Don't buy it, it's secretly made by Trek in an overseas factory.

Buy it only if it fits properly or buy a Cervelo.

the more i see-um the more i like-um. Lot of multi use space on the inside. i think it's going to be my next vehicle after i wear out my explorer.
jay

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Jay

It's dorky. Don't be a dork.

If I remember correctly Francois had trouble with his winshield cracking. I believe that was due to a design problem that Honda was less than willing to help out when it came time to replace a cracked winshield.

Other than that fact, IMO, that the Element is the second ugliest car/truck out there (the Pontiac Aztrek being the ugliest) I cannot think of mechanical reason not to purchase a Honda. However, if you are puchasing an Element for its versitility why not just purchase a used cargo van for less.

Additionally, if memory serves me correctly you currently drive a Subaru. I think Subaru is doing some really good things right now in their Outback series. You might also want to look at used Nissan Xterra; quality product, decent mileage for a truck, designed for the outdoor type of person, etc.

One last thought/question, I know I don't know you personally but you strike me as the type of person that would drive a car until the wheels fell off. So does this mean your current car has "hit the wall" and is in need of serious repair?

I've had an Element for 20 months. I removed the back seats and have a ton of room to haul all sorts of stuff around. Between work and family life, the hauling capacity has never let me down. I like the unapholstered floors, no vacuuming, just sweeping. I love the suicide-style doors on the side and the MP3 jack. I'm not sure how comfortable it would be for long distance driving, furtherst I've taken it has been two hours one way but then comfort is a personal thing.....i.e. I'm fine riding it in but my husband gets uncomfortable in the seats after a while. We had the running boards installed, makes it look nice. I think you can purchase an interior bike carrier also. If you get it, post a pic.

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______________________________
Have you hugged Your Mom today?

Which was one of the reasons I loved it. Embarrased the heck out of the kids. :-)

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______________________________
Have you hugged Your Mom today?

I am a dork. To a dork, they look cool.

You guys were supposed to talk me out of this.....

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com

Plus your kids will never ask if they can borrow your car.

Tom, that's a shitload of money. personally, i would never pay for a car that cost that much. if you do it, make sure you can tie it into your business so you can write off as much as possible...maybe stick a small sign on it or something.

and, every car is going to have issues. that's just how it is. buying a used one you'll have more likelihood of issues. if it were me I'd find either a lower priced used car or buy new (and i would only buy new if i got a sweet A Plant deal from Ford because of my brother in law). but if you can pay cash, write it off the best you can, and drive it for 3-5 years...just don't make a rash decision. take your time, unless you're in a jam. something better could come along: read, as good of a car at a much lower price.

make sure you read the consumer reports before dishing out your cash...this will tell you ALOT.

Tom

Don't you live and work in Ford's backyard? How about buying American?? :)

The Element is made in America (Marysville, Ohio I believe)

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Steve C.

If you think you have a problem meeting 'nice' women now, just wait til you tell them you drive an Element.

I've had one for a year and its worked out great. The wife and I just got back from Sante Fe Century last weekend (drove down from Denver). I have one back seat folded flat and flipped up and both bikes rolled right in (size 54). There are numerous bungee attachments inside. Roll the bike in, jump in yourself (I'm 5'8" and can stand in hunched over), throw a towel over the top/down tubes and place single bungie from floor to upper side attachment where you clipped the seat to hold it. If I flip up both seats I could easily fit in 4 bikes.

We drove 75-85 and averaged ~22mpg on the drive through some fairly rolling country.

Downsides:
1) Sure it's goofy looking, but find a more versatile, economic vehicle that fits an active lifestyle. I'm happliy married and aren't trying to bait a spouse with a set of wheels.

2) Hard plastic floor means helments, toolboxes, pumps, shoes, all slide around alot unless you've put them in some kind of box.

3) I did a very snowy/muddy cross race last year and had no way to was the bike off before I had to hustle home. Snow/mud covering bike melted and ran ALL OVER the inside floor. Took 15-20min to wipe it up when I got home but I need a better plan for this fall's cross season.

buy it. it's the perfect vehicle for the multisport lifestyle. although it won't help with the ladies.

my wife has an 04 she bought new almost a year ago. maybe 8k miles on it. i think we paid 21k, the dealership wouldn't deal at all (then, they sold as many as they could get; might be different now).

total problems: 0. as in none. it's been perfect for the year we've had it, with trips all over the desert, colorado, socal, utah.

it carries 2-3 bikes easily inside, with plenty of room for gear. the rear seats are a great design -- they fold up and over and out of the way, they recline, and they come out.

the stereo even has an iPod jack.

we get good gas mileage, not great but good.

the only complaint is it's a little noisy at freeway speeds.

I think francois' issues had to do with the windshield. i know this has been a problem for some element owners, but not us.

it's amazing the amount of stuff you can carry in an element. i drive an xterra, which is a bigger truck. but, the xterra has much less cargo space than the element.

not having carpet is also an added plus.

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*****
"In case of flood climb to safety"

Don't count on it though.

My daughters, being dorks like their father, are counting the days until they can have our Element.

Also, We drove it (four of us plus the dog) from MN to CO for a two week camping trip and back. Long trips, no problem!

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Steve C.

I love my Element, its my ultimate training tool. It'll hold my bike upright in the back. I keep shoes, hats vests, wind shells, etc. on a clothesline I've rigged up in the back. I always have my gear ready to go. The front seat reclines waa-aay back so I can even take a pre-run nap. The sound system is great. And they look pretty cool in my opinion. They have the kind of beauty that a well-designed machine has. The boxy, functional look means a practical, roomy interior. The back serves as a great changing area and you can sit fully upright to chage your clothes. You need one, man.

I bought a new one in March and it's without a doubt the most practical vehicle I've owned. It's versatile, comfortable to drive, easy to clean, enough power to not get run over when entering the freeway, and personally I think they're pretty cool looking.

I thought road noise would be an issue, and while you won't forget that you're not driving a Lexus, it's not bad.

As for the "buy American", as someone else pointed out, they're made in America and with more American made components then most "American Made" cars.

scott

Well, try this on for size...

If you buy the Element I'll kill your precious cat.

You have been warned!!

=P

Elementary Cosiderations:

Utility/Versatility-The Element very easily converts from a 4 passenger vehicle with superb legroom front and rear and excellent rear passenger visibility to a 3 or 4 passenger bike/equipment hauler non parallel. We haul as many as three bikes at once with all wheels on. We sleep in it when sudden weather changes make a tent or under-the-stars less than desireable.

Performance- The AWD-on- demand is great for snow and ice, but it is definitely not an off-road vehicle. Make sure you get std transmission rather than automatic. Shifting is a pain in the neck but the weight to power ratio is poor enough, on one or two occasions per day, that you need the performance enhancement effective shifting will bring you.

Aesthetics- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Like lots of others, I've always thought the design considerations are extremely well executed and that the vehicle is very handsome. Certainly it is far superior in looks to most of the cookie-cutter vehicles now on the road.

Windshield-About 30,000 miles on vehicle purchased in December 2003. Windshield cracked after rock from truck hit it. I replaced it. Three months later, another rock and the consequent crack got started. I haven't replaced it yet and have still another crack started by another rock. When the two join or a third starts, I'll again replace.

Repair/Mechanical considerations- No problems of any kind whatsoever

My opinion: I'd buy another in a heartbeat, but, just like on the bike, I long for more power.

Yeah but what city do most of the profits from the company get spent in? Its the equivalent of me buying all my bike stuff on line then having the local bike shop go out of business.

I am just suprised that Tom would not support his local economy.

WE HAVE ONE AND I LIKE IT AS MUCH AS OUR AVALANCHE!

the only reason to buy it:

-you like being able to put 3-4 bikeS inside the vehicle

-you are extremely practical

-you like good gas mileage

-you like to listen to your MP3 player with only attaching one cable to already included jack

-you don't have to worry if you spill a whole cooler of Gatorade on your way to a group trianing session

-you like to sleep in your car as all the seats fold down completely (post race but pre awards nap anyone)

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Lee Zohlman, Lead Coach/President
BodyZen Multi Sport Coaching
http://www.bodyzen.com

they're less "aero" than a refrigerator

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Partially-Hydrogenated

My local economy absolutely does not support me.

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com