Other than the windshield issue that I saw on previous posts, is there anything else I should be on the look out for?

It is AWD, and has 56,000 miles - one owner

How hard are the seats really to get out for sleeping, as I wanted to go camping in it this summer?

Also - the desc on the web says the E I am going to look at is gold - but the picture looks more grey - is gold a popular color?

Private party or dealer? Regardless, just get it inspected.

Getting the seats out the first time can be a bit of a struggle (lift and push towards the back), but after a couple of times you get familiar with the procedure and it's not an issue. You can also just fold them up against the side walls.

There is no real gold color for the Element. In '04 there was a Satin Silver, which is a cool grey and Shoreline Mist, which is a warm grey. It's probably the Shoreline Mist...which is a great color with the composite panels.

If I'm not mistaken, the "windshield issue" was only on the '03 models, wasn't it?

In any case, I've got an '04 myself, and the windshield's fine so far.

(Oh, I'll second the notion that the seats are a cinch to take out. Waaaaay easier than the seats in my old Dodge Caravan were. Ugh.)

- Jeff

If I'm not mistaken, the "windshield issue" was only on the '03 models, wasn't it?

In any case, I've got an '04 myself, and the windshield's fine so far.

(Oh, I'll second the notion that the seats are a cinch to take out. Waaaaay easier than the seats in my old Dodge Caravan were. Ugh.)

- Jeff



Actually the TSB i have is for both 2003 and 2004.

I don't think gold was ever an actual color choice. As Bald Eagle said, it's probably Shoreline Mist (which is a nice color IMHO).

The rear seats are really easy to take out, but they are a bit awkward to handle since they're big and heavy. But the process to take them out is really simple. I've only taken them out a couple of times, but for camping purposes you may have enough room just by folding them up against the sides.