Well, My wait is over. I visited my local Honda dealer and checked out the new ELEMENT. ( just came out in Canada this week)

They would not let me take it for a drive because they only received one model and it sold in 2 hours.

I did get a chance to kick the tires and poke around the car. Over all I was very very impressed...........but I found the seat VERY VERY Uncomfortable. Did anyone else notice the lack of quality of the seats? I understand that they are water resistant, but is that an excuse to make them with no support.

last thing, does anyone know if any aftermarket retailers have started to make bells and whistles for the Element?

We find the seats to be very comfortable in our Element. We traded in a Ford with awful seats, the seats in the Element are great for long trips for us. I found that I liked the back seat tilted back about 20 degrees for the most comfort. Play around with it.

Perhaps it depends on what you're used to. The seats in the Element aren't cushy or luxurious like the plush interior of my dear departed Buick Regal, but I find them quite comfortable actually. It's a higher driving position and firmer support than I was accustomed to, but I got used to it very quickly, and have never felt at all uncomfortable behind the wheel of my Element.

Maybe adjusting the seat position to your exact liking is the answer. Most important thing to me is plenty of legroom and headroom, and everything I need within easy reach.

funny you say that. I find the seats in my '92 grand AM much better :)


Lucky for me, I have already found 3rd party seat covers. Hopefuly they will add a little comfort

So you found seat covers, are they padded or something? Just curious.

Ironically I found the fit, feel & comfort to be incredible. I do prefer a firmer seat, and that might be what you don't like.. you probably like the bean bag effect? That is what i noticed with the grand am, they do have that sinking feeling.. which I can not stand. But that is the thing, that is why there are different people & different vehicles!

I have back problems, and sinking into a seat kills my back, the firmer feel of the Element seats is ideal! I drove 100 miles yesterday and i was still bouncing around like tigger!

I have an integra I had been driving, and so i am used to a "softer" feel too, but The Element is made for me, smiles!

I wish you luck with your seat covers, I hope that helps. If they are not cushioned, and you want the softer feel.. you can get the sheep skin covers and put it under the covers you just got to make it feel softer, that might give you the feel you want.

And yes a slight angle to the seat also does help too, not the complete upright position.

Again good luck & wish you happiness!

yes, I found the covers on a website that I got off this messageboard.



it was called http://www.handaaccessories.com/element.html


But I still have to test drive this sucker first, and then see if I want to buy it. Then worry about the seats.

I have to say that everyone's comments and input have been a great deal of help. thanks

I did see that link too, well again i wish you luck, and if the seats are not fluffy enough, you can grab the sheep skin or fleece seat covers anywhere, they are ugly but if you put them under the ones you just got that should give you some extra cushioning and make them fluffy for you (with out that ugly sheepskin look) smiles

good luck, and i would love to hear how it feel to you!

The only problem with sheep skin is when it gets wet and dirty. The honda all season seat covers are so-po-sta hold up to more wear and tear.........

right (re the sheepskin getting nasty) the issue was seat comfort and if they are not comfortable (PaulyPaul, felt uncomfortable)....

and he is getting seat covers, I had remarked if they are not cushy enough then he might want to get the sheep skin/or fleece and place them UNDER the seatcover he did get so to protect the fleece from getting nasty (not to mention they are ugly) and give him more comfort.

I agree that the E's seats are comfortable, especially if you have back problems. I test drove an Azteck and those seats were murder on my back! Now I can drive home from work without pain (almost worth the purchase price! :lol: )

humm Element the perfect vehicle for back pain sufferers and dog families!
Yeah that fits here huh?

To PaulyPaul,

I too find the seats QUITE uncomfortable (and I own one...). The discomfort did not become aparent until after a longer drive than my (several) test drives revealed (otherwise... :( ). It's not a matter of materials or plushy-ness, but rather a lack of lower back support. Having my seats bolstered a bit. Glad to hear others are faring better.

My back gets sore easy. I find that the seats in my El are great! They are very firm, so if thats not what you like then they are not for you.
Myself, I like the firmness. But I haven't gone on a ride longer than 45 min. So maybe when I go on a road trip, I'll have a better idea.

I've had my EX for two weeks. At first, I was not thrilled with the seats. They were OK for short trips, but I was worried about riding in them for a long time. Well, after MUCH fiddling, I think I've got them to were they are actually comfortable. I played with up/down, forward/back, upright/laid-back, and steering wheel tilt. I think the seats can be made to accommodate most but, it take's a bit of adjustment. My only real problem now is my butt sliding around in turns. I'm sure someone will figure something out.

Jim R

I don't think the seats are very comfortable for a trip longer than 2 hours.

I'm wondering if they were designed for 150 lb, 19 year olds.

Or maybe they were designed for 140 lb 5'0" Japenese men and women....

I am 5'5", my wife is 5'8" and on a 5 + hour run up to NH from NY, we did fine. We also made the same run back, and no problem. We are both twice the 19 year olds age and neither is Japenese.

You may want/need to play with the adjustments, get the back to where you want it, and get the height on the front seat to where you want it. Don't forget the wheel tilts as well. Keep playing with the adjustments, you should find something comfortable.

I'm a very large & tall woman and I've found the seats to be very comfortable. I've already put 2K on my E in 3 weeks. Since I do have a bad back the firmer feel is just what I like.

[quote:777c10c715="RML"]I am 5'5", my wife is 5'8" and on a 5 + hour run up to NH from NY, we did fine. We also made the same run back, and no problem. We are both twice the 19 year olds age and neither is Japenese.

You may want/need to play with the adjustments, get the back to where you want it, and get the height on the front seat to where you want it. Don't forget the wheel tilts as well. Keep playing with the adjustments, you should find something comfortable.[/quote:777c10c715]

Not enough snow in NY, eh? Seriously though, you didn't feel fatigued after the 5 hour drive?

Actually went up a few weeks before the snow came to the city. :wink:

With family in NH and Cape Cod, my wife and I drive alot. 5-6 hours in the car is not a problem for either of us. My wife used to be able to drive our old Isuzu trooper II for short trips, but more than a few hours, and her legs and back bothered her. So far, in the E, no problems with the longer trips.

I drove up to Toronto from New Jersey and back over the past weekend. Found the seats to be very comfortable and I was plowing through all the snow from Buffalo all the way to Jersey City. The element handled great in the snow, I was doing like 50mph while most people were doing 30 with numerous spin outs (might have just been my reckless disregard for my life).

Anyone have any ideas for getting some more upper leg support?

I am 6' 2" tall and long trips leave my right leg sore.
Cruise Control seems to help, but there has got to be a better way.

i suggest getting temperpedic seat covers if it isn't comforting enough. lol

Good idea :!:

Thanks Lament

Unfortunately their are no seats/chairs/shoes/beds/ect. that will feel the same to everyone. Just a matter of how it feels to you. My own experience is similar. I have worked with people with bad backs for over 30yrs. and it doesn't look like their is a common denominator when it comes to comfort. I am always suspicious when something feels too good at first. Like those soft couches in the furniture store. Just returned from a 1500 mi. trip in my E and noticed neck and upper back discomfort that I don't feel on short trips. My Chrys. Sebring allows me to drive all day without problems all. Go figure. That said after six weeks of E experience the Sebring is developing a case of green mold from non-use. When I sat in an E for the first time on 12-19-02 at the dealers lot, took me 5 seconds to decide this was for me. No test drive necessary. Reminded me of my long-gone mini coopers of the 60's. Have a blast !! do what you must to be comfortable. Seat forward and Back as straight as possible

Love the mini. Had a 1968. Only problem was the guys at school used to hide in different class rooms
:cry:

for seatcovers:

http://www.blueplanet-hawaii.com/index.php?ctest=1


Look under surf gear, they have neoprene seatcovers for 22 bucks...i don't know if they fit, what does anyone else think?

The seats are firm and comfortable but they need side bolstering. The seats in our Passat grip you around the hips and that helps when you're making quick turns. I find that I seem to slip around on the Element's upholstery hence even more need for some bolstering.

[quote:5702aeb0b3="mogulmousevt"]The seats are firm and comfortable but they need side bolstering. The seats in our Passat grip you around the hips and that helps when you're making quick turns. I find that I seem to slip around on the Element's upholstery hence even more need for some bolstering.[/quote:5702aeb0b3]

Quick turns when you are sitting 3 ft. off the ground ? sounds dangerous to me

When we first went to the dealership (originally to drive a Pilot), we ended up driving a CRV. The seats sucked booty! Then, we jumped in an Element.....it was like heaven compared to the cardboard seats of the CRV we drove! Hands down, we'd buy the E over the CRV just for the comfort of the seats. :wink: But, the E just happens to be much more cute too!!

Angie :D

[quote:68536906ef="Hawaiian E"]for seatcovers:

http://www.blueplanet-hawaii.com/index.php?ctest=1


Look under surf gear, they have neoprene seatcovers for 22 bucks...i don't know if they fit, what does anyone else think?[/quote:68536906ef]
Saw these same covers at Costco yesterday for 20 bucks. Very cheezy construction compared to the Honda seat cover. colors avail. were red/black,
blue/black, grey/black. but shape would no fit E seat very well.

I don't understand how anyone can criticize the seats when they haven't even taken a test drive yet!! I mean, gee whiz, get a little time under your belt first, then decide. I find them VERY comfortable. :roll:

just came back from a trip to Pittsburgh, (4 hours). I find the front seats to be very comfortable. I know the back seats are a little less so. I also drive an '03 ford and find the E seats to be much more supportive

I have tried both front seats in the E and have found some discomfort involved. I have a bladder condition comfort and stability are a must! Of course the fact that they are washable is a big plus for me.

HansBlix,

I think your incontinence will be the least of your problems come March 18th. I don't think the Mother-of-all-automotive-seats could make you comfortable then.

Check this out Hans:

www.dancingbush.com

Use those buttons on the right to get the full "Effect"

Simon,
I really dig that site. It is soooo funny! thanks.

Yeah, Ibutchman -

Everybody that sees it seems to get a good laugh. No complaints yet.
I like the Moonwalk..

I love it! People are comparing the E to cars in a totally different class. I did not buy this car becasue of comfy seats and nobody should either. If you want to plant your butt in luxury, buy a Mercedes. As far as side bolstering problems, the E is NOT a sports car, the exit ramps doing 65. :D

By the way, I traded in my 98 Civic DX hatchback for the E...those seats were uncomfortable!

I find the seats in my EX to be very comfortable...

I drove an Isuzu Rodeo until July. Last summer I put 5000 miles on it for my travels. It was a comfortable car but I would need to take a lot of breaks between gas stops. Last weekend I drove 860 miles and instead of being sore from the drive, I felt good enuff to go out after arriving to my destination 14.5 hours and a lot less pain when I did it in my rodeo. I look forward now to this summer.

Any chance of an Element Owner Round-up at some national park or something?

I drove an Isuzu Rodeo until January. Last summer I put 5000 miles on it for my travels. It was a comfortable car but I would need to take a lot of breaks between gas stops. Last weekend I drove 860 miles and instead of being sore from the drive, I felt good enuff to go out after arriving to my destination 14.5 hours and a lot less pain when I did it in my rodeo. I look forward now to this summer.

Any chance of an Element Owner Round-up at some national park or something?