Honda Element

[Viggen]

A friend was really interested in a Synchro Westy but all the ones found were seriously expensive and required some work and borderline livable as a possible daily driver. We were in the midst of a serious web search and the Honda Element ECamper popped up. Low mileage used Elements with AWD, and more importantly, a warranty, are regularly for sale for not a lot of money. Theres even a small, 3", suspension lift available to afford it some more ground clearance. Its not going to be a serious off roader but something that would be driven over rough(ish), sometimes muddy, terrain to trailheads and woods sites. Nothing more than what someone might take a Synchro down.

Anyone know about any of these?
http://www.ccmoffroad.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=18

 

[Herbie]

Anyone know about any of these?
http://www.ccmoffroad.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=18

Regarding the lift: That looks like a strut spacer lift, so its almost like a body lift, except that it I think it will cost you some of your "droop". Its good that it comes with the parts to correct the alignment, as sometimes such kits don't.

As for the eCamper, John from Ursa Minor is a member here and a fantastic guy. Ursa Minor is here in San Diego so I've crawled all over and through the eCamper several times and I really like what he's done.

If you stick to your stated expectations and treat the Element like what I call a "Trailhead Approach Vehicle" and not a serious offroader, then it should do fine for what you want.

I considered an eCamper for my rig, but I eventually decided I needed more offroad capability and (more importantly) a bit more room for our 2adult+1munchkin family. The family would fit fine in the eCamper, but the gear would not. Wife has made an in-vehicle cassette toilet a requirement, along with "everybody sleeps in-vehicle", and I'm having fitment issues even with an Astro van, which is significantly larger inside.

 

[JMyerz]

I own a AWD E, and its a great vehicle! However its limitations are the reason why as of this morning I've hopefully sold my wife's mazda and am in the process of a Van.

Good points of the E:

- Incredibly Reliable
- Great MPG even with BFG AT KO
- Really planned out well
- No Carpet!
- Seat configuration
- Sleep 1 easy, 2 is tight.

Downsides:

- AWD Lacks. It does work and works pretty well but it feel like more of an assist than a true AWD (It is part time afterall).
- Small. If your solo then more than enough space to make it work. If you have two people you'll find yourself un-packing the E to make room for sleeping. The pop top will help this...
- Small. Just had a kid, so wife, dog, kid and I are suuuuuuuper cramped.
- Parts can be $$$ ($100 spark plugs, 90k miles though).
- Louder than ********. Slap some AT's on there and it gets old quick. Fine for a couple of hours after that I go batty...
- Aftermarket 4x4 stuff lacks. The Lift kit is good, but slap larger tires on there and you start wanting to re gear, which to my knowledge you cannot.

So, after all this we decided to sell her perfectly awesome Mazda car thats never given us any problems and is super fun to drive. We were in the quest for a Westy, but our goal is too spend more time and money outdoors and enjoying than in the garage swearing.

Check out T. Lows Van, for the money I think its the best option out there and is most likely the direction we will set out in. The pop top conversion sounds a little $$$ but its still cheaper than a Westy and more reliable too.

I've prices out several AWD Astro (full time AWD BTW) with roughly 80/90k in the area for $4k-$5k in what looks to be great condition. The pop top is roughly $6k if you get white and a lift kit is $400.

So for roughly $11k you can have an amazing AWD Camper.

From what I have read the V6 Vortec is a very proven motor and if maintained well I've been reading people seeing 300k+ miles out of them. Check out the trans though as I've read this is the weak point in the system.

Again this is the info I've gathered so far so if someone has more experience please chime in.

 

[Rev]

Have you checked out EOC?

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=35