Another Element
 

Hello, I've been reading up on Elements and was riding through the country in south Mississippi and spotted a sad silver and blue trimmed car sitting in a yard. After a couple of trips, I caught the owner at home and we agreed on $1200.00. It was a 2005 that wouldn't crank after being parked several months ago. He said it had 188,000 miles and had new struts, brakes and good tires. The ac blows cold and the stereo was good. I got it home and a battery revealed 288,000 miles. The starter proved bad, and it was rebuilt after removing a seized bolt and retapping the housing. It started right up, and after much scrubbing, it looks very good and runs good. Automatic. I don't have any history on repairs past the first two owners on Carfaxx. Has the original engine, haven't checked numbers on the trans yet. I ordered filter and fluid, but am fearful of changing with this mileage.
I'm retired and tinker with old cars, rvs and motorcycles. I have a 1984 El Camino, a 1995 BMW K1100LT motorcycle, a Honda Helix stripped down scooter and an RV made from a 2006 former potato chip delivery truck. I live in rural South Mississippi (Sontag) and am married to a retired nurse living with stage 4 breast cancer. She's hanging in there and I'm here to support her. I'll try not to type so much from now on.
I'll try to post some Element pictures soon.

Welcome. I don't really know what to tell you except I wouldn't do anything with the trans until you know what the engine situation is.