4 ms·

This is actually pretty neat, since sleeping on the floor even with padding is pretty awful for me. I really hope an electric car as practical as the now disco

This is actually pretty neat, since sleeping on the floor even with padding is pretty awful for me. I really hope an electric car as practical as the now discontinued Honda Element makes a comeback [1]. From what I read, you could even wash that thing down with a hose if you wanted to! I would buy something like that in a heartbeat. [1] https://i.pinimg.com/736x/8c/60/8f/8c608f586b1e0d1b1367ec1b7b5d8775--honda-element-camping-dream-cars.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/736x/8c/60/8f/8c608f586b1e0d1b1367ec1b7...

chadgeidel 9y ago
FYI - if you do get a Honda Element don't wash the interior out with a hose: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-104.html http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-... (I am an Element owner - I have not hosed out my Element however)
- jsmthrowaway 9y ago
  OTOH, even modern Jeeps are fine to wash out with a hose or leave in the rain. It seems weird, but there is even a drain plug under the carpet on each side. The only two components to watch out for are the clockspring in the steering wheel (which lasts about 50 miles on a Wrangler anyway) as well as whatever radio head unit came with the trim. Nothing else seems to care. It's awesome. I've inadvertently driven mine with the top off in a persistent downpour, where I learned that (a) windshield wipers don't work on the inside, (b) wearing glasses presents an annoying set of challenges, (c) expect an especially wet left butt cheek from the tire flinging water past the fender at speed, and (d) other drivers will take pictures at traffic lights. Fun, though. Radio still worked and everything. Just drained it when I got home and let it dry in the sun. I bet your Element would do better than you think.
  - chadgeidel 9y ago
    Yep, I've owned Jeeps (YJ, TJ) and regularly ran with no top/no doors. Rain gets in, pull plugs, rain goes out. Also mud and deep water. But that's another story. :-)
finnh 9y ago
There's also a pop-top conversion[0] available for the Element, which takes advantage of its very large rear sunroof (which cannot be opened while moving, btw). I own an Element and I've been flirting with this for years. I've slept in the Element a few times with my wife, but I'm 6'3" and everything gets a bit tight. [0] http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/campers/element-camper.html http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/campers/element-camper.html
- rconti 9y ago
  This has to be one of the worst websites I've seen in the past decade. I've seen these vehicles on the road but never "gotten" the pop up part. I tried to view a photo gallery (it doesn't work) and the only photos they have on the main page don't show what it looks like inside with the tent up. Amazing. I'm curious how usable the space is, and they don't help me figure it out.
  - mikestew 9y ago
    There’s a gallery you have to go hunt for in the menus called “Interior”. Select the vehicle, select “interior” and...you’ll be met with a page that has no photos. Extrapolating from our Westfalia, the pop top will give you about two feet where you stand straight up. I assume sleeping space up there, too. But who would buy from a company that relies on strangers to guess what it might be like inside, and then tell you?
got2surf 9y ago
The Honda Element had some great features - it was a perfect "surf and explore" car. Only thing that kept me from getting one was the fact that the front doors have to be opened for the rear doors to open. Kind of a pain, especially when you're picking someone up in the rain (which happens surprisingly often in Florida!)
- rconti 9y ago
  Always wanted one -- unfortunately you couldn't get a supercharged m/t. or a supercharged AWD m/t or something. First time I sat in the back seat in one, I was blown away. Could slide the seat back and not even touch the front seats with my legs extended, but still tons of cargo room.

chadgeidel 9y ago

FYI - if you do get a Honda Element don't wash the interior out with a hose: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-104.html http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-... (I am an Element owner - I have not hosed out my Element however)

jsmthrowaway 9y ago
OTOH, even modern Jeeps are fine to wash out with a hose or leave in the rain. It seems weird, but there is even a drain plug under the carpet on each side. The only two components to watch out for are the clockspring in the steering wheel (which lasts about 50 miles on a Wrangler anyway) as well as whatever radio head unit came with the trim. Nothing else seems to care. It's awesome. I've inadvertently driven mine with the top off in a persistent downpour, where I learned that (a) windshield wipers don't work on the inside, (b) wearing glasses presents an annoying set of challenges, (c) expect an especially wet left butt cheek from the tire flinging water past the fender at speed, and (d) other drivers will take pictures at traffic lights. Fun, though. Radio still worked and everything. Just drained it when I got home and let it dry in the sun. I bet your Element would do better than you think.
- chadgeidel 9y ago
  Yep, I've owned Jeeps (YJ, TJ) and regularly ran with no top/no doors. Rain gets in, pull plugs, rain goes out. Also mud and deep water. But that's another story. :-)

finnh 9y ago

There's also a pop-top conversion[0] available for the Element, which takes advantage of its very large rear sunroof (which cannot be opened while moving, btw). I own an Element and I've been flirting with this for years. I've slept in the Element a few times with my wife, but I'm 6'3" and everything gets a bit tight. [0] http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/campers/element-camper.html http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/campers/element-camper.html

rconti 9y ago
This has to be one of the worst websites I've seen in the past decade. I've seen these vehicles on the road but never "gotten" the pop up part. I tried to view a photo gallery (it doesn't work) and the only photos they have on the main page don't show what it looks like inside with the tent up. Amazing. I'm curious how usable the space is, and they don't help me figure it out.
- mikestew 9y ago
  There’s a gallery you have to go hunt for in the menus called “Interior”. Select the vehicle, select “interior” and...you’ll be met with a page that has no photos. Extrapolating from our Westfalia, the pop top will give you about two feet where you stand straight up. I assume sleeping space up there, too. But who would buy from a company that relies on strangers to guess what it might be like inside, and then tell you?

got2surf 9y ago

The Honda Element had some great features - it was a perfect "surf and explore" car. Only thing that kept me from getting one was the fact that the front doors have to be opened for the rear doors to open. Kind of a pain, especially when you're picking someone up in the rain (which happens surprisingly often in Florida!)

rconti 9y ago
Always wanted one -- unfortunately you couldn't get a supercharged m/t. or a supercharged AWD m/t or something. First time I sat in the back seat in one, I was blown away. Could slide the seat back and not even touch the front seats with my legs extended, but still tons of cargo room.