Honda Dealers in my area (Jacksonville, FL.) tell me that 5 speeds are not popular. I do paint reconditioning for many of the dealers. So I get to walk around the lots and check out all the cars in the back along with those prepped and out front. The Honda Dealer I worked on today has a total of 23 elements on the lot. 1 of which was a 5 speed.
I feel that through this site and others that about a third of element owners if not more have 5 speeds. Please take the poll and let me see if my theory is correct in that I think that the dealers are just not making the 5 speeds available and pushing AT's on the consumers. I plan to take the results to the sales manager of the dealers I work with and see how they respond.

I had no problem getting a 5spd either. Told dealer I wanted a silver DX w/ a 5spd, air and nothing else...He said, "like that one over there?".

I had to wait for a 5-speed EX in the color I wanted. In N. California, 5-speeds (especially EX) seemed pretty scarce.

My dealer was perfectly happy to "locate" what I wanted. If it's not on a lot locally, there's no reason not to ask your dealer to locate what you want in the distribution pipeline, or what's sitting unsold on other dealers' lots. What you want may well be "out there', but whether your dealer wants to actually find and get it for you may be another story. I was incredibly impressed with my dealer (my salesperson, actually) in the end. He got exactly what I wanted and exactly when I wanted it (and pretty much at what I wanted to spend for it). Keep your expectations high - it CAN happen. Hope it turns out as well for you!

Love to drive a 5 spd on the open hwy, but its a real hassle here in the heavy traffic of our metro area. Automatics have a much better re-sale value here for that reason. No one one wants to inch along in bumper-to-bumper with a clutch. Got the AT for that reason. But have seen lots of 5 spds on the lots here anyway. They aren't selling as well here maybe.

The last few cars that I've bought have sadly been autos. I'm in sales and with the traveling/cell phone/living in the car not to mentions dealing with my kid's needs when they're in the car with me...I don't have enough hands! My is still is a fun car to drive with the automatic.

8)

One reason I'm getting an E is BECAUSE it comes with a 5 speed! After driving a Ho-Hum AOD minivan as a family mobile for the past 6 years I was psyched to see that a 5 speed is an indeed offered..Must be because the E was originally designated for male 20-Somethings not 40 year old Moms who like to throttle blip while downshifting.

So I said to my husband.."I'd LOVE an Element...But it HAS to be a 5 speed". He's asked me several times to consider an automatic because the lots are full of them and he figures we could get a better deal but I've held firm. I was lucky enough to also be able to locate a 5 speed SOP..my first color choice.

I test drove an AOD Element and it surpassed my expectations (I don't think much of slushboxes in general) but with the possiblility of a 5 speed out there it wasn't an option.

As far as I'm concerned if I'm spending $20k on a car that I'll probably keep at least 10 years I'd better like it!

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I have a 5 sp Black DX
I found a silver one @ another dealer but he wasn't in a delaing mood.
I fiqured I could get a better deal on a 5 sp b-cos they are not as popular, I do majoe hi-way miles everyday and rarely get stuck in traffic (yes the down side of a shifter) however I got my DX w/ a/c cd mud flaps and a few other things I forget what and some nice trim package on the outside all for 17,200. (before tax) it listed for 21,000.00. I don't have to cool wheels or sunroof or cruise but I don't use the later 2 at all anyhow. So I am a very happy camper and thanksgiving all the in-laws were crawling all over the E and sis-in-law drove it and loved the smooth shifting...she may be converted out of a mini van to an E... all you hard core male wheeler dealers could do me a favor and tell me if I got a good deal its a cold world out there in dealer land.

AT for the ATL traffic - period. :!: No reason to worry about left foot going to sleep as your roar along at 3 MPH.

I'm all for having an automatic shifter. I'd rather let the car do the shifting and I can be on the lookout for those billions of hazards out there on the road...including drivers gabbing on their cell phones, animals running into the road, etc, etc.

Most vehicles are autos because that's simply better and safer.

I was a pro truck driver for a while, and believe me, being a gear jockey all day gets plenty tiresome.

I opted for the automatic and I still think it has enough pep for a 4 cylinder. No complaints.

I test drove both the At and 5 speed. I felt that the AT was just a dog and did not want it . Told dealer I will buy if you find a black EX with 5 speed.Next day got the call he found 1 and I went to get it. Love it :lol:

I went in wanting a 5spd...but figured I would test drive the both to see how they drove....I'm not complaining about the automatic...but for me the decision was a no-brainer...bought the 5spd and love it!

I specifically waited for a 5 speed to be built. I had no interest in an auto and never even test drove one.

I test drov both and I think that the 5 spd rides so much nicer then the AT but it's also a matter of preference. I learned to drive on a Stick and I'm sticking to it until I die or my legs fall off :twisted: :twisted:

I love the automatic, it has enough power to get me up the ski hills. Test drove both and the 5spd was fun also, I'm just lazy and don't want to have to shift all the time.

i might have gotten a 5 sp if they had one and i was comfortable with one. wife not exactly comfortable with one either. i am not exactly going to use a new E to break the two of us in either.

interesting poll. Personally, I hope my stick days are in the past.
It would have been a good question to combine with age.

just wanted an auto and then i had to search all the dealers for my element, wouldnt want a clutch here in the bay area with all these hills

I got a 5-spd, simply for the fact that it helps me with road rage. Nothing serious, but i find that with something to pre-occupy my mind instead of just trying to go-go-go, its a lot easier to move through traffic. Plus it gives something else to do while you're driving.

I find it interesting that there are so many people claiming they didn't get the manual because they live in high traffic or hilly areas. I live in the Seattle area - not only VERY high traffic but also pretty hilly, and I didn't even consider an Automatic! In fact, one of the other vehicles I considered (the Saturn Vue, featuring the Honda engine) didn't come in MT so I decided not to get it for that reason. Love the 5-speed - very smooth transmission. From what I'm reading, most owners of 5-speeds are getting better gas milage than the ATs too (contrary to what Honda reports!) Love it, love it, love it!

Kristi