[windowtint]

Me.. although having not yet picked one up yet (SOON SOON...)... I already know the things that are first to go (but I have the advantage of working on all the new cars out... so no need to for irritating salesmen)...

It has to be the dark orange....

Anything that's grey plastic on the outside... that's gettin' squirted in color-keyed orange...

upholstery.. or lack there of.. my upholstery connection will be stitching a carpet kit while some paints being thrown on...

few minor interior plastic peices get color keyed to exterior color (think PT Cruiser)

those orange reflectors on the front fenders.. MY GOD!! Please, Honda... you can do better... maybe they'll blend better with orange painted fenders... otherwise, clear lenses it is

flip down monitor/DVD in the rear to keep the 8 year and 3 mos old quiet (err.. I mean entertained....)

wheels... obvious change...

Motor.. LEAVE IT THE HECK ALONE!!!! IT'S AN ELEMENT, NOT NASCAR

Windows.... find clear replacements and tint them 1/2 as dark as factory... PRONTO (I am a window tinter by trade... but the factory colored glass (no, it's NOT tint) will not do... it's far to dark to look good on that orange paint...

more Interior upholstery.... have mentioned upholstery buddy re-stitch seats in a nice comfy odorous soft leather ~ maybe with some dark orange thread for effects and "ELEMENT" stitched into the headrests


~~~~that's about all I can think of right now.... I know totally changing the thing is a little contrary to the intended point of the Element... but darnit!! I aint a college kid and I don't track mud in my cars.. I don't want plastic floors and plastic seat fabric



SO... what about the rest of ya'll ... what would you change (or will...) ~ don't say nothin' ... you're lyin' :lol:

 

[RML]

Windowtint,

What would I change....tuff to say. Our's is the Green, and we actually like the dark colored windows, and the plastic body parts. They really off set it.

I would change the motor. I would give it a bit more umph, a bit more torque. It is good the way it is, but yes, it is not a race car. When you go from a stop into heavy traffic, it can be tuff in the city. Otherwise, from a rolling on ramp, it goes on great.

The only other thing I would have loved was the Navigation system, but this is not, a lux wagon. It is designed to be a utility SUV.

Yes, Honda did design it for the 20 somethings, but it works for just about anyone.

 

[windowtint]

you could/can add a DVD-Nav-video system for alot less than Honda would have ever been willing to sell it to you.. not to mention a factory system wouldn't be video capable

~~(Being in the auto aftermarket business...) Everyday it strikes me how many people don't realize that most every option is available AFTERMARKET and is BETTER and CHEAPER than factory...

~~~that is of course applying to accesories... make the factory put in power windows and etc... add the Nav systems, wheels, motor mods etc etc etc yourself..

(and remember as per the congressional Magnussen-Moss act of the early 80's, a dealer/manufacturer CAN NOT void a warranty becuase you made modifications without undeniable proof your mod created the failure) ~ i.e. custom rims don't equate the cuase for voiding a head gasket failure warranty

 

[RML]

Windowtint,

I would agree that most things are better installed after and not by the dealer. A/C and power windows, etc would be the exception.

Several items are available aftermarket and are wonderful, you are right. However, there are still plenty of items that are just better (more expensive) from the dealer

 

[tommy.roks]

alright since im in the whole import scene ( its my job )

Exterior: I wanted to paint the panels since i saw someone photoshopped the panels to match the exterior color.
Wheels: 18 or 19 Volks or Advan ( got to be JDM wheels ) & drop it just enough.
Definitely TINT the whole car.
Lights: HID the headlight & foglight with 8 strobes around the car

Interior: in dash DVD/Navi. with 7in displayed. upgrade the seats to Sparco Torino or Recaro SRD. one 15in Dropdown to entertain my back seats passenger. One 12in Jlaudio W7 that should give the car a kick. Upgarde all the components with MB Quart.

Thats it for now..

 

[ALMONDOG]

it would get a 2 inch lift, more agressive tires, aluminum skid plates under the engine, tranny and fuel tank.also a safari style rack, and i wish it had a low range set of gears. dont forget the bull bar in the front. this car is a tease because it plays out like its a tough go anywhere vehical but honda failed to go all the way. im sure toyota will pick up the slack. anyway when i get mine this weekend(i hope). i will be waiting for the aftermarket to catch up and supply me with some of my wishes.

 

[EleGirl]

Finally some talk about customizing these rides! Yay! I am trying to sell my Escape so I can get an Element in Sunset Orange. That is my favorite of all the colors by far!

I love the idea of colormatching some small interior pieces to the sunset orange color like windowtint said. I must have wheels almost immediately, slight drop, tint. Yummy. Then I will go from there. I would like to have "tvs everwhur", DVD, clear corners would be nice (someone needs to get on the ball making some aftermarket stuff) all that good stuff. But at this point I just want one!

I cannot settle on getting the manual or the auto. I love pepp.... But....autos are so easy....grrrr...decisions.

 

[tommy.roks]

dealer is a ripped off. They have a DVD package which is optional. 7.5in tv drop down & dvd player for $2500!!!!

 

[tigernumber6]

Great topic.

The look is solid. I can't think of a thing I'd change. It's the biggest reason I bought the car.

Aside from that, there are 3 things I would change.

1. Two sun-roofs instead of one. One in the back like it is now and one over the front seats. That would be cool.

2. A V6.

3. The back seat windows would be made out of the same plastic Jeep Wrangler convertibles are made of. That way instead of just popping out, you can unzip them and fold them down completely.

I can imaging cruising behind a V6 with all four windows and both sun-roofs open in the summer. Cool.

 

[windowtint]

would be better to leave them as glass for optical clarity reasons .. but make them removable all the same... much like an Avalanche or the glass in an aftermarket pop-up sunroof window...

it would be a very minimalist design change to make all the rear non-roll down windows removable. ~ little extra bracing and some windwo latches.. wala!

 

[GYPSYTDA]

some interesting ideas.

I was thrilled when the Element came out, it has about every thing I would want.. I do love the color contrast composite panels.. part of the charm.. i saw the photoshop images of the element all orange.. ew... that just was not nice.. but eh to each his own.

My wishes are more enhancements then CHANGES.

I would love more storage zones.. but that is something I am working on.

likely will add a nav/dvd to the vehicle.. just a nice little feature.

I plan to figure away to add bungees to the back of the passenger seat.. and i want to get some nice (washable) seat covers.. the one that Honda offers are not washable.. figure that one out..

hopefully the keyless entry might open the tailgate, but odds are it won't but that would be something i would add.

I would add some more hooks too, for STUFF.

That about covers it for me.

I would love to see some of the creations people come up with when they do-up their Element!

 

[kelt36]

I think that many of the suggested "improvements" would result in a big time depreciation in the value or re-sell-ability of the car. You see these young guys "decking out" their hondas with different wheels, lowered, and in other ways that, frankly, only bring fellow drivers to imagine that the driver spent way to much of his life in a trailer park....it's the "elimidate" look!!! Even if you can manage to make the car appear "ok" this year....in just a few years it just ends up looking grossly out of date and rather pathetic...but worst of all, totally impossible to sell! If you can afford to take the huge financial loss from these "upgrades", more power to ya.

But.....as a practical matter...it would be VERY cool and I think quite popular, if Honda would offer a pop top roof as an option...something that rises up a foot or two with mesh/screen around the sides so that you can camp, protected from the rain but with plenty of ventilation....I can imagine ways to make it look cool, too. Like the old Westphalia Volkswagen campers.

 

[Alien Element]

I think that many of the suggested "improvements" would result in a big time depreciation in the value or re-sell-ability of the car. You see these young guys "decking out" their hondas with different wheels, lowered, and in other ways that, frankly, only bring fellow drivers to imagine that the driver spent way to much of his life in a trailer park....it's the "elimidate" look!!! Even if you can manage to make the car appear "ok" this year....in just a few years it just ends up looking grossly out of date and rather pathetic...but worst of all, totally impossible to sell! If you can afford to take the huge financial loss from these "upgrades", more power to ya.

I've seen vehicles like the ones you are referring to; extreme modifications poorly executed by young people who think they are street racers. But I take offense to the trailer park reference. I have had close contact with many individuals who fall into that catagory in my lifetime and a good portion of them come from well-to-do families. Social and economic status have little to do with talent or taste. I am from a lower-middle class family and I did live in a trailer park for awhile. But everyone I ever met, young and old alike, thought my lowered, customized, convertible truck was nice looking.

I am not a mechanic or auto body specialist, but I performed all the modifications myself including cutting the roof off the truck to make it a convertible. The top re-attaches by the way... It was a 1988 Mitsubishi which I think would still look good today. While I did spend $3000 on mods including the sound system, I sold the truck 5 years later for $1500 over blue-book value. But unlike many of the drivers you mention, I wasn't financed by mom and dad, so I took very good care of my truck.

I do understand your point, and can agree that the resale value on many of these customized vehicles are compromised by modifications which do not appeal to anyone but the owner. But the type-casting really struck a nerve. I've had my say, and I hold no grudge...

--
1988 Mitsubishi Mighty Max pickup, convertible hardtop, lowered 4 inches, custom ground effects kit, low profile tires on Enkei sawblades; 15x7 front 15x8 rear, flush bed cover, euro-style mirrors, monochrome look (all trim and accessories painted the body color), all external emblems and markings removed.

By the way, the white truck with the pink flames behind my truck was featured in Truckin' Magazine following this truck show.

 

[EleGirl]

I agree. I think what was said was a horrible stereotype. And there is a definite market share for the sales of customized vehicles. Its too bad that a few poorly customized vehicles can make people think that all "young guys" trash their cars/trucks or make them "grossly out of date".

Just because you bought a sweater in the eighties that was nice then, doesn't mean you are going to wear it now. Times change and so does customizing. Those that take this hobby seriously wouldn't be caught dead in an out of date ride.

Why customize? I don't want to have a vehicle that looks just like every other one out there. To drive stock drives me nuts. Not to mention our family spends wonderful time together working on our vehicles and going to events. More families need things like this to do together!

BTW, Im a homeowner (building our house now) with a college degree (business marketing) and two children. However, I had to work for it and rent a trailer to get me where I am. Does that make me "trailerpark" trash? But I am sure that won't stop someone else who is ignorant (lacking education on the matter) from saying inappropriate things because he or she doesn't know any better.

Being the soccer mom that I am I guess I don't fit the stereotype. But let's just say I don't drive the typical minivan either.

Clues for sale....$1

My out of date 1994 Honda Civic EX-A

 

[macphail]

What would I add (and what would I want to see as future options) to our GG Element if I had the cash?

1. Green tinted windows on the sides and rear.
2. Bigger tires...18"??
3. Jack the suspesion up a couple of inches.
4. Bush-bars up front.
5. Better interior lighting so that I can find my coffee in the dark. Black lights, neon, who knows?!
6. Better speakers and sub. It's nice that they're built in, but they leave something to be desired.
7. A optional bench in the back (a third row) that is removable.

That's all that comes to mind right now.

Cheers, Derek

 

[Ger Brassfield]

Hmmmmm, a change in the Element. Are we speaking of radical or minor mods?
To the Radical crowd, are we speaking of modding the engine to the max to make something faster, quicker, more "rice burner killer"? Better mod the tranny as well, too. Six speed? Bigger tires/wheels/suspension? Go with one, ya keep going for more and more. Higher for the off roaders? Ground dragger for the cruisers? All of you guys can buy an E and make all the changes you want to GET what you want! Got $20,000 more for that kinda stuff?

In my humble, but off centered opinion, I could use darker windows as standard. Not just green tinted, but DARK!
Better gas mileage? oh HAY-ul yes!! I could go on and on, but you know the drill.....How about a hybrid engine for better gas mileage, because the Flaming Box goes fast enough and quick enough for me. A turbin? If it had better gas mileage than it's original cousin, the race turbin from the Indy cars, then yes.

Ride? I have noticed the bumps and the passengers in the rear who complain about these bumps when I go slow over them. Why not stretch it a little for better ride over these bumps. A longer wheelbased E would give a better ride over short wheelbased E's as well as bigger cargo space OR room for the much talked about third seat.

Customize the E? Sure, but HOW? Let the Honda designers do it, with stuff available for the PEOPLE? Or let the people designers do it, with stuff available from just about anywhere? WHO will do it right??

Please excuse me.......I have a tendency to go on and on too much. But have I said enough?

Ger