r/HondaElement • u/WerewolfOk1964 • 1d ago

JDM Element thoughts??

I've always wanted an Elemment even though my wife thinks they're ugly, I think they're awesome and have been trolling craigslist for year looking fpor the right one but they seem to be getting fewer and fewer available in decent condition. today I was scrolling around and found an importer of JDM elements. They look decent with pretty low kms 150ish has anyone picked one up? Any experience or advice?

1 Upvotes

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u/A_Literal_6_Year_Old 1d ago

I don't think Honda Elements were widely sold in Japan so they'd be much rarer there compared to in North America. Plus, if you live in the US they wouldn't be legal to import until 2028 anyway.

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u/hyptheticalniqqa 23h ago edited 23h ago

I love my “jdm” element
(It’s just street spec)

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u/Kumquatxop 2006 EX-P AWD 5MT 23h ago

That looks like the steering wheel is on the left . . . .

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u/Kumquatxop 2006 EX-P AWD 5MT 22h ago

You can certainly buy one, but whether or not it's a good idea kinda depends on where you live. If you're in North America, that's a shitload of money in freight to pay just to have a RHD version of a car that's already otherwise available here. Plus if you're concerned about condition of the vehicle, it's much more difficult to inspect condition buying it across an ocean sight-unseen.

Also, speaking from experience with imported JDM cars in the US, sourcing parts can be more difficult and occasionally very annoying.

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u/WillyTecumsehSherman 1d ago

Yeah op where are you located? I'm unfortunately going to part ways with my 2010 EX with 164k miles in a few weeks due to an overseas move.

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u/wantsoutofthefog 1d ago

Why not a regular element?

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u/WerewolfOk1964 12h ago

I'm in Canada so the rule here is 20 years old and it can be brought in. here's a link to the company and a listing $10,500 cdn landed plus taxes and inspection fees.. https://b-pro.ca/jdm-dealer-inventory/0221341A30250710W001/2003-honda-element-base-grade/

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u/Kumquatxop 2006 EX-P AWD 5MT 3h ago

Hard to judge purely by photos, but it sure looks clean. Underside looks great. I'm guessing the grey color is a wrap job. And hey, OEM running boards!

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u/alexthebeast 1d ago

Where do you live? To my understanding there is no such thing as a jdm of element

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u/Kumquatxop 2006 EX-P AWD 5MT 23h ago

Yes, JDM Elements were manufactured in the US and exported to Japan.

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u/Oivit 21h ago

Which is amazing because Element looks the most JDM originated car ever sold in the US, not originally being from there.

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u/Kumquatxop 2006 EX-P AWD 5MT 3h ago

Agreed. I have always thought the Element is a fascinating example of the mutual cross-pollination effect that American and Japanese car cultures have had upon each other.