Hello all. I currently own a Honda Element (no jokes please) and am considering trading it in on an older model xB. The reasons are; gas mileage, everyone and their mom is driving an element now! and the xB has always appealed to me just never got up the nerve to buy one. My lifestyle involves lots of traveling. I coach football, wrestling and track so I travel all across the st.louis area. I really dont care what others think but whats the average age of xb owners? i see lots of female drivers around the area. Also, is it worth trying to find the 3.0 release? I like the DVD option.

 

Get what you like and need.

The Xb will get probably about 6-8 better MPG's. But you will definitely have less storage space.

Don't worry about the average age. I was reading that even though Scion has targeted the youth market, the average owner is in their thirties.

My biggest concern is if you trade in your Element the dealer is going to have to make a profit on your trade in and the sale of the xb, making it cost you some money on both ends of the deal. From a finacial perspective you are probably better off keeping what you got. But like I said ,"Get what you like".

 

I went to look at the elements first and came home with the xB.
Element has more cargo storage but only seats four people.

It is people like me that bumps the average age up into the thrites.

 

Should I get an XB?



YES!!!!!!!!

 

No, don't do it!

This Car & Driver compare will tell you they preferred the xB if you're looking for an excuse.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...ous-boxes.html

Keep in mind, their compare is between and automatic Element with a manual xB. Auto xB isn't as quick.

I'd say to stick with the Element. You don't say anything about not liking the vehicle- only that it gets worse mileage and that it's popular. Trading for an xB will cost you more than you'd save in gas. And who cares what others are driving as long as you like what you drive? The Element is probably more comfortable than the xB if you're driving a lot of miles.

 

How would the xB cost me more in the long run? I checked the Element alongside the xB on fueleconomy.gov and it appears I will save almost 5,000 per year in fuel costs. Not to mention from 11am to 4:30 pm today during my rounds I saw 5 elements exactly like mine I only saw 2xb's. The XB looks like fun too.

 

I did an autotrader.com search and found 1 3.0 release but it doesnt have the DVD package. What gives? I thought the 3.0 release came standard with the multimedia goodies. Its the Envy Green color and has the badge # on the door sills. Doesnt look like the previous owner removed the LCDs.

 

It probably has all the OEM goodies and they just have no idea what they're talking about.

We have to many Envy Greens in Central Florida.....

 

I also looked at the Element and the xB when car shopping. Obviously I walked away with the Scion and I am happy I did. I love driving the box. My point is if you like the xB go for it. I highly doubt you will be disappointed. In regards to the 3.0 and the dvd's I can't help you there, sorry.

 

The RS3.0 is standard with the monitors in the head rest. You can add a video system to any xB fairly cheaply if you really want one. I say buy what you like and what fits your needs. I never even looked at the element. Personally I hated it from the jump because it's mostly plastic but that's just me. My only suggestion with the xB is get a manual and a quick shifter.

 

You should check your math. Just for the sake of argument, say the xB averages 30mpg and the Element 20mpg, in real-world driving. If you drive 10,000 miles and gas costs $3/gallon, the xb Uses 333 gallons and the Honda uses 500. The difference is 167 gallons, or $501. You'd have to drive 50,000 miles a year to save $5000 per year.

This does not even factor in how much it will cost you to trade your Element. If you're selling and buying used cars, you'll do far better dealing privately. The dealer needs to turn profits on both the sale of the car you buy, and the re-sale of the car you traded. The difference comes out of your pocket.

I'm not saying the xB isn't a better choice, although personally I think "image" is about the stupidest reason possible for deciding how to spend tens of thousands of dollars. The Element's interior versatility is its main selling point, including the ability to basically clean it out with a hose. It's also more powerful. If those things don't matter to you, the xB, on the other hand, seats five and has a greater maximum load capacity, besides the fuel economy advantage.

You can add a DVD system to any car.

R

 

Thanks for the info. Not trolling btw. What I meant by the gas saving was just based on the estimate the fueleconomy.gov website gave. It compared my car with an 06 xb and based the figures on 15000 miles per year and the current cost of regular gas. The Element came out to be $1879 vs. the XB at $1395. I didnt mean to type 5000. Sorry for the sticky fingers.

 

That's a misconception. The Element has rubber mats and hard surfaces that can be wiped clean. However cleaning it out with a hose has ruined the ECU under the seat, for those who have tried.

 

I looked at the Element and the xB..drove home the xB, the Element did not have he features the xB had and was considerably higher priced. As before mentioned, trading from one to the other could be tricky financially, but if you really want to trade, just do it. I know first hand about that bit...I had to pay a few thousand to get out of my last vehicle and into my xB and I have enjoyed it so much that I only wish I had done it sooner.

 

Yes indeed. Check out auto trader. Last time I checked there were 3 or 4 RS3.0s for sale. You may have to travel to find the right one tho. Good luck hunting!!!

 

i just traded my 05 tc for a 06 xb for many reasons. i think the xb is cool and if you want one just to be different than i think thats a good reason. and i think spending lots of money for "image" is a good enough reason, why do you think they sell hummers, benzs and ferrraris. and its not like youll be spending a huge amount of money anyways, i think the xb is one of the best bangs for you buck seeing it only costs about 14grand.

 

I know Napleton in St. Peters has a manual xB BSP with fairly decent miles for $13,000 right now. Don't know where in St. Louis you live, though. I picked mine up there because Pappas had sold their last 1st gen the night before. Watch out for their financing. They bent me over and put it in good and deep.

 

get it love it

 

Thanks for the correction.

The thing that always gets me about the Element is the 675lb load capacity. If the OP is really carrying around wrestlers and football players, you could easily overload the car with four passengers, not even counting gear. The xB's rated load is 850lb, a little more reasonable.

R