Looking into new cars. So Subaru Forester was my first choice not too geeky but has enough room for my gear and bikes. Over the weekend I rented Honda Element. I am teling you this thing is made for bikes. You can fit couple of bikes upright without removing the wheels, there is huge headroom at the back. Door openings are great, gas milage is good. As a summary it has everything I need, but man it is UGLY. I guess I have to suck it up and get used to the “looks” from SUV drivers and buy one of these. Do you guys have any feedback about this car? I’ve driven the basic entry level. Inside resembled something like those UPS trucks. There was no center console and i was able to move back from the driver seat easily.
How is the engine in the long term? Are there any other car options like this one? I’ve seen some small panel vans in Europe but not here in the States.
Also does anyone have a Chevy HHR? How is the cargo room on that one?
Yup it’s fugly but I love mine.
I have over 100,000 miles on mine and so far all I have had to do to it is brake pads, tires and oil changes. supposed to do a 100,000 mile tune up but it’s still running like new and i’m getting the best gas mileage out of it yet, average 24 mpg.
It’s great for my dogs, bikes, even a little camping and hauling large items like washer, dryer, snow blower etc. It is extremely versatile. If you can get over the looks and realize it’s not a luxury vehicle you’ll love it. I actually like the way mine looks, much different than the cookie cutter cars and suv’s out on the roads today.
The Element is a death trap for passengers in the rear if you do not get the rear side airbags. Other than that, it should work.
Passangers in the rear? Those would be my Felt and Specialized.
This one was the coolest I’ve seen so far.
I have a 2004 with 50K on it and I love it. Went through a few windshields (honda replaced them for free under a class action suit) but other than that its perfect for me. Normally I have 2 child seats in the back but when I travel with the all I need I flip up one seat and put my bike right in. I ride a 61cm bike and love that it fits in without taking off a wheel. I have fit four bikes in w/o a problem.
As for looks…it grew on me and now I’m fine with it. If I had to today I would get another one.
Good luck
The Element is a death trap for passengers in the rear if you do not get the rear side airbags. Other than that, it should work.
Where are you getting this “death trap” info from. I believe the element has always gotten 5 star safety rating.
My wife and I both race. My question, is there enough room for 2 bikes, tri gear, clothes for a weekend?
I frequently rent them to haul stuff around, as well as me and my bike to triathlons.
Not much in the way of sound deadening, and the gas mileage could be better for a 4 banger, but you gotta love the no-nonsense feel, cargo capacity, and turning radius: it feels like it can turn in its own length! I like the way they look, especially with the black fenders, which I guess they’ve done away with, in more recent models.
You have 2 options. You can get a factory installed fork mouth on the back so you can fit 2 bikes and gear, or you can strap 4 bikes or more if you remove the back seats. I do not have the fork mouth (I am renting it from local igocars.com)but I strap it as shown like in the picture.
I test drove the Element - and found the small “suicide” rear doors really inconvenient. To open them you have to open the lager fron doors first. Hard to do in tight parking spaces, or in my garage !
My wife and I both race. My question, is there enough room for 2 bikes, tri gear, clothes for a weekend?
http://automobiles.honda.com/element/interior-accessories.aspx
The one I rent is the low end model without any options, but it has more than enough room if you fold the rear seats.
I drive an HHR, depending on how big your bike is you are able to get it inside standing up-right with the front wheel off and the cargo floor removed. I never took any pictures but for one race I had my bike, my wife’s bike, all of our gear (including bike stand, folding chairs and a cooler) in the back. I ride a 54 P2C. I can set everything up and post some pictures if you would like. I get around 30-32mpg on the highway.
I really like the new 2008 redesigned look of the element. I am thinking about getting one. It isn’t as square, more rounded edges
The Element is a death trap for passengers in the rear if you do not get the rear side airbags. Other than that, it should work.
Where are you getting this “death trap” info from. I believe the element has always gotten 5 star safety rating.
My comments apply to 2006 or earlier Honda Elements. They are a death trap to the rear passenger because of the way the rear side window is setup. Side impacts even at low speed are enough to cause head trauma to the rear passenger. The problem was mainly with the earlier Elements that did not come with side airbags. Honda addressed this issue with the 2007 Elements and included rear side airbags as a standard feature.
Now I would never go with the government’s safety ratings because they are inadequate. I would go with the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety ratings on cars because they simulate more real world conditions.
IF you own or are thinking about an Element, check this new after market product. It’s like the old VW westies…Very cool
www.ursaminorvehicles.com
I’ve got an sti that I’m happy with, Subaru is great, but am looking for more room. I’ve been considering an Element for a while now, but just wish it had a bit more power. Maybe if I could get my hands onto one of these:
http://cars.ign.com/articles/746/746047p1.html
I’d be all over that camper too. Anyone know of any Element tuners?
My wife and I both race. My question, is there enough room for 2 bikes, tri gear, clothes for a weekend?
No problem. Although you can fold the seats up and strap them to the side, I’ve taken one out to allow even more space. Where that seat would be, I can load three bikes. I use straps to secure them to the hand grip above. I stack luggage behind the other rear seat and usually have plenty of space next to the back seat passenger to stash other stuff.
I’ve easily traveled to races with myself and two other women…with all our gear and bikes.
It’s a great post race dressing room too. I’m small, 5’2" and can walk around, bent over, inside the vehicle.
I’ve got an sti that I’m happy with, Subaru is great, but am looking for more room. I’ve been considering an Element for a while now, but just wish it had a bit more power. Maybe if I could get my hands onto one of these:
http://cars.ign.com/...es/746/746047p1.html
I’d be all over that camper too. Anyone know of any Element tuners?
now THAT looks like wearing an aero helmet on a cruiser…
I had one for 2 years (lost it in divorce) and I loved it. To answer a few of the questions
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It is perfect for a couple to go to races. You can put two bikes in and only have to fold up one seat in back. The bags and extra wheels and stuff can go behind the other seat and stuff you need during the trip goes on seat and in front of it. You can also fold seats totally flat so someone can sleep comfortably if you want/need to although it is probably not the safest way to do things.
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The fork mount accessory I found to be useless in most situations. If you have a road or tri bike, the mount is too close to the back so you cannot close the back door without loosening the handlebars and tilting them down. I only did this on really long trips when I wanted bikes to be extra secure inside. It did work for my mountain bike though.
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I ride a 60 inch road bike and I could roll my bike in (although at a little bit of a leaning angle. We fit four bikes, and 2 extra sets of wheels on the way to a race.
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I have not seen any of the studies or info on the “death trap” comment for the back seats. I had one of the first ones off the line and only saw good things about the safety of it.
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Reason I don’t have one now - i have little ones (under 4 yrs old) and back seats are too far back to reach kid in car seat. This is great for adults in back seat - lots of leg room - but not good for young kids. Also, there are only two seats in back so this is a 4 person car MAX. Not a good fit for anyone with kids.
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There is not a lot of power for those that feel they need it but plenty for everything i did. The only negative is you cannot tow anything with the Element. Don’t even try.