Forester VS Element

[Guest]

OK group, I need some help. The wife wrecked our '01 and it looks like it
may be totaled. So maybe we are the market for a new car.....it was a no
brainer for me to get a new Subie but she makes a point that I can't
dismiss. Our kids are getting bigger and they need more leg room especially
for the long trips. We have a friend that has an Honda Element and loves
it. It has more leg room by my kid's account so I am a little conflicted
over this. Comments?? Suggestions??

 

[MN]

Kind of ugly looking! ...the Element of course.

MN

 

[Edward Hayes]

I always look at my/family needs for the next 5 years so I think that
decides it. Maybe you can get a "personal" down the road?

 

[speednxs]

OK group, I need some help. The wife wrecked our '01 and it looks like it
may be totaled. So maybe we are the market for a new car.....it was a no
brainer for me to get a new Subie but she makes a point that I can't
dismiss. Our kids are getting bigger and they need more leg room especially
for the long trips. We have a friend that has an Honda Element and loves
it. It has more leg room by my kid's account so I am a little conflicted
over this. Comments?? Suggestions??

When the Element first came out in 2003 someone wrote a very detailed
analysis titled "Drove an Element & CRV" in rec.autos.makers.honda.

The long direct url is:
<http://groups-beta.google.com/group...+element+&+crv&rnum=1&hl=en#0e8ba46481930d8b>

They may be right or wrong, but they brought up a lot of issues you may
want to investigate for yourself.

I went to the dealer to get a Legacy, instead of an Element, and ended
up getting a Forester. If Honda had real AWD instead of most of the
time FWD, I probably would have gotten the Element. I was also a
little spoiled with the mpg on my previous Honda Accord 4 and the
Element IS a big box that sits up high.

 

[Ragnar]

OK group, I need some help. The wife wrecked our '01 and it looks like it
may be totaled. So maybe we are the market for a new car.....it was a no
brainer for me to get a new Subie but she makes a point that I can't
dismiss. Our kids are getting bigger and they need more leg room especially
for the long trips. We have a friend that has an Honda Element and loves
it. It has more leg room by my kid's account so I am a little conflicted
over this. Comments?? Suggestions??

Hacksaw and bungee cords will solve that legroom problem.

 

[Frank Logullo]

OK group, I need some help. The wife wrecked our '01 and it looks like it
may be totaled. So maybe we are the market for a new car.....it was a no
brainer for me to get a new Subie but she makes a point that I can't
dismiss. Our kids are getting bigger and they need more leg room especially
for the long trips. We have a friend that has an Honda Element and loves
it. It has more leg room by my kid's account so I am a little conflicted
over this. Comments?? Suggestions??

Personally think the Element is butt ugly. I've been tempted to ask owners
if a pair of shoes comes with the box.
Specs should be available for comparison of Forester and Element on the net.
I think "high cargo area" means you can stack to ceiling. I saw one
unloaded the other day and it seemed that cargo area was shorter than my
Forester's and if you stack to ceiling in either, you cannot see out back of
either.

 

[Mike]

Personally think the Element is butt ugly. I've been tempted to ask owners
if a pair of shoes comes with the box.
Specs should be available for comparison of Forester and Element on the net.
I think "high cargo area" means you can stack to ceiling. I saw one
unloaded the other day and it seemed that cargo area was shorter than my
Forester's and if you stack to ceiling in either, you cannot see out back of
either.

I've always thought the Element was the box that the Pontiac Aztec came in.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

OK group, I need some help. The wife wrecked our '01 and it looks like it
may be totaled. So maybe we are the market for a new car.....it was a no
brainer for me to get a new Subie but she makes a point that I can't
dismiss. Our kids are getting bigger and they need more leg room especially
for the long trips. We have a friend that has an Honda Element and loves
it. It has more leg room by my kid's account so I am a little conflicted
over this. Comments?? Suggestions??

As far as legroom goes, just about any kind of minivan will do. Honda
Oddessy, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler, Ford, whatever. Actually maybe you
should look at the Chrysler Pacifica, it comes with an all-wheel drive
option (don't know how it compares to a Subie's).

Yousuf Khan

 

[Tom Reingold]

Doesn't the Element have only four seats? If that's true, then it's
worse than a sedan for carrying people. But if four is enough and you
like room, then you could consider it.

Tom

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Be sure to drive an Element - a lot if possible.
The fore-aft pitching made me almost nauseous!
Take look at the Odyssey or - Tribeca!
Also, Toyota Highlander is a great drive - but dunno about rear seat
legroom.

Carl

 

[hippo]

OK group, I need some help. The wife wrecked our '01 and it looks like it
may be totaled. So maybe we are the market for a new car.....it was a no
brainer for me to get a new Subie but she makes a point that I can't
dismiss. Our kids are getting bigger and they need more leg room
especially
for the long trips. We have a friend that has an Honda Element and loves
it. It has more leg room by my kid's account so I am a little conflicted
over this. Comments?? Suggestions??

What about a Legacy or an Outback? More legroom and good loadspace too,
esp. the wagons. Cheers

 

[hippo]

Now *that's* funny!