Try here:
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmu...leid=100340290
Good information!!

 

You would be very disappointed if you took an Element off-road. It has about an inch more ground clearance than our xBs! The supposedly washable interior suffers from speakers mounted low to the floor. If you were to really spray out the interior with a hose you would kill the speakers! Power to weight ratios of the Element and xB are nearly the same.

If you really want to go off road and need xB- or Element-type space the new stretched Jeep Wrangler would be much better, but of course you would be on a first name basis with the service writer at the Jeep dealer.

 

But I have taken an element offroad, and it did very well in sand The 4wd did kick in, and it helped alot. Plus the K24 engine is is one of the best in the industry.

 

 

i still say if they sold this one, i would buy it:

 

Do I have to put one of my stickers on this thread?

 

DO IT!!!

 

If painting the panels didn't cost $6000 from the factory...the element wouldn't be that bad. It looks like a Urban Assault Vehicle...



They had an orange element with painted panels at the honda dealership my sister works at. It looked like a festively plump Hot Lava xB... =P

 

6k for some paint

 

they gotta take apart the car... prep the plastic, prime it up, powder coat, bake, then gloss, then bake? I don't know, I don't do automotive body work...

 

whatever floats their boat

 

I was thinking more of rocks than sand! Even the CRV has more ground clearance than the Element!

The Element engine is quite good. It's too bad that they put the Accord-tuned version in the Element rather than the CRV-tuned version. This was strictly a cost decision, since the Element is built in the same plant as the Accord. The CRV gets maximum torque at 3600RPM versus 4500 for the Accord. If you drive the CRV and Element back-to-back, the CRV is noticably quicker. I don't think that the weight difference is great enough to account for that performance difference.

George

 

That painted element looks tasty.

Looked at both and drove both last week.
I expected the Element to be better. Suicide doors are a pita - especailly when you carry more than 2 people on a regular basis ... even worse if you pick them up. Rear seats are a pita to "hang." Drove well, good seating positions front and rear - more storage behind rear seats.
Very pleasantly suprised by the xB. Extremely easy entry/exit. Comfortable seats. Roomy. Price is obviously great. Less wind noise than any car in the price range - better than the Odyssey I drove same day. Great automatic - I'll test drive a stick as soon as my dealer gets more.

It's definately apples and oranges, but I was truly considering both. With the price difference, the xB wins hands down. If you gave the Scion a bigger engine and priced it like an Element EX, Scion wins. Basically, you'd have to drop the price on the Element and eliminate my need for rear doors to make me take the Element.

I agree that the Protege 5 is the closest comparison in cost and class. I drove one a couple thousand miles last summer. I'd take the Scion for the roominess, but the 5 still has the advantage in power (maybe I should say pep) and agility.

A slightly lowered/stiffened , low psi forced induction xB is my new goal to get the best of all worlds. Well, I'm still hoping Toyota brings the AWD version over by the time I'm ready to trade the current one.

 

If you want a better than factory job, that's what you're gonna pay. Anyhting less is subpar - plus the panels actually were never made to be painted, so there's TONNES of prep work that has to go into them.

 

There is a reason they call them "Suicide" doors.

 

Actually, true "suicide doors" may be opened independently of the front doors. The Element doors can't which keeps them safe from opening while in motion.

 

That black one is the best looking element alive.

 

I meant "suicide" as in if you get hit between those doors...it's about all over for those sitting there. Kind of like the old Lincolns, no support btwn the doors, but your right, the independent opening meant someone getting the "door prize" if you step out without looking.

 

Why decide when you can have the best of BOTH worlds?! :D

Can't we all just get along?

 

yeah me either but ur pretty close because i seen the guy explain how they do it and demonstarte it on the last ep of tunner transformation on speed channel wit the for focus