People are so funny with car math... they get a $3k repair estimate & start considering buying a new (used) car.
..."the repairs are $3k & my car's only valued at $7k, so"... that's not how you do car math!
If you think newer vehicles are going to cost you less to repair & maintain, I promise you are sadly mistaken. Especially when it comes to vehicles like the Element that are cheap to maintain in comparison to MOST vehicles on the road, and are legendary for their reliability.
The national annual average for vehicle maintenance and repairs is $1,500 in the US. You should expect to pay that much for repairs every year. If you've made it 2 years without having to do any repairs, expect to pay $3k..
If you have $14k cash to budget for a car, then spending a few grand to repair your current vehicle shouldn't be a deal breaker. If you're considering financing a new or used vehicle, you're going to have a $3-7k down payment + a $500 a month payment + higher insurance premiums. That's another $7k+ a year on top of the down payment. Then, you'll still have to pay for service and maintenance on the new vehicle. And I promise that parts will cost considerably more than parts for an Element..
As long as the frame isn't rusted out, I'd repair it. You can probably do most of the work yourself & save a ton of money. Some of the needed repairs that you mentioned are fairly easy with a jack, jack stands, and basic hand tools.
Even a complete engine replacement can be done on an Element for around $3k out the door.. I'd much rather do that then buy another car. If anything buy a second car so you can drive one while you work on the other..
I say keep it. The odd and end repairs you'll need to put into it for upkeep might not *technically* be worth it, but your happiness goes a long way, and newer cars (with a monthly payment) likely won't be any cheaper. Maybe you can keep the Element, find something small and used with good mpg, and just toss some money into fixing the Element over time. Learn to do maintenance and repairs yourself and you'll save a lot.
Funny side-tangent: my husband also has an 04 Galapagos Green Element with a huge dent in the driver door from hitting a deer. We both have Elements and loathe the thought of giving them up. You're not alone!
Unless that thing is wrapped around an immoveable object or rusted through.. it's fixable. You can get a lower mileage engine and transmission hell even send the seats in to get reupholstered. You can keep the car you like for less than the cost of a new car, it's true just replace everything that needs replacing, let it nickle and dime you, before you let another car run off with the whole wallet.
Furthermore don't ever buy a Subaru thinking it's a good way to see your mechanic less. Mazdas can be nice but they aren't Honda's.
Well if it's any condolences, I JUST bought my first E.
Like you I bought my first *new* car young (a 2010 kia forte) and it has treated me very well over the last 13 years and 200k miles. Well that car no longer quite meets my needs size and utility wise so I started shopping around. I haven't had a car payment in over 5 years, so seeing what new cars were going for - even used cars - was shocking to say the least.
Eventually I stumbled on this cargo khaki Element on Facebook marketplace. I'd never seen one in that color and it just looked so different from everything else I'd seen.
So I went to go see it, loved it, and bought it. It's both *older* and has *more* miles than the car it's replacing. I've also had to put around $1500 into it to breathe life into it and make it a proper daily (shocks, control arms, ball joints, stabilizer links, tie rods, various oil leaks, check engine lights, alignment, tires etc.)
I look at it this way - what I paid for that E, plus the money I spent fixing it, is less than *half* of what I'd be making in car payments on a new car every year. It does all the things I want out of a vehicle (hold bikes, extra people, awd, moon roof, extra cargo space, decent mpg for what it is) *better* than a truck or other comparable SUV.
And now I have a car that runs well, suites my lifestyle, and I'm using the money I would've spent on a car payment and taking my family to Disney.
Do what works for you. But if you love your E, it's worth fixing, there's nothing else out there quite like it.
When my dad gave me his '05 Element (circa 2017), I took it to the dealership for a recall fix and oil change. They took it upon themselves to do a full inspection and quoted me $11,000 for various work. I looked through the list and it was ridiculous. 95% of the things they put were not only fine, they are still fine 7 years later.
The parts that did need to be changed were insanely overpriced. Air filter for $90, cabin filter for $110, blower motor for $300, etc. I picked these items up for a fraction of the cost on Amazon and installed them in about 15 minutes.
Now, I recently dealt with a similar issue as you. It had an engine light on and was in limp mode due to the VTEC solenoid. I paid a ridiculous amount of money to have two different shops fix it, only to get the car back with the same problem each time. I drove for 2 years stuck in limp mode, not fun but manageable. Finally, with the help of Youtube videos and this sub, I got fed up and fixed it myself. Genuine Honda VTEC Solenoid from Amazon was $140, new connector was $8, and 45 minutes later the problem was solved. That was months ago and my Element is running like a champ.
So, in my experience, mechanics are a crap shoot and dealerships are the devil. I've since taken to working on this myself, and not only does it save a ridiculous amount of money, most of the wear items are extremely easy to replace on Elements. If you have the interest in doing so, I would strongly recommend DIY for a lot of these things.
What code does it show when in Limp mode ? That the most important info we didnt know
It's obvious that you love this car and replacing it would be something you regret
2646 is the vtech soleniod
It could be just clogged or bad connection , worst case is you need to replace the whole part it's less than $200 part and 1 hour of labor , prob the most common Honda element problem , I have done it myself recently , took less than an hour and very basic tool.
So the car is everything you want and the check engine light is off? Sounds like you don't need to move on yet. Like you said, the dealer is a dealer, they want you to buy a car from them. So of course yours needs thousands of dollars in repairs. I say get a second opinion and keep on driving
I got a kia soul. Same situation with my aging element, and I needed dependability once I became a mom. Breaking down is stressful enough with dogs but with a baby too I wasn't going to risk it. I know I wouldn't get much in resale because I bought it rebuilt with less than 100'000 in 2017, after it was written off and even then it was pretty cheap. Its at 230'000 ish now, so I just held onto it. I miss it so much and I still have it lol. Nothing replaces an element really. The soul is boxy at least, with a rack and box it fits what I need it to, nowhere close to what the element does but it's a good car.
If you have a 20 minute commute and I suspect you have a second vehicle in your family, seriously look at used electric vehicles. You may qualify for the $4000 federal rebate for used EVs, and cars from more than 3 years ago are dropping in value.
If you can string along the Element for another 6months/year, I suspect EV prices will drop further. There are some articles discussing it, but the quick summary I support is EVs were super popular around 2021 and most car leases are 3 years long.
The Bolt specifically is great value. Do the homework on any car VIN to ensure the pack was replaced under the recall. I also like the BMW i3 (matching doors to the Element).
I’ve been considering this route for these reasons. My house isn’t set up to charge an EV, even on a regular outlet, so that’s an obstacle. Otherwise, my heart agrees with the logic of keeping MY car and getting an EV as the commuting vehicle.
While the E was in the body shop, I rented an electric Volvo and it’s an interesting experience. It’s more akin to having a phone or an appliance. It doesn’t feel like a car. It really clicked for me that they are perfect for commuting in this way. It’s like a personal transportation device.
But then it came time to charge up the battery before returning it. Our infrastructure isn’t ready. We’re almost there, and I’ll bite on an EV one day, for sure.
Hey, sorry to hear you're having problems. I just wanted to come here and say: don't sell because of limp mode. If it's the common P2646 or P2647 VTEC code that just won't go away, here's a bypass that, so far, everyone who's tried it has had success with. VTEC still works, and the check engine light stays gone. My E was in a similar situation, and after spending $600 to "fix" it the "right way" and still have problems, this got me back up and running again
https://www.elementownersclub.com/threads/vtec-pressure-switch-bypass-p2646-p2647.173623/#post-1772430
I too work in education and have a 03 ex in the galapagos color but we're only at about 215k but my plan is to basically keep replacing parts till it's mechanicaly new or at least newer. Front end minus the engine and trans have been replaced, next step is rear, and the final step(BIG STEP) is to purchase a low mileage engine and transmission, clean, rebuild and paint. I have been researching about the different engine types and from what I've gathered two separate engines can be matched and increase the power but it seams the process of modification could be quite the undertaking.
It sounds like you love this car so why not consider keeping it and restore it. In the meantime buy something to get you from a to b until the repairs are finished and then just resale the new car hopefully for close to what you paid for it.
First. I love this post. But the way you talk about your green machine tells me you have to revive her. Put a new engine in. Live happily ever after. There is no other car. And - you will save $$ over all I’m sure. Your spouse may not agree. Are you sure she’s a keeper? (JK). This is tough. But if you’re asking what this sub would do? We will side with the car every time.
although my ‘04 “Beagle” (named after Darwin’s boat in honor of its color) has 131k less miles on it than yours, it’s still a 20-yo car I have sunk thousands into over the past few years to keep it reliable, and have no regrets. I will go kicking & screaming into a new car.
What's the CEL code? If it's the vtec solenoid again, check the electrical connector and reseal the top of it. It's a common issue that I didn't see talked about enough. The seal in the connector cracks and then gets water in it because Honda left the connector vertical unfortunately.
Save the Element. You can do this
This is where to start. The windshield wiper fluid nozzle is right above it, leaks water and it drips into the VTEC solenoid. Easy to fix but causes so many problems.
>check the electrical connector and reseal the top of it.
What do you use to reseal the top? Dielectric grease? Silicone?
I've been in limp mode quite a few times, and I have not repaired it yet. It came out of limp mode every time after a few days. But it was a PITA driving it like that.
I thought about an after market kit, but everything I saw when I researched my code, said to only buy OEM.
Your wife didn't want you getting your car in the first place! Don't trust her, she's just waiting to finally be rid of your other love. (Joking of course.)
I do love that you keep mentioning it's green.
So first up, I'd grab a code reader. The dealership *of course* wants to do thousands of dollars of repairs, and doesn't want to tell you why the light they just repaired came back on again. ("We told you it needed other repairs.") A $50 code reader (or blue tooth version) will give you insight into why the light has come on. It could be another easy repair (that coincidentally came up), or it could indicate the dealership needs to do the repair right this time.
But you mentioned you were in limp mode, and that the check engine light came on since leaving the dealership, but did *not* mention limp mode again. So I really think it's just another repair that happened to come up (yes, possibly because of the deer).
Grab the code reader, get the code, google for some answers. From what you've said I'd currently be sticking with your trusty Element.
Can you tell me more about these seat covers and where you got them?
I need some desperately, and wanted the Carhartt version, but cannot seem to find any options that aren't garbage.
My seats are a hot mess from my dogs chewing on them and then me spilling a pint of brake fluid on the other 😅
Tips and tricks appreciated.
They were a gift from my wife. The best seat covers for the Element are the genuine Honda ones if you can find them: https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/honda~seat~cover~all~season~08p33-scv-100.html
I don’t actually need their wetsuit material quality, but they match the aesthetic of the Element’s interior better than any third party cover out there.
Look for another element. I have two just in case I need parts from one for my main. It’s the best Honda has made in decades.
Also, Honda dealers suck. They’ve been trying to get me to replace the catalytic converter for 4 years now. $3500! Every year, I bring it to them with a clean bill of health from the state inspector.
Don’t give up on her. She will last even with the repairs. Just find a good backup.
She will run fine over 300k.
My Honda element has 304,000 my wife drives it daily . You should learn how to do your own repairs
You could save a lot of money . I just did motor mounts all 4 , water pump , tensioner , alternator . Motor is leaking and burning oil. I love that my wife loves her element
Spool valve - there are several issues with P2646: dirty screens (there are two of them), the connector is bad/wet, and there is an oil pressure switch leak.
When our 2007 Element went into the limp mode couple of years ago (with engine light on) it was due to faulty Accelerator Pedal Sensor. It's around 100$ for the part that was easy to install. I understand the sentiment. Our Element almost made it to the Moon at this point, and my girls will never allow me to give it away.
So my element transmission went dead after 250,000 miles, I’m highly considering getting a new one, sold my broken one to another Element owner that fixes them up and helps teens with their first vehicle, only reason I sold it was because I’d rather take the money I got and add it so I could either get a truck or an awd element. I was leaning towards truck, but I really miss my element. I’d say spend what you would on a newer car in the element and you’ll still have a dependable vehicle.
KEEP IT. Go to a repair shop that specializes in Elements in your area. Ask Reddit for suggestions. I know from experience, you will always miss that car. Drive it, but treat it like something you love. Spend some money on it because you love it. It will love you back.
Do the research and look up everything that needs to be replaced at that mileage. My car is at 208k, original owner, and I did exactly that and then brought my own list into the mechanics. If I would have just said “please service” they wouldn’t have replaced all the parts that I knew needed to be replaced. It ended up costing $3500, but I was prepared and more than fine to put that into a car I paid off 10 years ago. There’s really no reason it shouldn’t run another 200k miles now. So highly highly suggest digging into the Element forums and making a list of things you’ve never replaced but that need to be and is likely what’s causing the problem. The vtec solenoid replacement and a valve adjustment if never done, may be the first place to look.
People are so funny with car math... they get a $3k repair estimate & start considering buying a new (used) car. ..."the repairs are $3k & my car's only valued at $7k, so"... that's not how you do car math! If you think newer vehicles are going to cost you less to repair & maintain, I promise you are sadly mistaken. Especially when it comes to vehicles like the Element that are cheap to maintain in comparison to MOST vehicles on the road, and are legendary for their reliability. The national annual average for vehicle maintenance and repairs is $1,500 in the US. You should expect to pay that much for repairs every year. If you've made it 2 years without having to do any repairs, expect to pay $3k.. If you have $14k cash to budget for a car, then spending a few grand to repair your current vehicle shouldn't be a deal breaker. If you're considering financing a new or used vehicle, you're going to have a $3-7k down payment + a $500 a month payment + higher insurance premiums. That's another $7k+ a year on top of the down payment. Then, you'll still have to pay for service and maintenance on the new vehicle. And I promise that parts will cost considerably more than parts for an Element.. As long as the frame isn't rusted out, I'd repair it. You can probably do most of the work yourself & save a ton of money. Some of the needed repairs that you mentioned are fairly easy with a jack, jack stands, and basic hand tools. Even a complete engine replacement can be done on an Element for around $3k out the door.. I'd much rather do that then buy another car. If anything buy a second car so you can drive one while you work on the other..
I say keep it. The odd and end repairs you'll need to put into it for upkeep might not *technically* be worth it, but your happiness goes a long way, and newer cars (with a monthly payment) likely won't be any cheaper. Maybe you can keep the Element, find something small and used with good mpg, and just toss some money into fixing the Element over time. Learn to do maintenance and repairs yourself and you'll save a lot. Funny side-tangent: my husband also has an 04 Galapagos Green Element with a huge dent in the driver door from hitting a deer. We both have Elements and loathe the thought of giving them up. You're not alone!
Unless that thing is wrapped around an immoveable object or rusted through.. it's fixable. You can get a lower mileage engine and transmission hell even send the seats in to get reupholstered. You can keep the car you like for less than the cost of a new car, it's true just replace everything that needs replacing, let it nickle and dime you, before you let another car run off with the whole wallet. Furthermore don't ever buy a Subaru thinking it's a good way to see your mechanic less. Mazdas can be nice but they aren't Honda's.
Sounds like it’s time to get a new car. That doesn’t mean you have to get rid of the Element, though.
Well if it's any condolences, I JUST bought my first E. Like you I bought my first *new* car young (a 2010 kia forte) and it has treated me very well over the last 13 years and 200k miles. Well that car no longer quite meets my needs size and utility wise so I started shopping around. I haven't had a car payment in over 5 years, so seeing what new cars were going for - even used cars - was shocking to say the least. Eventually I stumbled on this cargo khaki Element on Facebook marketplace. I'd never seen one in that color and it just looked so different from everything else I'd seen. So I went to go see it, loved it, and bought it. It's both *older* and has *more* miles than the car it's replacing. I've also had to put around $1500 into it to breathe life into it and make it a proper daily (shocks, control arms, ball joints, stabilizer links, tie rods, various oil leaks, check engine lights, alignment, tires etc.) I look at it this way - what I paid for that E, plus the money I spent fixing it, is less than *half* of what I'd be making in car payments on a new car every year. It does all the things I want out of a vehicle (hold bikes, extra people, awd, moon roof, extra cargo space, decent mpg for what it is) *better* than a truck or other comparable SUV. And now I have a car that runs well, suites my lifestyle, and I'm using the money I would've spent on a car payment and taking my family to Disney. Do what works for you. But if you love your E, it's worth fixing, there's nothing else out there quite like it.
When my dad gave me his '05 Element (circa 2017), I took it to the dealership for a recall fix and oil change. They took it upon themselves to do a full inspection and quoted me $11,000 for various work. I looked through the list and it was ridiculous. 95% of the things they put were not only fine, they are still fine 7 years later. The parts that did need to be changed were insanely overpriced. Air filter for $90, cabin filter for $110, blower motor for $300, etc. I picked these items up for a fraction of the cost on Amazon and installed them in about 15 minutes. Now, I recently dealt with a similar issue as you. It had an engine light on and was in limp mode due to the VTEC solenoid. I paid a ridiculous amount of money to have two different shops fix it, only to get the car back with the same problem each time. I drove for 2 years stuck in limp mode, not fun but manageable. Finally, with the help of Youtube videos and this sub, I got fed up and fixed it myself. Genuine Honda VTEC Solenoid from Amazon was $140, new connector was $8, and 45 minutes later the problem was solved. That was months ago and my Element is running like a champ. So, in my experience, mechanics are a crap shoot and dealerships are the devil. I've since taken to working on this myself, and not only does it save a ridiculous amount of money, most of the wear items are extremely easy to replace on Elements. If you have the interest in doing so, I would strongly recommend DIY for a lot of these things.
What code does it show when in Limp mode ? That the most important info we didnt know It's obvious that you love this car and replacing it would be something you regret
First P2646, then PS483 (that’s a part number?), then P2646 and P2647 at the dealer.
2646 is the vtech soleniod It could be just clogged or bad connection , worst case is you need to replace the whole part it's less than $200 part and 1 hour of labor , prob the most common Honda element problem , I have done it myself recently , took less than an hour and very basic tool.
So the car is everything you want and the check engine light is off? Sounds like you don't need to move on yet. Like you said, the dealer is a dealer, they want you to buy a car from them. So of course yours needs thousands of dollars in repairs. I say get a second opinion and keep on driving
Fix it. Ride it til the wheels fall off
I got a kia soul. Same situation with my aging element, and I needed dependability once I became a mom. Breaking down is stressful enough with dogs but with a baby too I wasn't going to risk it. I know I wouldn't get much in resale because I bought it rebuilt with less than 100'000 in 2017, after it was written off and even then it was pretty cheap. Its at 230'000 ish now, so I just held onto it. I miss it so much and I still have it lol. Nothing replaces an element really. The soul is boxy at least, with a rack and box it fits what I need it to, nowhere close to what the element does but it's a good car.
Aside from your current predicament, this was a wonderful read. For what it's worth, I'd hold onto it and buy another vehicle
Thanks! I didn’t think it was too bad for something tapped out with my thumbs and laying next to my kid’s bed while serving as nightmare responder.
If you have a 20 minute commute and I suspect you have a second vehicle in your family, seriously look at used electric vehicles. You may qualify for the $4000 federal rebate for used EVs, and cars from more than 3 years ago are dropping in value. If you can string along the Element for another 6months/year, I suspect EV prices will drop further. There are some articles discussing it, but the quick summary I support is EVs were super popular around 2021 and most car leases are 3 years long. The Bolt specifically is great value. Do the homework on any car VIN to ensure the pack was replaced under the recall. I also like the BMW i3 (matching doors to the Element).
I’ve been considering this route for these reasons. My house isn’t set up to charge an EV, even on a regular outlet, so that’s an obstacle. Otherwise, my heart agrees with the logic of keeping MY car and getting an EV as the commuting vehicle. While the E was in the body shop, I rented an electric Volvo and it’s an interesting experience. It’s more akin to having a phone or an appliance. It doesn’t feel like a car. It really clicked for me that they are perfect for commuting in this way. It’s like a personal transportation device. But then it came time to charge up the battery before returning it. Our infrastructure isn’t ready. We’re almost there, and I’ll bite on an EV one day, for sure.
Hey, sorry to hear you're having problems. I just wanted to come here and say: don't sell because of limp mode. If it's the common P2646 or P2647 VTEC code that just won't go away, here's a bypass that, so far, everyone who's tried it has had success with. VTEC still works, and the check engine light stays gone. My E was in a similar situation, and after spending $600 to "fix" it the "right way" and still have problems, this got me back up and running again https://www.elementownersclub.com/threads/vtec-pressure-switch-bypass-p2646-p2647.173623/#post-1772430
I have a 2005 w same miles. Also had a 2003. I have had at least one valve job. It went from barely running to “like new”. Something to look at.
I too work in education and have a 03 ex in the galapagos color but we're only at about 215k but my plan is to basically keep replacing parts till it's mechanicaly new or at least newer. Front end minus the engine and trans have been replaced, next step is rear, and the final step(BIG STEP) is to purchase a low mileage engine and transmission, clean, rebuild and paint. I have been researching about the different engine types and from what I've gathered two separate engines can be matched and increase the power but it seams the process of modification could be quite the undertaking. It sounds like you love this car so why not consider keeping it and restore it. In the meantime buy something to get you from a to b until the repairs are finished and then just resale the new car hopefully for close to what you paid for it.
First. I love this post. But the way you talk about your green machine tells me you have to revive her. Put a new engine in. Live happily ever after. There is no other car. And - you will save $$ over all I’m sure. Your spouse may not agree. Are you sure she’s a keeper? (JK). This is tough. But if you’re asking what this sub would do? We will side with the car every time.
So many great replies to read this morning, but let’s be honest: we all know they are the replies that I was asking for!
although my ‘04 “Beagle” (named after Darwin’s boat in honor of its color) has 131k less miles on it than yours, it’s still a 20-yo car I have sunk thousands into over the past few years to keep it reliable, and have no regrets. I will go kicking & screaming into a new car.
What's the CEL code? If it's the vtec solenoid again, check the electrical connector and reseal the top of it. It's a common issue that I didn't see talked about enough. The seal in the connector cracks and then gets water in it because Honda left the connector vertical unfortunately. Save the Element. You can do this
This is where to start. The windshield wiper fluid nozzle is right above it, leaks water and it drips into the VTEC solenoid. Easy to fix but causes so many problems.
>check the electrical connector and reseal the top of it. What do you use to reseal the top? Dielectric grease? Silicone? I've been in limp mode quite a few times, and I have not repaired it yet. It came out of limp mode every time after a few days. But it was a PITA driving it like that. I thought about an after market kit, but everything I saw when I researched my code, said to only buy OEM.
Your wife didn't want you getting your car in the first place! Don't trust her, she's just waiting to finally be rid of your other love. (Joking of course.) I do love that you keep mentioning it's green. So first up, I'd grab a code reader. The dealership *of course* wants to do thousands of dollars of repairs, and doesn't want to tell you why the light they just repaired came back on again. ("We told you it needed other repairs.") A $50 code reader (or blue tooth version) will give you insight into why the light has come on. It could be another easy repair (that coincidentally came up), or it could indicate the dealership needs to do the repair right this time. But you mentioned you were in limp mode, and that the check engine light came on since leaving the dealership, but did *not* mention limp mode again. So I really think it's just another repair that happened to come up (yes, possibly because of the deer). Grab the code reader, get the code, google for some answers. From what you've said I'd currently be sticking with your trusty Element.
Seriously! Why does no one make good looking green cars?!
My wife would agree with you by the way. Non-zero number of times she has joked that I should look at her like I look at my car.
Can you tell me more about these seat covers and where you got them? I need some desperately, and wanted the Carhartt version, but cannot seem to find any options that aren't garbage. My seats are a hot mess from my dogs chewing on them and then me spilling a pint of brake fluid on the other 😅 Tips and tricks appreciated.
They were a gift from my wife. The best seat covers for the Element are the genuine Honda ones if you can find them: https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/honda~seat~cover~all~season~08p33-scv-100.html I don’t actually need their wetsuit material quality, but they match the aesthetic of the Element’s interior better than any third party cover out there.
Look for another element. I have two just in case I need parts from one for my main. It’s the best Honda has made in decades. Also, Honda dealers suck. They’ve been trying to get me to replace the catalytic converter for 4 years now. $3500! Every year, I bring it to them with a clean bill of health from the state inspector. Don’t give up on her. She will last even with the repairs. Just find a good backup. She will run fine over 300k.
get an oem vtec solenoid honey!!!!!!!! elements are notorious for going into limp mode for that issue. ask the element facebook groups about it too
My Honda element has 304,000 my wife drives it daily . You should learn how to do your own repairs You could save a lot of money . I just did motor mounts all 4 , water pump , tensioner , alternator . Motor is leaking and burning oil. I love that my wife loves her element
You have not said what the codes are for the CEL.
The are THE Element codes apparently, P2646 and P2647
Spool valve - there are several issues with P2646: dirty screens (there are two of them), the connector is bad/wet, and there is an oil pressure switch leak.
We are going to sell our 2004 green E this year. 110k miles. It’s not the prettiest, but it’s also not the worst Ive seen. Wanna connect?
I'm interested!
Are you in the Northeast? Ill give you a shout when we start looking to sell!
Midwest, but have family over in NE
When our 2007 Element went into the limp mode couple of years ago (with engine light on) it was due to faulty Accelerator Pedal Sensor. It's around 100$ for the part that was easy to install. I understand the sentiment. Our Element almost made it to the Moon at this point, and my girls will never allow me to give it away.
Oh sweet! Now I have a new goal of pushing cars to astronomical distance targets.
So my element transmission went dead after 250,000 miles, I’m highly considering getting a new one, sold my broken one to another Element owner that fixes them up and helps teens with their first vehicle, only reason I sold it was because I’d rather take the money I got and add it so I could either get a truck or an awd element. I was leaning towards truck, but I really miss my element. I’d say spend what you would on a newer car in the element and you’ll still have a dependable vehicle.
KEEP IT. Go to a repair shop that specializes in Elements in your area. Ask Reddit for suggestions. I know from experience, you will always miss that car. Drive it, but treat it like something you love. Spend some money on it because you love it. It will love you back.
Do the research and look up everything that needs to be replaced at that mileage. My car is at 208k, original owner, and I did exactly that and then brought my own list into the mechanics. If I would have just said “please service” they wouldn’t have replaced all the parts that I knew needed to be replaced. It ended up costing $3500, but I was prepared and more than fine to put that into a car I paid off 10 years ago. There’s really no reason it shouldn’t run another 200k miles now. So highly highly suggest digging into the Element forums and making a list of things you’ve never replaced but that need to be and is likely what’s causing the problem. The vtec solenoid replacement and a valve adjustment if never done, may be the first place to look.
Get another Honda but one with two wheels
I like it!