It's Official - 2010 Element
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Thus endeth any consideration I would have for replacing ours with another. Too bad. "Honda, it was a nice ride while it lasted." Not a surprise tho', as the harbinger was the loss of the M/T in the CR-V.
Actually this doesn't bode well for a next-gen version if they're alienating the enthusiasts right about time they need to consider replacement. :-(
I don't think that it's fair to assume M/T SC owners are a vast portion of the "enthusiasts" out there.
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599 Posts
We can only hope that dropping the MT is paving the way for a diesel or hybrid option. Hybrids are really only available with AT and I'm not sure why diesel would mean AT only but a boy can hope, can't he ;-)
To be clear, I wouldn't drive a hybrid if you paid me because of the carbon cost of their manufacture. The studies I've been reading show it can take 10+ years of feather-footed driving to make up for the pollution produced by the battery's manufacture.
To be clear, I wouldn't drive a hybrid if you paid me because of the carbon cost of their manufacture. The studies I've been reading show it can take 10+ years of feather-footed driving to make up for the pollution produced by the battery's manufacture.
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11 Posts
Any Early Birds?
Since the Official Announcement of the 2010 Element is this early in October, could the dealers have them before the end of the month?
Since the Official Announcement of the 2010 Element is this early in October, could the dealers have them before the end of the month?
2010 Element
As a 2003 owner, I have waited for yesterday's anouncement for many months. What improvements would the 2010 model bring? I can't believe not one improvement! I wanted the 180 Horsepower that the 2010 CRV has. Some more creature comforts...but only a price rise and some deletions. There's no question...we are in unprecedented times!
Now I am thinking the leather & heated seats of the CRV is what I will end up with. Obiously that seems to be what Honda wants.:-x
As a 2003 owner, I have waited for yesterday's anouncement for many months. What improvements would the 2010 model bring? I can't believe not one improvement! I wanted the 180 Horsepower that the 2010 CRV has. Some more creature comforts...but only a price rise and some deletions. There's no question...we are in unprecedented times!
Now I am thinking the leather & heated seats of the CRV is what I will end up with. Obiously that seems to be what Honda wants.:-x
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198 Posts
I read that to and (IMO) totally defeats the purpose of a Hybrid!
I know that dropping MT is bad but not many out there from the start. I was wanting a MT but had to go AT due to the fact that after 2-3 months looking for a MT I missed out on some damn good deals for an AT. (I found only 2-3 MT Es in that 2-3 months and everyone was spoken for before I got to it (and they were listed for less then 24 hours when I called)!:-()
Maybe in the grand scheme of things if MT drops off all models and they get rid of that "extra expense" (new parts, manufacturing line, etc) we could see a drop in price across the board......
:lol:what am I thinking like a drop in price would ever happen (other then putting cheaper quality part in!)!:lol:
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1,266 Posts
I'm an enthusiastic MT driver. 
But I don't see the dropping of MT in the line as such a bad thing.
What does bother me is hearing so many Element owners crying for many features found on more expensive vehicles. Features that greatly contribute to the vehicles cost. I like that the Element is a barebones vehicle and is affordable. I like that I have a lot of options available in the aftermarket to customize my Element the way I like it and not have to discard a lot of factory and dealer options that artificially inflate the cost of my ride. Want leather seats? Go see an upholsterer. Want GPS? Go to a auto electronics specialist. I've seen a lot of outstanding modding and customizing done on these boards. I want Honda to keep the E cheap.
I don't know why Honda hasn't built a new E from the ground up. They do it with their other models every 3 years.
But I don't see the dropping of MT in the line as such a bad thing. What does bother me is hearing so many Element owners crying for many features found on more expensive vehicles. Features that greatly contribute to the vehicles cost. I like that the Element is a barebones vehicle and is affordable. I like that I have a lot of options available in the aftermarket to customize my Element the way I like it and not have to discard a lot of factory and dealer options that artificially inflate the cost of my ride. Want leather seats? Go see an upholsterer. Want GPS? Go to a auto electronics specialist. I've seen a lot of outstanding modding and customizing done on these boards. I want Honda to keep the E cheap.
I don't know why Honda hasn't built a new E from the ground up. They do it with their other models every 3 years.
I would not be surprised at all if 2010 is the last year for the E. At the going rate Honda will have been lucky to have sold 14,000 for the 2009 calender year. The dropping of the manual trans may not save on costs....but it does simplify production.
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6,408 Posts
Sadly, this is the unavoidable fate of every vehicle model on the planet - feature bloat. You begin with a great concept, and then the "I love it and would buy one, but only if it had..." choir starts-up, and before you know it, it ain't the same car any more.
Basic, uncomplicated and gew-gaw free tend to have a very small window of availability. This has happened in four out of five of my last new car purchases. Frankly, that's why the Transit Connect has bubbled to the top of the list for "our next E". Basic. Basic basic basic. No M/T in the U.S. (rats!), but you can actually buy one off the lot with manual crank windows.
Admittedly, I say this fully knowing that we have at least 3 to 5 years of goody left in our 2003. Remarkable vehicle.
well.. for the most part this thread is full of negativity.. dare I sprinkle some positivity?? I'M EXCITED!
Mine has a build date of yesterday.... I ordered it thru employee program. Now just got to wait for the crossing of the t's and dottings of the I's.. With in the month I should have my 2010 Royal Blue Pearl SC.. whooootwhooot!!
Mine has a build date of yesterday.... I ordered it thru employee program. Now just got to wait for the crossing of the t's and dottings of the I's.. With in the month I should have my 2010 Royal Blue Pearl SC.. whooootwhooot!!
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1,749 Posts
Congrats!!!
I am glad that Honda has kept with the design of basic DIN/Double DIN radios for their cars/trucks. Toyota and Ford from what I have seen are integrating the stereos so much that you can't just swap out the factory unit for an after market.
The sad part about the manual is that it uses the same basic parts as the rest of the 4 banger Honda cars and the only cost is production runs.
The E is great for it's basic yet extremely versatile design. While my E has been in the shop for the past two weeks I have had two different rentals and the first was a 2010 Camry SE V6. Nice but it really didn't have any feature my E has except more power. When you compare the costs at $7k more than I paid for my E, the E wins every time.
I am glad that Honda has kept with the design of basic DIN/Double DIN radios for their cars/trucks. Toyota and Ford from what I have seen are integrating the stereos so much that you can't just swap out the factory unit for an after market.
The sad part about the manual is that it uses the same basic parts as the rest of the 4 banger Honda cars and the only cost is production runs.
The E is great for it's basic yet extremely versatile design. While my E has been in the shop for the past two weeks I have had two different rentals and the first was a 2010 Camry SE V6. Nice but it really didn't have any feature my E has except more power. When you compare the costs at $7k more than I paid for my E, the E wins every time.
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27 Posts
I certainly agree with some other commenters that an engine boost would have been nice. It was literally the ONLY question mark in my mind on my recent purchase (would the 2010 have the bigger engine, etc) but I have to say, along with my first-gen MINI and my old Ghia, this is now the third vehicle I've owned where it was exactly awesome the way it is. Sure, the Ghia could have used a bigger motor, but I had the Superbeetle's 1600cc engine at least. The MINI had weak cup holders, but otherwise, boss. And the E, as is today, totally rocks! [Especially in spent fuel rod orange!]
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1,294 Posts
More like 4-5 years per generation.
But the main question is certainly true enough. Economic times will be pushing everyone to simplify and add value at the same time. A new E seems perfect for that.
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164 Posts
No Midnight Red Pearl on the 2010 SC, and Tango Red Pearl's not available on it either, but they kept the silly-string upholstery?! I recommend that commitment proceedings begin for all at Honda's marketing department. Twits! Wretches! Even cads, I daresay! :-x
I wonder why they ditched the navigation unit availability on the SC (I was tending towards a Garmin anyway, but it does seem a strange move).
Not holding my breath on my chances of getting an '09 SC in MRP, considering what seems (per another thread here) to be the general scarcity of '09s in general. And here I was hoping that they might bring back Galapagos Green for 2010. The fact that they don't even seem to have changed the main photos on the website leads me to believe that Lizzurd may well be correct above.
Back to the figurative drawing board on a color, I guess. Still want an E.
I wonder why they ditched the navigation unit availability on the SC (I was tending towards a Garmin anyway, but it does seem a strange move).
Not holding my breath on my chances of getting an '09 SC in MRP, considering what seems (per another thread here) to be the general scarcity of '09s in general. And here I was hoping that they might bring back Galapagos Green for 2010. The fact that they don't even seem to have changed the main photos on the website leads me to believe that Lizzurd may well be correct above.
Back to the figurative drawing board on a color, I guess. Still want an E.
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1,148 Posts
Our 07' Fit sport had a very bizarre shaped radio that seemed to be designed to deter aftermarket upgrade. The CD slot was not even in the face of the head unit but placed slightly above it.
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