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Never hose out a Honda Element

fifthelementcamping.com

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Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#111

Post by frankus »

dole wrote: post #56
tannedNerd wrote: post #5

I had one and remember hearing the rumor but seeing how run off from snow would pool I never believed it. Still one of the best and most utilitarian cars I ever owned. Beach day, snow day, moving it did it all. Especially with the fold up seats!

Loved ours until it got in a wreck, still consider picking a used one up. My only complaint ever was the 4-cyl being underpowered. Folded the seats up to the sides, moved a full-sized clothes washer and dryer upright in the back, a lot roomier than it looks. (Edit: I luckily was not dumb enough to hose it out.)

The engine was perfectly adequate with a 5-speed and front-wheel drive, but I can see how a 2000s automatic and the extra weight of AWD could make it sluggish.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#112

Post by bombcar »

ramesh31 wrote: post #67
luma wrote: post #10

I'm curious how this is currently the top story on HN. A now-discontinued and otherwise entirely unremarkable family vehicle is not able to be inundated with water without serious consequences, much like the overwhelming majority of passenger vehicles made before or since. Who is the audience for this?

> A now-discontinued and otherwise entirely unremarkable family vehicle The Honda Element was a very special car. I never understood it until I spent time with a friend who has owned one for years. They have a cult following for good reason. You can fit full size furniture in the cargo bay, while still parking in a compact spot. With people piled in the back, you can easily carry 6 passengers at double the MPG of a f…

It is 20 inches shorter than a minivan. But, it's also basically a minivan with the rear cut off.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#113

Post by abxytg »

PragmaticPulp wrote: post #102
abxytg wrote: post #81

Why is this car beloved? It's so terribly ugly, and it doesn't have any redeeming features you'd expect from a 4x4 (space, cargo room, clearance)

Honda is great at delivering cars that do exactly what people actually need or want. The Element had huge interior space and was thoughtfully designed to be ultra-utilitarian. Most consumers don't actually need a gigantic 4x4 with huge ground clearance to drive to their camp site once a year, so they didn't include those things. Honestly, the number of people who need high clearance 4x4 off-road vehicles ever is extr…

As someone who lives a lifted truck lifestyle and gets there in an subie hatchback I concur

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#114

Post by ryandrake »

chrisseaton wrote: post #4

I don't get it - would you would think you can hose out a consumer car like this, with the fabric seats and all that plastic trim? I've hosed out Land Rovers, but they're clearly an off-road vehicle designed for wading.

Honestly, with the terrible manufacturing quality these days, plus the fact that everything has unexpected electronics crammed everywhere, I wouldn't "hose out" any product and expect it to work again, unless the only purpose of the product was to hold water.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#115

Post by abxytg »

frankus wrote: post #107
aabajian wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It has enormous cargo space for its size. It has more interior space than an FJ Cruiser, despite being 80% of the size. The stock rear seats of an Element fold flat across the windows: https://s3files.core77.com/blog/images/585272_81_61976_raLZL... Also, there was factory-optioned camper model called the Honda Element ECamper. Like the FJ, the Element has suicide doors allowing you to load things like wheelchairs and…

I bought one new in 2003 and this is spot on. I sold it in 2018 and still miss it (but wanted to tow more than 1500 lbs). The styling is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but if it's ugly at least it's cute ugly rather than the "I'm going to murder anyone who gets in my way"-ugly that seems to be trendy right now. One of the things I miss the most was the lack of a giant center console/tunnel between the front se…

Appreciate this response, thanks!

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#116

Post by FridayoLeary »

frankus wrote: post #107
aabajian wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It has enormous cargo space for its size. It has more interior space than an FJ Cruiser, despite being 80% of the size. The stock rear seats of an Element fold flat across the windows: https://s3files.core77.com/blog/images/585272_81_61976_raLZL... Also, there was factory-optioned camper model called the Honda Element ECamper. Like the FJ, the Element has suicide doors allowing you to load things like wheelchairs and…

I bought one new in 2003 and this is spot on. I sold it in 2018 and still miss it (but wanted to tow more than 1500 lbs). The styling is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but if it's ugly at least it's cute ugly rather than the "I'm going to murder anyone who gets in my way"-ugly that seems to be trendy right now. One of the things I miss the most was the lack of a giant center console/tunnel between the front se…

Agreed with everything you said. It's a pity everything today has centre consoles splitting the car in 2. I like the idea of a 3 seat bench in the front but i think practicality is getting lost in the name of safety regs and excessive over styling, brand distinction and design detailing. The good news is electric cars can do away with tunnels and petrol tanks.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#117

Post by agrippanux »

Back in the day when I bought my Element, upon delivery the dealer told me to never wash it out with a hose. I asked why they gave that advice, and the dealer said there was an ad (I think print?) by Honda that showed a dude hosing out an Element and they had all these cases of people bricking their cars as a result.

I loved that car, it got totaled when a van badly rear ended it, and I ended up getting $22k back on a 4 year old car that cost $23k new.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#118

Post by treesknees »

ryandrake wrote: post #114
chrisseaton wrote: post #4

I don't get it - would you would think you can hose out a consumer car like this, with the fabric seats and all that plastic trim? I've hosed out Land Rovers, but they're clearly an off-road vehicle designed for wading.

Honestly, with the terrible manufacturing quality these days, plus the fact that everything has unexpected electronics crammed everywhere, I wouldn't "hose out" any product and expect it to work again, unless the only purpose of the product was to hold water.

Jeep Wranglers have drain plugs in the floor, they're totally OK to hose out if you want to.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#119

Post by agrippanux »

abxytg wrote: post #81

Why is this car beloved? It's so terribly ugly, and it doesn't have any redeeming features you'd expect from a 4x4 (space, cargo room, clearance)

It has a ton of space, you could remove the rear seats or fold them against the side. Mine had fantastic reliability and the 4 wheel drive worked very well in the snow.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#120

Post by agrippanux »

devoutsalsa wrote: post #96
abxytg wrote: post #81

Why is this car beloved? It's so terribly ugly, and it doesn't have any redeeming features you'd expect from a 4x4 (space, cargo room, clearance)

It also wasn’t a 4x4. It did have an AWD option, like any Suburu, but it’s not meant for off-roading.

There was a 4wd option, I had one.
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