I had an 06 and sold it last year and have regreted it ever since. I bought an 09 a month ago and love being back in the 'element family.' There are differences between the 'old' and the 'new' Elements and you either like change or you don't. Driving-wise, I don't see much difference between the 06 and the 09. I've found almost all of the differences otherwise are physical changes to the car, which I like, for the most part.
I like the seat belts attached to the seat rather than the interior wall of the car. It's a cleaner look and I don't notice any difference in 'feel' (where the seat belt rides) between the 06 and 09.
I do miss the 'old' little mesh cabinet in the ceiling between the driver and passenger. The new 'cabinets' provide more space, and they're more 'refined' but I preferred the 'old' style.
Lack of sunroof - I've seen a lot of people complain about the 09's not having the sunroof. I never used it in the 06. In the weird rear configuration, you couldn't open it unless you stopped and got out. It didn't appreciably increase the amount of light in the 06 over what I'm experiencing in the 09, so, as far as I'm concerned, I don't miss it.
Driving - I don't know about anyone else, but the 09 seems to drive just like the 06 did, only I now get better gas mileage (around 19mpg in the 06 / around 24mpg in the 09) and the shifting (automatic) seems smoother
My overall impression is the 09 is a more 'finished' looking car, inside and out, than the 06 was, and that 'finish' makes it a different car than it was, which will bother some people. The 06 was still anti-establishment, the 09 is more like an Accord....the element has joined the mainstream in a lot of ways.
I like the seat belts attached to the seat rather than the interior wall of the car. It's a cleaner look and I don't notice any difference in 'feel' (where the seat belt rides) between the 06 and 09.
I do miss the 'old' little mesh cabinet in the ceiling between the driver and passenger. The new 'cabinets' provide more space, and they're more 'refined' but I preferred the 'old' style.
Lack of sunroof - I've seen a lot of people complain about the 09's not having the sunroof. I never used it in the 06. In the weird rear configuration, you couldn't open it unless you stopped and got out. It didn't appreciably increase the amount of light in the 06 over what I'm experiencing in the 09, so, as far as I'm concerned, I don't miss it.
Driving - I don't know about anyone else, but the 09 seems to drive just like the 06 did, only I now get better gas mileage (around 19mpg in the 06 / around 24mpg in the 09) and the shifting (automatic) seems smoother
My overall impression is the 09 is a more 'finished' looking car, inside and out, than the 06 was, and that 'finish' makes it a different car than it was, which will bother some people. The 06 was still anti-establishment, the 09 is more like an Accord....the element has joined the mainstream in a lot of ways.
