The lower part of the radiator is completely open to whatever debris decides to jump up and attack. There should be some kind of anti-debris screen over the radiator (thus saving me a trip or two to Home Depot :wink: !

I agree they do need some protection there.........especially in California there debris everywhere on the road

I agree, I just replaced my 2nd radiator yestarday. 1200.00 in 6 months. Kinda needs protecion

Eric

Offer the screens...
Give existing owners a chance to get them installed a reasonable price.
Then get the screens into the new vehicles.

Honda can get their style and marketing people to make the screens add to or change the current look.

Anybody here heard of Cloud Rider?

While it would be a neat Honda part, I don't think Honda can offer every single acc. for everyone of their cars. That is what is so great about secondary, after market companies.....Cloud Rider offers a wonderful product line, Steel Horse and Vector offer great after market consoles, etc etc.


PS Check out the Cloud Rider Grille Combo Set Auction benefiting Toys For Tots on the Trading Post Forum.

Actually? The lack of protection for the lower radiator area is nothing less than a design flaw. The shortened design of the hood area pushes the radiator and A/C condensor very close to the intake opening, so road debris enters with more velocity and has less time out of the air stream to slow down.

Whoever came-up with the Home Depot fix and its various incarnations are geniuses.

A quick trip to HomeDepot for some gutter screen and 30 minutes of my time took care of the lower grille issue....do a search and you will find many ppl on this board have done the same thing.

the fact of the matter is others are right. This is not a simple accessory to spruce up the E. You should not have to buy anything aftermarket to offer basic protection or functionality to a car. One should not have to buy a new radiator because Honda decided to leave that lower grille area wide open for all sorts of road debris to fit into. In my eyes it falls into a stupid oversight in design. Like the fact that outside of the glove box, there is no closed, hidden or locking storage in the E, unless you go BUY the armrest, which is still minimal at best. The center console is a very inefficient design.

[quote:76644a5aee=" "] Like the fact that outside of the glove box, there is no closed, hidden or locking storage in the E, unless you go BUY the armrest, which is still minimal at best. The center console is a very inefficient design.[/quote:76644a5aee]

what cars have you been driving w/ closed, hidden or locking storage? Trunks notwithstanding, since SUV's typically don't have 'em.

besides the glove box, the change drawer is also closed and very well hidden.
but back to the point, i also agree that honda must cover their hole.

[quote:e21624afc9=" "]Actually? The lack of protection for the lower radiator area is nothing less than a design flaw.[/quote:e21624afc9]

I couldn't agree more. This is made all the more frustrating by honda's stance on the windshield issue. I recall reading somewhere on the board that Honda NA's response to the relatively high incidence of cracked windshields was that the 'typical' Element driver is one who spends more time driving in areas with higher than average debris (i.e. unimproved, gravel roads, etc.)

This is who Honda designed the Element for, right? People with active lifestyles who spend lots of time outdoors, in parks, ski areas, etc. Correct?

I won't touch the windshield thing again, but WHY then, would Honda leave a gaping hole in front of the radiator when they fully expected people to drive in places where potentially damaging debris is commonplace?!?

:?:

[quote:7c67ee9b05=" "]what cars have you been driving w/ closed, hidden or locking storage? Trunks notwithstanding, since SUV's typically don't have 'em.[/quote:7c67ee9b05]

actually, most suv's I've been in come with some sort of center console that has closed storage and not a $10 cup holder tray you can get at Target. In the back many of the side storage areas in the rear have covers on them that pop off with a little turn of a knob. Though I suppose you can use the spare tire area for some storage, but that's inconvenient when things are loaded in the rear.

A real center console would've been a nice option. I'm not a big fan of having to come up with homemade solutions to things that should be offered as an accessory or come standard with a product. Not that I don't do it, because it is fun coming up with ingenious solutions, but the E has been out for awhile now, and that whole center area is a big waste of space unless your putting your bike right up the middle.

[quote:0e21f9261a=" "]that whole center area is a big waste of space unless your putting your bike right up the middle.[/quote:0e21f9261a]

Yeah, but for those of us who do put bikes (or other long items) right up the middle, that empty space is perfect. Not to mention the ability to step right through (albeit a bit hunched over) to the back without getting out of the car.

Some of the Element's "faults" for some are the same attributes that make it so uniquely attractive to others. If consoles and storage are what you desire, maybe a CRV would've been a better choice?

I bought the billet grill that's being sold on Ebay for $85.00. A little pricy but nothings getting through it. Plus it really looks great.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398998723232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D947%3D558%3Dx roqdf%3E232346%3B783673ot1lsi

[quote:6180d213ad=" "]I bought the billet grill that's being sold on Ebay for $85.00. A little pricy but nothings getting through it. Plus it really looks great.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398998723232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D947%3D558%3Dx roqdf%3E232346%3B783673ot1lsi[/quote:6180d213ad]

Question about the 'bug deflector'... Do you notice a decrease in the amount of debris hitting your windshield with the deflector installed? The element's windshield seems to catch tons of small debris. Seems like there's always stuff bouncing off and I've thought about trying one of those.

Yes it does help and the fit is perfect.