Hi Lyn... =)I'm sooooo happy for you!!! =)and i still think that sis in law of yours blows. (the name stealer)i think i've mentioned before that i sell cars part time at (largest used car chain in the world...i can't name it here). I took in an element (trade in) and I sold an element(not the same one.. it was 07 Element SC) hours apart last saturday. i also worked part time for Honda, few years ago, so i think i'm qualified to answer this question. the guy above pointed out the positives, very well. those cars are very roomy. can't argue with space efficiency of a box. =)again, like the customer above, first thing i'd worry about is the rear door set up. the 'suicide' rear door does not open unless the front is open, and the seats are placed pretty far back from the point of entry. 2nd thing is, because it has no carpet, it lacks some of the sound insulation and tends to be noisy. and compared with some other SUV in its class, it's not as comfortable.. the ride is choppy, the noise, seats, etc etc. the rear seat, again, is placed higher than the fronts. and when you go for test drive, sit in the back to make sure it's okay. it tends to feel very bouncy back there. power is adequate, but gas mileage is bit on the down side. the box doesn't do well in cheating the wind. the guy who sold us his element was not at all happy with his element.. he said it was the most uncomfortable car he's ever owned.. and he traded it in for a lincoln. (talk about going from one extreme to another)i'm not sure what your price range is... but for about the same price, (in used car market, not new) i'd look at Subaru Outback, (or Legacy wagon.. same thing without the big tires.. best kept secret in the industry) Toyota Sienna AWD, (rare, but you can find one.. bit expensive and not that great in gas, but there is no substitute for a minivan) Subaru Forester, toyota Rav-4 (06 and newer ones are much bigger now).if you don't mind bit of noise and bounce, and if the doors work okay with ease of using the back seat, then the Element is a good choice.=)