Out With The Old... In With The New!

In a bittersweet moment, it is time for me to say goodbye to my Nissan Xterra. Its lease is up and I will turn it in to the dealer tomorrow...

I DID however pick up its replacement today: a new 2004 Element EX in Satin Silver (that color doesn't sound to "manly"). I took some side by side shots with my digital camera so I would always remember the good times my Xterra and I had. To bad dealing with Nissan wasn't as pleasant of an experience!!!

http://www.dizandat.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=13

I haven't added to many accessories yet but through the dealer I was able to negotiate (without paying for them) the following items:

Fog Lights
Drivers Side Arm Rest
Splash Guards
All Weather Mats

In addition to the keyless entry, skylight, cruise control and everything else it already had on it.

I made one last run with my two labs in the Xterra (no need for them to "hair up" my Element on the first day <grin>) and then tomorrow will mark the beginning of what I hope to be a very fun relationship with my new Element.

I did the same thing last year

http://members.rogers.com/xxxterra1/images/xande.jpg

You'll love the money you save in gas :)

Guys...I used to own one of those hideous neon green Neons, so far be it from me to make any comments about personal taste, but one question: Since you both appear to live in relative suburbia, do you plan on giving your Elements the same "Out Of Africa" look that you did your Nissans?

[quote:4017f3501b=" "]Guys...I used to own one of those hideous neon green Neons, so far be it from me to make any comments about personal taste, but one question: Since you both appear to live in relative suburbia, do you plan on giving your Elements the same "Out Of Africa" look that you did your Nissans?[/quote:4017f3501b]

sorry just love the out of africa comment.. soundslike what my husband would say of all those needless add on's people pop on their vehicles.. when i see them (and i know the people did not get them for any practical reason).. all i can think of is a mr potato head.. popping on parts and pieces..

the xterras are neat.. but i was not impressed with the ride, and have neighbors with them that had them for not even a year before the problems piled up to the point it had to be replaced.. add that with the neighbors jeeps too.. couple sensible folks do have honda's..

but yes a much more practical decision to go with an Element. you will LOVE it! ENJOY!

PS nice pix.. where abouts are you located?

[quote:75e93994b3=" "]Since you both appear to live in relative suburbia, do you plan on giving your Elements the same "Out Of Africa" look that you did your Nissans?[/quote:75e93994b3]

Ouch!

did you do all that stuff to the extera? didnt the dealer give you a hard time when you brought it in?

great decision to get an element, i was also looking at the xterra but it was too tall :?

and yes you will enjoy the element its just kinda sad because no one really ever "waves" at each other anymore like they did when people looked at you all weird

I used to off-road the Xterra, therefore the need for a winch mountable bumper that offered greater approach angles besides it scared the hell out of the slower traffic on the highway. The Element is useless off-road so I concentrate on the interior, I may add a set of aux. lights though. I have never added an item to any of my vehicles that I did not need or use, doing things for looks is for the posers……which I’m not

Hmmm... where to begin? :D

As far as the brush guard on my Xterra went, I never HAD to use it but it was fun to have, if that makes sense. I know they make one for the element and I have seen photos of it on some peoples elements on this board. Side note but related: a friend of mine "bumped into" the back of another car in his Element... $4500 and over a week in the shop. Kind of made him wish he had something like that on the front of his. :twisted:

Like I said, I will turn my Xterra in tomorrow but it will be OK. I have only driven the element home from the dealer so far as I am trying to squeeze every last mile that I have paid for out of my Xterra (I came out to be like 5,000 under my allowed total for the lease). Driving the Element couldn't be more different then what I am used to.

First off, I feel like I 10 years old when I am behind the wheel. Everything is SO ROOMY! I feel like I am flying a space shuttle or something and before I start driving there should be a launch proceduce with toggle switches and stuff to press. It is kind of cool!

It feels much "wider" in the lanes over my Xterra and my days of passing people left and right as they drive slower then my tastes have come to an end until I get comfortable with the change. I guess the biggest difference is the review mirror for some reason. The visibility out the back window using it seems pretty limited... just have to get used to it I guess.

I love it though... can't wait to drive it around this weekend and get a good feel for how it handles. :D

[quote:8cdbd8d94d=" "]... doing things for looks is for the posers……[/quote:8cdbd8d94d]

sigh :(

[quote:9e3b46ee30=" "]As far as the brush guard on my Xterra went, I never HAD to use it but it was fun to have, if that makes sense. I know they make one for the element and I have seen photos of it on some peoples elements on this board. Side note but related: a friend of mine "bumped into" the back of another car in his Element... $4500 and over a week in the shop. Kind of made him wish he had something like that on the front of his. [/quote:9e3b46ee30]

$4500??? Somehow I think his definition of "bumped into" is different than mine!

-brendan

yeah, the "bumped into" was kind of a joke :wink:

[quote:ba12707c3f=" "]doing things for looks is for the posers....[/quote:ba12707c3f]

Double ouch.

People have been doing things for looks since the first cave man hung a string of animal teeth around his neck.

[quote:4ff002e3a2=" "][quote:4ff002e3a2=" "]doing things for looks is for the posers....[/quote:4ff002e3a2]

Double ouch.

People have been doing things for looks since the first cave man hung a string of animal teeth around his neck.[/quote:4ff002e3a2]

Nice...though that was also to show his virility, but I'll spare you the anthropology lecture :wink: :wink:

I say 'to each his/her own'...I'm only into putting stuff on my vehicles that I actually use. So if you 4x'd with your X, cool! If you never used the brushguard, but liked the look...cool! Whatever helps you get up in the morning... 8)

Welcome to both of you!! Once the hazing is over, you'll love your Es and this board and all the advice and witty reparte that come with it!

peace-
jesse

[quote:7bc568609b=" "][quote:7bc568609b=" "]doing things for looks is for the posers....[/quote:7bc568609b]

Double ouch.

People have been doing things for looks since the first cave man hung a string of animal teeth around his neck.[/quote:7bc568609b]

Nice...though that was also to show his virility, but I'll spare you the anthropology lecture :wink: :wink:

I say 'to each his/her own'...I'm only into putting stuff on my vehicles that I actually use. So if you 4x'd with your X, cool! If you never used the brushguard, but liked the look...cool! Whatever helps you get up in the morning... 8)

Welcome to both of you!! Once the hazing is over, you'll love your Es and this board and all the advice and witty reparte that come with it!

peace-
jesse