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Author Topic: CD Article: 2008 Honda Element SC  (Read 3285 times)
CD_Editor
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« on: February 06, 2008, 12:17:33 am »


Test Drive:
2008 Honda Element SC

2008 Honda Element SC"Think of the Element SC as the dressy city version," says contributor Bob McHugh.  With a lower suspension and 18-inch tires, the front-wheel drive SC "delivers a more sedan-like driving experience," he reports, "but remains a paragon of interior versatility."

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« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2008, 12:50:41 am »
I haven't noticed too many of these around lately!  Shocked I can't remember the last time I saw one...

But a unique vehicle. I quite like it.
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« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2008, 01:00:06 am »
I'd MUCH rather have the 7 passenger Stream
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« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2008, 08:00:05 am »
Probably one of the most significant things that I noticed about the SC was that it is $7000-$8000 cheaper in the US. Yet there really isn't that much difference in the models.
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Eric Green
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« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2008, 08:09:35 am »
I could not believe lostcomma's claim above. That price spread seemed outrageous. So I took 7 seconds, and checked with honda.com.

Lostcomma is entirely correct. Honda Canada must take its prospective owner base for fools. Virtually all of Canada's population can get stateside within an hour or so.

Caveat venditor, Honda Canada.
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« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2008, 09:57:49 am »
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Quiet and efficient, the high-output 2.4-litre iVTEC engine gives the Element a good balance of both good power and fuel efficiency. While it's no road rocket, power is consistent from low to high engine speed and it redlines at 6,500 r.p.m. Transport Canada Energuide fuel consumption ratings (automatic transmission) are 10.5 L/100 km (27 mpg) City, and 8.1 L/100 km (35 mpg) Highway.

Cruising on the highway at 100 km/h, the tachometer reading was only 2,000 r.p.m., which translates to good fuel conservation. My test Element had the new five-speed automatic, which has a handy quick-change overdrive lock-out button the shift lever.

For a 166hp/161tq  4 cylinder I would expect a lot better. Even my 6 cyl/220hp wagon is rated (slightly) better.

I also think the $30k+ price is a bit steep for what you get.
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« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2008, 10:01:17 am »
Quote from: quadzilla on February 06, 2008, 09:57:49 am
Quote
Quiet and efficient, the high-output 2.4-litre iVTEC engine gives the Element a good balance of both good power and fuel efficiency. While it's no road rocket, power is consistent from low to high engine speed and it redlines at 6,500 r.p.m. Transport Canada Energuide fuel consumption ratings (automatic transmission) are 10.5 L/100 km (27 mpg) City, and 8.1 L/100 km (35 mpg) Highway.

Cruising on the highway at 100 km/h, the tachometer reading was only 2,000 r.p.m., which translates to good fuel conservation. My test Element had the new five-speed automatic, which has a handy quick-change overdrive lock-out button the shift lever.

For a 166hp/161tq  4 cylinder I would expect a lot better. Even my 6 cyl/220hp wagon is rated (slightly) better.

I also think the $30k+ price is a bit steep for what you get.

It's a Honda. What do you expect?

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« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2008, 10:27:49 am »
Overpirced, but way cool.  I'd much rather drive this than the soporific CR-V.

Jaeger
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« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2008, 10:29:12 am »
Quote from: quadzilla on February 06, 2008, 09:57:49 am
For a 166hp/161tq  4 cylinder I would expect a lot better. Even my 6 cyl/220hp wagon is rated (slightly) better.

It's a big rolling box...  aerodynamics are not its strong suit.  Neither are looks...  remind me again why anyone would buy one of these?   ROFL
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« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2008, 10:37:00 am »
Quote from: Demosthenes X on February 06, 2008, 10:29:12 am
Quote from: quadzilla on February 06, 2008, 09:57:49 am
For a 166hp/161tq  4 cylinder I would expect a lot better. Even my 6 cyl/220hp wagon is rated (slightly) better.

It's a big rolling box...  aerodynamics are not its strong suit.  Neither are looks...  remind me again why anyone would buy one of these?   ROFL

You can say that again. The only reason I can see wanting one of these is for the extra interior height. Also, don't these have a carrying capacity of only 600-700 lbs?

I could only imagine how much worse the mileage gets after 120kph. A box driving into the wind...can't be very good.
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« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2008, 10:41:44 am »
Quote from: Demosthenes X on February 06, 2008, 10:29:12 am
It's a big rolling box...  aerodynamics are not its strong suit.  Neither are looks...  remind me again why anyone would buy one of these?   ROFL

Because a CR-V isn't cool enough?   Huh Tongue
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« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2008, 10:52:58 am »
Don't be too sure about its aero.    Long flat sides....
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« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2008, 10:59:48 am »
However there is alot of frontal area to contend with.  And the windshield doesn't have much rake.  Huh
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« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2008, 11:10:04 am »
Quote from: tpl on February 06, 2008, 10:52:58 am
Don't be too sure about its aero.    Long flat sides....

 
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I'd rather see the whole picture on part of the screen than part of the picture on the whole screen.
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« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2008, 03:12:45 pm »
I'm surprised something this big only seats 4 people.  I guess that's the price you pay for the ability to store your seats with a carabiner. 

Also, since when are heated mirrors a necessity?
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« Reply #15 on: February 07, 2008, 02:07:55 am »
This looked neat I thought:



Pricing looks good for a reliable, go-anywhere camping machine:

Quote
The Ursa Minor Vehicles ECAMPER™ is sold directly from the factory and is made to order. The price for a complete 2008 ECAMPER™ varies depending on base vehicle, options chosen and custom work.

     2008 Honda Element LX AWD MT $20,380 (EX AWD MT 22,390)
     ECAMPER™ Sleeper Assembly      $4300
     + Honda Body Color Paint Match (Metallic)    + $750
     + Honda Body Color Paint Match (Solid)    + $100
     + Yakima/Thule Rack Mounts, factory installed + $150

http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/camper.htm

Then I went to Honda Canada to price out the same machine:

LX AWD MT not offered
EX AWD MT $30,390, eight grand Canadian premium

No wonder Honda only sold a hundred Elements in Canada last month.


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Eric Green
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« Reply #16 on: February 07, 2008, 08:27:31 am »
PJungnitsch:

Very, VERY clever. Trust the aftermarket to identify a market need and fill it with a high-quality product. Similar in concept to the old Series Land-Rover Dormobile conversions.
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« Reply #17 on: February 07, 2008, 09:13:28 pm »
Quote from: PJungnitsch on February 07, 2008, 02:07:55 am
This looked neat I thought:



Pricing looks good for a reliable, go-anywhere camping machine:

Quote
The Ursa Minor Vehicles ECAMPER™ is sold directly from the factory and is made to order. The price for a complete 2008 ECAMPER™ varies depending on base vehicle, options chosen and custom work.

     2008 Honda Element LX AWD MT $20,380 (EX AWD MT 22,390)
     ECAMPER™ Sleeper Assembly      $4300
     + Honda Body Color Paint Match (Metallic)    + $750
     + Honda Body Color Paint Match (Solid)    + $100
     + Yakima/Thule Rack Mounts, factory installed + $150

http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/camper.htm

Then I went to Honda Canada to price out the same machine:

LX AWD MT not offered
EX AWD MT $30,390, eight grand Canadian premium

No wonder Honda only sold a hundred Elements in Canada last month.




Wow! Very unique.
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« Reply #18 on: February 07, 2008, 09:25:51 pm »
I like the boxy Element/Scion Xb.......
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Harold Mcleod
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« Reply #19 on: November 12, 2008, 05:44:31 pm »
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