GM doesn't have an excuse. At least Honda can say the Element was designed in Japan I love the look of the Pilot. It's Honda's first midsize SUV. The Passport was a Isuzu Fraud. The rear looks like a mini Navigator to me. If you want the Pilot/MDX engine for less and don't care about the exterior, Honda is equipping the 2004 Saturn Vue Red Line.
One more thing Vengeance, the skylight is available on 4WD Elements. Currently Honda doesn't make 4WD Elements with standard transmission. Check with the dealer. I don't know why you'd want a stick anyways. Good luck
What is the deal with all these ugly cars being pushed out on consumers? Element, Aztek, Matrix... It's like we're begging for ugly cars just because they are different. They market these cars to people who feel like they are an "individual" and need an "individual" car...the only problem is they are ugly! Just solve your problem by getting a 350Z.
I bought a Pilot on the last day of last year, managed a good deal, and it has been great. I hated suv's and it's primarily a mommy car, but i have really enjoyed the roominess, particularly on drives longer than 20 minutes. The seats are great. The most amazing feature is the center console. You could store a watermelon in there, and still have room left over for the wallet and cell phone. Yet it's not intrusive.
If you get an Element, make sure it's not the model with the lipstick holder in place of the cigarette lighter...
I was all set to purchase an element also. It is a very roomy car, with all the necessities for a long road trip. I personally like how it looks, it's unique and fun style. However, if you are planning on a long trip, you will except to have a lot of gear. At 160 horsepower, it was a bit on the underpowered side. The Element performs poorly when weighed down, crawling up hills(the 4wd version at least). So I recommend that you test drive the car with a few of your buddies, to get a feel of what a loaded Element will drive like. Also, another thing I disliked was riding in the back seats. While roomy, they were extremely uncomfortable. I can't see myself sitting in them for a long period of time. The passenger seat was a better, but still not all that comfortable. In the end, I decided against the Element. It just didn't quite cut it.
I saw this on ESPN's coverage of the Chicago auto show this weekend, the Honda Element EConcept. Add a gas grill and you have the perfect tailgating vehicle. A couple excerpts... "Well, if you're in the Honda Studio E concept vehicle, you could just open up the vehicle's rear doors and have your own little retaliatory rave right in front of the club. The concept vehicle, which premiered at the North American International Auto Show on Jan. 6, 2003 in Detroit, is a panel-side version of the all-new Honda Element that's geared for city nightlife and street performance. Studio E is built around the needs and lifestyle of a club DJ, according to Honda and transforms the Element’s "cavernous" interior into a rolling audio and video studio complete with an onboard personal audio computer for mixing tracks and a <b>42-inch high-definition plasma screen display</b>. The upright and modular exterior styling remains true to the Element, while the panel sides conceal equipment and provide security for speakers and amplifiers inside. The personal audio computer has its own workstation with keyboard, mouse and a 17-inch liquid crystal display. To play to a larger crowd, a motorized 42-inch plasma screen rotates down from the ceiling and interfaces with the audio computer to display custom visual patterns in step with the music out the back of the vehicle, or it can play DVDs. The mobile entertainment system transmits <b>more than 800 watts of power to 11 speakers</b> throughout the vehicle ranging in size from 2-inch tweeters to thunderous 10-inch subwoofers located underneath the rear cargo floor."
You think that the current Aztec is ugly? Well as you probably know the current Aztec is a touchup from the original which was "AHHHHHH MY EYES!". Nothing could be uglier than that car. Runners up are the original Olds Silohuette (sp?)/Pontiac Transport/Montana minis. The entire line of Saturns are just gross.
I can't speak for Vengeance, but I prefer a stick because it gives me more control over the vehicle. And its like riding a bike: once you learn, you never forget, and you can literally drive 99% of vehicles on the road, which is a nice safety net if a stick is your only option. And Vengeance, remember this when you're learning to drive a standard transmission: The whole trick is learning to get out of first gear. Learning where your clutch catches so you don't stall is the key. The rest is easy.
The Element had lots of room...rode smooth...great stereo system and was comfortable. The only negative thing I can say that it is FUGLY. It could be a good ride for a younger person. Definantly get the black one. I wonder if you pick your women like you pick your cars Vengeance......
Since you're in the market for a small SUV, you should go for this one. Alot more respectable than an Element.
Thanks for all the input guys. Here's my big question in this -- what are my alternatives? I want something that has lots of usable space (I used to have a suburban, and it really didn't have a ton of USABLE space until I took out the back seat, and even then it was still not all that great for hauling stuff like my bike), is not terrible for the environment, has good pickup and safety, and something that I could live in for a few months. I've thought about a truck, but I don't know how versatile it'd be compared to the Element. I'm gonna go check one out this afternoon and see what I think. If I don't like it, I can put this whole nonsense to rest right now. If I do, then I can start looking around for a good deal now. The thing I like about the Element is that it's like a personal camper. It's versatile and built for function. I'm considering other things, but only if they can fit what I want it to do.
How about the Mazda Protege5? Not as roomy as the Element, but it is a wagon. And it's a lot of fun to drive, it gets great reviews.
