I like 'em. Never been in one, but I think it’s a cool-looking car. Kind of retro in a 1930’s German kind of way. My main complaint with automobile aesthetics is that most cars are so boring-looking. Pickups are all the same shape, sedans are mostly the same shape, vans are the same shape…it’s boring. I like it when car manufacturers come up with exterior styling that’s different enough for me to notice.
looks like tupperware on wheels. Methinks 'tis uglier by far than most anything.
I don’t think they’re ugly at all, I think they’re cute. To me, the Element looks like a Mini on steroids (and I like the shape of the Mini, too). Right now I drive a '99 Forester and have no plans to replace it for at least a few years - but I’ve absolutely decided that my next car is going to be an Element. The green one…
Yeah, a mini is the other car that I really like. They are about the same price, but it doesn’t seem as practical. I want both. A mini in yellow with black stripes and an Element in the orange color.
It looks best in orange. It drives best with front-wheel-drive and a manual transmission.
I started an almost identical thread here almost 2 years ago. I went ahead and bought one, and it now has almost 43k miles on it. I suppose I can use this for my update instead of resurrecting the old thread.
Like I said, 43k miles in less than 2 years, we’ve driven the heck out of it. With a kid (now 2), and 2 dogs, the ease of cleaning the interior has been great. All the little spills, hair, etc. go down with a little vacuuming and a damp cloth.
Aside from the visiblity issues already mentioned, there’s really not much wrong with driving it. It’s not a tank, so parking isn’t a problem. One thing that is bothersome is the suicide doors make getting back seat passengers out a little more problematic if you’re in a crowded parking lot.
One thing to note, is that if you have more than 2 kids, there are only 2 seatbelts in the back (and only 2 LATCH connections). This has worried my wife, in case we want three kids (although the youngest is not yet 6 months, so the element may not be an issue if we have a third).
I get a pretty consistant 22-24 mpg, which is mostly highway driving and alittle city driving (I have the AWD btw).
Let’s see, what else? Oh, I don’t know about now, but 6 months after I bought it, I ran over a nail and had to replace a tire, only no one had 16" PASSENGER tires, they were all light truck. It probably wouldn’t have made a difference, but I was able to luckily get a tire from the dealer who had them from another owner that wanted different rims/tires.
That’s all I can think of, if you have any specific questions, go ahead and ask.
One thing I’ve noticed, and it’s fairly evident in this thread, is that people tend to be very passionate about the Element. They either love it or hate it. I love mine 
Take care,
GES
P.S. If I remember right, this should be my 100th post. Yeah me! Only took, what, 3 1/2 years
The main thing I don’t like about the Element is the amount of the visible body that is obviously plastic. I’m not going to go through the trouble of installing a body-kit and repainting a car just so it can look like it’s not an oversized Power Wheels.
I find nothing particularly offensive about it’s basic bodyshape, though. Note: I kinda like the Scion xB.
Is this Honda’s attempt at a “butch” vehicle? 
Honda tends to make reliable vehicles… but that one is as ugly as sin.
Interestingly, it’s hard to find a picture on that site (well, within 30 seconds or so) that shows what the car actually looks like. Hmm…
As for an Element, I know a recent purchaser who uses it for standard commuting and hauling around theatrical and construction supplies. They think it’s great for that (if you don’t have enough for a full-fledged pickup or van. I believe it holds ~800 pounds cargo). The inside being plastic can actually be hosed out from what I’ve been told.
Another interesting feature is the seats that swing to the side to create more room so you don’t have to take them out all the time like you’d have to in a regular minivan. They can, of course, be taken out as well.
Now, as far as looks go, it’s bordering on ugly, but not too bad.
The only thing I’ve be concerned with are the plethora of exterior plastic panels that are marketed as being “easily removable/replaceable in case of damage.” That seems like a very strange thing to say, almost CYA-odd.
I wouldn’t worry about it. I was rear ended by someone last summer while I was waiting at a light. SHe hit me hard enough to slam me forward into the car in front of me. When I looked at the rear, the bumper and panel were scratched up but they didn’t look too bad. When I took it to the adjuster and later the body shop. They said that there was a bit of damage underneath, and that the panels just covered it up. I’ve had shopping carts bang into them with no obvious scratches or marks.