Hey all, my Gf and I are looking at purchasing a Honda Element as a joint car as I now have a company car and no need for a Daily Driver. That unfortunately means the 04 Civic Si is going to be sold (she hates how small it is). I hate my Gf's Mazda tribute, needed a new Tranny ($3k) after 59k miles. So after much back and forth we have both agreed the next car should be an Element. We took one for a test drive yesterday, she loved it, i liked it except for no vroom vroom. I have project car (coincidently another honda) for my vroom vroom fix, so I can deal with that. We have found a couple good deals in the area and are settled between 3 elements:
06 EX-P MT w/ 25k miles ($16.5k), 08 EXP AT /w 8k miles($20k), 07 SC MT /w 44k miles ($18.2K)
I love the ulitily nature of the element but stock it just looks well too family boring car ish. I had made my mind up (before seeing the SC) that i was going to have to mod the outside a bit to make it a bit more appealing to the eye. My GF doesn't know how to drive stick (well) yet but it practicing in my civic and is slowly getting better. Given this intro couple of questions:
1.) The extra $$ for the SC is obviously for the looks and lowered suspension. In your opinion is it worth holding onto the xtra $$ and do the exterior stuf myself. (rims, etc)?
2.) How are the 2wd hondas in the snow? The SC is 2wd and would obviously be a set back. My civic is useless but I have learned how to drive it. My GF panics at snow.
3.) The 06 is considerably cheaper than the other two and still has under 30k miles. Any reason to consider the 08 over the 06?
4.) AT vs MT. I have always preferred MT over AT for the control and the ability to get a little more out of the engine when you need to pass someone. I have accepted that the Element will not appeal to my sporty side, so given that should we just get the AT or does the MT help make the Element just a bit more fun to drive?
Thanks again for your time. Look forwarding to joining you all in the forums.
06 EX-P MT w/ 25k miles ($16.5k), 08 EXP AT /w 8k miles($20k), 07 SC MT /w 44k miles ($18.2K)
I love the ulitily nature of the element but stock it just looks well too family boring car ish. I had made my mind up (before seeing the SC) that i was going to have to mod the outside a bit to make it a bit more appealing to the eye. My GF doesn't know how to drive stick (well) yet but it practicing in my civic and is slowly getting better. Given this intro couple of questions:
1.) The extra $$ for the SC is obviously for the looks and lowered suspension. In your opinion is it worth holding onto the xtra $$ and do the exterior stuf myself. (rims, etc)?
2.) How are the 2wd hondas in the snow? The SC is 2wd and would obviously be a set back. My civic is useless but I have learned how to drive it. My GF panics at snow.
3.) The 06 is considerably cheaper than the other two and still has under 30k miles. Any reason to consider the 08 over the 06?
4.) AT vs MT. I have always preferred MT over AT for the control and the ability to get a little more out of the engine when you need to pass someone. I have accepted that the Element will not appeal to my sporty side, so given that should we just get the AT or does the MT help make the Element just a bit more fun to drive?
Thanks again for your time. Look forwarding to joining you all in the forums.
