In My Element… That me.. I started a new job and quickly learned driving over the river and through the woods in the mountains is going to bring a serious need for all-wheel drive. I initially had plans of grabbing the Audi wagon from Rosie, but I learned that would not work out regularly. So in looking at our main vehicles with a combined age of 26yrs, hers with 198,000 miles and mine with 176,000 we decided we needed to get a newer vehicle that had all wheel drive and could give us a solid vehicle we can count on.

After researching and looking around I liked the idea of a truck with a crew cab but the cost was so expensive and mpg was low. We looked at the Toyota’s and same thing just too expensive. I had driven my friends Honda Element a few weeks earlier and really like how tight it was even when full and loaded so we test drove one. Rosie immediately hated the color, but liked the space the interior afforded. The Element interior is very durable and the rear seats flip up out of the way or come out all together. What the Element lacks in gadgets and plushness it makes up for practical space and durability.

We purchased the green one after looking at several. The green grew on Rosie and the others where just in not as good shape. We both though that the Element fit our life style and would provide us with lots of options for camping, towing and traveling. The Element has been averaging 26 miles to the gallon even on the big climbs and back roads up north.

I would have loved to have bought an Audi TT S-Line or S8 with a crazy v-8 in an A4 frame but the Element is practical and knowing Honda’s durability I expect it to be low maintenance. So for the money we will be driving a 2008 Honda Element for the next few years. The plan is to use the AWD vehicles in the bad weather and put the miles on the old cars saving the good vehicle as much as possible.

Here is an example of the Ecamper. It is a modification that can be done that makes the Element a little camper and adds very little weight .

Here is an interview and demo with the developer. I am not saying I am going to get it, but I really like the simple idea for a cool budget camper. More people should think outside the box like this.

One of the funniest aspects was asking everyone on Facebook “If I were to get a Vanity Plate for it what should it be?” This is what the came back with..

Linda Lorenzen squayuh
Jay Riley Ailment
Jay Doherty Money
Jay Doherty Boogah
Jay Doherty Cash
Jay Doherty Snt rkt
Jay Doherty Zoiks (scooby mystery machine reference)
Jay Doherty Al (green)
Jay Doherty Lvnhpns (love and happiness .. al green reference)
Rosie Stadig Grnltrn
Rosie Stadig GRNMHNE
Jay Doherty Excrement
Jay Doherty Sorry 7 letters xcremnt
Jay Doherty Impotnt
Rosie Stadig KERMIT
Jay Doherty Merimnt
Jay Doherty Mint
Jay Doherty Evergrn
Jay Doherty Pot car
Jay Doherty ‎420 24 7
Nicole Doran Baker grncube
Rosie Stadig SHAMRCK
Nicole Doran Baker shgnwgn
Jay Doherty Fmytrkr (family truckster)
Jay Doherty Grn day
Jay Doherty Hobombl
Jay Doherty Clovah
Jay Doherty Grngras
Jay Doherty Monster (sox green monster reference )
Nicole Doran Baker ‎4wlclvr
Jay Doherty Ribbit
Jay Doherty Avocaro
Jay Doherty Grnpepr
Jay Doherty G.moldy. a play on g (glen) money
Stephen Zinck Seament
Stephen Zinck glement
Stephen Zinck grement
Stephen Zinck pukment
Ray Parsons NACLH2O
Ray Parsons ‎2CLOSE
Stephen Zinck gelemnt
Shannon Hosey Stadig gleen
Jay Doherty Thehulk
Martin England Charlie, Bravo, Yankee, Hotel, Foxtrot…
Katherine Derby lime, limon, vert, verde
Bonny Lee Bourque-pinkham STAYDIG
Martin England No vanity plates!
Blin Don HIKE IT, BIKE IT, HAVE IT, PLAY IT
John E. Walkowiak LIVGRN
Rosie Stadig GrnBud
Christian Christian GMOBILE
Christian Christian G-MAN
Christian Christian G-WIZZR
Christian Christian GWHIZER
Christian Christian GETGOIN
Christian Christian AHEDOFU
Rosie Stadig Froggie
Rosie Stadig Inmybo
Rosie Stadig Boxin
Christian Christian THE HULK
Christian Christian MARTIAN
Christian Christian AVOCADO
Christian Christian GRASHOPR
Glen Stadig Hmm suprised no Yoda, Apple, Toolbox, Network, itguy.
Glen Stadig NMYLMNT