This is a very well-built little SUV. I have had to do only routine maintenance, change the oil, filters, tires, etc. This little four-cylinder car gets 22 miles to the gallon which is good, since it's basically a rolling box. It's very utilitarian but does have XM Radio, which is nice on trips. I find it very comfortable to drive and easy to get in and out of.

When shopping for a new used vehicle, I was looking for something that could handle my lifestyle. As an avid mountain biker, dog owner, car camper, and dirt road user, I landed upon the Honda Element. The greatest thing about the vehicle is the utility. The floors omit carpet for easy cleaning, the seats are water and stain resistant, which is great for my stinky body after a day of mountain biking. The seats fold completely flat to sleep on- using just two camp pads, the car essentially turns into a roomy double bed for two people and a small dog. The seats can be folded up out of the way to add storage (an incredible amount of storage), as well as be completely removed if so desired. I personally tend to keep one side down for the random extra passenger and still enough room to put an entire bicycle inside without removing the wheels. The cabin is spacious and leaves me feeling claustrophobic in other vehicles. The stereo is really great, which helps for those long trips. A few caveats with the vehicle are the gas mileage isn't that best for such a wimpy drive train. The looks can be subjective- though I personally like it. Lastly, the ground clearance is way too low for exploring dirt roads or getting to trail heads in the mountains/desert.