Power Kite Forum

My new kitemobile!!

soliver - 1-2-2013 at 06:46 PM

So for the first time in my life, I was able to get a car that I actually wanted to get, not a hand me down, or freebie from a relative getting rid of a car (not that it's not appreciated) so I got to PICK what I wanted,... WUHOO! For the longest time I've wanted a Honda Element, so I finally got one.

I've wanted one of these vehicles because to a degree it maintains the utility of a pickup truck, but gets better gas mileage and has more seating inside (I have 3 kids). The great thing is that the back seats either fold up out of the way or can come out completely. And the interior is almost all vinyl (except the seats) and can be hosed down, mopped out or just wiped down.

The circumstances surrounding my ability to get this car made it such that I didn't have to use my old (1994 Chevy s10 pickup) truck for down payment money, so I sold that truck and used the money to accessorize the element to suit my needs and wants. So for work (as a carpenter) I outfitted it with a Gobi roof rack, and for kiting I added a trailer hitch and Van hooked me up with a buggy rack (see my review of the VTT trailer hitch buggy rack http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=24816).









Its a really sweet vehicle with tons of room and comfort and I'm really proud of it. And its made for easy accessibility as you can see from the suicide rear doors. Can't wait to take off and head for another Jekyll Island camp and kite, or JIBE.

abkayak - 1-2-2013 at 06:53 PM

It's beautiful...everything a vehicle should be. Function and character abound.. Good luck!

mougl - 1-2-2013 at 07:06 PM

Sweet looking Element!! Congrats man :)

Kamikuza - 1-2-2013 at 07:32 PM

Niiiiice! I'll be picking up my new kitemobile next week too :D new as in, new to me though!

soliver - 1-2-2013 at 07:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kamikuza
Niiiiice! I'll be picking up my new kitemobile next week too :D new as in, new to me though!


HA! ... Yeah this E is a 2008, so "new to me" definitely applies,... Just FYI you guys, this is my second purchase from CarMax (wife's car a few years back), and they are a great organization. Highly recommended for kitemobile purchases. :smilegrin:

Nfish - 1-2-2013 at 09:56 PM

Ha, sounded like I wasn't the only one getting a new SUV for kite buggy. I just bought my 2014 Mazda CX-5 GT today so I don't have to take my buggy apart every time I go down to the beach.

Now, I'm new to the trailer hitch attachment. I'm looking at this (2014 CX-5 is pretty much the same as 2013 with a bigger engine):

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Mazda/CX-5/2013/C13127...

More pictures with the attachment points on this smaller hitch: http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Mazda/CX-5/2013/C12080...

Are these the right kind of trailer hitch I should be looking for?

BeamerBob - 1-2-2013 at 10:32 PM

Usually get the highest tow rating your vehicle can pull/haul. The only time you wouldn't would be if your vehicle can pull 10000 lbs but you only need to attach a bike rack..............ever.

RedSky - 2-2-2013 at 01:04 AM

ah,I can smell that new car smell.

cheezycheese - 2-2-2013 at 02:36 AM

ain't you chillin.... :bouncing:

BigMikesKites - 2-2-2013 at 02:47 AM

i was looking at the element when i got a F150. That soon got upgraded to a F250.

bourgeois.jason - 2-2-2013 at 03:42 AM

It looks like a perfect vehicle for kiting. You can lock all of your gear up while you are enjoying the sport on the beach, in the water, or wherever you go. If I keep my truck, I'll get a camper top for it so that I can lock up my stuff while I'm kiting.

soliver - 2-2-2013 at 05:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bourgeois.jason
It looks like a perfect vehicle for kiting. You can lock all of your gear up while you are enjoying the sport on the beach, in the water, or wherever you go. If I keep my truck, I'll get a camper top for it so that I can lock up my stuff while I'm kiting.


That's a great plan,... Before I had the E, I had a Chevy s10 with a shell I bought off of Craigslist. It was great for kiting gear,... I've just been driving pickups since I was 16 and was ready for something else.

beachrights - 2-2-2013 at 05:52 AM






soliver - 2-2-2013 at 05:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Nfish
Ha, sounded like I wasn't the only one getting a new SUV for kite buggy. I just bought my 2014 Mazda CX-5 GT today so I don't have to take my buggy apart every time I go down to the beach.

Now, I'm new to the trailer hitch attachment. I'm looking at this (2014 CX-5 is pretty much the same as 2013 with a bigger engine):

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Mazda/CX-5/2013/C13127...

More pictures with the attachment points on this smaller hitch: http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Mazda/CX-5/2013/C12080...

Are these the right kind of trailer hitch I should be looking for?


Uhaul is a great source for hitches and related towing gear. I got my hitch and installation for a really great price.

beachrights - 2-2-2013 at 05:54 AM

I'd go with this set up!!



cheezycheese - 2-2-2013 at 07:54 AM

There is a guy that comes to WWBB with a tricked out Element. Believe he has a Japanese spec Integra engine in it. You should hear that thing. Sounds pretty serious.

soliver - 2-2-2013 at 08:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by cheezycheese
There is a guy that comes to WWBB with a tricked out Element. Believe he has a Japanese spec Integra engine in it. You should hear that thing. Sounds pretty serious.


They come with a pretty sweet (at least it's sweet looking) 4 cyl V-tech stock. I'm not sure if it was cleaned up for my purchasing it, but it looked really nice when I picked it up.

bigkid - 2-2-2013 at 10:04 AM

I bet the family is very happy with the new ride.
I bought my wife a brand new Geo Tracker many years ago and made 3 stops before we got home. A 3 inch lift kit, and new wheels and very big mudders with a spare to match. A fiberglass hard top for the cold winters. And Burger King, arg.
After the spilled shake and the lost french fries, it was ready for a long life in the Earl family. The curse of the NEW car was broken before we got the thing home.

I hope you get to enjoy the "newness" a bit longer than 6 hours.

All you need now are some water proof duffel bags, so all your kite stuff can be carried on the roof. Don't want french fries and milkshake on your kites.:lol:

Enjoy the ride.

Kober - 2-2-2013 at 11:24 AM

congrats ..... I love Elements and was actually considering one as my kitemobile ....
.... roof rack looks awesome on that thing .....

shortlineflyer - 2-2-2013 at 11:48 AM

whenever i am am able or have to, I think my car/kitemobile will be a suburu outback or something similar

DAKITEZ - 2-2-2013 at 05:59 PM

The rack is just awesome! Throw some PIAA's on the front of the rack and it will look extra tough :)

Did you notice any mpg drop with the rack on vs without? Not that it really matters just curious. I notice about a 4 mpg drop on my cube with the rack on mine without the buggy even. 5-6mpg drop with the buggy on top. I like the look of a rack on top of mine but I have been stripping the roof any time I make a long trip and dont need to put anything up there.

soliver - 2-2-2013 at 09:01 PM

I've only had the GOBI rack on the E for about a week and a half now, but it has seemed to affect the gas mileage a little, but I'm not 100% sure to be honest. I'll have to pay more attention to know for certain.

I've been thinking about some lights up top for even more "coolness" effect... just need the $$$ for 'em :D

BEC - 3-2-2013 at 06:03 AM

Great Looking ride.. (love that rack) Really sets it apart from the other Elements... If you make it to WBB this year...their is a gentleman there (Claude) who has one that will really inspire the racing end end for you...He's running a turbo Acura engine, the thing is lowered like 3 inches, custom wheels and giant sway bars...Hot little ride...Both of yours almost makes me want to go out and get one. Van's stuff is great too.

I see someone posted about license plate not being easily read...You could always mount it on a section of that small ladder (recessed) so your foot can still use the step.

One word of advise with a hitch....if you ever put a ball on it, make sure you remove it after you're done...Nothing like running out to the car at 11:30 at night to grab something and in a full stride forward putting your shin into it...believe me after the water trickles down your cheeks because you can't even breath yet the curse words will soon start after.

You're going to love to be able to put the buggy on and go to your favorite spot now in like 5 minutes...

Wasn't it you that had the green 1974 F-100 ranger?

bigkid - 3-2-2013 at 08:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DAKITEZ
Did you notice any mpg drop with the rack on vs without? Not that it really matters just curious. I notice about a 4 mpg drop on my cube with the rack on mine without the buggy even. 5-6mpg drop with the buggy on top. I like the look of a rack on top of mine but I have been stripping the roof any time I make a long trip and dont need to put anything up there.

With all the money you have, you are concerned about 5-6mph drop in mileage:P?

Along that same line, after talking to a few guys I know that worked at NASA, and the horse trailer company, Brenderup, I came to the strange conclusion, after a couple dozen trips to Sunset Beach, that has changed the way I haul stuff to get the most out of the MPG of my truck. I should start another post. Sorry Spencer. You still got a nice ride.