I wrested my 2004 Honda Element from the grasp of its first owner in 2008 when his wife gave birth to a third child and they had to upgrade to an Odyssey; his loss, my gain. Element owners are nuts about them; it’s almost like being part of a cult. To our dismay, Honda discontinued the Element in 2012. I have resolved not to let go of Egbert (that’s his name) until I find a compact SUV I like as much as I like him, and in all likelihood, that is never going to happen. Eggie is easy on gas, easy to clean, and his rear seats can be configured three different ways (or removed entirely) which enables him to accommodate a wide (and tall and long) variety of items. During my fourteen years of ownership, he has been remarkably trouble-free. Our new house came with a bonus upgrade–a two-car garage–so he’s got his own space and is thrilled to be spending his twilight years in comfort.
The poem below, a NONET, is part of Muri’s Poetry Month Challenge.
MILEAGE IS JUST A NUMBER
One-seven-eight-six-seven-seven
Miles on Egbert’s odometer
Irrelevant… he’s eighteen
and still humming along
I will keep driving
my Element
until the
wheels fall
off
JUST JOAN 42 
“Mileage is just a number.” I like that. It’s amazing how long cars last these days. And it’s nice that you can now store your Element out of the elements.
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Thanks, Tippy. Egbert is nowhere near ready for the junk yard. I used to get letters from the local Honda dealership offering me top dollar if I wanted to trade up for something better. HAH! Like what? I like the idea of storing my Element out of the elements. So long snow scraper and Prestone spray.
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Yeah, so long. I know what it’s like to scrape ice off of a windshield. I always hated it.
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*Wild Applause* Our Honda Civic Wagon (the Moon Bus) was 21 when we finally had to say good-bye (the axels had rusted and the motor mounts were down to only 1 holding the engine in place) I loved that car. Currently the Fit (Lil’ Red) is a 2004 and still going strong. I liked the Element but my husband didn’t (called them Tupperware on wheels) so we didn’t get one – I’m kind of sad that they discontinued them before we need to replace Lil’ Red…
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Thanks, Muri. I thought about getting a Fit, but Honda discontinued those, too. The Element was the first boxy SUV on the market and people either loved or hated them. Now there are many. “Tupperware on wheels” or not, I guess love won out. Where I live now (Ford and GM country), I’m seen as something of a traitor for patronizing Honda. But Eggie is 18 and strong, while their pitiful cars start falling apart ten minutes after the (12-month, 12,000 mile) warranty runs out. Then there’s my Biden-Harris bumper sticker, an unpopular decoration in this neck of the woods. But I gotta be me, you know?
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Oh and the Nonet is a wonderful tribute to the durability of the car!
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Kind of funny that you had to get rid of your Civic because of rusted axles… you really did drive it until the wheels fell off. LOL.
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This was a cute poem, and a wonderful ode to a durable vehicle!
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Thanks, Churchmousie. Durability is Egbert’s middle name. After so many years of faithful service, I’m glad he gets to park in the garage. He’s earned the privilege.
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Go Egbert! He sounds like quite a dependable fellow, Joan. I also have a rather vintage Toyota Corolla who has also been quite trouble-free. Admittedly, I don’t have an extraordinary mileage count on it as I work from home and travel to schools nearby (living in a smaller city). My kids are always concerned as I drive my eleven-year-old car to Houston twice a year by myself to see them. My son-in-law made a point to read the mileage off to me last summer when I was there (like I don’t see it, lol). I am planning to try and keep my Toyota for at least another three years thinking I will buy one more new car before I die. We will see. Good to see you writing poetry! I am trying to learn the art of copywriting now. Looks like we are in the final days of poetry month, and what a beautiful month it has been. Great to talk with you, Joan!
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I hear you, Lana. At 18 with just under 180K Egg has averaged 10K a year, far fewer since I retired, especially in the COVID period. I think your Corolla can make it three more years. Then what will you get? An electric car? Better get on the waiting list now, LOL. What is copy writing? Or did you mean copyrighting? Yes, a beautiful month, with open mics and NPM challenges and spring flowers in bloom.
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I think they have hybrid cars now, and I also think you can get tax credits for one. We will see, but you are probably right about the waiting list! Copy writing is basically sales writing to promote products. I need to get cracking on that. Spring is my favorite time of the year, and it lasts basically two weeks in Texas, lol.
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Sounds like Egbert has earned your loyalty. I expect my Lexus will outlast me if only because it gets such lousy mileage, I’m afraid to drive it. It too is coddled in the garage and only does serious work when it’s pressed into draft horse duty, towing the Wanderlust. I dream of owning an electric vehicle but how do you say goodbye to a perfectly good car just because it’s a bit profligate with the fossil fuel?
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Would an electric car have the power necessary to tow the Wanderlust? Egbert is just a 4-cylinder, that’s why he can pull off 21 mpg, but he’s too small to tow much of anything. It’s not a good time to buy, with car prices so inflated. Who wants to trade a paid off car for payment on a car they don’t like as well? Not me. Eg does OK on gas and since I don’t work and barely shop, I don’t drive that much. Just to visit my mom and go to doctor appointments. I’d like to go electric someday, but that day is, at this point, a long way off.
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The Wanderlust weighs a scant 1,000 lbs. and folds down so it doesn’t increase wind resistance. It can be towed by most any car but I’m pretty careful about keeping my speed to 55 – 60 out of consideration of braking distance. I actually get better gas mileage towing on vacation than I get driving around town, 18 vs. 22 mpg.
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Wow, that’s light! Mileage not bad either, Egbert gets avg of 21 in city, probably less if towing something.
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That’s some good mileage!
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Thanks, KE. Eggie was my daily driver until 2015 when I retired. He racks up a lot fewer miles now. Just had him in for an oil change and my mechanic gave him a clean bill of health. Woo hoo!
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