Scion XB [Archive] - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

Brandon Rice

11-15-2006, 12:44 AM

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=209359175&dealer_id=93532&car_year=2003&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=HONDA&transmission=&model=ELEMENT&distance=50&make2=&address=91390&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=2007&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=39

Brandon Rice

11-15-2006, 12:45 AM

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=209292456&dealer_id=1389760&car_year=2003&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=HONDA&transmission=&model=ELEMENT&distance=50&make2=&address=91390&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=2007&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=41

Terry_Lasater

11-15-2006, 12:50 AM

The AWD seems a better choice if it fits your budget.

Terry_Lasater

11-15-2006, 12:50 AM

Check it out. We're kickin' it like old times. :cheesy:

Mark Harris

11-15-2006, 06:22 AM

Element. It's super cheap and you will not be disappointed.

Brandon Rice

11-15-2006, 07:27 AM

Yeah, would AWD use more gas?

Barry_Green

11-15-2006, 08:39 AM

The AWD uses a tiny bit more gas, but if you want to get kuh-razy with the manual version you can modify it to add in a sixth gear, and get 30mpg out of it. I was looking at the Ford Escape Hybrid but it's seven grand more, and with the sixth gear trick on the Element you get close to the same mileage without the cost and you get all the functionality of the Element.

The Element is the ultimate production vehicle, with an absolutely absurd amount of room inside. Pull out the back seats and it feels like a small cargo van. Plus if you get the AWD version it has a sunroof in the back; not so useful for cruising the California beaches, but perhaps more useful for hauling palm trees or whatever crazy long dolly track or whatever you might find sticking up out through it. Plus the interior's meant to take a beating; no carpet in the back or along the sides, it's meant to store surfboards or mountain bikes or Labrador Retrievers or what have you, so a few c-stands and some HMI ballasts won't rip up the carpet (that's not there) or tear the vinyl trim (which isn't there).

Xb will get better gas mileage and is cheaper, but in any other comparison I think the Element comes out way ahead.

I sold mine when I moved across country; it would have cost $2,000 to ship it here; instead I'm putting that cash towards getting a new one. This time the 4WD version.

Sad Max

11-15-2006, 08:49 AM

I'm not sure about the side-impact protection of a vehicle with no B-pillars.

Mark Harris

11-15-2006, 09:04 AM

Element is truely amazing. I don't sweat gas mileage too much as I really don't drive like folks in the rest of the country. But like Barry says, it fits EVERYTHING you own for a shoot.

Plus, it's the funnest camping car I've ever seen. Good dog car too, due to the rubber mat floors and water-proof seats.

I gotta say though, on the 2006, they seem to have taken away the grey quarterpanels. I LOVE those.

Oh yeah, that's the other thing, those quarterpanels are very cheap to replace, so if you get into fender-benders, it's not crazy money to fix.

Larry Rutledge

11-15-2006, 09:08 AM

I agree 100% with Barry. I think Honda is missing the beat by not marketing this vehicle to Indie film producers. When I shot LEAP OF FAITH I had to transport a lot of gear to another town for the shoot. I took out the back seats and crammed it full of everything I needed, and my wife and I still fit comfortably in the front.

And since there is no carpeting, it doesn't get torn. And if you get dirt in there, simply hose it out :)

I have had the vehicle for about a year and a half and I am still amazed at how much room there is. The back seats are what they call theatre seating because they sit higher than the front seats (allowing the rear passengers a clear view out the front window rather than a view of the back of the front seats). I am 6'1" and when I sit in the back there is still about 4-6" clearance above my head (I never have clearance like that in a vehicle).

I got the AWD automatic and I get roughly 25mpg. And I got 65,000 miles out of the original tires.

And by getting the AWD version, I have the sunroof in the back. The cool thing with that is I can remove the glass and stand up through it with the camera while my wife drives...voila, instant dolly :)

Definitely worth considering if you want a comfortable fun car that can double as a useful production vehicle.

Regarding the quarter-panels. They did remove them for 2006, but they still offer a variation of each model that includes them. I think it's dumb, the vehicle looks MUCH better with them, but I guess there was a market for removing them.

Brandon Rice

11-15-2006, 09:08 AM

Wow... after hearing your great reviews, I am thinking about jetting over to the Honda dealership to take one for a test drive and see what it's all about!

Rick Meyer

11-15-2006, 09:14 AM

Brandon-
I test drove the Element. I dug it. But, I am a HUGE Honda fan. I just love they way the feel, run, and drive. But, I wound up going with the CR-V. And I LOVE it. But for you, to cart stuff around, the storage space inside of an element is SICK.

My friend bought one. And when her brother or dad opts to drive it (when they go on road trips) she always wants to sit in the back seat because the leg room is insane.

Rick

Barry_Green

11-15-2006, 09:18 AM

And if you get dirt in there, simply hose it out :)
NONONONONO. No hose. Hose = disaster. That's a myth perpetuated by salespeople. You can use a damp rag to wipe it out, but a hose will damage the vehicle.

And by getting the AWD version, I have the sunroof in the back. The cool thing with that is I can remove the glass and stand up through it with the camera while my wife drives...voila, instant dolly :)
Yep, another little bonus about the odd positioning of the sunroof!

Regarding the quarter-panels. They did remove them for 2006, but they still offer a variation of each model that includes them. I think it's dumb, the vehicle looks MUCH better with them, but I guess there was a market for removing them.
Cannot stand the painted-panels look. That's why with my new one I'm going with the LX version, which still has the unpainted gray/black panels. The "EX" has painted panels, but the LX has just about everything important from the EX (including side-curtain airbags, antilock brakes, etc); the EX upgrades are primarily to the radio and the wheels.

But, when shopping, I highly recommend the manual transmission version. It's a veritable sports car compared to the automatic; the difference in 0-60 times is about 3 seconds... plus with the trick to plug in a sixth gear, you can get better mileage and way faster performance out of the manual.

The automatic is now a five-speed this year though, if someone insists on getting the automatic.

vidled

11-15-2006, 09:19 AM

I'm not sure about the side-impact protection of a vehicle with no B-pillars.

Crash test ratings are VERY favourable (for the Element):
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/safety.aspx?year=2006&make=Honda&model=Element

vidled

11-15-2006, 09:22 AM

...plus with the trick to plug in a sixth gear...

What exactly does that involve?

Larry Rutledge

11-15-2006, 09:26 AM

NONONONONO. No hose. Hose = disaster. That's a myth perpetuated by salespeople. You can use a damp rag to wipe it out, but a hose will damage the vehicle.

Well, technically, you can use a hose as long as you hold it at the front and point it towards the rear. But no, you really shouldn't "hose" it out as there are many electronics in the vehicle that could be adversely affected. In fairness to the salespeople, even they kept correcting me when I referred to "hosing it out".

And, no, I haven't been brave enough to risk hosing out my own personal vehicle...I use a swiffer (sp?) to clean the floors and inside walls/doors. :)

But, when shopping, I highly recommend the manual transmission... I can see the reasoning behind this...but for me automatic was necessary as I commute ~100 miles each way every day for work, in stop and go traffic. :(

Mark Harris

11-15-2006, 09:34 AM

But, when shopping, I highly recommend the manual transmission version.

Ha ha, you clearly do not sit in the kind of traffic we do here. If I had a manual transmission, my left leg would have been worn out and amputated by now. :)

Terry_Lasater

11-15-2006, 09:36 AM

I want a square meal. I'm thinking box lunch.

Barry_Green

11-15-2006, 09:40 AM

What exactly does that involve?
Apparently the transmission was designed to have a sixth gear all along; they just didn't include it.

Some guys on ElementOwnersClub.com have figured out how to drop the tranny, pop it open, drop in the OEM sixth gear parts (Honda sells the parts directly, so it's not really anything more than fulfilling the transmission's original purpose) and then bolting everything back together. Not exactly a mod I'd feel comfortable undertaking, but for someone with mechanical capability it's reportedly not too difficult; several EOC members have done it and include step-by-step instructions and photos on how to do it.

Barry_Green

11-15-2006, 09:41 AM

Ha ha, you clearly do not sit in the kind of traffic we do here. If I had a manual transmission, my left leg would have been worn out and amputated by now. :)
There are towns where an automatic is mandatory; driving in SF was very tedious with a manual.

But the Element is optimized towards mileage with the automatic, which means it's really slow. The automatic actually gets slightly better gas mileage than the manual, because the automatic uses a very high final drive ratio.

So, if you need an automatic, go ahead; I'm just saying that the manual is so much faster it's like having a V-8 as compared to the automatic version, even though it's the same engine.

Brandon Rice

11-15-2006, 09:51 AM

Wow, all this stuff is really interesting... I keep looking at used vehicles... and the Element is always 3-4k more than the XB... I am kinda strapped for dough right now... I have 8k left to pay off on my Tc, and I am going to put it on the market for 14k, but probably will get around 13 for it. I don't want to go into too much more debt for another vehicle... and a low mileage Xb is like 13-14k where a low mileage Element is 16-18k.

jeremytuttle

11-15-2006, 09:52 AM

Larry Rutledge

11-15-2006, 09:57 AM

I like the look of the FJ Cruiser, but that interior photo is the first I've seen of the inside. Just don't know how much room it has. It certainly looks like it has less headroom, but looks a little wider.

Barry_Green

11-15-2006, 10:04 AM

FJ looks pretty good, I thought about one of those, but it costs more and gas mileage is a lot lower. If you need a lot of 4WD capability the FJ will definitely be better than an Element; Element's AWD is for fairly mild use.

jeremytuttle

11-15-2006, 10:07 AM

Yeah, I just looked at FJ prices and they are a little step. When they first came out they were priced really low now it looks like they are a hot commodity. I do like the 4x4 aspect to it.

vidled

11-15-2006, 11:07 AM

Apparently the transmission was designed to have a sixth gear all along; they just didn't include it.

Amazing stuff! Thanks for the info. This would definitely benefit the Element. Way cool.

Larry Rutledge

11-15-2006, 11:11 AM

So, if you need an automatic, go ahead; I'm just saying that the manual is so much faster it's like having a V-8 as compared to the automatic version, even though it's the same engine.

Interesting...cause if there was one complaint I have about the Element, it's the fact that it only comes with a 4-cyl engine. Sure that gives me the better gas mileage, but it'd be nice to have the option of a soupier version.

Oh well, guess if I wanna race I'll have to buy something else :)

Rick Meyer

11-15-2006, 11:31 AM

Has any one had any experience or thought of the Toyota FJ Cruiser?
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/03/03/212366.3-lg.jpghttp://www.cartest.ca/8aeb8250.jpg
I like what you guys are saying about Honda Element but I'm a big Toyota fan. I'm pretty sure the gas milage will be worse then the Element but it looks more rugged. Any thoughts?

I have to say that I am a little in love with the FJ cruiser. I think its a very sexy SUV. But, I couldnt wait for it to come on the market and went and got the CR-V. But, I have looked inside the FJ, (just peeking in through the window) and it looks like there is a lot less space than the Element. But G-Dang, its hot.

jeremytuttle

11-15-2006, 11:39 AM

Sad Max

11-15-2006, 12:50 PM

Interesting...cause if there was one complaint I have about the Element, it's the fact that it only comes with a 4-cyl engine. Sure that gives me the better gas mileage, but it'd be nice to have the option of a soupier version.

Oh well, guess if I wanna race I'll have to buy something else :)

I wonder how tough it would be to drop in a more powerful engine...

Mike McNeese

11-15-2006, 01:03 PM

The Element has 75 cubes of cargo.

xB only has 43...might as well get a VW GTI that's sexy as hell and will accept 41.8 cubes of stuff.

Shaw

11-15-2006, 01:52 PM

Ok, is it just me or are ALL these new SUVs just about the ugliest things to ever exist? I mean seriously....

I understand the need for large amounts of space. That's cool. But these designs... gah. They look like cheap plastic boxes.

Rick Meyer

11-15-2006, 01:55 PM

It does sound like the element has more room and the sun roof option sounds nice. I've also thought about the Xterra, but it is almost as expensive as the FJ. I like the option of being able to climb a snowy hill or cruise through the desert to get a shot and I am not sure if an Element could deliver that... am I wrong?

Well, the Xterra is really cramped inside. I wouldn't even consider it. I looked into one back in February and quickly realized it had lousy space inside. The FJ, albeit sexy, and with probably enough room for most things, doesn't seem like the choice to get solely for using it 4 all terrain. To me that would be the least consideration. I wouldn't get it to drive across the dessert or climb a snowy mountain. The odds of that ever coming in handy is a million to one.

Brandon Rice

11-15-2006, 02:53 PM

The Element has 75 cubes of cargo.

xB only has 43...might as well get a VW GTI that's sexy as hell and will accept 41.8 cubes of stuff.

I've had BAD experiences with VW's... I had a 97 Jetta GLX (VR6) and it always had mechanical issues.

jeremytuttle

11-15-2006, 02:59 PM

Well, the Xterra is really cramped inside. I wouldn't even consider it. I looked into one back in February and quickly realized it had lousy space inside. The FJ, albeit sexy, and with probably enough room for most things, doesn't seem like the choice to get solely for using it 4 all terrain. To me that would be the least consideration. I wouldn't get it to drive across the dessert or climb a snowy mountain. The odds of that ever coming in handy is a million to one.

My parents live where it snows sometimes and when I visited them once I had to park at the bottom of their driveway and walk up hill (both ways :) ) to get to their house. I also would like to build a stock footage portfolio of landscapes and would like to be able to go places where there are bad or no roads at all (like in my home town Descanso, CA) so that's why I'm a little more leaning toward something that could at least handle a few bumps in the road.

My brother has issues with his VW GTI (door and window problems) but he still really likes it.

WaveRiderXIX

11-15-2006, 03:02 PM

Take my advice.
If you want ANY chance getting chicks... don't.
It has a lot of room, but it's horrendous. I thought it awesome when I first saw it... but then realized it was just a moving billboard.

Brandon Rice

11-15-2006, 03:09 PM

The Xb? LOL

Brandon Rice

11-23-2006, 01:57 PM

Wellp... looks like I am leaning toward the Xb... the price difference is what's doing it for me, right now.

TimurCivan

11-23-2006, 02:20 PM

I'm sure LarryR, Barry Green, and a few others would be willing to share their insights on this vehicle.

http://www.autobytel.com/images/carPics/TestDrv/element/650/03element1071_01.jpg

dont forget mark harris! a better indie grip truck there is not.... huge inside AND all the seats are removable, waterproof, and good mileage....

Max R. Wilson

11-23-2006, 03:23 PM

I have a 05 GTI and have to say i love it!!!

I used to be a SUV guy so the move to a hatch was a bit of a chage, but i have yet to not be able to fit what i want in the car.

I do have roof racks that i put on a lot.

And the best part is the 180hp 1.8T engine, and 20 city and 30 highway mpg.

I was looking at the xB and tC but i didint like the mileage and have been ripped off very bad by toyota before.

and to me they look so much better then scion

http://www.socal-blitzkrieg.com/brett1/garage/upload/garage_gallery-2-1146368955.jpg

The Element has 75 cubes of cargo.

xB only has 43...might as well get a VW GTI that's sexy as hell and will accept 41.8 cubes of stuff.