Is the Karma any fun to drive

3800 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by dennis, Jan 20, 2012

Michael

Discussion Starter · Jan 20, 2012

For all the ones who had the car now is it any fun to drive?
(if you dont think about al the errors in the command center)

I tested it with my dealer for 20minutes.

I just tried the latest Audi S5 and yes it was fast and nice to drive, some nice enginenoise from the V6 but it was not like superfun to drive.

I was thinking on waiting to mars, see if the worst errors with the car is sorted out and then ask for a new testdrive without the dealer next to me. Then make final decision to go Karma or German car

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brian

· #2 · Jan 20, 2012

I know I'm going to get slammed for this, but... NO. And I don't mean that in a bad way. The Karma is definitely not a "driver's car" at all. You don't feel the road at all. There's no feedback thru the steering wheel, the accelerator pedal, or the seat. It's very big and heavy and not the most maneuverable thing on the road. So, "fun", no not at all.

But that's not a bad thing. This car is GREAT as a city car. It deals with stoplights and traffic better than anything I've ever owned because that's where its strengths are. It's got good 0-40 acceleration which is what you need in city driving, and it drives very straight and smooth. I really enjoy driving it around town for errands and the usual daily chores.

It's really the opposite of my Aston because the Aston is a pain in the ass to drive in the city, and it *hates* coming to a stop and going slow in traffic. Yet the Aston is an outstanding driver's car and is ridiculously fun to drive on the open road. So, I'd say the Karma compliments the Aston perfectly, but I'd never call it "fun to drive" in a million years.

-Brian

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Sparky168

· #3 · Jan 20, 2012

brian said:
I know I'm going to get slammed for this, but... NO. And I don't mean that in a bad way. The Karma is definitely not a "driver's car" at all. You don't feel the road at all. There's no feedback thru the steering wheel, the accelerator pedal, or the seat. It's very big and heavy and not the most maneuverable thing on the road. So, "fun", no not at all.

But that's not a bad thing. This car is GREAT as a city car. It deals with stoplights and traffic better than anything I've ever owned because that's where its strengths are. It's got good 0-40 acceleration which is what you need in city driving, and it drives very straight and smooth. I really enjoy driving it around town for errands and the usual daily chores.

It's really the opposite of my Aston because the Aston is a pain in the ass to drive in the city, and it *hates* coming to a stop and going slow in traffic. Yet the Aston is an outstanding driver's car and is ridiculously fun to drive on the open road. So, I'd say the Karma compliments the Aston perfectly, but I'd never call it "fun to drive" in a million years.

-Brian

I think there is an easy solution for the 'too quiet' for the Karma. It is easy to add sound than to remove sound in the cockpit. Karma can easily program a F-18 sound proportional to the engine rev or power output. Turn up that roaring base. It will blow your ears off. It will be more feedback than you need.

Personally, on a long trip, I like a quiet car with relaxing classical music. Arriving at my destination without fatigue from listening to constant droning of the ICE.

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Michael

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 20, 2012

The sound I know will be boring but I have the Ferrari 355 for that

It´s more the feeling och steering, acceleration and maneuverable.

Is it really that good in city? I mean its huge and hard thinking its easier than my VW GOLF.
[hr]
The sound I know will be boring but I have the Ferrari 355 for that

It´s more the feeling och steering, acceleration and maneuverable.

Is it really that good in city? I mean its huge and hard thinking its easier than my VW GOLF.

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brian

· #5 · Jan 20, 2012

True, the only bad part about the Karma for city use is the size. Driving it is not the problem, but parking is. I've found that this is a very challenging car to park. You have to go very wide to get into spots, and backing out is a test of skills. Other than that, however, it really does amazingly well as a city car. The lack of a gearbox and the instant torque make it a pleasure to start-stop in.

Like I've said in earlier posts, the acceleration past 40mph is minimal, but you do get the head-in-the-back-of-the-seat feeling from 0-40. Also, the great visibility in the car makes lane changes a cinch. My Aston scares the shit out of me when I drive it in traffic when the top is up because I can't see a thing, so every lane change is a flirt with death. That's why I almost always drive the Aston with the top down - otherwise my hair would turn white from fear. The Karma's visibility gets an A+.

-Brian

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dennis

· #6 · Jan 20, 2012

brian said:
I really enjoy driving it around town for errands and the usual daily chores.
...
but I'd never call it "fun to drive" in a million years.

I bought the Karma for my daily driver, and it is perfect for that. I've always owned sport sedans for that purpose, mostly BMW's, and the Karma is every bit as fun in that role. Plus it is better looking and more ecologically friendly. Interestingly enough, it takes my favorite freeway cloverleaf exit just as fast as my M5's did and with no drama.

The Karma can be driven fast on twisty rural roads, but its size and weight mean you have to work at it, just as you have to do with any large sedan like a BMW 7 series. So it is never going to be as fun to drive in that element as a smaller car.

I spend much more time on the freeway and in city driving than I do on rural roads, and as a result I get some smiles driving the Karma every day. For me, "enjoyment" and "fun" both put a smile on my face.

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Michael

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 20, 2012

I guess the parkingsensors not working so good? I guess have to search for good parkingspots when parking it.
[hr]
I guess the parkingsensors not working so good? I guess have to search for good parkingspots when parking it.

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dennis

· #8 · Jan 20, 2012

Michael said:
I guess the parkingsensors not working so good? I guess have to search for good parkingspots when parking it.

Not true. I live in a town where parking spots are at a premium, and have had no issues parallel parking or parking in lots.

I am careful about parking because I don't want curb rash on my wheels or dings on the front fascia. It took about a week to gauge the length of the car in front so as to not touch the concrete bumpers.

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SoCalGuy

· #9 · Jan 20, 2012

Well, so bear in mind that I've only had the Karma for a couple of days (in terms of driving it), and most of those days has had low battery range, so I'm not sure if I've yet really experienced the full Sport mode (it might have been just the 260hp of the ICE powering the electric motors most of the time). That said, the acceleration is fine. When I first had the battery charged up to around 18/19 miles of range, in Sport mode it did seem a bit faster, but that might have just been my imagination. The 2003 BMW 540 I drive on occasion seems more fun to drive as a "driver's car" and with acceleration.

I'm hoping to charge it up more this weekend, but its due to rain most of Saturday and part of Sunday, so not sure how much time I'll have to really test out everything.

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Michael

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 20, 2012

brian what kind of aston do you have, db9 or vantage v8 or other modell

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brian

· #11 · Jan 20, 2012

2009 V8 Vantage

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dennis

· #12 · Jan 20, 2012

IMO the Wall Street Journal reporter did the best job yet in assessing the driving characteristics of the Karma and positioning it vs. its competition. Bottom line: fun to drive, not a four door sports car, but a well-differentiated offering vs. flagship sedans from BMW/Mercedes/Audi.

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/01/20/fisker-karma-will-luxury-buyers-go-for-eco-chic-slideshow/

[Thanks to SoCalGuy for posting the link to the article]

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