BajaNomad

Testing out a potential Baja capable SUV....Honda Element

AKgringo - 9-1-2024 at 02:05 PM

I love my Isuzu Trooper, but it is 25 years old and is not being supported if I need replacement parts. Besides that, the fuel economy is poor and takes a toll on my travel funds!

My Kia Sportage two door soft top is a fun little rig, but very limited on space unless I tow my small utility trailer.

The Honda Element is sort of a cross between an SUV and a mini-van, and is all wheel drive. It is different than anything I have driven in the past, and so far, I kind of like it.

My first impression is that it will be a great road rig for me and my dog, but falls well short of the Trooper or Sportage off road. At the very least, I need better ground clearance and wider tires, but I feel it lacks the gearing to run much taller tires.

I'll report back after I have had a chance to tweak and test it a bit more. I have been driving it off road hauling chainsaws and tools while finishing up my firewood stash for this winter. It hauls a 4' x 6' trailer full of wood well enough, but traction on the steeper trails is disappointing.

mtgoat666 - 9-1-2024 at 03:32 PM

A few years back we had some honda elements at work. They were zippy little cars, and the doors and boxy interior were great for hauling crap. We had rubber mat floors that were easy to clean. They handle unpaved roads OK, but are not really meant for bashing around offroad.

For light duty offroad-capable car the tacoma (and similar ford, chevy and gmc models) with a topper is a good vehicle, and they can tow light trailer load.

AKgringo - 9-1-2024 at 04:49 PM

I do like the flat floors and rubber mats! After a few days of hauling wood on dusty roads/trails, I just opened all the doors and back hatch and cleaned the bark, wood chips and dust out the car with a leaf blower.

I am also pleased with the no frills, simple layout of the dash and other control devices throughout the vehicle.

The back seats are unusual in that they fold up flat to the rear side windows, leaving a flat floor from the tailgate to the front seats. or you can remove the seats without tools if necessary.

The rear hatch lifts up, but the tailgate folds down extending the floor length. There is also a skylight that can serve as a vent located in the rear portion of the roof.

surabi - 9-1-2024 at 05:19 PM

I had a Honda CRV- I was really impressed with the well-thought out design and it sounds like the Element is much the same. One of the coolest things about the CRV was that the flat cover over the spare tire in the hatch was actually a folding table you could remove and set up when camping.

And while I never took it off-roading, one of the reasons I bought it was that a year previous I had been sitting on a friend's front porch who lives on a steep street- it was the middle of rainy season of rainy season on the Mexican mainland and the street was wet and muddy. I had watched 3 pick-up trucks try to make it up that hill, only to lose traction, spin their tires, back down the hill and go a different way.

Then my friend with the CRV came along, and I said, "I don't think you'll be able to get up the hill- no one else has". She said, "Oh, I think I can" and sailed right up it, no problem. So when she wanted to sell it a year later because she was moving back to Canada, I bought it. And while I don't go what people refer to as"off-roading", I live a kilometer down dirt roads that turn into mud-pits in the rainy season, and never once got stuck.


[Edited on 9-2-2024 by surabi]

pauldavidmena - 9-2-2024 at 07:10 AM

My most rugged vehicle was a Toyota FJ Cruiser. It was hands down the best car I've ever driven in deep New England snow. I had two major issues with it: first, it took premium gas, and only got about 15 miles per gallon. Second, its low profile meant horrible visibility. I also wasn't crazy about how the back seat wouldn't fold down far enough to make a flat surface for hauling cargo. My RAV4 had more cargo room and gets far better mileage. On the plus side, when it came time for me to sell the FJ Cruiser, I was able to recoup enough of the original value to buy a 4 year-old RAV4 with cash. I still have it 12 years later. I should note that neither car has been to Baja.

The Element seems to have great visibility and good gas mileage. It's also very dog friendly! I was a bit surprised at its stingy cargo space - 4 passengers with luggage made for a tight squeeze. The biggest challenge might be parts, as it was only sold between 2003 and 2011. Of course your mileage may literally vary!

[Edited on 9-2-2024 by pauldavidmena]

AKgringo - 9-2-2024 at 08:48 AM

After a bit of searching, it appears that most of the drive train and suspension is the same as corresponding years of the CRV, so parts are probably in better supply than my Trooper or Sportage.

The tires are 215/70/16, but there isn't much clearance under the frame. It definitely needs at least a couple of inches of lift, and slightly taller tires.

mtgoat666 - 9-2-2024 at 09:13 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Element for Baja?
The drop-off from pavement to get to various business will challenge the rig. Meaning not enough clearance due to small tires.


Most mexicans drive smaller cars with low clearance, smaller tires. Silly that gringos think you need a lifted truck to navigate speed bumps, potholes and rough road shoulders.

[Edited on 9-2-2024 by mtgoat666]

Tioloco - 9-3-2024 at 10:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Element for Baja?
The drop-off from pavement to get to various business will challenge the rig. Meaning not enough clearance due to small tires.


Most mexicans drive smaller cars with low clearance, smaller tires. Silly that gringos think you need a lifted truck to navigate speed bumps, potholes and rough road shoulders.

[Edited on 9-2-2024 by mtgoat666]


Truth be told, low income Mexicans make due with what they can afford. (Lots of breakdowns as a result)
The more affluent Mexicans are driving more rugged vehicles to deal with the rough dirt roads. (Think Spanish speaking Raptor drivers)
Either way, enjoying the baja outback is the goal.
Honda Element is NOT ideal for this task but it can be used to get the job done.

mtgoat666 - 9-4-2024 at 11:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Element for Baja?
The drop-off from pavement to get to various business will challenge the rig. Meaning not enough clearance due to small tires.


Most mexicans drive smaller cars with low clearance, smaller tires. Silly that gringos think you need a lifted truck to navigate speed bumps, potholes and rough road shoulders.

[Edited on 9-2-2024 by mtgoat666]


Truth be told, low income Mexicans make due with what they can afford. (Lots of breakdowns as a result)
The more affluent Mexicans are driving more rugged vehicles to deal with the rough dirt roads. (Think Spanish speaking Raptor drivers)


??
My middle class mexican friends mostly drive 2wd practical cars and suvs. Havent run across any that buy expensive trucks like raptors. Those with trucks have basic pickup trucks, not the platinum and race models.

surabi - 9-4-2024 at 09:50 PM

Yep, all the Mexican middle and upper class folks I know drive little city cars or nice SUVs. Those who need a work truck drive basic pickups. Only Mexicans I've seen driving big-ass fancy expensive pickups are macho azzholes showing off. They certainly aren't necessary to navigate dirt roads.

2003 HONDA ELEMENT 4WD

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 9-5-2024 at 04:52 PM

HOLA,

i bought mine in 2003, drove it around los angeles for one year before caravaning with a friend to los barriles to teach me the ropes. i got 24 mpg w/o trailer coming and going to los barriles and surrounding areas and around los angeles.

book says i can tow up to 1500 lbs and i have a 9" clearance

i added a trailer hitch and a transmission cooler

4wd model has a tunnel. the bottom of element uses crv bottom. lots of plastic

i bought a wells cargo one door 5 x 8 utility trailer

on my first year,i put 5,000 miles running around all over the place on paved and mostly unpaved very rutted roads and the element performed beyond my expectations. i drove up the utility mountain in san bartolo with two friends that weigh 300+ lbs each and i weigh 180 + and bottomed out a few times going up the very rutted road and back

i like the back seats folding up and easily removable as i slept in the element the first couple of years. went to inexpensive hotel/motels after. i'm 5' 5"

i do not like the front windshield posts as they are very bulky and have to look around them for safety when at an intersection or any stop.

skylite is over the back seat and is hot on passenger sitting there and is also removable.

2004 to 2010 i made 7 round trips pulling 5' x 8' trailer, more loaded going south.

i got 89k miles on my brake rotors

this past november i had the 100k service done and all the rubber bushings replaced. at around my fifth round trip, i had to replace 3 leaking shock absorber struts. glad i bought extended service contract. 4th strut still alright.

LOTS OF WASHBOARD ! told by many regulars, drive 4mpg or 40 mpg. at 4mpg, you'll hit every bump and a t 40 mpg you'll hit about the 4th bump. no wonder my bushings were shot

give me feedback.

BIEN SALUD,

DA RAT



Hola Rat!

AKgringo - 9-5-2024 at 07:13 PM

Thanks for your input. I agree that for a box full of windows, it is still has a few blind spots! The one I bought has pretty high miles on the speedometer, but I am into it under four thousand dollars and if it serves me well around NorCal, I may shop for one with a bit longer lifespan remaining.

So far it has done ok pulling a 4' x 6' trailer full of oak on some fairly steep skid trails, but I am planning on wider tires and a modest lift before I show up for Ken Cooke's Pole Line run!

Just kidding Ken....This thing will never be a rock crawler!

I did a dump run today......

AKgringo - 9-7-2024 at 02:25 PM

And with the back seats removed, I had plenty of room for four garbage cans, and still room for my dog's bed behind the front seats! With the skylight venting the rear, and the air conditioning fan pulling outside air, it was bearable for the five miles to the dump.

I crossed the scales at 3960 pounds with me, my 90 pound dog and a full tank of gas on board.

SFandH - 9-7-2024 at 04:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT  
HOLA,



i added a trailer hitch and a transmission cooler






Adding a transmission cooler is great advice for any loaded Baja vehicle. Transmissions work hard (get hot) on twisty, up-and-down highways, especially when it's hot outside.



[Edited on 9-7-2024 by SFandH]

4x4abc - 9-9-2024 at 12:46 PM

the Element is a good on road car - perfect travel car.
Do NOT leave pavement with it!
It has NO ground clearance.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 9-9-2024 at 07:41 PM

hola,

if you read my blurb on my element, there is adequate ground clearance, approximately 9 inches according to the handbook.

i put about 5,000 miles on it on my first year in baja sur, while staying at verdugo's from march to october. i did drive on some pretty gnarly dirt roads and didn't get stranded. the minor 4 wheel drive worked very well for me when it engaged.

i did bottom out a few times and fortunately, had no visible damage or driving problems.

i still have and do drive my element around los angeles, ca. and have approximately 100,000 miles on it with regular servicing.

BIEN SALUD,

DA RAT

AKgringo - 9-9-2024 at 08:32 PM

I agree with Harald that it needs more clearance, and it looks like there are kits that could give me a couple of inches with not too much work or expense.

As I mentioned before, I am currently hauling fire wood with it, and I am off road almost daily. According to the service records that came with it, there is about 110k on the engine, but the rest of the car has over 277k miles.

mtgoat666 - 9-9-2024 at 08:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
the Element is a good on road car - perfect travel car.
Do NOT leave pavement with it!
It has NO ground clearance.


Harry,
The element does fine on unpaved roads, if driven with care that you should exercise in driving a sedan on unpaved roads. Most unpaved roads in baja are well-traveled by locals in regular-clearance sedans, and get bladed every year or 2 or 3. If the unpaved road is never maintained, then ya, your std clearance autos may want to stear clear.

surabi - 9-9-2024 at 09:30 PM

Lots of dirt roads where I live, muddy in rainy season, those with Elements have no problem with them.

Element specs list 6.9 inches road clearance.

I probably wouldn't go bushwhacking down unmaintained dirt/sand roads full of deep potholes and big rocks, but "don't leave the pavement!" isn't at all accurate.

Pavement in Mexico also sometimes includes some pretty big topes- if a car can make it over those without bottoming out, it can also go off-pavement.

bajatrailrider - 9-10-2024 at 10:18 AM

My two cents after 50 years auto body and suspension. All Hondas have weak suspension and frames. The good drive it easy off road have fun.

Tioloco - 9-11-2024 at 12:39 PM

What suspension lift are you looking at for it?

Bajatripper - 9-15-2024 at 12:18 PM

Surprised nobody mentioned the Subaru line as a possibility. There are tons of YouTube videos of what these little beasts can do with a mild lift, bigger tires and an ARB locker installed in the rear...very impressive and often putting full-on 4wheel drives to shame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RafVwMjOKY

Subaru....been there, done that!

AKgringo - 9-15-2024 at 01:08 PM

In Alaska I had several of the older Subarus with the low range option and I loved them! I adjusted the suspension for as much lift as I could get, then trimmed sheet metal to clear my Mickey Thompson Baja tires, and I was the only one to make it through a mud bog near Anchorage without help.

It was a great rig on the beach and river beds that sometimes serve as roads there.

One of my part time duties was avalanche control at a ski area, and I frequently had to be there before the roads were plowed. On one extra deep, but very light snowfall, I failed to make it all the way to the lodge only because the snow flowing over the hood plugged the radiator to the point of overheating!

The Element I am driving is completely stock right now, and I would rate the performance well below that of a stock Subaru.

[Edited on 9-15-2024 by AKgringo]

surfhat - 9-15-2024 at 01:08 PM

A couple of years ago when I was in the market after 25 years plus of a Volvo wagon being the best and most dependable vehicle ever, and costing me nada the whole time, I chose an AWD Volvo wagon to carry me on for whatever time left I am given.

I know I was compromised by youtube videos of places they drove these AWD wagons through that I never would consider.

There have been times when staying at the Hotel de Santa Maria in San Quintin for a couple of days like I always do, that I have been tempted to drive out on that wide sandy beach that many others use.

The last time in Feb. of 2024, there was an awd four door sedan parked above the tideline that I had to inquire as respectfully as I could, did he have any reservations about driving out there?

He did not. I still would feel doubtful if I tried to take my awd Volvo wagon out there.

I am sure a rescue would not be long in coming if I ever chose to test my awd Volvo wagon like I have watched on the many YouTube videos.

Risk these days is no longer mandatory, as much as I would like to imagine my awd wagon could drive out there on the sand and make it back to solid ground.

Peace, love, and fish tacos, and so much more, to all our Nomads.

surfhat - 9-15-2024 at 01:18 PM

AKgringo. kudos for tryin.

The weight advantages of the Subaru's has always been an advantage.

If memory serves me, the Izuzu Troopers offered a similar advantage in the soft stuff.

As the old man I have become, the awd Volvo wagon provided a comfy alternative. The Subaru's were a very close second.

Comfort won out in my case.

Peace, love of Baja, and fish tacos and so much more, is the mantra I live by and hope for all us Baja lovers.

AKgringo - 9-15-2024 at 01:23 PM

Max out your tire size, and air down. I'll see you on the beach!

Disclaimer......All of my beach toys are fully depreciated and easily replaceable.

surfhat - 9-15-2024 at 01:59 PM

Good disclaimer, haha That is the way to go. Risk and it all of yours.

I hope if I ever got stuck you could suggest a local rescue.

Even better would be to break some bread over some fine local eats and a liquid refreshment as you find preferable. Next time. Early March, 2025.

I have seen some larger tires on these awd wagons and assume ? haha, thats on me, that a slight lift was employed. Or not?

Driving down these days in anything but my own so comfy awd Volvo wagon would take a number of fellow Baja lovers to employ my deluxe Elkhart Indiana designed Midwest Auto Design 8 passenger Sprinter van limo back into consideration.

As easy to drive as this Sprinter van is, it is always a toss up which to drive down. The mpg's of around 20mpg's, mass or minus for both are , what they are.

Handling? Well, that is more than obvious. Still, the Sprinter's handling is the e best ever for a van, and even more for a high top that has 6' of stand up headroom inside.