[Ellie]

Hi, Everyone.

I am considering buying an Element and would appreciate your comments on the ride. Do you find it noisy at times? If so, when?

I was also considering the Saturn Vue, but my sister's Saturn (not a VUE) goes ***-***-*** when driving over some seamed roads. Scary!

Does the lack of carpeting in the Element affect the heating? Air conditioning?

Thanks!

Ellie

 

[Simon]

Saturn and Vue has had real quality problems.

I researched the Vue pretty extensively and decided against it. I talked to mechanics and owners - Saturn is have quality problems ala Dodge.

 

[RML]

Ellie,

On cold days, the Honda heater really cooks. I let the E warm up a bit, and then turn on the heater. In a very short time, I have to turn it down, and then turn it to cooler air. The carpet/floor mats have nothing to do with it.

Noisy, not really. It is pretty quiet. You do hear the gasps of people as you drive past (what is that thing, wow, I love it), you know that kind of thing.

 

[dstrand]

I am really enjoying my Element. My wife drives an Accord and we have had 2 Civics in the past. The ride is kind of like driving a car but up higher. I bought the 2WD manual. The steering is very precise it turns on a dime, if you take turns too sharp and fast it feels a bit tippy but not too bad. The shifting is crisp and easy. I don't hear any noise in town and the highway noise is minimal. I haven't take it off on any rough roads yet so I cant say how that feels but I'm thinking it wont be bad. The seats are comfortable both front and rear. I wish there was better placement for my left foot to rest on but I'm getting used to what's there. I'm not tall 5'10" and I could wear a top hat with ease. My brother in law is 6'4" and sits comfortably in the rear seat with plenty of head and leg room without having to cramp the front passenger. I'm amazed and so is everyone at the amount of leg room in the rear. I would say you should go test drive one. A word of caution though. After I took it for a test drive I bought it right after. This is the most fun I've had driving in a long time. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting a very fun functional unique looking vehicle.

 

[Ed]

Took delivery on a 2WD black EX auto yesterday. The car is great. Everything is solid. I am fortunate to own a car like this new.

Sounds:

The engine noise is almost inperceptable.

Tire noise feels like about 2/3s of that in a 2002 CRV (test drive memory). This is good.

Wind noise... seems like less than previous car - Mercedes ML320.
This is good.

... the only unusual noise is actually pleasant! When driving in the rain with the radio off the sound of rain drops on the windshield is of a slightly higher pitch than I am used to.

It might be that the windshield is so vertical that the sound can come directly to your ears without bouncing off the dash first. i.e the direct path keeps all the tones while the traditional dash method subtracts out the high frequencies.

It might be the thickness of the glass.

It might be the drops hit the windshield squarely instead of at an angle so the sound is sharper and not as smeared out.

Maybe the windshield is so far away that the sound of a drop gets to both ears at the same time, go the precussion does not get garbled inside your head.

It might be all these things but I like it and could not be happier.

It is like listening in that other small box: Carnegie Hall.

One happy owner,

Ed

 

[Ellie]

Thanks very much everyone for taking the time to respond to my questions. I love the looks of the Element and plan to test drive one soon.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY/WEEKEND!

Ellie

 

[ibutchman]

Got my EL this week! The ride is nice. Its a quiet car and very tight handling. I'm impressed but not surprised. Honda does make a tight ride.

 

[lon777]

Here's a statistic for you - the E is actually 2dB quieter than an Accord sedan, so that should give a very good idea how quiet it actually is. Overall ride comfort is just like my old civic or wifes current accord - you just sit higher though. Heat and A/C are excellent and here in Oklahoma it is nice to have the filters for the ventilation system.

 

[lyonsx2]

I've had mine for just over 2 weeks now. My roads are primative and it seems to be handling pretty well for a mud washed swamp.

Sunset Orange 2WD EX.

 

[kavetter]

I read a review that said it had some pronounced road noise. Then I test drove it. Then I wondered what the heck the car reviewer was talking about. It's a nice ride. Real surprising.

I have only driven it a little (40 miles), so I haven't experience the wind gusts that I keep hearing about. I have a hunch that that is a little overblown (no pun intended) too.

Keith

 

[dsmasters]

I had a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo (the same as the Honda Passport) which in my opinion had much more wind and road noise the the element. It feels way more solid then the Rodeo also (none of that top heavness).

Anyway, Love my E.

Dano

Black Auto DX 4WD

 

[Ed]

Was just checking the pounds of pollution per mile numbers at:

epa.gov/greenvehicles

The 2WD Automaitc Element produces about 5 lbs of pollution per 15,000 miles while my previous vehicle produced 50 lbs over the same distance. and it was an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle?

Anyway, these numbers are worth a look before you buy.

Ed

 

[ibutchman]

Ed,

Thanks for the info. Another good reason why I bought the EL!

 

[Dennis1]

Ellie:

I've got the EX Model and a CRV. I have found from driving both of them that the E to me is quieter. I wonder if the bigger 16" tires help holding down any more road noise. Anyway it handles great and does seem to turn on a dime. I love driving it.

 

[Viking]

I agree with Dennis. My wife has a '00 CR-V and the Element (shoreline mist 4WD EX) does seem quieter. However, since I always have the awesome stereo cranked I doubt I'd care if it was as loud as a jet engine anyway!
The only thing that I've noticed is that the ride is alittle bumpy on rough roads, but it's bad enough for me to complain....just something to get used to. Otherwise, I love the Element. Great handling, visability, power, and lots of room for me, my wife, my 3 month old son, and the two dogs (100 lbs, 25 lbs). The heater and the A/C run great. Floor gets dirty fast, but it's a snap to clean. It's one hell of a car for the money!

 

[Viking]

I agree with Dennis. My wife has a '00 CR-V and the Element (shoreline mist 4WD EX) does seem quieter. However, since I always have the awesome stereo cranked I doubt I'd care if it was as loud as a jet engine anyway!
The only thing that I've noticed is that the ride is alittle bumpy on rough roads, but it's not bad enough for me to complain....just something to get used to. Otherwise, I love the Element. Great handling, visability, power, and lots of room for me, my wife, my 3 month old son, and the two dogs (100 lbs, 25 lbs). The heater and the A/C run great. Floor gets dirty fast, but it's a snap to clean. It's one hell of a car for the money!

 

[Dennis1]

Viking, I'm with you. I have that stereo blasting everywhere I go. While in the Element I'm back to listening to the Beach Boys, Elvis, etc, well what can I say I'm in the older generation but this vehicle makes me feel younger.