2006 Honda Element: Unique Freak?
By: Matthew C. Keegan
I admit it. When I saw my first Honda Element a few years back I thought it was one of the most hideous looking vehicles on the planet. Then I saw the Scion xA and Scion xB, so I quickly relegated the Element to third place. I confess that my earlier feelings about the Element have changed, possibly because I see so many of them on the road these days and perhaps because I see its usefulness. No matter, the Honda Element is a unique looking vehicle and it is a lot less freakish than what you or I may think.
Freedom from convention. That is the saying on Honda’s web site when it comes to labeling the Element. In many ways, this marketing slogan is true. Who says that any vehicle has to conform to what you expect? True, past radical models failed miserably. The Ford Edsel and VW Thing are two that come to mind. Yet, the times are different and a truly “rad” look is in. Real in, if you know what I mean.
The Element does have a practical side to it. Although it is shaped like a breadbox and equipped with two large doors as well as two smaller doors [reminds me of the Saturn ION], the 4WD LX Element has just about what any driver needs for just under USD$20K: ABS; theft deterrent; air conditioning; cruise control; power windows, doors, mirrors, and locks; and a AM/FM/CD audio system with 4 speakers and a clock. Standard powertrain include a feisty 2354cc I4 mated to a 5 speed manual transmission; a four speed automatic is optional but considering that this car is geared toward young people you can pretty much count on the manny tranny winning drivers out over the automatic.
Many of the components for the Element are borrowed from the Civic to give it more of a car like ride, while keeping its truck like appearance. Open all four doors at the same time and the Element evokes a strong resemblance to “suicide doors” that were standard on the 1960s era Lincoln Continentals as well as the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Honda was likely thinking that this design would make it easier for passengers to retrieve all of their gear without popping up the rear hatch and crawling in. Indeed, everything in the Element is easily accessible and the vehicle was designed for the outdoorsman.
Prices start at around $17,500 for the base 2wd model and climb to just over $21,500 for the fully equipped 4wd version. Compared to the average SUV, the Element is priced very competitively and opens up a niche of buyers that Honda hopes to exploit.
Whatever you think of the Element’s looks the vehicle is an attention getter. Judging by the sales, it is a hit with the young crowd.
This article was posted on November 03, 2005
CeMAP Training
CeMAP training courses, become a mortgage broker, mortgage compliance and insurance training are all available as the first steps to becoming a mortgage advisor and you could be CeMAP qualified after just 10 days of fast track training.If you are looking to start a career in Financial Services as a mortgage advisor but are finding it hard to get your foot in the door, let our dedicated team of . . .
Return to Index
UK
Financial Services
Sub-categories: Accounting
| Banks
| Building
Societies | Corporate
Finance | Credit
Services | Currency
Services | Debt
Collection | Directories
| Factoring
| Financial
Consultants | Fund
Management | Independent
Financial Advisors | Information
Services | Insurance
| Leasing
| Merchant
Services | Offshore
Services | Organisations
| Personal
Finance | Publications
| Regulation
| Socially
Responsible Investment | Stockbrokers
| Taxation
Article Index: 1
- 2 - 3
- 4 - 5
- 6 - 7
- 8
World
Financial Services
Sub-categories: Associations
| Automobile
Buying and Financing | Banking
Services | By
Region | Cash
Flow | College
Financing | Commercial
Lending | Computer
Financing | Cooperatives
| Credit
and Collection | Directories
| Education
and Training | Employment
| Field
Service Companies | Financial
Consultants | Financial
Planning | Freelancer-Contractor
Services | Holding
Companies | Information
Services | Insurance
| Investment
Banks | Investment
Services | Leasing
Services | Loans
| Marketing
and Advertising | Medical
Billing | Merchant
Services | Mortgages
| News
and Media | Offshore
Services | Payroll
Services | Surety
Bonds | US
Government Financial Sites | Venture
Capital | World
War II Dormant Accounts
Get "IN TO" Vicky's
"rr-tit-calls" (Vicky's a Yorkshire Lass)
Latest News & Previews
Choosing
The Best Ice Cream Maker
You can make delicious ice cream at home, as good as any
premium store brand, if you choose a good ice cream maker and follow a few
tips. Ice cream makers can range in price from under $100 to over $500. The
more expensive models contain built in freezing compressors. The less
expensive models are perfectly suited for use in the home and come in two
basic types. There is the type that uses rock salt and ice to cool the ice
cream mixture and the type that has a canister that is placed in the freezer.
Each of these is equipped with an electric crank or a manual crank. Your
particular needs wi. . .
Christmas
Recipes: Main Dishes. No.10 of 12 - Lamb with C...
Christmas recipe serves: 6calories per serving: 450preparation
time: 15 minutescooking time: 20 minutesnot suitable for freezingChristmas
recipe ingredients:chestnuts, peeled cooked, 175 g (6 oz)tomatoes, cherry 75 g
(3 oz)bacon, rindless streaky, 175 g (6 oz)lamb, 3 racks trimmed, 900 g (2
lb)garlic, 3 clovespepperolive oil, 100 ml (4 fl oz)parsley, finely chopped
fresh, 60 ml (4 tbsp)caster sugar, 10 ml (2 tsp)balsamic vinegar, 30 ml (2
tbsp)garnish, flat leaf parsleyChristmas recipe instructions:1. Rub the lamb
with garlic and finely coat with pepper. Cut the tomatoes in half and the che.
. .
|
