[Geezer]

Before I bought the xB in May I was a Honda Element owner for 4-1/2 years. The Element sold me on the big on the inside, small on the outside, boxy, unusual looking ride that was a great value and fun to drive. I enjoyed it for the first four years, was very active in an Element owners club and met a lot of great people who shared a common interest. It was kind of funny, the Element drew us together and then we all discovered the other common interests we shared, whether it was kayaking, cycling, dogs, Guitar Hero, poker, Star Wars...whatever.

Anyhow, I took the xB to an Element owners meet last weekend to hook up with my E-buddies and was surprised how old the Element looked next to the xB. The comparison was rather startling. The xB was sleek and contemporary while the Elements all looked so...old, so...80's. A number of fanatical Element owners checked out the Silver Brick and more than one commented that the xB might be their next ride.

 

[eviljack]

I never looked at the Element as a possiable car. However when I did show off my xB to one person and they asked me why I choose it over the Element. Found that kind of funny.

 

[boblamb58]

First generation Elements are butt-ugly. This year they look a lot better in a single color, but I still think the xB is a lot sleeker looking, with cleaner body lines.

 

[MidlifeCrisis]

First generation Elements are butt-ugly. This year they look a lot better in a single color, but I still think the xB is a lot sleeker looking, with cleaner body lines.

You have to get the EX version to get the single color.

Weird, my wife asked me today why I didn't get the Element and I said because they are ugly. Later during the drive she hated to admit it, but she said she liked my car. xB rules!

 

[boostedegos]

When I was looking for a new vehicle it was between the Element SC and the xB. I liked the element, but the xB was more me.

 

[Geezer]

I think Honda has really screwed up with the Element. Either that or they've given up. Six years after its initial introduction, the 2009 model will essentially be the same vehicle. That's not much incentive for an owner of a 2003-2004 Element who's in the market for a new ride to buy an '08 or '09. There is also no buzz about what the next generation Element will bring...which leads me to believe there won't be a next generation Element.

 

[MidlifeCrisis]

I don't ever remember there being any buzz about the Element. :lol:

You're right though, Americans can only stand a car about 4 years before it needs refreshing.

 

[jrl91789]

I chose from the RAV4, CRV, Element & xB. It was a no brainer!

 

[BigMikeLV]

My wifes next car will be an element. mainly for the rugged inside and AWD. Need something more "country" for our move back east in a few years.

 

[Hellen4Wheels]

When Hondas sleep, they dream of being Scions.

 

[jrl91789]

When Hondas sleep, they dream of being Scions.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

[xBrmnt]

When Hondas sleep, they dream of being Scions.

i love this... i have never even think of maybe trying the element, when it came out, i hated it and im not a honda/acura or anything to do w/honda fan :x... i take that back, i do like the elite mopeds...

 

[jasondean]

I had an Element for two years. I liked it but not the way I felt in it or the way it handled. We had the 4wd model and it worked like fecal matter. In other words I'm not sure it EVER really worked. Blew through large expensive tires, sucked on gas and was too tall. We traded it for an Xa in 06 and today I'm trading in my 03 Soob for an Xb. I LOVE the way the XB handles and feels compared to the E. It has similar cargo room and is way nicer inside. And for the price, I would have been a fool to get another E. We're now a two scion family.

 

[Chrevis]

I know it's kind of an old topic. But my dad is looking at getting an Element for travel purposes and I told him I would do some research. Anyone have any comments on what they did and didn't like about them? (for those of you who have owned/own them)

 

[ted58]

I have seen the Honda element but liked scion xb more and bought it home.

 

[Geezer]

I had the first model year of the Element (2003) and initially enjoyed it, but eventually the clamshell doors grew to be annoying anytime you had passengers in the back seat, seating for only four was a periodic problem, the plastic panels were a pain to keep looking nice (the've since been discontinued), the tall profile meant the Element got blown around on windy days and washing the roof was a chore, plus the rugged seat material wasn't so rugged after all.

Then I began to have unHonda-like problems with the Element. Just after the warranty expired the the driver's power door lock failed ($275), but the killer was $1200 for a new heater core at 40,000 miles. I also had a strut replaced earlier under warranty...all of this on a meticulously maintained and respectfully driven vehicle. I just lost confidence in the Element. The issues I encountered may have been a result of first-year-new-model problems, but I wouldn't buy another one. That's primarliy because I think the seven year old design's days are numbered. It's also a common soccer-mom ride now (apologies to the soccer moms out there). Part of the joy of Element ownership was that it was so uinique. It wasn't another "me-too" ride.

The xB has all of the features I liked about the Element, but none of the drawbacks. I had an AWD Element for New England winters and was a little concerned that the xB couldn't match that, but with FWD and traction control the xB has done just fine so far.