Davidh
04-10-2007, 09:30 PM
Just took ownership of my Element on Friday. I checked this board for pricing. I called several dealers and told them, "listen, I know what Element buyers are paying for these throughout the country. I know it is invoice or below. Call me back in about 1 hour and give me your best price on a 2007 Element EX AWD. I was in an accident a week ago and I don't feel like dickering with you guys. My previous car was demolished. I like the Element and I have an opportunity to buy something that will haul my gear better."
About 45 minutes later, I got a call back and the guy offered below invoice and I just asked, "what colors do you have". He said that he had the black or the tango red. I said, "get the red one ready and I'll pick it up in a hour".
I went with the Fogs and roof rack. Dickered with the pricing on the accessories and the mud guards and we were done. Honestly, at 3.9% financing...I saw no point in fooling with installing fogs. Did that with my maxima. I'd rather spend the time riding my bike.
ordered two of these today along with a class I hitch (I see no need for a class III Uhaul hitch):
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/RA604A00-Rockymounts+Noose+Sl+Roof+Rack+Tray.aspx
Went out to celebrate that day with my girlfriend. The next morning, I had 2 bikes inside the element strapped down. I went for a 36 mile road ride and then went on a MTB ride. Car got muddy less than 1 day after I bought it.
Putting the roof trays and saris cycle on pro receiver rack on the car and going to Tour De Georgia next week to watch the race and ride.
Love the stereo, the color and having body panels that match the paint. Well, I love the stereo but I may replace some of the speakers. They just don't totally do it for me.
Gripes? At 6'1" the instrument cluster (speedo) is hard to read the speed at 60-70mph. The Element's tilt feature should have gone up more. Yes, the seat is all the way down.
It would be nice to have the steering wheel stereo and cruise controls illuminated at night. Heck, KIA can do it...Honda can too and KIA is crap.
The factory battery is a joke.
Should have a 18 gallon fuel tank.
The headrest is horrible. About the worst I have ever seen.
Factory 6 speed manual! Needs one bad. 5speed auto gets better mileage and that is what I got. I would have rather had a manual.
This might not be the place for it but has anyone ever thought about a woodie Element? Now my friends...that would ROCK. Considering those plastic unpainted and painted panels are removable....THAT would be a mod.
another gripe? Should have had a factory storage armrest like the CRV or the optional one for the Element. THAT should be factory.
Engine? seriously...it is plenty peppy for what it is. Cold Air intake for an Element? Give me a break. Lose low end power and torque but get higher end power. Been there and done that with my maxima. Now, I've seen a huge number of dyno tests with the maxima engines and I don't know what a 4 cylinder would be but has anyone ever POSTED a dyno sheet before and after of an element with and without the CAI?
Love my new element. I really don't know how much I will post here but I want to thank the people that put all the info on here that I needed. I spent maybe 2 hours reading this site the day I bought mine. Saved me a ton of time with the dealer and cash. Got the things I need as far as accessories. I'm just going to drive it, put road and MTBs in it, on it and go camping/riding. My fellow bike club members are jealous of the vehicle.
If it hadn't been for the 86 year old man running that stop sign, I'd still have my maxima. His Ford F150 just demolished my car. Going through PT right now but hope to be 100% in the next few weeks. I'd say my PI claim will come close to helping offset some of the purchase.
About 45 minutes later, I got a call back and the guy offered below invoice and I just asked, "what colors do you have". He said that he had the black or the tango red. I said, "get the red one ready and I'll pick it up in a hour".
I went with the Fogs and roof rack. Dickered with the pricing on the accessories and the mud guards and we were done. Honestly, at 3.9% financing...I saw no point in fooling with installing fogs. Did that with my maxima. I'd rather spend the time riding my bike.
ordered two of these today along with a class I hitch (I see no need for a class III Uhaul hitch):
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/RA604A00-Rockymounts+Noose+Sl+Roof+Rack+Tray.aspx
Went out to celebrate that day with my girlfriend. The next morning, I had 2 bikes inside the element strapped down. I went for a 36 mile road ride and then went on a MTB ride. Car got muddy less than 1 day after I bought it.
Putting the roof trays and saris cycle on pro receiver rack on the car and going to Tour De Georgia next week to watch the race and ride.
Love the stereo, the color and having body panels that match the paint. Well, I love the stereo but I may replace some of the speakers. They just don't totally do it for me.
Gripes? At 6'1" the instrument cluster (speedo) is hard to read the speed at 60-70mph. The Element's tilt feature should have gone up more. Yes, the seat is all the way down.
It would be nice to have the steering wheel stereo and cruise controls illuminated at night. Heck, KIA can do it...Honda can too and KIA is crap.
The factory battery is a joke.
Should have a 18 gallon fuel tank.
The headrest is horrible. About the worst I have ever seen.
Factory 6 speed manual! Needs one bad. 5speed auto gets better mileage and that is what I got. I would have rather had a manual.
This might not be the place for it but has anyone ever thought about a woodie Element? Now my friends...that would ROCK. Considering those plastic unpainted and painted panels are removable....THAT would be a mod.
another gripe? Should have had a factory storage armrest like the CRV or the optional one for the Element. THAT should be factory.
Engine? seriously...it is plenty peppy for what it is. Cold Air intake for an Element? Give me a break. Lose low end power and torque but get higher end power. Been there and done that with my maxima. Now, I've seen a huge number of dyno tests with the maxima engines and I don't know what a 4 cylinder would be but has anyone ever POSTED a dyno sheet before and after of an element with and without the CAI?
Love my new element. I really don't know how much I will post here but I want to thank the people that put all the info on here that I needed. I spent maybe 2 hours reading this site the day I bought mine. Saved me a ton of time with the dealer and cash. Got the things I need as far as accessories. I'm just going to drive it, put road and MTBs in it, on it and go camping/riding. My fellow bike club members are jealous of the vehicle.
If it hadn't been for the 86 year old man running that stop sign, I'd still have my maxima. His Ford F150 just demolished my car. Going through PT right now but hope to be 100% in the next few weeks. I'd say my PI claim will come close to helping offset some of the purchase.