We are on the waiting list at Stevens Creek Honda in Northern California. Apparently, the waiting list is not short.

Our dealer did call when the first one arrived there (a blue one, don't remember the model) so we got to actually sit in it and play with some of the features for the first time. There was one at the San Francisco Auto Show, but it was on a podium and they weren't allowing people to sit inside and play.

Estimated time when we hit the top of the waiting list is early February, but the dealer said their first one arrived ahead of schedule, so we are optimistic!

Surprises from actually sitting inside (vs. just reading the brochure over and over again): The back seats were more comfortable than I thought, and they recline by pulling up on an easily accessible tab by your leg. Reclining rear seats are cool! It's a little strange to be looking over the heads of the people in front when seated in the back. The feel is very solid, e.g. when you slam the doors, and (if it's not obvious from the pictures), getting into the front and rear seats are a breeze.


GC.

Looking over the front seats from the back, eh? Sounds like the stadium seating that the Nissan Xterra introduced. (at least, I think they introduced) I always liked that feature.

Being in California should be good for you. The more I read they seem to anticipate more sales out there, so maybe they'll try to keep shipments headed that way.

Keep us posted on your wait!
8)

Cool! Thanks for the report. One question: How easy is it to get from the front seats to the back? In other words, can you easily walk between the 2 front seats and get to the rear? I'm asking because the one we saw had no real console in between the front seats. But this is good as we need easy access to the back while driving to get to the kids. And this difficult access is what has kept us from buying a ute in the past. But the Mrs. doesn't want a minivan (too much built-in carpool duty, i 'spose)

I'm not sure there is a good way to get from the front to the back easily, but I also don't recall if we actually tried to do that. As was commented on in the other thread, we went to the dealer and were also only able to look at a pre-sold vehicle, so I'm not sure we were supposed to be crawling around inside at all (the salesperson said it was okay, but he looked nervous and kept looking around the whole time).

The San Jose Auto Show is this week, so if we go, and they let us paw around in the Element, I'll try and check out the ability to crawl back from the front and report.

I'm also glad to hear that someone else is thinking about strapping their kids into an Element. I was afraid that we would be the only people over 30 who'd be buying one. Then again, I suspect that they'll sell more to us 80's Generation people than they thought!


GC.

[quote:3242deaeea="snoopy"]
I'm also glad to hear that someone else is thinking about strapping their kids into an Element. I was afraid that we would be the only people over 30 who'd be buying one. Then again, I suspect that they'll sell more to us 80's Generation people than they thought!


GC.[/quote:3242deaeea]

Heh...I know what you mean. We have 2 kids (5 year old & 8 month old) and an 80 lb. German Shepherd. The plastic flooring & gunk-resistant seats are definately a selling point for us.

Maybe we can get one of those little overhead TV screens installed. But instead of a DVD player, I'd hook up our old Atari, woodgrain and all :D

"What do you mean it has only ONE button, Dad?!?"

Hey there I am in the over 30's crew (the people they are not marketing to) and the funny thing when I was telling friends about this many, many months ago (all who have children) said this sounds like the perfect mommy-mobile.. especially the washability! Really why aren't minivans equipped like that?) So you are so not alone.. we are hoping to have kids (eventually, and that is an added bonus to the Element I feel too.. plus a dog too.. so easier to get all the fur out!)

The crawl thru.. yes perfect.. that was first thought i had.. and the on the floor console, is easy to get over.. plus you don't hit drinks with your elbows like in other vehicles so it does feel more spacious.. especially with the head & elbow room!) That was something I wanted to make sure was good for me and my pup too.. i like a vehicle you can crawl around in.. i intend to do some traveling in it too.. so i cannot wait for mine to arrive.

take care & good luck!