Hey all you EleMENTALS!
I have been shopping around the web looking at a second... make that third vehicle.
Right now the Element is my first choice at this point.
I am looking for your opinions of how capable the Element is for towing light duty trailers and winter driving capabilities both four wheel drive and two wheel drive.

I think I would want the manual transmission. I live in the middle of Nebraska so traffic is not an issue. Only stop and go and go and go driving out here.

I am looking for the Element to do my light duty hauling. You know.... Small trailer and pick up a big screen at Best Buy. That kind of thing. Additionally, something to drive in the winter.

I currently have a MINI Cooper S that I enjoy quite a great deal. So much so that I am the organizer of the local MINI Club (C.O.R.N) Cooper Owners of Rural Nebraska.

My other toy is a Honda motorcycle. 2003 VFR Interceptor.
Here are some pictures of my current vehicles...The trailer is a custom built teardrop trailer that only weighs around 500 lbs empty.

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCF0044.JPG

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/gallery/data/1138/medium/Dragon_prep.JPG

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/gallery/data/1138/medium/Base_of_the_Dragon.JPG

I'm pretty sure if I get an Element it will be silver.
Jim

...that tear-drop is GORGEOUS !!! ...and it looks like it cost more than the Mini S! If all you want to haul is a big screen the Element will 'ingest it just fine. This thing is AMAZINGLY big inside in stark contrast to the Mini, that is literally transportation for two... Buy the 4WD it is easier to re-sell, and as far asgears goes... The '07+ 5-AT is a very good match to the E, but if you get the manual there is a relatively simple 6-speed mod one can do. You don't strike me as too cost averse, so why settle for second best...?? :-)

...that tear-drop is GORGEOUS !!! ...and it looks like it cost more than the Mini S!

Thanks for the complement...it stops traffic where ever I pull it. Actually, the trailer only cost 1/4 the the price of the MINI but that is not your average MINI

Thanks for the complement...it stops traffic where ever I pull it. Actually, the trailer only cost 1/4 the the price of the MINI but that is not your average MINI

I noticed that too, the Cooper S has always been the power-house. I remember when the original Mini Cooper S would make 95 hp. While that does not seem much; - there was not much to the original Mini either. The entire wiring schematic would fit easily on one page of 8.5x11 with enough room for the parts list. I have driven them and one of my friends made it a hobby to hot rod 'em making up to 150+ hp.... I also noted that you do not seem to be cost averse! You got coin to flow, a fully equipped EX 4WD will do you fine. I opted to have an SCnose fitted to mine, hence the handle EXwSCnose.... The best of both worlds....

I can't help much on how it does towing or during winter driving...haven't had mine long enough to do either. But there are lots of comments I've seen on the boards to suggest that it does fine with both.

I was just thinking about the winter driving the other day because I'm doing a road trip in December (I'll be passing through and possibly staying overnight in Nebraska, by the way), and because I'm sure I'll be facing snow and ice this winter in Kansas. I think in theory Honda's RT 4WD should do quite well. The basic 4WD system is a simple "on demand" type of thing, and with open diffs front and rear, it'd probably be pretty easy to get stuck...if one wheel at both ends of the vehicle can't get traction, then you've just exceeded the capabilities of the 4WD system. BUT...with the new for 07 brake-based traction control, that may be a GREAT help in regaining traction...using the situation where one wheel at both ends of the vehicle have no traction and are spinning, the TCS should jump in, apply the brakes to the offending wheels, thus sending torque to the non-spinning wheels and getting the vehicle moving again.

Torque is lazy and will ALWAYS take the path of least resistance, which in this case is a spinning wheel. There are several 4WD systems on the market that use open diffs and TCS to help keep the vehicle moving...at least one of Jeep's 4WD systems operates that way, Benz has been doing it that way for years on their SUVs, and I've read of others doing it too. So Honda's RT 4WD setup combined with traction control should be a reasonably good setup for winter driving.

But that's all just talk and theory running through my mind. And of course tires are the key to maintaining traction.

A buddy of mine has the AWD option and he regularly tows around about 1000lbs without a problem. (Sea-Doos and gear)

Chief

WELCOME
I noticed you haven't posted a picture of your Element

All your other toys are sweet - I love the Teardrop
A group of Element owners just did the 129 trip

I am still in the shopping mode. Trying to find a local one in the Nebraska area that fits my needs. Low miles/low price/silver or black/AWD/manual and no blue trim interior. Believe me when I get it you will see it.