[hankmc]

My wife and I are seriously interested in buying an Element.
We too live in the Shenandoah Valley (western Augusta county)
and are interested in any comments about dealers and/or
personal experiences with the vehicle. We've begun to see the
Element as an alternative to buying a pickup, which neither of
us is crazy about. Driving on a rough mountain road and hauling
"provisions" from town are in the equation. Thanks!

 

[jnes]

I live near the cascade mountains and use my E to ferry items into and out of property that we have out trailer on. Our E is wonderful in snow. It takes steep dirt and gravel roads easily and is a dream going over the mountain passes. Hope this helps

 

[foxtail]

Driving on a rough mountain road and hauling
"provisions" from town are in the equation.

Hmmm, sounds like home. I live a couple hours south of you (and I have family in Augusta Co.). I live in the national forest and a good part of my drive home (18 miles total) is rough...and then there's my 1 mile driveway. :?

I've had my E since the beginning of May, and I would have no qualms about recommending it for Virginia mountain hauling. I climb a mountain on the way home (paved road) and the E has plenty of power for that. It handles well on the gravel, and it's done well in our monsoons recently. I've driven through water both on the paved roads and on the dirt road, and have had no problems.

Of course, I don't know about snow handling yet, but I'm sure it will be fine.

My only dirt road qualm is my dash rattle. I've got a persistent rattle on the left side of the dash, and I'm not alone with that problem. Of course, it's worse on washboard roads.

But I would have no hesitation about buying the E if I had it to do over again. It is a really fun car! I'm having as much fun as I did the first week I got it, and I still stop and admire it before I climb in!

Kristi

 

[parsons wayneright]

i drive my E through the adirondacks and catskills of NYS. excellent vehicle for any kind of road trip. most fun vehicle i ever had. i drive 40k per year and ask a lot out of my cars. the E is wonderful