I went to my local dealer last week looking for an AWD EX with Nav in Tango Red Pearl. Not only was the lot empty of Elements except for an 06, my internet sales guy found only 1 TRP with what I wanted in 10 surrounding states. He didn't know at the time if this was a sold unit or for dealer stock. He couldn't tell me when my choice might become available. The only upside is he agreed on invoice. Checking further, I found only 4 in Indy area dealer inventory (4 dealers).

So what's up with that?? I know Honda sold less than 14,000 E's last year, but doesn't it make sense that if they are readily available, more could be sold?? Has anyone seen my next Toaster? Thanks!

Well, I found my 10 and I'm sure you'll find yours too!

There aren't many. It was easier to find leftover 09's than 10's at dealers in NJ I found. Mine was found 67 miles away at another dealership and we did a swap to get it. I was told that another woman ordered a royal blue '10 and the dealer couldn't find a single one in a 4 state radius. Honda needs to get with the program!!

It took me well over a month to find my E. I knew it's what I wanted, but trying to find one (in IL) was nearly impossible. My dad's friend does used sales for numerous Chicago dealers, and it still took me that long to find it, but well worth the wait. They are few and far between these days, one or two may pop up here and there, but haven't seen any in Tango Red Pearl, good luck with the search and hope you find one soon!

FYI, there are two Tango Red Elements at Honda of Lisle (IL). One is an EX (the showroom floor display model), and the other is an LX. I almost bought the LX, but decided on Polished Metal instead. Link:

http://www.hondaoflisle.com/new-inventory/index.htm?SByear=2010&SBmake=Honda&SBmodel=Element&SBtrim=clear&SBbodystyle=clear&SBprice=clear

Call salesman Bob Gross (direct) 630-544-4788, who is great to work with. Tell him Jon Cunningham sent you. I could use the $50. ;-)

What a time it was finding one until I met this salesperson Keith Onyshczak at Burne Honda in Scranton Pa. 1800-822-2110

tell him Rich with the new 10 sent you!!

He searched other dealers and had a member of the staff drive 2hrs away to pick up the vehicle for me.

I made the deal with him on Monday and drove it away by wed.
and it was thanksgiving week.

AMAZING!!!

Best of luck!!

FYI, there are two Tango Red Elements at Honda of Lisle (IL). One is an EX (the showroom floor display model), and the other is an LX. I almost bought the LX, but decided on Polished Metal instead.

Call salesman Bob Gross (direct) 630-544-4788, who is great to work with. Tell him Jon Cunningham sent you. I could use the $50. ;-)

Thanks Jon, I appreciate that! The 2 TRPs you mention don't have Navi, but I see they have 2 available in other colors. Hmmmm.... In 07 my GF and I bought her Accord and my E from the sister store in Joliet. They are indeed great folks to work with. I'll see what I can do to get you that $50!!

Go for the Polished Metal Metallic Navi! It's an awesome "color" that looks way different in sunlight than it does on overcast days. I'm really pleased with my PMM LX. And, as the dealership says, "it's worth your while to come to Lisle." They have outstanding service there. Good luck!

I have had mine 10 for about 3 weeks - element sc with all the bells and whistles :-D

I had to drive 100 miles to Baltimore to get the one I wanted, but there are a handful of '10s in stock in the DC area.

Yesterday I dropped by a local dealer to check out a PMM EX they had to view the color. Very nice, Jon, I can see why you like it. While I was waiting for the sales guy to bring that E around, I spotted a Tango Red at the far end of the lot. I strolled over and found it was an 09 EX-AWD with Nav. It was a CPO with 15,000 miles on the clock. I ended up driving that and decided I really did want to stay with TRP. This is the one I want.

The price wasn't though! WOW, are those E's holding their value or what? I talked them down some, but still, with the factory and finance incentives, new is the way to go for me. Today I got a call from my loyal and up-front internet sales guy at Penske Honda, Mr. Song Park. He told me he could get a TRP for me in January. I told him to go for it. I already have a Palladium Metallic Acura TL Tech SH-AWD in the garage and could use a little more color, I think! I hope he looks into being a preferred dealer for the EOC because there is no one in Indiana - he has been a real pleasure to work with on prior deals.

So now I wait. Meanwhile, I have started a list of mods/costs of what I will hang on my E. Tortuga Rojo returns!

Glad you found what you want. With a name like Rojo, metallic gray would probably not work for you. Telltale signs seem to point to no more E's after 2010, or maybe 2011. Get 'em while you can. I'm sure glad I did.

I had to drive 100 miles to Baltimore to get the one I wanted, but there are a handful of '10s in stock in the DC area.

I concur. Not many out this way. Several had none. The dealer I bought from only had three (an LX, an EX and an EX/Navi, which I happily took off his hands).

Interesting story: The guy told me that another salesman had an inquiry from someone in Hawaii (!) for that exact E, but they couldn't come in until after Christmas. They weren't going to hold it that long, but she had the paper work all ready and if it was still unsold by then they could have it.

If this is true, I think I ruined some Hawaiian's Christmas!

So... Mele Kalikimaka!

Jon, I followed your lead and spoke with Bob at Honda Lisle. We made a deal on the CPB EX AWD w/Nav and I will be picking it up Monday. He is indeed a GREAT guy to deal with. Enjoy the $50!

So, did you get it? How do you like it? (Dumb question, I'm sure).

I did indeed! See my post: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60867

I LOVE it! Already the back seats are out and I've been hauling stuff to Goodwill. I'll post to that thread what I've done thus far and what's on the way. Thanks again, Jon, for steering me towards Bob Gross. If anyone wants a referral, I'll make sure you get the credit!

just bought a 2010 polished metal lx a couple of days ago in los angeles area.........was going to get a ex, but.........no one had one, anywhere close, so my wife thought maybe the orange, nada, zip........ok how about silver, same story, ended up getting the lx figuring id put a different stereo and wheels on it anyway

as for the resale........yeah its crazy stupid rediculous, after talking to several different dealers, i purchased a 10 for less than the leftover 09's i found, and couldn't even talk a dealer down on a 09 demo with 6000 miles

why would i pay more for a 09 demo with 6,000 miles than for a new 10???
dealers are crazy

the pmm color wasn't what i set out for, but after really looking at it, I really love it, it blends in with the plastic trim well and its heavy on the metallic, very cool color

Not mine, but this is the first 10 SC I've seen.
Didn't realize that the SC had all the black trim painted body color! Had to look on the Honda website.
Caught at the Las Vegas Fry's.

That's My 2009 Omni Blue Pearl SC "EOC4ME"!!!


Not mine, but this is the first 10 SC I've seen.
Didn't realize that the SC had all the black trim painted body color! Had to look on the Honda website.
Caught at the Las Vegas Fry's.

the pmm color wasn't what i set out for, but after really looking at it, I really love it, it blends in with the plastic trim well and its heavy on the metallic, very cool color

you made the right choice... 8)

That's My 2009 Omni Blue Pearl SC "EOC4ME"!!!

Sorry for the year mixup. It just looked so NEW!
You sure that's blue? Looked really white to me :razz:

Just yankin' your chain, EOC4ME. Really great looking ride. Makes our Silver look so so conservative.

I was almost giddy today when my Explorer was acting up AGAIN and I went to search local dealer inventory for the Element I've been wanting (EX 4WD with Navigation in that lovely Tango Red Pearl color). I only found gray and black Elements. Some dealers didn't have any Elements at all.

I've searched almost all of Virginia at this point and haven't found the model I want.

Is this a case of popularity or low production?

I was almost giddy today when my Explorer was acting up AGAIN and I went to search local dealer inventory for the Element I've been wanting (EX 4WD with Navigation in that lovely Tango Red Pearl color). I only found gray and black Elements. Some dealers didn't have any Elements at all.

I've searched almost all of Virginia at this point and haven't found the model I want.

Is this a case of popularity or low production?

I'd guess low production. Automotive News said (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091214/OEM04/312149980) Honda had only sold 13,458 through November, and that was down considerably from '08 (26k-plus).

I'd love to see a trimline/color production matrix showing how many of each were made.

I'm bored, so I'm guesstimating my own question: 8)
assuming an equal number is made in each color...

25000 Es made assuming less than sold in 08 / 49 = 510

(7 trim/drive options x 7 colors = 49 distinct Es)

It's funny how perception is different based on your area.

Here in Charlottesville, VA, Elements are everywhere. We walk/drive around and I call "dog car" when I see one and I'm saying it all the time.

When I told a family member up in NJ about the car I wanted, she didn't know what I was talking about. While I was in her area for the holidays, I didn't see nearly as many as down in Virginia. Then again, she lives in an upscale suburb where people drive luxury cars. They might not have the need for a car with the features that make the E so attractive to us in Virginia! :)

By the way, my emailing spree from the weekend is getting responses now. I was very clear in my inquiry, but one dealer has quoted me on the 2WD (I sometimes go off road, so don't want just 2WD) and another used a different color in their response. Makes me worried about how detail oriented these people are.

I was almost giddy today when my Explorer was acting up AGAIN and I went to search local dealer inventory for the Element I've been wanting (EX 4WD with Navigation in that lovely Tango Red Pearl color). I only found gray and black Elements. Some dealers didn't have any Elements at all.

There's an EX AWD w/Nav in Tango Red Pearl scheduled for production Jan 27. I know because I ordered it and my sales guy gave me the production date. I left him a message to cancel that order since I picked up a CBP one last week. If you'd like, maybe arrangements could be made to get you that E? I can put you in touch with him for a dealer swap or something.

There's an EX AWD w/Nav in Tango Red Pearl scheduled for production Jan 27. I know because I ordered it and my sales guy gave me the production date. I left him a message to cancel that order since I picked up a CBP one last week. If you'd like, maybe arrangements could be made to get you that E? I can put you in touch with him for a dealer swap or something.
Does it work when we're so far from each other? I'm in Virginia.

What was the price on that order? The quotes I'm getting are all over the place. I'm actually having fun watching them roll in. :)

Does it work when we're so far from each other? I'm in Virginia.

What was the price on that order? The quotes I'm getting are all over the place. I'm actually having fun watching them roll in. :)


The way it used to work is that dealers would swap their allocated vehicles scheduled for production in order to fill a customer order. For example, back in 2004, my dealer swapped a scheduled Accord EX sedan for another dealer's Accord coupe in the color and equipped as I wanted.

The deal I got on this EX AWD w/Nav was $24,612 plus tax and document fees. That price included dealer-installed splash guards, something they do to all their inventory.

The way it used to work is that dealers would swap their allocated vehicles scheduled for production in order to fill a customer order. For example, back in 2004, my dealer swapped a scheduled Accord EX sedan for another dealer's Accord coupe in the color and equipped as I wanted.

The deal I got on this EX AWD w/Nav was $24,612 plus tax and document fees. That price included dealer-installed splash guards, something they do to all their inventory.

If it works, that'd be fantastic. I've already heard from one dealer with whom I'm comfortable, but I would like to hear from at least three others in my region. Do you think there's a time crunch here? If so, I could move forward with this one dealer I already have a quote from.

I'm trying not to get excited here. 8)

Jeannine, I PM'd you with the info. Let us know how it turns out!

Thanks, T! I emailed the dealer I've been chatting with.

It's funny how perception is different based on your area.

Here in Charlottesville, VA, Elements are everywhere. We walk/drive around and I call "dog car" when I see one and I'm saying it all the time.

Oh I see quite a few of them on the road up here outside DC, but actually finding a '10 on a dealer lot was another issue. :razz:

I went to my local dealer last week looking for an AWD EX with Nav in Tango Red Pearl. Not only was the lot empty of Elements except for an 06, my internet sales guy found only 1 TRP with what I wanted in 10 surrounding states. He didn't know at the time if this was a sold unit or for dealer stock. He couldn't tell me when my choice might become available. The only upside is he agreed on invoice. Checking further, I found only 4 in Indy area dealer inventory (4 dealers).

So what's up with that?? I know Honda sold less than 14,000 E's last year, but doesn't it make sense that if they are readily available, more could be sold?? Has anyone seen my next Toaster? Thanks!

I recommend doing a search on Autotrader.com . Easiest way to find what you are looking for. I did it when I was looking for my E. Good luck with the hunt!

Honda of Lisle (IL) has 9 2010's in their inventory. At the moment, the only one with Navi is polished metal (my personal favorite color).

http://www.hondaoflisle.com/new-inventory/index.htm?SByear=2010&SBmake=Honda&SBmodel=Element&SBtrim=clear&SBbodystyle=clear&SBprice=clear

The man to contact is Bob Gross. Please tell him I sent you.

"It's worth your while to come to Lisle."

Yo Jon, Honda of Lisle had 2 Es with Nav, but I got the black one thanks in no small part to your heads up! Bob was indeed great to work with and if I get any referrals, I will make sure they tell Bob that JON sent them!

Thanks TR. Hope you are enjoying your new E. I'm sure enjoying mine, with all of this snow we are getting here. So sure footed, after driving a couple of 2WD Ranger pickups over the last twenty years.

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/30200.png (http://www.fuelly.com/driver/photojon/element)

.
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Went to a rather large Honda dealer a week ago and they only had one. It was on the showroom floor and it was all 'DECORATED" with boy racer aero effects stuff,,,,fugly! Salesman said they just were not coming into dealership.

There are twelve Honda Dealers within 80 miles or so of my home and only 5 2010 Elements show in inventory. All are either ASM or NBP. It was the same way with 2009's- either silver or black. Exciting-not.

Of course most of these dealers stock few of the more colorful choices in CR-V's, Accords and Fits.

I have to admit that I'm pretty clueless about the ways of car companies.

Is this low production due to the time of year? Will it pick up? I didn't go for the EX that Tortuga gave up. It was all moving too fast and I want to wait a month or two to see if financing options get better (I'm hoping one of those 1.9% deals will pop up again).

A dealer in Richmond, who quoted the highest price of all the dealers I contacted around the state, cited low inventory as their reason for having a high price. I have no interest in doing business with them anyway, but was pretty surprised when they offered that reason up.

A dealer in Richmond, who quoted the highest price of all the dealers I contacted around the state, cited low inventory as their reason for having a high price. I have no interest in doing business with them anyway, but was pretty surprised when they offered that reason up.

I found the same issue searching around here in the PNW too, inventory is low everywhere and dealers aren't willing to discount much. I think Honda has lowered production probably due to model end-of-life soon and the economy. Most dealers near me have one or two 2010s and maybe a couple used, selling for almost as much as a 2010.

I'm in Houston and am buying a Tango Red Pearl EX 4wd and had to order it. My dealer said it could be up to twelve weeks before it arrives. I'm just twiddling my thumbs now......

I'm in Houston and am buying a Tango Red Pearl EX 4wd and had to order it. My dealer said it could be up to twelve weeks before it arrives. I'm just twiddling my thumbs now......

Interesting, my local dealer said they cannot order directly from Honda. That Honda just sends allocations of vehicles out to the different regions. Is this not true? Do I need to contact another dealer to order the model I want?

Well I don't know if it willene direct from the Honda factory or one of my dealer's affiliates but he told me that everything is slow coming out of the factory

After dealing with several sales folk thru Costco's buying program and USAA's buying program, and getting a run-around or b.s. (like oh, you can't get 4WD in that color ever), I contacted Autoland. They are a car buying service (broker) that is owned by about 200 credit unions who obviously have a stake in auto financing. If you are financing a vehicle, of course they would want you to use their affiliated credit union. If you are not financing, they are happy to work with you even if you don't belong to a credit union. Once I called them, they found my 09 in 4wd and the color I wanted, and with a very fair price. We did all the paperwork over fax/internet, bank wired money, and I met the auto transporter truck and got my new E delivered within a mile of my house. (My street was too narrow for the truck otherwise they would have been happy to drop it at my house.) It was totally dealer prep'd and everything was ready to go. It was not loaded down with dealer options either. About as simple a way to go as you could imagine. Give them a call and see if they can do anything for ya.

Interesting, my local dealer said they cannot order directly from Honda. That Honda just sends allocations of vehicles out to the different regions. Is this not true? Do I need to contact another dealer to order the model I want?

Totally silly! Just look a few posts up at the little exchange I had with Tortuga. He ordered a Red Tango EX, went with a different model, and our dealers were going to do a dealer swap.

I should say that I got cold feet on that one after realizing that Honda's 1.9% financing went away on the 4th. If they bring that back any time soon, I'll be pulling the trigger as soon as possible!

Thanks for that info Yachtrocked. I'm not in a real hurry to get the Element and I did put down a $500 deposit. My dealer told me that twelve weeks was the worst case scenario and he may do a dealer swap as well.

My main point is that the stock does seem to be low. While most of the dealers in Houston have an Element, they are mostly LX versions and few EX versions. I've seen two SC's recently too, but anything different like an EX with NAV or a 4wd, you have to wait - if you follow the normal channels.

A friend of mine wanted an EX with NAV and it took him a month to get one - his dealer found one in Louisiana.

The 4WD versions I've found all seem to be North East like Missouri, Pennsylvania, etc. I understand the demand is higher there for obvious reasons, but it is certainly odd that the production level is so low.

In the meantime, if anyone is interested in buying a Nissan Murano, let me know:grin:

YachtRocked,

I just went to Autoland. Here's the funny thing - when I went to do a new car search for a 2010 Element - it wasn't listed as an available model. Hmm.

2010 Element is listed. You have to go through 2010-Honda-SUV to get to it.

You're right. I was only looking at the all models section not suv's specifically