From the Element Owners Club to here...

[Reno_bk]

Hello! I have been a member of the Element Owners Club for the last four years or so, but last weekend we sold the Element and bought an 09 Ridgeline. So far, we are loving it...so different from driving the E.

As much as we loved our funky Element, it's towing limitations were going to be a problem for us as we search for a vintage trailer to replace our old popup trailer. Most of the trailers we have looked at are in the 2000-3000 pound range, and the Element was pretty much maxed out with our 1000 pound popup. So with 100,000 miles on it, the Element got traded for something a little "sturdier."

I look forward to browsing the new forum and learning from you folks!

Cheers,
Brian

[karaokemassage]

Hey! Former EOCer here as well. I had an 06 TRP EXP. Hoping to maybe get myself an RL as well. I'd love to hear how you like it vs your E

[esimukka]

Welcome to the ROC!!

[coolbob]

Welcome to the ROC! Moving from the Element to the Ridgeline sounds like just the ticket for your needs, you get a bigger vehicle that is a little more capable and comfortable, but still 'quirky' and 'fun'.

I still can't believe Honda killed the Element. I was really wish there had been an 'upscale' version of the element, maybe an Acura Element. Put carpeting in the seating area, more sound deadening and a bigger motor or turbo-4 under the hood and I would have seriously considered one.

[FLA-Vyk]

Welcome to ROC and remaining in the Honda family.

[Ourfarm09]

Welcome to the club...

[Reno_bk]

Thanks all. I have owned several Hondas over the years -- three Accords, a Civic, and the Element. We also have an 04 Accord that we bought new that's truly been the best car I've ever owned.

The Element was quirky and fun, but far from perfect. It was not very comfortable, was very loud on the highway, was incredibly sluggish, and averaged just 20mpg over the last 40k miles. It was great for camping and dog hauling, though, and I always loved the way it looked. The Element was also the first car I ever bought with an automatic transmission, which was at the root of many of the drivability issues I had with it. Having only 4 speeds meant it spent a lot of time at 5,000 rpms trying to get up to Tahoe on the weekends.

What we really love about the Ridgeline (so far) is that it feels so relaxed...it's quiet, it doesn't have to work hard to handle hills, and its ride is fantastic. I also really love the flexible interior and the in-bed trunk. I feel like it's a perfect replacement to the Element. The gas mileage is awful (16mpg on the first fillup), but I expected that. We don't drive that much, so it's not that big of a deal...sure would be nice to have a diesel in this, but I also said that about the E, too.

Thanks for the welcome! Cheers,
Brian

[mevers]

Going from an Element to a RL is one of the few scenarios where someone might say "and it's so quiet"

Welcome to the club!

[spook45]

Welcome to the ROC and congratulations on your new-to-you Ridgeline.

[Car Compulsive]

I considered both the Element & Ridge a few years ago when I was looking for a vehicle my late wife's caregivers could transport her to cancer treatments. Unfortunately, both were too tall to enter without a stool. I ended up buying an '07 Outback.