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AKgringo
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Posts: 6027
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Testing out a potential Baja capable SUV....Honda Element
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.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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mtgoat666
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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.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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AKgringo
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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.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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surabi
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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]
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pauldavidmena
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Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
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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]
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AKgringo
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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.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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mtgoat666
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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]
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Tioloco
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| 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.
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mtgoat666
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| 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)
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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.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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surabi
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4938
Registered: 5-6-2016
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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.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 980
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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2003 HONDA ELEMENT 4WD
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
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AKgringo
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Hola Rat!
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!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6027
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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I did a dump run today......
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.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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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]
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4x4abc
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Location: La Paz, BCS
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the Element is a good on road car - perfect travel car.
Do NOT leave pavement with it!
It has NO ground clearance.
Harald Pietschmann
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 980
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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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
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6027
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Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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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.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18385
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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| 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.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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surabi
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Posts: 4938
Registered: 5-6-2016
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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.
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bajatrailrider
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Location: Mexico
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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.
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