspension and 4WD from.
Mine gave 12 pretty solid years of service, the only real issues it had were the alternator and radiator fans went out in year 10, but that's not unusual for a car that age. I replaced it with a late-model VW wagon that was fast and swanky, but became a never ending string of cascading failures. I'd have my old Honda back in a minute.
#39
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Have you checked the ball joints?
The first part of any cars suspension is the tire sidewall. I wouldn’t change any wheel/tire combo to lower profile, just to turn around and try to chase clunks and squeaks.
I actually think the trend toward ever less sidewall is asinine for a car that’s never going on a track or autocross test.
The first part of any cars suspension is the tire sidewall. I wouldn’t change any wheel/tire combo to lower profile, just to turn around and try to chase clunks and squeaks.
I actually think the trend toward ever less sidewall is asinine for a car that’s never going on a track or autocross test.
#40
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Not so be "that guy," but...My first vehicle was a '77 Ford F150 with a straight-six engine and a three-speed manual transmission. I could hop up and sit on the fender, with my legs dangling into the engine compartment, and reach everything that was worth reaching.
Today's cars are much more efficient and reliable, but looking under the hood bewilders me. I haven't even changed my own oil in over twenty years.
Today's cars are much more efficient and reliable, but looking under the hood bewilders me. I haven't even changed my own oil in over twenty years.
Here's another problem coming soon that seems to be yet another poor design point. Over the years the battery cables weren't take care of. Now the positive terminal on the cable is just about toast. Once again, a lot of cars no big deal, Single cable or at least enough wire that you can splice in a new terminal. But nope, this is a Honda Element, it's special. LOL! No way your putting just a new terminal on it and the cable itself it part of a whole assembly. I'm hoping if he still has it when it fails we can just run an individual positive cable but here again I'm not impressed by what I see as a total engineering failure.
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#41
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Hard to get a car with a dead starter up on ramps, LOL. Try something really low like a Pontiac Firebird (and SBC starters are both bigger and heavier than you'd expect)
Can't say why you had so many problems with yours; The K24 motor shows up in a bunch of places in the Honda/Acura lineup, including the CRV that the Element gets its suspension and 4WD from.
Mine gave 12 pretty solid years of service, the only real issues it had were the alternator and radiator fans went out in year 10, but that's not unusual for a car that age. I replaced it with a late-model VW wagon that was fast and swanky, but became a never ending string of cascading failures. I'd have my old Honda back in a minute.
Can't say why you had so many problems with yours; The K24 motor shows up in a bunch of places in the Honda/Acura lineup, including the CRV that the Element gets its suspension and 4WD from.
Mine gave 12 pretty solid years of service, the only real issues it had were the alternator and radiator fans went out in year 10, but that's not unusual for a car that age. I replaced it with a late-model VW wagon that was fast and swanky, but became a never ending string of cascading failures. I'd have my old Honda back in a minute.
Heck even my Jeep Patriot I have for 4-5 years only gave me problems with the CVT regularly overheating. And that was a Jeep factory QC issue with not filling it right and then the local dealer blowing me off each time I took it in for "fixing" under warranty. I finally drained the CVT myself, put in a new filter, filled it to the proper level per the temperature and as I knew it would, the problem stopped. Loved how the first time the dealer checked the CVT they told me too my face the fluid was pink and clean. Funny since CVT fluid is green. LOL! Anyway, my point being I would expect a Honda product, even with more miles, to be more dependable than any Jeep, especially the low end Patriot.
Still for anyone else I can't say not to get an Element. They are unique and I guess our experience is atypical.
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#42
Grupetto Bob
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Foo?
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#43
Live not by lies.
Otherwise a good informative video.
#44
Senior Member
Watching that video reminds me why I pay people to work on my cars. Although my current truck (2018 Nissan) has a 5 year / 100k warranty. So I'm good for a while.
2nd car is a 2016 4runner. Almost 100k on it now and it hasn't had anything go wrong.
2nd car is a 2016 4runner. Almost 100k on it now and it hasn't had anything go wrong.
#46
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If I were to pick one of the three mentioned, I'd opt for the Ford Transit & LS swap it. lol
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#47
Senior Member
They could but won't. Not enough cyclists to justify the R & D and it would be a low volume seller. That's why you buy a Ford Transit or something similar and customize it to your needs.
#49
señor miembro
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New ones should come with an extra catalytic converter.
You know, after the first one is stolen.
You know, after the first one is stolen.
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#50
Senior Member
If all you care about is versatility for hauling items and you don’t want a van or pickup, the Element is a great vehicle.
If you care at all about comfort, gas mileage, ride quality, power, towing capacity, or status, it’s just about the worst vehicle you could possibly be caught dead in. Other than a KIA Soul ofc.
If you care at all about comfort, gas mileage, ride quality, power, towing capacity, or status, it’s just about the worst vehicle you could possibly be caught dead in. Other than a KIA Soul ofc.