[ky_soldier]

In typical fashion, new cars like this are hot at first, but once supply catches up, deals can be had. If the car is well received, that can take awhile, or be carefully controlled by the manufacturer (Audi Q5, Porsche Cayenne, etc).

My question is this, who else here is buying one but scared shi*less that these cars will be 10-15k off MSRP once they are sitting on dealer lots 6-12 months from now? I know that with the tax credit and rise in MSRP, it will help us early adopters a LITTLE, but it may also dry up demand BIG time.

Case in point, even the Chevy Volt is very slow moving now and can be had for a discount. It Fisker really does ramp up production, do you think we will take a bath once the luster of the newness of it all is gone?

 

[AnOutsider]

In another thread, someone said there were 50 karmas listed on cars.com if so, that would indicate a lot of either speculation or buyers remorse (if not just dealers sitting on inventory). None of those scenarios are good for resale value. However, if demand picks up once more are in the wild and outstrips demand prices may rise.

 

[Deep Ocean]

Not worried. Wouldn't have been an early adopter if I was worried about the resale. One thing about us Fisker customers, we've learned to be very patient, and that includes the resale. I think I'll sell ours when the wheels fall off.

 

[matrix]

If you're buying a car for resale value, good luck! I've never been happy with resale values on any of my cars. Buy it & enjoy it!!! The Karma is one of the best looking cars available, inside & out (thanks Henrik!). For me, the value is in owning/driving such a beautiful car... assuming they exterminate the software bugs (which I believe they will).

 

[Dutch]

If you're buying a car for resale value, good luck! I've never been happy with resale values on any of my cars. Buy it & enjoy it!!! The Karma is one of the best looking cars available, inside & out (thanks Henrik!). For me, the value is in owning/driving such a beautiful car... assuming they exterminate the software bugs (which I believe they will).

That's so true! :thumbup:

 

[svp6]

I think you should consider a substantial drop in value the first couple years - it happens to all exotics (and that is what Karma will be), perhaps except Ferrari. Financially you will always be better buying a 1-2 year old car. That being said, there are not many people who are of financially sane mind spending over 100k for a car.... It is just for the pleasure to own such a beutiful thing.

Also to be kept in mind is that Fisker needs to prove they will still be here 5-10 years down the line, when time comes to start fixing those cars. If they go bust, the residual value of a useless piece of beautiful automotive engineering may be close to nothing. If that is of concern, you should consider leasing.

 

[brian]

I went onto this assuming the car would be as worthless as a 5 year old PC by the time I'm ready I trade it in.

 

[bmccartney95]

I expected that this would be like buying the very first version of the Ipod....

I fear that I may actually be buying a Newton hanheld....

 

[ky_soldier]

I have to disagree with many of you who have said that since it is a 100k+ car you should expect to take a bath. I have had several Porsche's (Cayenne/Panameras) in the last two years that are still STRONG. If you buy them right, you can even make money as I did in the case of one Panamera.

In the last few years I have owned 3 Audi R8's, two Audi S4's, two Audi Q5's and I can say with absolute honesty that in total, I am even on all of them. Heck, on the Q5's I came out ahead.

Resale is a very important part of my buying decision. I try not to buy cars that are going to take a 20% hit the day you buy them. If that's the case, I'll wait six months and buy one of the dealer demos once they are available.

I don't know. One day I'm real gung ho on the idea, the next day it scares me to death, mainly because Fisker has been over promising and under delivering on every communication since 2010. The fact that the nearest dealer is 5 hours away doesn't help my confidence.

I was supposed to take delivery today, but am having a bear of a time with financing. Many places won't touch the car without 20% down, which I don't want to do right now. I usually only put a little down to keep from being underwater, but I don't really want equity in a vehicle right now either.

Uggghhhh.....

 

[ringme]

I have to disagree with many of you who have said that since it is a 100k+ car you should expect to take a bath. I have had several Porsche's (Cayenne/Panameras) in the last two years that are still STRONG. If you buy them right, you can even make money as I did in the case of one Panamera.

In the last few years I have owned 3 Audi R8's, two Audi S4's, two Audi Q5's and I can say with absolute honesty that in total, I am even on all of them. Heck, on the Q5's I came out ahead.

Resale is a very important part of my buying decision. I try not to buy cars that are going to take a 20% hit the day you buy them. If that's the case, I'll wait six months and buy one of the dealer demos once they are available.

I don't know. One day I'm real gung ho on the idea, the next day it scares me to death, mainly because Fisker has been over promising and under delivering on every communication since 2010. The fact that the nearest dealer is 5 hours away doesn't help my confidence.

I was supposed to take delivery today, but am having a bear of a time with financing. Many places won't touch the car without 20% down, which I don't want to do right now. I usually only put a little down to keep from being underwater, but I don't really want equity in a vehicle right now either.

Uggghhhh.....

The net is this, you are buying a vehicle from a company that has built around 300 vehicles and has been in business for a few years. The majority of the people purchasing Karma's now are early adopters and not financing this vehicle. Also, 100k to many of the early adopters will not break them. This is very similar to owners of the Tesla Roadster. I suspect Fisker will sell around 3-5k vehicles worldwide in 2012 (BTW..very good numbers given Tesla has only sold 2,100+ in 3 years). The resale value should be similar to that of the Telsla Roadster given the sales numbers. It really comes down to how many Kamras they produce and sell. I think Fisker is overly optimistic on the production and sales numbers in 2012. Also, Fisker can ratchet back production if too many Karmas sit on dealer lots much easier than a larger manufacturer. If they sell 3-5k vehicles in 2012, that's roughly 270-500+ million in revenue. If Fisker manages their expenses closely and raises more money with a public offering they should be ok until the Nina arrives. The success of the Nina is going to be the ultimate test for Fisker.

So my advice is if you are really worried about resale, wait 12 months to see how Fisker is doing and make you're decision then. If you need the Karma now dont worry about the money and enjoy the Karma. Also, if you buy a Karma now or year from now it is still a major risk no matter how you slice it. I suspect most people purchasing the Karma are not worried about the resale value as they are about Fisker making updates and improvements to the vehicle over the next year or two.

 

[svp6]

I have to disagree with many of you who have said that since it is a 100k+ car you should expect to take a bath. I have had several Porsche's (Cayenne/Panameras) in the last two years that are still STRONG. If you buy them right, you can even make money as I did in the case of one Panamera.

In the last few years I have owned 3 Audi R8's, two Audi S4's, two Audi Q5's and I can say with absolute honesty that in total, I am even on all of them. Heck, on the Q5's I came out ahead.

Resale is a very important part of my buying decision. I try not to buy cars that are going to take a 20% hit the day you buy them. If that's the case, I'll wait six months and buy one of the dealer demos once they are available.

I don't know. One day I'm real gung ho on the idea, the next day it scares me to death, mainly because Fisker has been over promising and under delivering on every communication since 2010. The fact that the nearest dealer is 5 hours away doesn't help my confidence.

I was supposed to take delivery today, but am having a bear of a time with financing. Many places won't touch the car without 20% down, which I don't want to do right now. I usually only put a little down to keep from being underwater, but I don't really want equity in a vehicle right now either.

Uggghhhh.....

Wow, I would say you clearly are not the average person. I am counting 7 Audis and at least 2 Porsche's in the last few years? If you financed all these vehicles that counts as at least 9 credit applications, which probably explains why you have some difficulty finding a lender for an unknown car with less than 20% down.....

 

[BillyO]

One of the good things about the Karma is that even if Fisker fails, most of the parts were outsourced and will still be available. I agree that production numbers in 2012 will be far less than Fisker is projecting. Expect it to depreciate like most luxury brands. I'm buying it because I want one, not because it's a good deal.

BillyO

 

[Sigurd]

I see absolutely no reason to have owned 3 R8s in the last few years unless I were a car dealer. Why would you want to go through the trouble of trading 7 cars in a few years? I'll stick with dentistry and enjoy my cars. I keep my cars for an average of 4 years. BTW, I love my Gallardo and wouldn't trade it for an R8 any time. R8s is a supercar for women just like the NSX was (hehe).

 

[AnOutsider]

Whoa, fighting words. The R8 is a MUCH more refined ride than a gallardo, and I've put a couple of them to shame at pocono raceway.

That said... 3? Deeper issues.

 

[kabalah70]

I had no problem getting 100% financing after having just bought a new house and still owning another house. approximately $400k in mortgages, with a $105k annual salary. Single, 42 male, with no other debt to speak of. I just provided my credit union with a digital copy of the Monroney label that Fisker Customer Service provided and a copy of a Bill of Sale and they cut me a dealer check. That simple.

 

[SoCalGuy]

I had no problem getting 100% financing after having just bought a new house and still owning another house. approximately $400k in mortgages, with a $105k annual salary. Single, 42 male, with no other debt to speak of. I just provided my credit union with a digital copy of the Monroney label that Fisker Customer Service provided and a copy of a Bill of Sale and they cut me a dealer check. That simple.

Kab- not to pry, but buying a $115K car by financing it on a $102K salary seems aggressive! Payments on the car has to be $2,200 or so, which is $26K/year POST-tax, so roughly $45K pre-tax. Seems high when you factor in other expenses like food, housing, insurance, etc. What's your secret?

 

[ky_soldier]

I had no problem getting 100% financing after having just bought a new house and still owning another house. approximately $400k in mortgages, with a $105k annual salary. Single, 42 male, with no other debt to speak of. I just provided my credit union with a digital copy of the Monroney label that Fisker Customer Service provided and a copy of a Bill of Sale and they cut me a dealer check. That simple.

Which CU? I used to be able to do 100k with penfed until the changed their rules. I may want to ask mine.[hr]

I see absolutely no reason to have owned 3 R8s in the last few years unless I were a car dealer. Why would you want to go through the trouble of trading 7 cars in a few years? I'll stick with dentistry and enjoy my cars. I keep my cars for an average of 4 years. BTW, I love my Gallardo and wouldn't trade it for an R8 any time. R8s is a supercar for women just like the NSX was (hehe).

If you saw my last R8 you'd hardly thing it was feminine. V10 with an MTM kit pushing 588 real hp. I NEVER should have sold that one but needed the equity to buy a condo in FL.

Anyway, as for my trading, I have a sales tax exemption so I have been able to flip some rather nicely over the years. If I could have gotten my hands on a Ferrari 458 at MSRP I'd have jumped on that.

Yeah, as for the financing, it's about the lender and the car, not me. My credit is fine. I'm exploring the other CU's at present to see what I can do there.

 

[Fabulist]

Just started a new thread called Financing and posted the information about a finance company I have recently found that finances Karmas and are very flexible on terms and down payments. This is just sharing information since I have no basis to recommend them at this point. It would be helpful for others who have information on financing to share with the group.

Happy New Year,

-- Fab.

 

[Sigurd]

My Karma was financed through a credit union in Ft. Worth, Texas at 3.99%. No problem. Frank Kent Fisker had it all ready to go when I went to pick up my car.

 

[Fabulist]

My Karma was financed through a credit union in Ft. Worth, Texas at 3.99%. No problem. Frank Kent Fisker had it all ready to go when I went to pick up my car.

@Sigurd: could you please post contact information for the loan officer to the Financing thread? Thank you.

-- Fab.