dude you have suicide doors no mods needed.

 

The element is fine for another 5 or more grand you get....
What do you get for 5 grand more? :?

 

I don't mean to pour cold water on you but check this out:

http://consumeraffairs.com/automotive/honda_fire.html

Element has the same engine and similar exhaust system as CR-V, which is infamous for catching fire. Turns out, Element could catch fire, too. I also read about Element leaking motor oil after oil change, etc., very much like CR-V.

You can check out the complaints here:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...aintsearch.cfm

I went through the same process as you did and I'm still sitting here without buying any one of them. However, it's just a small percentage of CR-V's that caught fire, they said, and many people don't really think it's a big risk...

 

gilmour25
I have a Honda Odyssey that is soon to be my wife's car and it gets horrible mileage. Using the cruise control the best I can get is 25 mpg on the highway. In daily driving (combination city/ highway) I get about 19 if I take it easy.

The Element also has very poor mileage. Consumer Reports does a "real world" mileage test. They rate the Element worse than average on mileage. In their test they got 14 city and 26 highway. They report combination mileage of 20. They estimate 750 gallons of gas/ year.

In comparison CU's test of the xB shows 23 city and 37 highway with 30 combination. They estimate 500 gallons of gas /year. At $2/ gal that's $500/ year more in gas for the Element.

I looked at both cars and with the prospect of gas prices only going up and the much lower initial cost, the xB looks like a no-brainer.

In the end you have to buy what will make you happy but you seem very unsure at this point. Is a "cooling off period" an option? Might be worth it to give it a rest for a few weeks.

 

no one will hate you .. you have to do what fits your needs
that is your choice how will you know if you dont ask the right
questions good luck with whatever you buy and be happy!!

 

if you could be hesitate, i would only say one thing, and that would be the power. otherwise that, it's the most bang for the buck. peace.

 

Ok, here's my 2 cents worth:

I have a 2000 Focus ZX3. Biggest piece of junk I ever bought. YES, it has amazing storage for such a small car. And it used to handle well, but now with over 100K miles on it, the suspension is shot. I've had more recalls than I care to admit. The car has more problems than just the recalled ones, which Ford refuses to admit to. I paid $13K for mine 5 years ago (I just HAD to have it, it was SO cool )
and now it's worth $1800 if that. And I still owe another year of payments (although my finance situation is extreme compared to most).

I have been researching the xB since I first saw it 2 years ago at the Detroit show (even before they were on sale in CA). Everything about this vehicle makes sense to me. I LOVE the styling. I love the gas mileage (my Focus barely gets 25 highway). I love the size of the backseat, and the hauling capabilities (it has 10+ cubic feet more cargo room than the ZX3). Personally, I won't need to hitch anything to it, and I don't need a 4WD vehicle. If those are factors you are considering, why not a 4WD Matrix? It has more power (not much, but more), and an even larger cargo area than the xB. AND IT'S A TOYOTA AS WELL!!

I do applaud your decision to get rid of the Focus. The Honda was one of my choices as well, but the gas mileage wasn't as good as the xB and it's a little too "big" for me. (I just moved to NYC, and the smaller the better - even considering a Cooper now - just kidding!) The Mitsu may have a better warranty, but they don't have the quality of the xB. Think about it - do you want a vehicle that has a better warranty that has the potential of being in the shop more often, or a standard warranty on a vehicle that doesn't have that same potential? I'd rather have the xB to drive around more, than a Mitsu loaner car from the dealer 'cuz my Outlander is in the shop AGAIN.

The resale value on the xB is already proving to be right up there with Toyota (as it should). I wouldn't waste the money on another F*ckus, er..Focus. Whatever you decide, you'll have to live with it. But I've made my decision, and I'm not even ready to get the xB yet. (But I'd better get it soon since it won't be around after '06)..

 

OK, I'll chime in.

I took about 3 months to decide on a car and went on 8+ test drives. I hadn't really considered the xB, although I was aware of it, I had some of the same concerns you did. I drove the Honda Element, CR-V, Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback (wagon), Suzuki XL7, Mazda3 and even a Honda Civic Si.

I wanted a small but roomy and practical wagon with good handling and fuel economy. I would like to be able to camp in it as well, but 4 wheel drive was not a top priority.

I test drove the xB last, just for the hell of it and bought it the same day. Why? The "pure pricing" scheme meant a fair deal without the usual 1-2 hour negotiation I typically do. and most importantly ----It came closest to meeting all my needs:

- It had the best passenger room and was at least equal to the Element
- It had the best fuel mileage
- Only the Lancer and Civic Si felt significantly faster, the rest were roughly equivlanent
- It outhandled all but the Civic Si and Mazda3, even on the tiny 185 tires
- It had the lowest price and came with features the others did not for $1000's more
- I have complete confidence in Toyota products

Here's my 2 cents:

If reliability and resale matter to you, then cross Ford and Mitsubishi off your list. Ford's reliability is spotty at best, Mitsubishi isn't much better (that's why the big warranty!) After owning either one for 3-5 years you will take it in the ___ when it comes time to trade-in or sell, where a Toyota or Honda will have retained 80% of it's value.

Big warranties are great, but would you rather be in the Mitsubishi waiting room getting your 3rd warranty repair or getting your 4th recall part on your Ford or out on the road driving your Toyota? :D

If money isn't an issue, then the Element might be a good choice for you, or possible the CR-V. Either one will be better off road than an xB of course. You will sacrifice fuel mileage, but you will get a bit quieter/smoother engine and more torque. The Element isn't any faster than an xB and I wouldn't expect the motor to last any longer, but the smoothness is nice. The Element's interior will hold up to camping better than an xB would too.

I liked the Element and CR-V and seriouisly considered them. What got me into the xB was the fact I found it much more fun to drive and fact it did 90% of what those two do, minus the off-road for $7-8000 less.

Give serious thought to how much camping you really do and how rough the roads are. I go camping too here in AZ. If you are camping 2-3 times a month and driving on rough/muddy/rocky roads then the CR-V or Element would be more appropriate.

 

u are so hesitant to buy an xB cuz deep down ur insecure and cannot handle the quantom leap in a normal car to a scion xB

 

bottom line is if your looking for speed and to be fast, dont buy it.

im sure none of us on here bought this car thinking we would have the fastest car in town, its like driving a brickwall down the road.

if you want a car that has tons of room, great on gas, looks great, is brand new, and uncommon- then buy a scion and spend $15k

my .02