Honda Element love.

My Honda Element is about to hit 100,000 miles. I feel like a proud parent. Is that a little much? (Rhetorical question, so don’t answer.)

To me, buying a car is the kitty cat, puppy dog version of job hunting. Not as bad, but not without its numerous downs and dead ends. But since the Element is what became the fruit of my labors, the treasure of my hunt, the answer to life’s questions, my car-buying process—including numerous trips to earth’s manifestation of Hades (the DMV)—was totally worth it.

I never planned on buying an Element, just a Honda.  But through a series of circumstances including some Craigslist perusing (look up the definition), I found myself driving to a stranger’s house to test drive his black Element (Yes, of course I took a male friend with me).

It was love at first drive. Love at first sight really, but true love at first drive. In fact my friend said to me, “If the look on your face is any indication as to how much you love this car, I’d say you’re gonna buy it.”

I did, and I’ve never looked back. For a few reasons:

1. Elements are manufactured by Honda. End of story.
2. The Element has started more than one conversation: “Oh, you drive one of those box things?” “Cool car! I’ve heard about those.” “How do the seats work?” “Can’t you hose them out?” I’ve had multiple people ask how I like the car and if I’d recommend buying one, and I of course always say yes. Roomy, decent mileage, versatile usage, and frankly, just a pleasure to drive.
3.  Speaking of getting hosed out, one of the major appeals of the car to people is that it is pet-friendly, especially with the plastic floor. Given that I don’t own any pets, I translate pet-friendly to Jeanne-friendly. I have spilled everything from sand, coffee and hand soap to green bean juice (interesting story) in there. No worries though, because I can simply wipe it out.
4. 64+ seating arrangements. Why yes, you read that correctly. The back seats flip up, down and sideways and also come all the way out. All four seats can be positioned to make a bed, a marvelous feature I have utilized on a couple camping trips. The possibilities allow for moving and carrying furniture, bikes, appliances, luggage, sports equipment, etc. When the seats are in their normal position, my friends who have ridden in the back always marvel at the stadium seating and the ample leg room they find themselves enjoying.
5. Good for stickers! Granted, you can put stickers on any car, but they just work on an Element, especially with its flat, square back. On there right now: CC, MV, FAL and The Black Dog.

Honda announced recently that after this year, the Element model would be discontinued (cue the pint of ice cream and chili cheese tots. JK!) I plan on driving mine as long as possible; given the make, I imagine and hope it will be a long time.

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