To buy or not to buy..... Good and Bad... I wanna know!!

katawna,

The 1st thing is what do you need/want the vehicle for? Each of the vehicles you are considering are a bit different. For example if you need more than 4 seats the E is not for you. That pretty much ends any talk about buying it. The next question is how much lux are you looking for? If you are going to want leather seats, or the like, the E is not for you.

If you are looking for an all around fun car, reasonable (for an SUV) on gas mileage, and something that cleans up quick. Maybe the E is the best for you.

If you go thru this board, you will find talk about all sort of good and bad with the Element. People have complained about all sorts of stuff, but only one person said they were ready to give up their E. That person got offers to buy his E, and he passed selling it to people on this board, so go figure, my guess is he is keeping it.

You need to test drive it, as long as the dealer lets you, highway, city, backroads, etc.

Once you do, I am sure you will fall in love with the E as most of us here have. Good luck.

I'll say that I love my Element. I also thought about the CRV, the RAV and the Jeep Liberty, but for me, there was no comparison when you looked at what you got for the price - much more room, more flexibility, more features and most importantly, the coolest car on the road. All the other small SUVs (and the big ones, too) all look the same...very generic. So if looks/style are important, the E's the clear winner. That said, as a previous poster wrote, if you need 5 seats, or a luxurious leather interior, well then, the E's not for you. This is a fun, practical car.

And I'd also like to add that I've had NONE of the little gripes/problems that some people on this board are bringing up. My windshield's fine, my fenders aren't scratching, my front seat doesn't rock, bla bla bla. Take all that with a grain of salt...these boards tend to bring out many more negatives than positives, not to mention competing dealers looking for a chance to slam the competition. Good luck!

Just remember......Ford stands for

Found
On
Road
Dead

and

Fix
Or
Repair
Daily

Enuf said about Fords, other than never ever invest your hard earned cash in one, unless you want another lemon.
My sister in law needed a new trannie in her Explorer after one year and they gave her a hard time about it. She had 5,000 miles on it!
Steer clear :?

Picked up my nighthawk black EX this weeken (Excccelent!) After researching this vehicle for months finally decided to take the plunge- family and friends have all loved it- even my roomate (who was making fun earlier) loved it once I let him drive it. Driving it is a little odd- people stare and point- and give second (and third) glances. I wound up driving past a peace protest this weekend and everyone stared and most smiled as the pointed (while oohing and awing)
BUT this morning on the way to work - I was passing a towtruck, when a paint barrel fell off his flatbed (idiot should have secured the #$#%# thing! and it bounced right under my E! I crushed it and plastic went flying. It looked like I had hit a pinata! The towtruck driver slowed to about 40 and exited the highway quickly - I had no time to get over and follow thi idiot (toll road!) so I didn't get a liscence # or anyting....grrrrr. When I got to work I inspected for damage- there was a dirt mar on the fron passenge bumper that wiped away, and a few tiny scratches. After all the talk of scratches on the composite panels, I was expecting so much worse. But you can barely see them. Paint is OK and nothing mechanicaly wrong. But I was pretty P.Oed at the driver- HE knew he #$%*$# up- why elsejump off the highway so quick. I was watching him freak out in my rearview while I tried to slow to get his plate # or at least ne name of the company- he wsa freaking out, and I was sooo P.O.
What made matters even worse- there was a State Trooper right behind him who did absolutely NOTHING. Later the trooper sped by me and pulled someone over to issue a speeding ticket. Guess that shows where their priorities are.

I'm gonna call the interstate police and see if he at least wrote down the towtrucks # and reported it.

Friggen Kansas!!! I tell ya! :x

Glad You liked your test drive, even though it was not the EX.. but that gives you an idea of the bare minimum of happiness (smiles).

This is a very comfortable and versatile vehicle.

Yes true not all vehicles are for everyone, this is why there is such a variety!

Comparisons:I tested the:
CRV, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Liberty, PT Cruiser, Toyota Rav4 along with the Toyota Matrix and a bunch of other vehicles.

I liked alot about the CRV (this was before the "birth" of the Element) but there was just something missing, oh yeah the arrival of the Element, smiles!!

The Liberty was so nice, beautiful vehicle, the drive unimpressive.. the gas milage horrible.. really horrible.. and Chrysler/Jeeps reputation well horrible too! So that was out.

Rav4, not bad, had possibility, but just too cramped inside.

The PT Cruiser, well cute on the outside, a disaster on the inside.. tooo tiny, very cramped, the gas milage does not compliment the itsy bitsy cramped vehicle either... if you have people riding in back they better have detachable legs.. there is no room back there.

The Hyundai, eh not bad, not impressive.. Hyundai has come a long way, that is for sure, but the price, ack.. well they have not come THAT far!


Toyota Matrix, very cute, nice interior.. not a bad vehicle at all, but it was a weird ride, and too low to the ground.

Now you said you considered the Escape too, run (escape) fast from that tought.. they near the bottom of all SUV raitings.. come'on the Hyundai has past them.. that says alot. They also have THEE WORST in reliability. Also known as the Mazda Tribute. Fuel economy is a joke for such a small car too, 17 mpg.. not that small and have that bad of mpg..

Pros and Cons of the Element:
Cons:

• not alot of storage spaces. (this can be worked with though)
  weak tire cover (odds are this will be remedied, and is something that can be replaced)
  only seats 4. (not always a bad thing.. you have a reason not to take that person with ya).
  the sun roof is not power (but with such large windows, you don't notice.. i have had a power sunroof on my last two vehicles and it is one of those MUST haves for me.. but i don't miss it.. the roof is high and it is sooo airy!)

Pros:

• easily washable interior, seats and all!
  Huge cargo area just by flipping the seats
  seats on 4 (yesh can be a con or a pro, really)
  sooo spacious and roomy!
  high roof, just adds to that roomy & spaciousness!
  step in hieght just right!
  leg room, did i say spacious!
  lots of places for cups.. for the people in back too!
  honda's reputation for a reliable trustworthy vehicle!!
  nice mpg!!
  looks awesome!
  comfy!!
  actually i could go on, but this should help i hope!

good luck & keep us posted on your thoughts and choices!
Oh I almost for got.. problems, yeah I almost forgot cause there are none!