Add another E owner and EOC member to the Minneapolis area! I picked up my new '09 4WD EX 5AT CFM from Brookdale Honda the first day the cash for clunkers program was active. I couldn't turn down the $4500 to let go of my '95 Tahoe with 205K miles. Thanks to everyone who contributes to this site which made my purchase research much easier, especially considering the mods I still need to do to address some of the minor issues I have with the design.
So far I've had the driver and passenger side windows tinted and had that clear paint guard film applied to the front hood, bumper and the painted silver trim around the grill. I also temporarily placed a GPS mount on the passenger side using that 3M Command Adhesive. It's seems to be holding well and hopefully won't damage the dash. I wouldn't recommend the location though... I mounted it in my garage without realizing how hard the GPS was going to be to read from the driver's side in bright daylight. I'll be working on an improved mount location over the weekend, and would welcome any ideas.
Near-term mods planned are adding at least one additional 12V power port and using RAAMmat BXT II to quiet the interior. Longer term I may upgrade some of the stereo components, but I want to wait until I'm done with the sound proofing to see how the stock stereo sounds on the road. It's not too bad sitting in my driveway.
I couldn't be happier with my choice, which was made after much research on the small SUVs currently on the market. Biggest decision factors were large cargo space, lack of interior carpet (Minnesota winters are brutal on automotive carpeting), great overall design, and the Honda reliability I've heard so much about.
Attached are a few pictures of it sitting in my driveway. I hope there is a Minneapolis area meet sometime again soon. It would be great to meet some of the other Minneapolis area owners and get some ideas for future mods!
So far I've had the driver and passenger side windows tinted and had that clear paint guard film applied to the front hood, bumper and the painted silver trim around the grill. I also temporarily placed a GPS mount on the passenger side using that 3M Command Adhesive. It's seems to be holding well and hopefully won't damage the dash. I wouldn't recommend the location though... I mounted it in my garage without realizing how hard the GPS was going to be to read from the driver's side in bright daylight. I'll be working on an improved mount location over the weekend, and would welcome any ideas.
Near-term mods planned are adding at least one additional 12V power port and using RAAMmat BXT II to quiet the interior. Longer term I may upgrade some of the stereo components, but I want to wait until I'm done with the sound proofing to see how the stock stereo sounds on the road. It's not too bad sitting in my driveway.
I couldn't be happier with my choice, which was made after much research on the small SUVs currently on the market. Biggest decision factors were large cargo space, lack of interior carpet (Minnesota winters are brutal on automotive carpeting), great overall design, and the Honda reliability I've heard so much about.
Attached are a few pictures of it sitting in my driveway. I hope there is a Minneapolis area meet sometime again soon. It would be great to meet some of the other Minneapolis area owners and get some ideas for future mods!
and welcome to the cult!
