Used 2008 Honda Element Consumer Reviews
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Repeat Buyer
I traded in my 04 Element, and bought the new 08. Loved my first Element, and only traded it because I got a great deal. I live in New England and find the car handles all the weather that we get great. I have taken several trips to New Hampshire. Handles the mountains well.
In My Element
Thanks to Edmunds, I chose the Honda Element! After considerable research and test drives, the Element fit perfectly. Since I am 6 feet 4 inches tall, I could not have found a more perfect match. The ride is much better than the other vehicles that I looked at. The design is very unique and utilitarian. It gets a lot of compliments. It is useful and well designed. Even when the weather is below 0, the Element starts and warms quickly. The cargo room is amazing and can hold things that I did not think it would. It feels very stable in high winds. It can turn on a dime and leave change. I am very happy.
Elementary SUV
Bought used with 30K miles. This Honda is an extremely thirsty little SUV. In town I never got better than 20 mpg, 25 mpg on the interstate at 75/78 mph without AC was achievable with Super Unleaded Fuel, otherwise 23 mpg was more the norm for such an underpowered 4 cyl. engine that otherwise is very smooth and torquey at the bottom. The transmission gearing was poor as well, shifting hard and constantly between 4th and 5th back and forth at highway speeds. The 'no carpet' floor would be a great idea if it were rubber and not that hard slippery plastic. Horrible with bugs and rocks on the windshield as well as wind noise. Worst Honda I ever owned in terms of poor performance and fuel economy.
2008 Honda Element EX automatic bought new
I owned four Hondas before I bought the Element and like them all. The Hondas I owned were two Accords and two CRXs. The Element has too many blind spots, the clam-shell doors begin to squeak and rattle after a while, they blow around on the road when it's windy, fuel economy is not that great and when facing a head wind decreases even more. The windshield pillars are large enough to easily hide a mini van and even a school bus depending on position. Vision to the sides and rear suffer the same. I took it on several long distance trips and it proved to be not comfortable. It pitches and yaws enough to make you feel motion sickness. I eventually traded it for another Accord.
Honda Element
As a large person I have found the selection of comfortable vehicles in any catagory lacking. I already own a Chrysler Town & Country and wanted to replace a 2000 Dodge Stratus. I was pleasently surprised at the physical comfort available in this car. I can get in and out without having to duck down or hit my head. All controls are in the right place and easy to work. Handeling is quick and steering is responsive and the ride quality is excellent for a car of this size. I have had the car for a little over a month and have put on 1,500 miles so I can't really comment on reliability. Fit and finish is better that any of the cars that I have owner in the last 40 years.