06 Element EX-P model: any info. about this vehicle is appreciated. I'm looking at one but really don't know much about the Elements. I'm sure they are good vehicles being a Honda. Any positives or negatives about this vehicle is appreciated. Not sure if this year model has a timing belt or chain either.

 

Hey Spriddle,

My wife has an 05 Element LX 4wd. It has over 60k, and no problems since she bought it new. If you have kids, or haul loads of gear (or crap in my wife's case), you will love the car. I've had friends that are 6'5 plus and some tip the scales at close to 300, and they have been amazed at the amount of room in the front and back seats.

She drives all city miles and we live in the western hills of cincinnati with tons of stop and go and very hilly commutes. The worst mpg she has gotten has been 19 mpg, and we average around 22 mpg on road trips. That is the one thing about the car that I would like to improve.

Her element is near 4000 lbs, and I've replaced two sets of front back pads and the rear pads are nearing their time. I bought the pads from auto zone with lifetime warranty, so I bring the old ones up with my other car and they give me new ones for free.

I hear a manual tranny gets around 24 mpg.

Great vehicle, and consumer reports recently rated used Elements as one of the best used cars you can buy, with the potential to reach 200k miles or more if cared for.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the info. I currently have an older Odyssey van but thinking about upgrading and ran across the Element. Looks to be a very good family vehicle. I have two children: one in football and the other in band. We stay on the road during football season.

 

Good luck, Spriddle.

We have occasional winter weather in the midwest, and my wife always flips out. She had a Jeep Cherokee, and used the 4wd when it was 39 and raining. The element chooses for her when 4wd should be used. I trust the honda engineers a little more when it comes to using 4wd then my wife.

Stainproof, waterproof seats are very convenient. When the backseats are removed from the vehicle, the element's space rivals some cargo vans. I've loaded mulch, bikes, furniture, and 8 people one time in there. Its not recommended, but you could hose it out, if you had to

Our manual says we can go up to 10k without an oil change, but I change it every 4-5k.

 

I am a fanatic about changing fluids. I change my oil about every 3500 or so. I change antifreeze every spring/summer: I've never had to change a waterpump knock on wood. And I have a nissan truck with about 250,000 miles on it. Trans. gets serviced every 15,000. I also change power steering and brake fluids around 15,000 miles. Fluids are the life of a vehicle.

Do you happen to know if the 06 Element has a timing belt or chain? Just wondering and I can call the dealer. I have an 06 Civic which has a chain. Honda switched the Civic from a belt to a chain in 06. Just wondering if they did that with the Element.

 

all honda k series engines have timing chains...Element has K24 engine in there.

 

Sounds good!