When the 2011 Honda Element was new, its starting price in the US was just over $20,000. That now seems like a real bargain compared to the cost of modern SUVs. However, this perspective quickly changes when looking at today’s used car market. On the outside, a used Element may not look particularly attractive, but examples with low mileage are actually selling for very serious money.
Auction Example
This particular Honda Element LX 4WD, originally purchased in 2010, is listed for auction on Bring a Trailer from Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Bids on it are rapidly approaching the starting price of a brand-new Honda CR-V. Clearly, there are people willing to pay an amount equal to the cost of a modern crossover for a 16-year-old car.
In 2010, the Element LX 4WD model had a starting price of $21,075 excluding delivery, taxes, and other fees. Adjusted for inflation, that’s approximately $31,500 in today’s money.
Condition and Mileage
A key element of this Honda’s appeal is the fact that, despite its age, it has only traveled 16,000 miles (25,700 km). There is no information on why the previous owners drove it so little, but such mileage means the car looks exceptionally good. Painted in Alabaster Silver Metallic, it looks as if it just left the factory, and has a clean Carfax history, as well as a clean Pennsylvania title.
Reliable Engine
Under the hood, the Element is powered by one of Honda’s most revered four-cylinder engines – the famous 2.4-liter naturally aspirated K24 series engine with i-VTEC system. In this specification, it produces 166 hp and 161 lb-ft (218 Nm) of torque. This engine is known for its extreme reliability, so, despite its age, this Element still has a lot of life ahead of it.
The K24 engine is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system, helping the Honda tackle more than just paved roads.
Unique Design
Design is what still distinguishes the Element from modern SUVs. Many modern crossovers follow a single stylistic formula, often looking almost identical regardless of the badge on the grille. The Element took a different path with its uncompromisingly cubic shape and square proportions, along with unusual rear doors that open against the direction of travel (suicide doors). It can only seat four, not five passengers, but the layout remains impressively practical.
Time for Action
So, if the Element is exactly your taste for an unusual SUV, now would be a good time for action. The online auction lasts only one more day, and the current bid is $26,000.
This case vividly illustrates the phenomenon of “future classics” in the used car market. Formerly mass-produced, affordable models with unique design and proven reliability, especially in perfect condition with minimal mileage, are beginning to be viewed not just as transportation, but as collectible objects. This forces a rethinking of the concepts of value and investment appeal of ordinary, at first glance, cars. Demand for such examples is often driven by nostalgia and a desire to own something different from modern, often more uniform models.