How many miles is too much? Honda Element.

[Scott Douglas]

Looks like you got lucky and found a nicely taken care of one. I'd guess you're half way thru the present front pads/rotors if past history is as stated. One thing the guys on the CR-V forum are always complaining about is the caliper pins corroding and not sliding, causing the brakes to wear unevenly. Since you're in a wetter environment up north, I'd be sure to check that out.
You might also want to look up the Element owner's forum as I've heard it's pretty active, much like the CR-V forum is.
Does it have a maintenance minder set up like the later Honda's?

[jyl]

3/8" tread, just measured it.

Researching tires. Michelin Premier A/S is really interesting. Tread grooves widen as they get closer to casing, so wet weather performance is maintained as the tire wears. Also lots of silica and other compound tricks. Confirmed by Consumer Reports testing of new vs shaved tires. Up here, wet weather performance is key.

Will take it in for that work, plus a new battery, before she heads off to CA.

I've been browsing the Element forum. Good resource.

Don't think there is a maintenance reminder feature but I'm still reading through the manuals. Edit: yes, it does have that. Cool!

It is strange to me that Honda let this model go. They created a category, competitors copied with Soul, Scion, and Honda never really refreshed the Element (beyond the 2007 updates) and let it go stale. I guess they figured the CRV was so successful, why bother with another small SUV model.

The rear 12V outlet is easily modified to be always-on. I'm wondering if I should do that mod. Might make it more likely that she kills the battery by leaving something plugged in while the car sits for a week at a time. I'm thinking of simply securing a small solar panel to the dash (which is huge) and wiring it directly to the battery.

[aigel]

Late to the party here - it is a great car, very utilitarian for any sports hobbies, dogs, remodel, road trips etc. It has been on my list of cars to get if I every have to give up my TDI ... I would have found a manual, but not all kids can drive that. If the tires are more than 5 years old, I would replace them. If not, keep an eye on their born on date and make sure you don't let them get too old, considering the low miles planned. They are the only contact points to the road.

I would check how much current the car pulls now to get an idea on battery life when parked. Just to make sure you don' t have something hogging power. I like the idea of a solar trickle charger. You can get the 12V changed to always on. Usually a simple mod easily found on forums. It is beneficial too if you can leave a phone in there to charge when the car is off.

G

[scottmandue]

Just curious, what kind of gas mileage do you get out an Element?

[Scott Douglas]

A friend of mine ended up buying one after his Chevy SS pickup was stolen out the parking lot at his place of work at the time.
He was getting 18-19 just driving it back and forth to work.
We took it up to Santa Barbara on a quick trip and got to blow it out on the freeway some.
After that he said it got 21-22 so he was happy. He still has it and says it's great.

[jyl]

New battery in. Won't fit a larger one without modding air intake.

Gibson Electric is a very cool place. Don wasn't in. They say they work on Porsches too.

Not sure how affordable they are. Wanted $100 to install battery, so it took it home, spent five minutes, brought back the core.

[Scott Douglas]

Wow, a $100 to install a battery?
And I know it isn't that hard to do on a Honda.
Guess they really didn't want to be bothered did they.

[KevinTodd]

The biggest issue with battery replacement wasn't the cost--I bought my most recent one through AAA and they installed it for free. What I did have to do was remember where the security codes had been placed in order to reactivate the stereo. I ultimately went online and easily found the solution--which took maybe 5 minutes to complete.

[Bob Kontak]

Yay! It has a timing chain. No change out at 105k miles of a belt. Also, water pump does not appear integral to the timing chain drive. Sweet.

[jyl]

These cars are incredibly popular in Portland. In my 'hood, there is literally one parked on every block or two. I personally have three friends with Elements - all of which I drove, to learn what they should feel like. For some reason, half of the ones selling on CL have salvage titles, which I won't consider.

[aigel]

Very Portland car indeed. All the granola places around here have huge numbers too. Like I said, hobbies of any kind are well taken care of in this utilitarian machine! I find a lot of dog people love them.

[schamp]

I have an 03 element. I would suggest changing the oil at 3K. Use a good oil. Mine had a problem with number one piston. Ring stuck. Low on power. Engine shake at idle. A new engine fixed that. There is a tranny dipstick a little low by the battery. Check it.
They develop a shaking if the mounts get weak. That includes the transmission mounts.
I am on my second engine and one tranny rebuild. But, its driven like a four wheeler with air conditioning on my farm.
All in all it has held up well and I run it hard. No way I would go 10K miles on changing oil.
There is an idle stabilization valve that needs to be cleaned every now and then. Get her some extra relays for the radiator fans.
I would buy another. MPG not good but fair.

[Charles Freeborn]

Yeah, ya gotta talk to Don... Trackside is the source for tires. They'll match Tire Racks prices. Check out their Saab rallye cars while you're there. Probably running at the Oregon Trail Rally this weekend.

[Steve Carlton]

Make sure the Michelins have good traction when warmed up, too.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by jyl

These cars are incredibly popular in Portland. In my 'hood, there is literally one parked on every block or two. I personally have three friends with Elements - all of which I drove, to learn what they should feel like. For some reason, half of the ones selling on CL have salvage titles, which I won't consider.

Not to hijack but when my wife lived in Portland we had all our car work done here and were extremely happy with their prices and work ethic (but they don't work on German cars)

Metro Metric Automobile
715 SE 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
metrometric.com
(503) 233-0272

I was out of town so I had to trust them to keep her old Nissan pickup running (it was overheating, with much urging by me she took it in, found it was just the O2 sensor and a
cheap fix)... and then my 2005 Elantra (did a full 100K mile engine trans rebuild for $800).

[Steve Carlton]

I'll jack this thread... If it's going to be in Tahoe, you should get it lifted. Just sayin'.

[sand_man]

Is there a particular year that's more desirable? I know that the model evolved slightly. Also, that's good to know that it came in a manual trans...something I will be looking for!

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by jyl

3/8" tread, just measured it.

Researching tires. Michelin Premier A/S is really interesting. Tread grooves widen as they get closer to casing, so wet weather performance is maintained as the tire wears. Also lots of silica and other compound tricks. Confirmed by Consumer Reports testing of new vs shaved tires. Up here, wet weather performance is key.

3/8" tread is 12/32", which is like new. Even 6/32" isn't too bad, although getting there, especially if old. Tread depth should be measured across the whole tire as well. What size tire came with the car (vs what's on it), including speed and load rating? I have a suspicion Michelin Premier A/S tires weren't made for that car.

[jyl]

In 2005 the EX model got XM/MP3 in the audio system.

The major change was with the 2007 model. Added 10 HP, side airbags (previously only in top EX trim level), ESC, five speed auto trans, front seat belts mounted on seats (so rear seat passengers can get in/out without front seat unbuckling).

In 2009 the front fenders went to metal (so no more gray plastic fevers) and a navigation system was offered, no more moonroof option.

Major options were AWD, auto/manual (manual not available in later years), DX/LX/EX trim levels, SC model (from 2007: 2WD only, 18" wheels, lowered, different nose, carpet, large center console, sort of a sporty version), body color fenders, moonroof (over the rear, I guess to look up at the stars when sleeping in the car), fog lights.

I was looking for a 2007 or later, auto, unmodified, that wasn't all dog-haired-scratched-up inside. Kind of wish this one had the foglights, only because the blank holes in the front bug me a little - that's just being OCD.

My experience driving Elements is obviously very limited, but so far I find it a nice city driver, a bit noisy on the freeway (probably could be somewhat addressed by adding sound deadening), rides basically like a small SUV, very simple controls and minimal electronic gee-gaws. Sound system in the EX is surprisingly decent, with a subwoofer and A-pillar tweeters. No-one bought the retractable cargo area cover that was (still is) an available accessory, but the rear windows are tinted which makes it hard to see inside the cargo area. Rear seat legroom is huge. The rated load capacity is 935 lb, similar to a CRV, so it's not exactly a Ford Transit Connect, but good enough for non-commercial use.

Daughter is coming home tonight and will take the car back to college, so I won't be tinkering with it until her next visit. I'm thinking about installing a backup camera (awfully useful for newbies trying to parallel park) but otherwise don't have a lot of projects in mind.

[craigster59]

I was purchasing a used Tacoma p/u at a Honda dealer when I first saw the Element. The sales guy told me it was targeted towards college students as a "Dorm on wheels" but most who purchased were over 45 y.o.

The brochure showed how many different configurations you could place the seats in. Looked like a great vehicle for camping. One guy I worked with at the time said his parents had bought one as a commuter between LA and Raton New Mexico. His Mom had a bad back and could lay flat on her stomach or back during the long drive.