Generally speaking, the Element has grown in popularity in recent years thanks largely to its solid reliability and versatility. Van-lifers have latched on to it, and if you get your hands on one of these vehicles, you can easily convert it for life on the road. While the Element was discontinued in 2011, its renewed popularity has fueled speculation about a reintroduction of the model. So far, this is only a rumor, so the only place you can expect to find one for sale is in the used section of the paper. Luckily, grandpas tend to take great care of their cars, and as a result, they’ve passed down a fleet of largely pristine, single-owner SUVs that have found an eager market in van-lifers. Today the price of a mid-range condition 2007 Honda Element can easily run upwards of $10,000—that’s more than double what I paid for mine just two years ago. If you do spot one for sale at a reasonable price, snatch it up. And if you need a reason, we’ll give you three. This SUV also has decent fuel efficiency. At roughly 23 miles per gallon depending on the specific model or trim, it burns through less gas than larger, heavier vans or RVs. The Ford Transit, for example, clocks in at around 26 mpg, while an RV can easily guzzle gas at a dismal 10 miles mpg. If the Element has one major downside in regards to its capabilities, it’s the low ground clearance. Surefooted as it is, it simply isn’t high enough to clear large protrusions or high-center dirt roads. But beyond that, it’s got surprising derring-do. In the two years that I’ve had mine I’ve driven it all over the United States, down to Mexico City, then all the way up to Banff, in Canada. Besides regular maintenance, the only repair I needed to do in all those miles was a new ignition switch and a couple of sway bar bushings. The biggest compromise you make with the Element involves size—it certainly isn’t huge. But van-lifers have found all manner of creative ways to make the most of its boxy space. You’re going to want to remove the seats, but also make use of the connection points to add stability to your platform or conversion. These are rock solid and offer the perfect place to plant your bed or load-bearing points in your build. First of all, you’ll likely have the front seats pushed back when driving so you and your co-pilot can sit in comfort. That means you’ll need to make an insert to extend your bed to its full length once the seats are slid all the way forward. I built a 6-inch-wide insert on a pair of legs, and I’ve seen other Element owners use an extension that folds out with a hinge. Even extended, most people will want or need more legroom. I designed my first Element conversion to have enough room if I slept at an angle. For my second, I designed the build for two people, which makes sleeping at an angle impossible. This is why I have an extension that runs between the front seats where I rest my feet. If you want to be able to keep cleaning the inside of your SUV thoroughly, don’t forget about adapting your build for it. That means leaving access to the floor and lower sidewalls and maintaining floor access at the rear where water can run out. After a few months on the road, this makes it easy to give the interior a good scrub-down. I write for a living, so a desk was essential. I solved this by buying an actual desk from a second-hand store, then cutting it to fit my space. This also saved on lumber costs. That’s really half the fun of the whole van-life thing: It’s your opportunity to pull out your tools and build something functional. Part travel lifestyle, it’s also a big, ongoing DIY project. Update: This post has been updated to include some drivers’ anecdotal experiences with a “wet dog” smell after rinsing the inside of their Element.
