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Never hose out a Honda Element

fifthelementcamping.com

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Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#91

Post by kube-system »

djrogers wrote: post #73
kube-system wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wranglers have fabric and plastic trim, and they specifically advertise that the floor can be hosed out. The difference is that it has drains (and floor != seat).

They do not advertise that (at least not in North America) - the carpet will get ruined.

They do. I checked before I posted my comment.

Page 32:

> WASHABLE INTERIOR Not only is the carpet weather resistant, but it can be removed to reveal drain plugs that, when opened, allow the floor to be easily hosed out. Standard.

https://mydigimag.rrd.com/publication/?co=US&pid=497&pc=J-JL...

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#92

Post by aabajian »

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 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 surfboards.

I think a big reason it has the false misconception of being washable is that there is no carpeting (except on the SC) models. It was also rated as the #1 dog-owner vehicle, which means it tends to get muddy. Honda even had a dog-utility ramp for it: https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/honda~pet~ramp~kit~08l...

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#93

Post by jupp0r »

djrogers wrote: post #73
kube-system wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wranglers have fabric and plastic trim, and they specifically advertise that the floor can be hosed out. The difference is that it has drains (and floor != seat).

They do not advertise that (at least not in North America) - the carpet will get ruined.

You can order them with vinyl flooring for that very reason IIRC.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#94

Post by jrsj »

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)

They’re cheap, extremely reliable, relatively fuel efficient, and very practical for their size.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#95

Post by joshe »

This was such a perfect camping/surfing/biking car, I used to rent them off Getaround. The seats actually folded up and to the side, to make a huge amount of room on the back floor. We also slept in that back a few times when it was cold out, just threw down a pad. Check out the awesome:

https://www.core77.com/posts/61976/The-Honda-Elements-Unsung...

And not hose able, but the whole back was one continuous flat rubber mat, so it was absurdly easy to clean after you put your 2 un-disassembled bikes in the back.

It was actually a sports / active oriented car, instead of couch on wheels that all the other SUVs are.

And it might not have been for everyone, but it's a shame that a different type of car like this didn't find a market.

This would have been a great design to steal for the new but boring bronco. (I had hopes :-)).

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#98

Post by twoodfin »

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)

Absurd utility. Literally a Transformer of a car: The rear seats could be folded up, flattened & lined up with the fully reclining front seats into a (uneven) bed, or removed entirely. Suicide rear doors, no fixed B pillar & a low floor made loading and unloading a breeze. Same with the tailgate. Hell, they even positioned the sun roof so you could stand in the rear compartment to change clothes.

I had an original sunset orange 2003 model and miss it often.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#99

Post by hyperbovine »

joshe wrote: post #95

This was such a perfect camping/surfing/biking car, I used to rent them off Getaround. The seats actually folded up and to the side, to make a huge amount of room on the back floor. We also slept in that back a few times when it was cold out, just threw down a pad. Check out the awesome: https://www.core77.com/posts/61976/The-Honda-Elements-Unsung... And not hose able, but the whole back was one continuous flat rubbe…

I hate this car so much. My parents owned one, I mostly rode in back:

- nausea inducing rear seating. For several reasons: no ventilation in back (can’t roll the windows down); weird elevated rear bench; overall effect is of being in a dark tunnel, horrible if you are prone to car sickness.

- you have to open the front door to open the rear door. Great for when it’s raining!

- giant box of a car that seats … 4.

- surprisingly little cargo space for what a giant box it is.

- ugly.

Re: Never hose out a Honda Element

#100

Post by TaylorAlexander »

qbasic_forever wrote: post #69
devy wrote: post #12

It looks like this is a Honda Element fan site. But I wonder if floor panel rusting is a design flaw, how come the lawyers haven't all jump on the class action suit bandwagon...

It's steel, it will rust. No one would want to spend the huge increase in cost for a fully stainless steel car. DeLorean tried!

Hah it’s funny that you say that because Tesla is about to release their stainless bodied Cybertruck. I was just watching a video by Sandy Munro about how this is not exactly a terrible idea: https://youtu.be/YQSQYQ44Qco
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