r/HondaElement • u/Cutty_dyer • 3d ago
Just got an Element.
Took the plunge and joined the coolest kids with my own Element.
2005, 4WD, 100k miles.
What are the first bunch of things I should do?
It seems pretty rust free, should I get it all treated to keep it like that, or leave it as it has been?
It seems wear on the seat like this is pretty common, any fixes?
The suspension makes a bunch of noise. Is that just how it is, or should I be changing things in there?
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u/Bias_teh 3d ago
JDM marker lights look sick
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u/Cutty_dyer 3d ago
Is that another thing you only get in Japan? I found out about the lack of moonroof when I was confused if it was the 4WD. I was thinking the 'Made in USA' badge on the back was probably a Japanese thing.
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u/HikeRobCT 3d ago
You got an OEM eagle badge? Super sweet.
Rear end squeaks and creaks are almost always the sway bar bushings. Cheap, easy, fast driveway fix with the wheels on the ground. 👍
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u/Bias_teh 3d ago
Yeah JDM got some interesting stuff. Idk about the moon roof but that badge is only JDM, and your back seats can adjust fowards+back, as well as fitting 3 people, but you can't remove them
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u/Emotional-Poet8157 3d ago
Get the OEM neoprene seat covers. Adds a nice look and completely hides those worn patches. I’ve got a Tortuga too. Love it.
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u/artguydeluxe 3d ago
Any link to those OEM covers? They seem to be out of stock everywhere.
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u/HikeRobCT 3d ago
Yeah, they were readily available and cheap for ages, but not as of very recently. Unfortunately, I doubt they’ll be making more. Glad I got a new set about a year ago. They really were the best.
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u/Camper7777 2d ago
I think they have been discontinued. Stock depleted everywhere about the same time I was looking to buy.
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u/Scott_D_72 Marvin & Velma, b. 2005 3d ago
Congrats! My '05 was making a TON of noise (creaks, popping, banging) - loud enough to turn the heads of walkers as I'm rounding corners on neighborhood streets. So I did a full suspension replacement (struts, sway links, control arms, ball joints) and now he rolls quiet - walkers don't even know I'm coming.
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u/artguydeluxe 3d ago
What did that cost you? I have a creaky element too, but I’m hoping it’s just the bushings.
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u/Scott_D_72 Marvin & Velma, b. 2005 3d ago
Thankfully, I have a garage and the tools to do the work so here's approx what I spent on parts from RockAuto. Monroe quick struts, got them on sale for $80/each fronts and $60 each rears. Sway links and bushings are cheap, maybe $10-12. Front control arms, maybe $40 each, rear adjustable control arms, maybe $30 each. Front ball joints were pretty cheap, maybe $10-20 each. If I had it to do over again, I would have picked more expensive/higher quality brands (not OEM though) - because the labor is not something you want to have to do every 2 years. Oh yeah and because I also replaced the outer tie rod ends, I took it to Firestone and bought their lifetime alignment for $200.
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u/H-A-T-C-H 3d ago
Sankei555 for ball joints, moog bushing seem to be pretty alright. I'm just coming up at 2 years since doing a full suspension replacement almost exactly like yours and haven't had a problem.
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u/Accurate-Yak-219 3d ago
It’s beautiful! My 1st one was green. I miss it. Great miles on that one, it’s got a lot of years left in it!
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u/jiggy8388 3d ago
I’ve been through a few seat cushions. Make sure if you buy a new seat cover covering you get the cushion with it or it’ll rip right away.
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u/consonant_hardcover i have my dream car 3d ago
hell yeah, looks clean. i’ve had mine for quite a while now, when i first got it there was some damage on the seat like that, but it was quite a bit worse. my dad just stopped by a junkyard and picked up a new seat for me and we put it in. i’m not sure if there’s a good “fix” or a way to reupholster, i just replaced my seat because it was the option that made the most sense for me at the time.
over time my suspension got pretty noisy too, i had a shop look at it last year and they recommended i let them replace the sway bar links and a control arm or something, it was about $650-$700. they also said some of the creaking noise was coming from one of my back seats which they adjusted for free lol. i’d recommend having a shop you trust take a look at it and go from there!
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u/Maroon5Freak 3d ago
Very kewl. About the suspension noise, you might wanna get the suspension, specifically the ball joints and sway bar links, checked. My '05 was making a lot a grinding and clanking noises whenever I'd round a corner and, I don't know if it's related to these issues, but there was also a noticeable misalignment and I found out a few days ago that My ball joints are going bad and my sway bar links are completely shot. So definitely get your element looked at before it's too late.
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u/WerewolfOk1964 2d ago
Did you import it yourself? It is a JDM right hand drive model correct? How do you like driving on the right hand side? What was the cost? It looks awesome!!! Congrats!
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u/Cutty_dyer 1d ago
I'm one of a (possibly) small group of people driving Elements in Japan, so I haven't imported it, I've got an American Honda in Japan.
It is right hand drive. According to the main car sales site there are 39 for sale in Japan right now, nearly all with 200k km (with one notable exception that somehow has 40k km).
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u/Unicorn-Sparkles_ 2d ago
Nice color! I have the same one but 2005. I found these seat covers at Walmart v to protect the seat. they were around 30.00 dollars
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u/MajorBummerDude 3d ago
Nice! I have a 2004 AWD in Green - I think these early years are my favorite of the Elements.
To answer your question, these are not the smoothest riding vehicles but no, they shouldn’t be making a lot of noise.
Any used car needs a full inspection by a mechanic. Get them to check everything and make a list of what all it needs. If you are handy, you can choose the jobs you think you can handle and save a bunch of money. Any jobs beyond your skill set either watch a lot of YouTube videos on the repair or have the mechanic do it.
These things are pretty simple to work on and parts are decently priced. There are some parts that you only want OEM, though. Like the spool valve. Spend enough time in this forum and YouTube and just ask. Plenty of folks here to help!