New car...

[Rockhound]

Please forgive me, Honda haters, for I know not what I've done. Actually I do - I said goodbye to the aging G20 in favor of a 2008 Honda Element SC. I've been wanting a small truck/SUV/crossover for some time now, and after 6 months of research, I found that the Element was the best fit for my needs. 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded, fuel efficient 4 cyl. (20/25 by 2008 EPA ratings, formerly 22/27) with decent power (166 hp), good fun-to-drive factor, and quirky style to boot.

The "SC" trim lowers the suspension by nearly an inch, adds projector headlights (Clipsed would be proud...), 18" rims with low-profile tires, custom paint color (Root Beer metallic) with color-matched trim and bumpers, gussied up interior, and 270 watt stereo. It's faster than my G, and might handle just as well, despite the ridiculous height to this box.

Here are some terrible pics...it's a mess, drove it through showers all day, too cold to wash it currently.







Guess I'll need to be editing my signature image soon...

[Ever Victorious]

God, those things are almost the ugliest thing on the planet, next to Scions...

But congrats on the new ride anyway, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[frankoV]

People actually pay good money for those things? EV is right . . . ug-ly

[Vahagn23]

it is ugly from the outside, but I like the inside lol they made it better styling than the Versa, cuz Versa is too plain from the inside, no flashy things or anything.

[ghrshow]

Versa owners calling A Honda Element Ugly?

which is the Pot and which is the Kettle?

If I had to pick the Beauty Queen, I would have to go with the ........

Element.

[Versa Madness]

I personally like this sportier look on the Element. The earlier years were more "plain Jane" looking and the flat black fenders were a little too utilitarian.

I only wish that they would get the mileage figures up. 25mpg with $4 gallon gas is not going to cut it.

[blindsnyper]

sorry but those are gay, and congrats on the new ride

[07Vsdn]

i don't think it is that ugly...

but if i'm gonna drive a 4 cylinder it has to get at least 30mpg highway.

[Rockhound]

I understand the stying is polarizing...I don't care. If I like it, that's all that matters.

Ironically, I had the same sentiments as EV regarding the Versa upon its debut...but my wife insisted on test driving one, and then it started to make sense. Now, I find the Versa design really appealing - I'm glad to own one.

I happen to think the Element is a beautifully designed vehicle.

Quote »People actually pay good money for those things?[/quote]Apparently so, since Honda "only" sells about 50 to 60k per year.

Quote »sorry but those are gay[/quote]Hmmm. Thanks. Like I said earlier, the Element fits all my needs. Other "cute utes" or crossovers tend to be mom-mobiles - essentially the minivan for folks who don't want sliding doors. Think Lexus RX or Nissan Murano. Great vehicles in their own right, but who actually uses them to really haul things?

With the rear seats folded, I can stand up three mountain bikes vertically - and there are tie downs in the cargo area to strap everything in.

Essentially it's like driving a compact truck with a permanent topper.

Trust me, I always thought that my 'gift' to myself when I finished my Master's degree would be a TSX, G35, IS350 or something along those lines. But if owning a house has taught me nothing else, it's been very clear that having a vehicle with good cargo space is a must. The Versa has a very surprising 50 cubic feet of space, which is great, but the height is still hampered. Now I've got something that even tall items can fit in.

But...I don't really need to rationalize my purchase to anyone else.

[frankoV]

If I like it, that's all that matters.

You are right . . . music, cars, women [or men] . . . it is all personal preference.

Quote »But...I don't really need to rationalize my purchase to anyone else.[/quote] Yup . . . you said it already:

Quote » If I like it, that's all that matters.[/quote]I don't like them . . . but I don't like yogurt or cheesecake either . . . and the rest of my family thinks I'm nuts! C'est ça.

[jfanaselle]

I feel the exact same way as you Rockhound. I used to think the Versa was one of the ugliest cars on the road. The commercials would air and I would ask myself "who would actually buy that ugly car?." My girlfriend convinced me to test drive one because she was friends with one of the salesmen at our local Nissan Dealership and once you factor the comfort and practicality of the car into your life, suddenly you start to think "gee, this car isn't so ugly after all!" Now, I think it's got some of the best looking body lines of any small hatch on the road!

When Honda first introduced the element, I couldn't stand the appearance of it, especially in those hideous orange and green colors they would paint them with. I forced myself to sit in one of them at the Los Angeles International Auto Show a few years back and remember thinking "wow, this could be one of the most useful vehicles ever produced."

I tried to convince my g/f to buy a new Element SC instead of her Rogue, but she prefered the comfort level and the styling factor over the versatility (and there was a pretty drastic difference in price), which is understandable because she wouldn't use a small SUV the same way I would.

Anyhow... congrats on the new purchase and may your wonderful G20 rest in peace.

[FalsifiedProphet]

congrats on the new vehicle, I have an 06 NBP EX(body colored panels) along with the Versa

[jfanaselle]

Oh yeah; I forgot to say that I guess you'll be updating your avatar at the same time as your sig.

[KimberKenobi]

Congratulations on your 'present' to yourself!!

[Rockhound]

...suddenly you start to think "gee, this car isn't so ugly after all!" Now, I think it's got some of the best looking body lines of any small hatch on the road!

When Honda first introduced the element, I couldn't stand the appearance of it, especially in those hideous orange and green colors they would paint them with. I forced myself to sit in one of them at the Los Angeles International Auto Show a few years back and remember thinking "wow, this could be one of the most useful vehicles ever produced."

Yep. I hadn't considered the Element but for two days before I bought it. Before that it was either a Rogue or Mitsubishi Outlander. Both are great CUVs in their own right, they just weren't what I was looking for.

I've always had a soft spot for the Element, I just knew nothing about it. After test driving it, it was clear that it was what I wanted. It is the most unique vehicle I've ever driven, and perhaps the most fun as well.

congrats on the new vehicle, I have an 06 NBP EX(body colored panels) along with the Versa

Thanks! That's cool that there's another Versa/Element owner. Funny, the Versa used to look huge next to the G in the garage - now it looks fairly small.

Oh yeah; I forgot to say that I guess you'll be updating your avatar at the same time as your sig.

You are correct!

Congratulations on your 'present' to yourself!!

Thanks!

I don't like them . . . but I don't like yogurt or cheesecake either . . .

Haha, no problem. I know this is the definition of a love it or hate it vehicle, and I can certainly appreciate that not everyone likes it.

At least everyone here can agree that the Versa is a great car - so we all have that in common.

[NY.AD.MAN]

I've been a little harsh on Honda, but I have to say that this particular vehicle is completely different from any other vehicle on the market...

Yes, the styling is whatever it is.. (I do like it with the body panels painted), but honestly, all this talk about how ugly it is and all of that, I almost feel like there have been way too many people just calling the Element some pretty crappy names and such...

It can be used for some pretty crazy things...

However, I for one have been guilty of saying some pretty horrible things about certain companies, and though I may disdain them with every bone in my body (not Honda), I say that we all just lay off...

I'm not trying to act "holier than thou" or anything, I just hope we can get back to constructive car talk!

[generic808]

I bought my mother one of those 2 years ago. I kept trying to talk her into a CRV or RAV4, or anything except the Element for that matter, to no avail of course. I kept calling it the Honda Ugly; however, after test driving it and spending some time in it, I realized that it is probably one of THE most practical cars on the road today. Unfortunately, it is still ugly in my eyes, but, it is a good car.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I've always liked the Element. Even more now that they started putting painted quarter panels on them. They're probably the best looking car-based SUV out there, as far as I'm concerned. They're incredibly practical, too. The rear-hinged doors are very nice for loading/unloading cargo.

Not a fan of the wheels, but that's about my only "complaint."

Congrats on the new car!

[KimberKenobi]

... I like to pinch...

(hahahaha! couldn't resist...)

[Rockhound]

I've been a little harsh on Honda, but I have to say that this particular vehicle is completely different from any other vehicle on the market...

...I just hope we can get back to constructive car talk!

Well put - sounds good. I honestly expected a little more candor and maturity from some of the members here. This is a Versa forum after all, not what I'd consider a 'classically beautiful' vehicle by any stretch of the imagination - but I thought people who like the Versa would be more likely to have a soft-spot for quirky automotive design.

however, after test driving it and spending some time in it, I realized that it is probably one of THE most practical cars on the road today.

That's how I feel. Extremely practical - and fun to drive on top of that.

I've always liked the Element. Even more now that they started putting painted quarter panels on them. They're probably the best looking car-based SUV out there, as far as I'm concerned.

Congrats on the new car!

Thanks! Yeah, the painted quarter panels definitely made the difference for me. My wife used to utterly hate the Element - she'd always point them out in traffic and berate any driver who'd own one of those "things". Now she's crazy about them, partly because they can be had with a 'normal' paint job. Also, after seeing how useful the interior space is, she's pretty jazzed about the whole thing. I'm just glad I came upon that compact-SUV buyers guide online...if I hadn't I wouldn't have known about the SC model or even considered the Element.

[Ever Victorious]

We all have different ideas of what "quirky" might mean. I'm probably the only person on this board head-over-heels in love with the 82-87 Subaru BRAT.

And I forgot to include something I really wanted to say the first time...

I LOVE the color! That's quite unique, it's not going to be a boring ol color you see every other car going down the road.

[Rockhound]

Oh man, the BRAT!

Didn't it have the optional seats in the bed? It was pretty quirky - I remember liking them as a kid, but I forgot about them. Don't see too many on the road these days.

Yeah, the color was another big draw, against the 'usual suspects' like the Outlander and such. Those models have the typical colors (the Rogue does have the metallic orange which is nice) but nothing too distinctive. It also seems to change according to the lighting (much like other colors, of course) from maroonish to brownish to nearly black.

Truth be told, I was pretty tired of the gold color on my last car.

[Ever Victorious]

They had jump seats in the bed from '78 to '84, but pulled them after '84 because... well, some people aren't intelligent enough to figure out what's not in their best interests.

[marleyfan]

Didn't the Element get voted as one of the ugliest vehicles ever made? Seems to me I saw that somewhere. I too did not find the Versa very attractive the first time I saw it. I was at a Honda dealer to look a the fit and the Nissan dealer was right next door. The salesman showed me the Versa and I almost gave it a pass till I sat in it. Then I was sold on it. Now that I have my black V and have tinted the windows and added window visors and a spoiler I think it actually looks quite good. The element is better now than it was, but still pretty damn ugly. But then again my brother in law is damn proud of his new HHR and I think that is butt ugly too. But what do I know.

[frankoV]

Didn't the Element get voted as one of the ugliest vehicles ever made?

If it didn't I thought that it was (yes, I am still a little immature -- maybe I'm entering into second childhood or something). But the fact that the body is all one colour does add to the "charm" and take away the ugly. I found the grey-grey . . . I was going to say "revolting", but instead I'll just say "off-putting" as so not to offend.

I too did not find the Versa very attractive the first time I saw it.[/quote]Perhaps because I'm a sedan person I didn't worry about the look of the hatch. But I do have to say that I looked at a Versa in Canada because it was a vehicle (a hatch) we rented in England a couple of years back. On first look I almost asked for a different car . . . but once we drove I found I liked it (even if it did take time getting used to "driving on the wrong side of the road".

Interestingly enough, I can't find any info about a British version of the Versa! But that's what we drove (have the picture) . . . though we were going to get a Corsa . . . my wife said the care reminded her of the Clio she drove a couple of years previously on her visit to the continent.

All that to say (if I haven't already) . . . "congrats" on your purchase . . . may it give you many years of happy freedom on the road.

[Rockhound]

Well, since you guys couldn't get enough the first time around, I thought I'd post up a barrage of pics of the Element...enjoy!

[CodeRed]

And I thought the scion Xb was a toaster oven on wheels

[Rockhound]

And I thought the scion Xb was a toaster oven on wheels

I'd say it's more of a toaster than a toaster oven - you do know the difference, right?

[CodeRed]

ayup.

[Onyxblue]

Congratulation, Rockhound.

They used to say that Subaru B9 is the ugliest one. I test drove one and it was very nice inside and the ride was smooth, but I end up w/ a Pathfinder (in 2007) and a Versa in 2008

A car is as good as you like it