Looking to pick up a 2008 Honda Element EX 4wd in manual.

How reliable are they? I know its a Honda but still curious.

It only has 166hp. Is it really underpowered?

How is the handling/driving? More like a car or more like a truck?

Gas mileage? How bad is it in real world driving?

Anything else I should know about the cars in perticular?

Thanks

 

I have a 2007 SC manual which is 2wd (only) and its been a great car so far. In doing my research, the element is reguarded as one of the most reliable cars with a very low cost of ownership/maintenance. For some reason, different than other hondas that have a timing belt that needs to be changed every 90k the element has a timing chain that is almost maintenance free. It is a little under powered, but that is why I went for the manual becuase the auto felt pretty sluggish (plus I just prefer a manual).
Be aware that unless you have located one already, the manuals are not as available/desireable so the vast majority are automatics. If you are partial to a specific color then you are even more limited. Gas mileage has been a consistant 20-22 city/mixed and the only tank I have used on highway ONLY was 25mpg. Not the greatest but its always a tradeoff with a car like this.

Anything else you should know: It is only a 4 seater car so if you need to take 3 people, not gonna be the car for you. There is new infomation showing the 2009/2010 body changes so you may want to wait if you like it better, but you may get a better deal on a leftover 08.
http://www.elementownersclub.c...age=2
I would say just drive one and check it out see what you think. I love mine.

 

I have exactly what you're looking at.
08 EX AWD MT

Love mine. It's not really underpowered. Actually, if you downshift and have the revs at around 3.5K it moves pretty damn good.

The AWD/4WD is nice. I've had it off road and in the sand a few times now and it does a decent job. I'm thinking about selling the tires and getting something with a bit more grip though.

Gas mileage.....so so. I'm not the most conservative driver and I get around 20mpg doing all city driving. Rarely does the E see traditional highway driving out here in Hawaii. Even the highways are more like city driving due to traffic.

You'll also realize that you're going to want to get "stuff" for it as soon as you get it. So far here's my list

OEM Honda stuff:
storage arm rest
leather steering wheel cover
windows visors
hood deflector
roof rack
locking gas cap (must have...get the dealer to throw it in for free)

Non OEM stuff:
Curt 2" class 3 hitch
Steelcraft full brush guard
Steelcraft nerf bars
Steelcraft tail light covers
Piaa 520 series driving lights
NRG hood dampers (GREAT add on)
Hollywood 4 bike bike rack

I think that's it for now.

Reliability I can't really say anything yet. I just rolled over 3,000 miles a bit ago and got the car back in May.

So far I'm loving it.

Check out elementownersclub.com
TONS of info and just general good E-talk. Good E-ple over there too.

 

Just picked up my Element today. I am over on EOC and actually recognized your name islandsi. Small world right. I didn't get any options from the dealer but I have a list of stuff I want already. Mudguards, window visors, bug deflector and drivers storage armrest. Anyway I will be posting pictures over there and if anyone is interested ill post them here too.

 

If you finally do end up ordering some of that stuff make sure you don't just jump right on the HandA.com bandwagon. Compare prices WITH shipping from there to hondaautomotiveparts.com

I've found that while HandA is a good website, they're not really the greatest when it comes to shipping rates. It might be different since you're on the mainland. Just a heads up for ya.

Congrats on your E.

 

Thanks I appreciate the tips. I was actually just browsing h and a lol

 

Turbo EM1? I have one of those too.
In the process of un-turboing mine though

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IslandSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Turbo EM1? I have one of those too.
In the process of un-turboing mine though</TD></TR></TABLE>

It was just stolen thats why I just got the element.

 

Interesting fact, everybody that has posted in this topic either HAD (or currently HAS) a boosted EM1. ..and also an Element.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The AntiRice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Interesting fact, everybody that has posted in this topic either HAD (or currently HAS) a boosted EM1. ..and also an Element. </TD></TR></TABLE>


LOL! I noticed that too. I have an EM1 but not boosted, and a 08 RBM SC as well.

 

LOL so true... i owned a 00 si before my E. sold it and parted mine out.... its no longer with me

 

I just bought my element yesterday! So far, I'm VERY happy with it. Traded in my 99 Civic EX for it. I'll miss her but this is much more practical. It's a 2005 AWD LX. 81,000 miles on it. I can't complain. It's Nighthawk Black and I got my first load of groceries with it yesterday evening. haha. I'm glad to join this group of owners, seems like fun.

 

I hope you got a full hubcap model.

 

Congrats. Now head on over to elementownersclub.com

 

+1

 

I already registered there. I noticed the lack of element-related topics here haha. No offense to H-T though.

Full hubcap model? Not sure what you mean but the way I'm reading it, yet I got hubcap/wheel covers on all four tires. If you're being sarcastic, I have no idea what you mean.

 

Some of the elements have the small police car size hubcaps.

 

Screw that noise.
EX FTW.
Painted panels, better stereo, overhead console, alloy rims, arm rests, steering wheel radio controls (do the LXs have these?)
Mo' bettah' vehicle IMO. Kind of biased though.

 

Ah I see. Yea I have the full on wheel cover hub caps. And of course I don't have the painted panels, I swapped out the radio for my Kenwood, and the rest is not in there. But it doesn't take away the fact that I like the car! Haha.

 

enjoy it! it is a great car.

 

Make sure that when you go to wax it that you don't use anything that dries non-clear.
Most E owners use Turtlewax Ice. Little on the expensive side, but doesn't leave residue on the panels. Great stuff. I actually use to to wax the few parts on mine that are still blacl plastic. Have even used it on the interior.

 

I was wondering how to take care of those panels. That was actually the one thing that worried me about getting one of these at all. Those plastic panels make me think one time with the wrong stuff on it & it'll crack, split, or dry up and look nasty.

 

I would suggest purchase a wide roll of painters/masking tape and just mask the edges so when you wax you dont hit the plastic. I do this on pretty much any car for things like window trim or any black plastic that can be hit by the wax pad or buffer pad. Seems to work for me.

 

Turtlewax Ice. No residue, no streaking, nothing. Stuff is awesome.