Honda Shopping

[hrj]

So I tested out three models: the Fit, the CR-V, and the Element -- those seeming to have the best likelihood of fulfilling my space requirements without getting into serious monster vehicle territory. And this time, I actually did bring the harp along for test-packing. (In addition to needing a vehicle that can manage it, it served as a useful measuring stick for the camping gear. The harp stands about 5 ft at longest dimension and the longest camping gear that I pack runs about 6 ft, so I could estimate the rest.)

As cellio noted, the Fit is a close cousin of a Tardis. Despite a very petite exterior, with the rear seats flattened out, the harp was quite comfortable even directly behind the driver's seat in normal position. Unfortunately, very little additional cargo length could be squeezed out on the passenger side by pushing the front seat forward. That means that all the poles and bed-lumber would need to be strapped to a roof rack (rather than just the tent ridge-pole). And overall things would be as tight as they were in the Camry, which I'd put up with as a temporary condition. Still, a very neat little vehicle.

The CR-V, surprisingly, was a complete non-starter on cargo space. In terms of space, it's sort of an anti-Prius: looks enormous on the outside but the interior is designed to minimize cargo space. The second row of seats "tumbles" forward, thereby taking up about a foot of the otherwise available interior length behind the front seats. It was too short even to fit the harp in, much less any of the longer camping gear.

The Element. Ah, the Element! Here is a tourney car indeed! The simple version of converting the rear seats for maximum cargo area is to fold them up against the sides. The more drastic version involves removing them entirely, which is a relatively simple operation. (And since they remove independently, storing them in my camping gear cabinets would be easy.) Amusingly, the salesman didn't know they removed entirely -- I had to convince him of it and point out the mechanism. With the rear seats out of the way, the harp fits behind the driver's seat with about half a foot to spare. And with the front passenger seat pushed all the way forward (and therefore not able to serve for an actual passenger -- at least one with legs) I can get a full 6 ft of available length. The cargo area is very boxy in shape (which is efficient) and since the vehicle is intended for "sport" purposes, the flooring is uncarpeted (which makes loading and unloading easier).

Having done the cargo evaluation (and put the harp back in my own vehicle), I did a test-drive in the Element. I'm not exactly the worlds most picky driver. It handled very naturally. Everything worked the way it was supposed to. The driver's seat was quite comfortable. Everything was vastly adjustable.

On the down side? The Element is, technically, an SUV. It gets rather good mileage for that category, but overall about 7 mpg less than the Fit (and than the hypothetical official mileage of my current car). On the other hand, given that I don't do any regular commuting (and given that my normal driving habits seem to squeeze out about 5 mpg more than the "official" rate) I think it's something I can live with. The vehicle doesn't come with available built-in GPS, so if I want that, I'll need to get a portable unit -- which all in all isn't the worst of options. It also doesn't come with available hands-free phone set-up. On the other hand, my phone habits aren't such that this would be a hardship, even given the new CA law requiring it. I can always just pull over and call back. On the up side, unlike the Toyota "bundled option packages", Honda believes in an a la carte option menu, so I can add on the handful of things I like without having to take things I have no interest in.

I told the salesman off the top that I'd promised myself I'd sleep on it before committing to a purchase. I have an appointment to go back tomorrow after work and -- short of anything drastic happening to change my mind (which would include their failure to track down either of the colors I'm interested in) -- plan to come home with a new Element.

Comments

[lferion]

This is a really useful review. In following your Quest, I've realized that sometime in the not-to-distant I am going to need a new car, and I am hoping to get an actual new car. I have SCA friends with a Fit, and it is high on my list of possibles.

[hrj.livejournal.com]

Glad you found it useful! (In general, I work on the assumption that my reviews might be useful ... but sometimes it's just my literary genre for the day.)

I keep meaning to ask -- your icon here, is that the astronomical clockface from the Old Town square in Prague? (The picture is too focused to see if the animated apostles are there, which would clinch the deal.)

[cryptocosm.livejournal.com]

My vague recollection is that I did a test drive in a Fit and found it seriously underpowered - more so than the slightly enhanced mileage would warrant - so I wouldn't recommend it as a standard of comparison. In the SUV category the only thing I gave serious consideration was the Ford Escape 2WD hybrid - excellent cargo space, decent power and handling, mpg ratings in the 30s - but it's not cheap and the color selection isn't great.

Have you considered that you may be letting your frustration and desire to be done with the process push you into a rash decision?

[hrj.livejournal.com]

Have you considered that you may be letting your frustration and desire to be done with the process push you into a rash decision?

Yup, I've considered that. But rash doesn't necessarily mean wrong. There are a number of possible right cars to buy. The rights of the Prius were getting steadily eroded by the wrongs -- especially in terms of my brand loyalty (which was a significant part of why I'd settled on the Prius in the first place). The whole process was turning what should have been a very enjoyable experience into one where I was feeling jerked around and pressured to compromise at every turn. And the longer I stood on my principles, the less I was going to get of what I wanted. Wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch gives me a chance to recapture that enjoyable experience. There are a lot of intangibles involved here. And only one of them is that I am frustrated and do want to take this step and get on with life.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I've heard good things about Elements. They're boxy but they hold a lot, and Hondas are very durable.

[liadan-m.livejournal.com]

The think I don't like about the Fit is the lack of a back seat. While it has one, the back seat shares one of my least favorite features of the Focus - no one with any height can sit in the back seat comfortably.

I've been seriously thinking about changing cars as well, with many of the same criteria- we were looking at the Mazda 5 or the Chevy Malibu Max. The Malibu gets great gas milage and has the space to take my tent (I've got 7' poles), as well as having space for passengers.

[cellio]

Glad to hear you found a winner! Thanks for posting the review.

[hudebnik.livejournal.com]

In May 2004, our trusty old Escort died and we abruptly found ourselves car-shopping. We had done a bit of the research already for "our next car, whenever," concluded that we needed something bigger to carry stuff to camping events (including lots of musical instruments and two large dogs) and actually test-drove the CR-V, the Element, and the Subaru Forester. The Element, of course, has the most cargo space, but curiously enough it has significantly less weight capacity than the other two. In other words, it's great for hauling styrofoam and beach balls, perhaps not so good for tent lumber, bed lumber, trestle-tables, cast-iron cookware, etc. And we weren't impressed with its ride. We ended up with a Forester, which has served us pretty well, and gets 30 mpg on the highway.

[sue-n-julia.livejournal.com]

Converting you to the dark side I am.

We like our Element very much, and I think the actual mileage is a bit better than the official. And we can fit 8-ft poles into it. I should tell you about the experience of getting the elliptical trainer and 6 boxes of books into it sometime. Believe it or not, a passenger can get into the front seat when it is all the way forward (or at least I could and I'm not THAT small).

S

[hrj.livejournal.com]

And we can fit 8-ft poles into it.

The tricky thing -- since they have to call me back in to install the roof rack and other accessories when they come in -- will be dealing with the 12-foot tent ridgepole and uprights for the A&S Tourney next weekend if I can't put them on top. But I suppose diagonally and sticking out the front passenger window with a warning flag will do in a pinch.

[sue-n-julia.livejournal.com]

Fitting 12 ft. poles on top should be easy. Our ridge pole is 10 feet and fits, but has to be slid up through the passenger wheel well.We have to raise the back seats to do it. I don't remember how much spare room there is on either end.

S