That's what we had envisioned for this vehicle.

Thanks for the comments everyone. We ruled out the Element today. Just can't deal with the gas mileage. I'll either have to keep my Civic or trade in for a Fit.

 

Yes. I don't blame the manufacturers, but the consumers. Cars specifically designed for drive-thru windows and to hide trash / children in backseats...

Fit is fit.

FYI: the dogs should fit in the fold up back seats.

 

The Fit is really close to the Matrix...had the Matrix two years ago, now I have the '09 TW Sport...really like the Fit better.

 

ummm...the Element's not American

 

kinda is, its built in alabama

 

Well, we considered and Element but went with a Fit today. Ha! Thanks again everyone for your input.

 

I just traded in my 2005 Element for a 2009 Fit Sport Nav. I'm one of those who fell in love with the E the first time I saw it. I traded in my 2000 CR-V on it, and I absolutely loved it! The interior room in the Element is amazing! Sure, it holds only 4, but does anyone really think 5 could ride (comfortably) in the Fit?

There were only 2 things I disliked about the Element: 1) the suicide doors are great for cargo, but a nuisance for getting back-seat passengers in and out (especially in a tight parking spot); 2) the fuel economy sucked--I was only getting around 16-18 mpg on average with city driving (which is 95% of my driving)! When gas passed $4 a gallon last summer, I was shelling out $55-$60 each time I hit the gas station!

I had been drooling over the Fit for more than a year, and I had already decided that would be my next car. I just didn't think I could make it happen until late this fall. Fortunately, an unexpected bonus at work covered the remaining balance on my Element loan, so I was able to trade it in for my Fit early. I still miss my E, but I love my Fit even more--especially when I fill it up! I can give up a little room (not really that much) for 30 mpg in the city!

 

I have a 2002 CR-V that I bought JUST before the Element debuted. At first, I was pi$$ed. I liked the looks of the Element a lot better back then. However, in the time I've had my CR-V, I've gone from childless to the father of 3. I'm soo glad I didn't get an Element b/c, well, we couldn't have transported the whole family around! Not what you'd expect out of a vehicle that size.

I parked the CR-V for around town kid hauling and got the Fit last week. I can't say I'd even consider an Element b/c of price and fuel economy. Although, I have a friend with one of the 5 speed auto CR-Vs and she regularly gets 28 mpg, my 02 which only had 4 speeds, barely ever tops 23 with any kind of brisk acceleration.

Plus, I can get my kids into the Fit JUST as easy as the CR-V, if not easier considering the two older ones don't have to climb up to get in. I know the OP was looking at dogs and not kids, but just figured I'd point that out to any of you who might reproduce one day.

 

Hello! This is my first post on the FF forum. I just put down a deposit on a 2008 Fit Sport today. The vehicle I am trading in is a 2003 Element EX.

I absolutely loved the Element for the past 6 years. I decided on replacing it with a Fit (instead of another Element) for a few reasons.

1. a Fit is several thousand $$$'s cheaper
2. I was only averaging about 22mpg on the Element
3. as someone else said, the suicide doors were great for loading cargo, but sucked for 4 passengers in a tight parking lot
4. the Fit would still allow some utility usage for hauling stuff with the various seat configurations

 

I traded in my 03 Element to. It was a very practical vehicle but the mileage finally pushed me into the Fit.

 

Element is great and lots of features that are very useful. I've always wanted one. Elements are beautiful especially the SC, it was very smart for Honda to build such vehicle. I originally wanted one and was going to get one but the dealer did not give me what I wanted that's why I went with the Fit. I've test drove vehicles when I was in the market of buying a car and the element handled good and the visibility is amazing. The seat configurations is just amazing. It does not get that much mpg but hey its an SUV, what should you expect?

 

I agree the Element mileage was less than acceptable in the first generation. We have had 2 LX 4wd models now. It was amazing the difference in MPG between my wifes 2005 and her 1 year old 2008. The 2005 got about 22MPG average, but the 2008 gets 26 average and 28 on the highway. The 2008 and beyond engines are more efficient and higher power.

 

The thing that was really dissappointing about my Element's mileage is that I traded a 2000 CR-V for my 2005 Element. Considering the Element is based on the CR-V, I was expecting similar performance. With my CR-V, I could get around 28 mpg on highway driving and around 23 in the city; which isn't bad for an SUV. My element, however, averaged about 16-18 in the city and my best ever highway result was a dismal 23.

 

I absolutely love my parents' 5-speed 2WD Element--the looks, the handling, the interior setup and the unbelievable amount of cargo space. But the gas mileage was a deal-breaker for me and when it was time to replace my RSX, I went with a Fit.

I really, really wish they would put come out with a diesel Element--an Element that gets 35MPG would be just about the perfect vehicle in my opinion. I mentioned this to the Honda reps at the Detroit Auto Show a few years ago and they acted like I was crazy, they were actually very rude to me. I guess they thought I was the only one who isn't satisfied with the Element's fuel economy, but judging from this forum, they were wrong.

 

Maybe its your driving style, because when I was in the market for a new car before I went with my Fit. I was reading stuff on element forums and some people are getting 27+mpg on their elements. If I will be buying another car, it maybe an 07+ element because of the standard side curtain air bag or another Fit.

The only thing I don't like about the newer elements is the way they made the headrest and the interior color scheme(dirt magnet).

 

Glad I'm not the only one to do this...I was in love with the Element concept from the moment I read about the Model X concept at the 2001 NAIAS. I didn't care how "ugly" it was, I was an outdoorsy 20-something college senior and the thought of throwing my kayak in the back of the Element and driving it right onto the beach without having to haul it over the dunes on a dolly was just the beginning of what I envisioned myself doing with that thing. On top of this, I've always valued function over aesthetics and the look of the Element never concerned me.

Here we are 8 years later, finally time to head over to the dealer and pick up that dream Element. But...ever the "smart shopper" I didn't want to be myopic...I put the Fit on my list and also seriously considered some other small "station wagon" types.
Looking at pictures, I assumed I would easily be able to write off the Fit as having the same problem as my parents' Chevy Tracker: very little cargo capacity behind the back seat.

Boy was I wrong! I think there's as much room as my 2002 Civic Coupe in the cargo area!

After test driving both I told my wife "I hate myself for saying this, but I think I like the Fit better..."

The Fit seemed more fun to drive. How much of this was that the Fit was M/T and the Element was auto? I don't know, but M/T Elements seem pretty rare and the salesman did not think they'd be able to get one on the lot in any reasonable amount of time!

The "trunk" capacity of the Fit is not a whole lot less than the Element (20.6 cu ft for Fit vs. 25.1 for Element) and most of the difference is in the vertical space lost to the lower, sloped roof of the Fit.

Considering more fun to drive and not much smaller along with better fuel economy and $5000 cheaper, it was pretty much a no-brainer for me.

 

I wanted to like the Element, but the more I looked at it, it kept nagging at me "this thing is as aerodynamic as a barn door"
Based on what you guys are saying, our Murano gets better MPG which is also Bigger and has Nissans kick ass V6.
So for our 3rd car I'd consider the CRV or another Murano to compliment our Civic & Fit.

 

I had an 03 ELement EX. Great car. What I didn't like was that if it was snowy out and I ran erands all the snow that melted would slosh around the car whenever i'd make turns...those floors were a good idea to me at first but couldn't stand them after a while. Also the sticker on the visors that said "high risk for rollover" never really sat right with me.
I never figured out how much mpg i was getting with it but i felt i was always at the gas station. But I loved the space and versatility. Traded it in after 1 1/2 yrs on a 05 Caddy SRX worst car i've ever had in my entire life! I should've kept the element.

 

the element has a low center of gravity actually, the drivertrain etc are set pretty low, thats why they drift em


i had an 07 SC and that thing could boogie! i heard temple of vtec tested one in the slalom against a new SI and they were about even