Oh no, don’t sell.
You would regret it. :(

that is one gorgeous 21 year old element .... I'll definitely buy that one...

i have a 2006 element that i bought new and have had it through 3 kids.  we did buy a 03 Cadi escalade to accommodate our family when kids were little. but i could never let go of the Element.  it gets easier as kids can sit forward facing though and now that they are older teens and pre teen, it has been utilized once again.  Plus we had to sell the 03 cadi, already due to engine issues...element going strong.

That door struggle is real.. but as soon as your son is bigger the door thing becomes less burdensome. Good luck !

i will say in the elements defense it was marketed originally to young 20somethings who like to adventure so it would make sense that as u transition into having a family of your own that some issues with the vehicle would arise. i just got one and im a 22 year old drummer. was watching to see any issues i might face but tbh they seem mostly like issues regarding use as a family vehicle and that makes me glad lol

The first problem that could be resolved by getting the Nuna Pipa Aire RX + RELX Base in Caviar. Push the front passenger seat up and slide the car seat in until it clicks.

Man i dealt ith it and i had two toddlers.  The only issue i ever had with element was the those quarter panel windows.  If they ever get broken there are few glass installers who can instal them correctly.  But this was 2006.

Ty for being really honest about the cons of the Element. I have gotten flack for pointing out the exact things over the years.

I bought my Element from someone that was facing these same issues after having a kid, he had switched to a Subaru Outback. The long cargo room in the back is nice for something like a stroller, especially when you have more things, like luggage or a big shopping trip. Subaru's been reliable for a long time now, after moving away from the old EJ engines. The last couple years of EJ engines in the 2010-2013 Outback were reliable due to having revised head design with features from WRX, but probably not relevant to you. Anything 2014+ is solid, before that the engines and CVT transmission were noiser, although they didn't vibrate. From 2014 on Subaru switched to making their own CVT transmission instead of relying on supplier JATCO, and the Outback has been all around good since.

For the 2007 Element with a manual transmission, tangerine metallic, 114k miles, and in good condition, I paid $11k. Examples in good condition having the manual + sunroof + revised engine + stability control were only made in 2007 and 2008. A few of the 2009s with the updated front end had manuals too, but without a sunroof. Most other places were asking for $14k+, way too much. Those models are particularly rare, but any Element in good condition should hold its value from here imo. It helps that the cost of ownership, even for major repair like an engine replacement is relatively low, since the same was used in other higher volume models. This and utility for other things keep it desirable.

They do make a swivel baby seat that would solve the problem... If you do change cars check out the Toyota Venza (2008-12).

I got bit by the Element bug. I bought a 2003 Honda Element DX AWD with the Orange Sunset Pearl paint job. It has 215k miles with the 5sp manual.  It is pretty good shape for a 23 year old car. The interior is not thrashed and the upholstery is in good shape. It does have the air bag light on, which apparently is a common problem and is sometimes warranted by Honda. All in all, I think I got a good deal on it.

Another great video!

@11:15 I know this video is kind of old now, I’ve had three elements and really only have one now, my mom has a 07 sienna, So we have kind of have both 2gr-fe & k24A4. They are the two engines that I know the most about as we own them, there are plenty of times where I thought the Element was a better situation than the Van, lately the element has been out of commission, so sometimes it’s nice to be in the van but I miss the Element every single time, we have maxxed both of them of their storage capacity, There were many times where I thought the element should be driven instead of the van as it doesn’t make sense to start ip a v6 all the time, they are both great in their own ways, they get similar economy, I can see why the RX or Venza would be better for specifically just the car seat. Soon he will be in a booster seat or maybe already is I know this is a little bit ago, but I’ve had a couple friends Ask me if they thought Element was a good family car as I say I’ll never get rid of mine. I’m glad I found this video

I love how every child seat review for this car goes from the practicalities of using it with child seat at the back to full advertisement campaign for how good the E actually is.

I was thinking, since you have the baby facing backwards. You could pull the
Back rest all the way down. And then put the baby in from the back, and then carefully the back rest up a littlw without squishing the little one's feet

Would anyone actually want to buy our Honda Element?

What about using the rear hatch and get rid of one of the back seats?  Park like everyone else(?), DRIVE in. OR just park in more open areas?   I can't remember the last time I saw a parking lot that was TOTALLY full.
ALSO, and forgive me, I don't know anything about kids, but at some point you won't need the child seat/stroller????
Again, I know nothing of the problem of kids, THANK GOD!!!, but it seems to me the Element would be BETTER than most vehicles.  Having the short rear door for full access?  Seems like it would work great.  Again, it seems like your "problem" is all based on you parking in congested areas of parking lots, compounded by backing into the spot.   OR, are we just LOOKING for a reason for change?  I know when I was younger, I got bored quickly with my cars.  Once I "fixed/upgraded" the stuff I wanted to, I was looking for my NEXT vehicle...  
IN ANYCASE, nice video... great looking ELEMENT!!!

I own an 04 element and won't part with it. Love my car.! Ive ran into people who have sold, and they always tell me they regret it.

Put it in deep storage for 16 years and your son will take it from there. Good luck!

Getting kids out of the rear facing car seat is very difficult.