Best, most versitile, lovable car I've ever owned.
In my long lifetime, I have owned many cars, 17 to be exact. Although some were junkers (in my crazy youth), a couple were reliable family cars - a couple pf Toyota Corollas and a Saturn. But no automobile has been as kind to me as my 2003 Honda Element. I really think Honda made this car too good. Yes, it is an ugly box. It has taken us to the opera in our finery and I have yanked out the seats and hauled straw and sheep. At first, the ads showed all the doors thrown open and an owner hosing it out. Yes, you could have done that, but you would have fried a lot of electronics in there. But, not to worry, the interior is easily cleaned. It has hauled kayaks, 2 x 6's on the roof rack, my trailer with loads up to 500 lbs., and more stuff than I can remember. In 275,000 miles the most serious problem has been the front axles (a genetic problem, I understand). At $500 for the first repair, the next three replacements were done under warranty. The clutch failed at 260K on I-95 and the Blue Route. Hiked to a tranny place and they had me back on the road in 2 days. I replace tires every 40,000 miles at about $550 for a set of four. I've driven in rain, snow, slush, mud and DC city traffic and never had a minute of worry. It's a standard shift - I think you have to order this special, I know I did. It makes all the difference in engine wear. I change the oil and filter about every 4,000 miles because that's what my father taught me. It's about a 1/2 hour job. I am my Element. I think it even looks like me. It's a comfy safe car, a hauler of appliances to the landfill, it tows my trailer, it hauls my critters, it gets no attention from likely thieves - I never lock it. Lovely ladies are never impressed. Which is good because I already have one. I hope to be buried in my Element.
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