We would like to hear your experiences in the decision making process.

We like the Elements size and spaciousness but dislike price, availability, and mileage. We also liked the rubber flooring and seating material.

Two years ago, we looked at a Fit and went with a Civic. We didn't like the Fit and felt the seats were too small and uncomfortable.

We have now added another giant schnauzer to our home. We now have 165 pounds of dog to cart around. Two dogs.

I think we are leaning towards the Fit based on gas mileage and price. It seems there are aftermarket solutions with seat covers and floor mats.

 

i liked the ElementSC but when i found that it only came in FWD...and SC did not mean SuperCharged...

forget it.

 

I looked at the Element AND the CR-V. Chose the Fit for better MPG.

 

I really wanted an Element but could not deal with the poor gas mileage so I purchased an 09 Fit Sport with the 5 speed and really like it. This is the last year of the current Element and something new is just around the corner, my hopes are the new Element will be something a tad smaller than the current Element and a bit larger than the Fit. Honda really needs something about the size of the Toyota Matrix.

 

i wanted an element as well. the car itself looks very attractive, but what turned me off was the price tag, they were asking some ridiculous price for every color on the lot, and my eyes averted back to the fit.

a year later im pretty happy with my choice and not looking back.

 

I can't remember the last time a redesigned model made the car smaller. Heck even the 09 Fit gained some weight. We thought about the Element a year ago but actually went with an 08 Scion xB becuase it was roomier, cheaper, and in my opinion looked way better. Now we have an 09 Fit in addition. I love them both

 

I"m surprised by some of the responses. I think the Element is very ugly and one of those cars that Honda just missed on. Maybe they are more popular than I think. If I had that kinda cash, I sure as hell wouldn't have an Element on my wish list. But to each his own.

 

my family has an 03 element. i have no complaints, but it doesn't handle nearly as well as the fit, and it feels just as slow. I don't think it holds much more, although it can hold taller things.

 

lolololololololololololol

 

I seriously considered an Element. I've driven my friend's often and was impressed by the versatility of the rear seat. Ease of entry is a real plus if you have an older dog; those wide double doors really open to a low floor. However, I couldn't get past the large size, high price, low mileage, and ugly, ugly, ugliness.
The Fit might be a bit small for two large dogs with the backseat as normal, but I've never tried folding it down for my mutt.

 

We considered it. I only wanted the SC model though. The Element has a 4 passenger limit, higher price, heavier, and at the time gas was at $4. Made the choice easier. We got the 08 Fit Sport. It could stand some more grunt, but it's a great DD

 

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I have wondered if Honda would come out with a better model than the Element (more efficient, etc...)

I'm one of those people who just absolutely loves the Element. I think it looks great (esp the 2007 and 2008 versions) and I love to drive these types of vehicles. Feels like you're driving a VW bus or something. I'm just not sure I can stomach the fuel efficiency.

Things I disliked about the Fit was the space and the engine noise. It can Fit a lot for it's size and the design is excellent but make no mistake, it's a very small car.

 

I have a 2008 Fit and my wife has had 2004 and 2008 Elements. I like them both. I run the Fit 150+ miles a day for my commute and she drives the Element 5 miles for her commute. Which one we take to the store depends on the size of the load. When picking up a groceries the Fit is easier in and out and parking. When we go somewhere with he dogs, the element is the vehicle of choice because of the hair issue.

The gas mileage is about 26 on the highway with the Element.
They both only hold four (American sized in the Fit and legally in the E) people.
The 4WD is really good on the E in Michigan snow.
The Fit does pretty good in the snow for a 2500 lb car.
To me the E drives well, but feels even heavier than my old truck.
It all comes down to your needs.

 

In 07 I looked at the Element and the FiT, I bought the Element SC, it was fun to drive had lots of room and there were very few on the road but the gas mileage sucked, one year later I traded for the Fit and have been happy since.

I should have just bought the FiT in the first place.

 

Two of my friends have Elements, and I did consider buying one for the trailer towing capability. I own an older Harley-Davidson, and at some point, I may be faced with the need to tow it to a shop for repairs I can't do myself. The fuel economy was a deal breaker for me, as I was already getting 32 MPG with a Dodge Neon, and wanted to improve on that if possible. I don't have a motorcycle trailer anyway (or a place to store one), and it wasn't practical to choose a vehicle based on a "might need someday" scenario, so I went with the Fit.

I still have two friends with Elements, and they both own motorcycle trailers.

 

The element just reminds me of what is wrong with America.

 

I think Elements are sexy for the most part. I'm a bigger fan of the more sporty, utility look on them as opposed to the street look (SC). The mileage and sticker price are the main cons. The front and back folding flat seats would be amazing.

 

i had an SC too, the 5spd would scream on the freeways (i was gonna convert to 6spd), only seats 4 and to let the back people out would become a pain in the ass if you had to do it all the time.. if its only you and your gf then its not bad.. we ended up selling it to my gfs parents and they have a big chow chow and its perfect for them

 

I have two large dogs, and my Fit is basically a two-seater station wagon. I always have the rear seats folded down. As for the floor covering, I took the 1/4" rubber flatbed mat out of my F-150 and cut it with a boxcutter to cover exactly from just behind the front seats, to the hatch. I throw a blanket on top of the mat so those babies dont have to lie on the chilly rubber in the winter.
If you get an 09 Fit the rear seats are even easier to fold up and down since you don't have to move the front seats forward first.

 

Possibly. Have you seen the Ford Flex?