[steven]

We just purchased a 5 month old, 3000 mile Cadillac ELR as a company car this week. I though I would give some initial insights on how it measures up to the Karma.

The Good:
ELR has a much better control panel, time shift radio (my favorite), lane change warning, self parallel park, key-less entry, so much more.
The ELR seems much faster than the Karma.
The ELR has a much tighter turning radius.
6 year / 70,000 miles drive-train warranty
Hybrid/Electric Components 8 Years/100,000 Miles


The Bad:
ELR depreciated 50% 3 months vs Karma 50% in 3 years
Hard to get into the back seat of an ELR
Interior not as quiet as the Karma
Handling not as good as a Karma
Not as beautiful as a Karma.

 

[Harleyguy]

You will have to pass by with the ELR when I get back into the Davie dealership

 

[steven]

You will have to pass by with the ELR when I get back into the Davie dealership

Hi Adam, The car is for an employee, not giving up the Karma any time soon. If you ever are downtown, you can take it for a spin.

 

[FiskerZee]

There is no comparison between the ugly Cadillac and the beautiful Karma. It is like comparing a mannequin in a shop window to a runway supermodel!!!. Sorry Cadillac owners!!!.

 

[Fabulist]

This topic came up when the ELR was announced.

The ELR seemed like an interesting option at first, but it just turns out to be a Volt with fancy bodywork and interior. It also did not help that the advertising campaign painted the ELR owner as a total D-Bag.

Personally, I would much rather have a Volt than an ELR. The ELR's main message seems to be "if you want to drive a Volt, but are too embarrassed to be seen in one, we have a more expensive, worse performing option just for you." Obviously, not every ELR owner is motivated by this impulse, but I have no problem driving a Volt and don't need to camouflage it out of embarrassment.

 

[LonePalmBJ]

It also did not help that the advertising campaign painted the ELR owner as a total D-Bag.

Do we really think we're in a position to throw stones? This was pretty lame too, and didn't exactly paint Karma owners in the most progressive light:

 

[shrowell]

Do we really think we're in a position to throw stones? This was pretty lame too, and didn't exactly paint Karma owners in the most progressive light:

I found this advertisement very helpful as a matter of fact. I am now safe in the knowledge that were I to drop my car keys behind the back seat, I would have no trouble reaching them. Obviously the tagline "Pure Sensuality" can only be referring to the Karma.

 

[steven]

...The ELR's main message seems to be "if you want to drive a Volt, but are too embarrassed to be seen in one....

Hey Fab,

A very close friend owns a Volt, it's a really nice car. The ELR is way more luxurious in every way and was a bargain at half price with almost no miles on it. Just about the same price of a Volt. And we thought our Karmas depreciate.

BTW, I was on my way to buy a Volt in 2012 when a friend turned me on to the Karma. I test drove the Karma the next day, then bought it. Don't "dis" the ELR, it really is a nice care, and it does look good, and seems to have better tech, but even with all that, I will never give up my Karma... well maybe if Karma finally comes out with the "Surf".

 

[JCMorrill]

Based on my experience (with the Karma, not women), she's not trying to find her keys, but helping somebody in the back seat get their seatbelt fastened. I seem to be the only person in my family who can successfully fasten the rear seatbelt in the car that I am always the one driving ... ?!!!

 

[Fabulist]

Hey Fab,

A very close friend owns a Volt, it's a really nice car. The ELR is way more luxurious in every way and was a bargain at half price with almost no miles on it. Just about the same price of a Volt. And we thought our Karmas depreciate.

I don't have anything against the ELR per se. There is nothing unusual about a car company offering a more luxurious version of an existing model under a luxury badge. e.g. Toyota Avalon v. Lexus ES. But in most of these situations, the luxury-badged version has more power and better performance (at least available as an option) whereas the ELR has the same powerplant as the Volt and you can't get more performance, even as an option. This is borne out by some of the ELR reviews written by Volt owners.

As the reviewers pointed out, if you get an ELR at the same price as a Volt, then it would worth considering (which is what your friend did), but not at the MSRP:

Ultimately, the ELR is a nice car and we all know electric offers a “luxury” driving experience. In 10 years, we’ll see a ton of cars with electric drive trains and they’ll all have that benefit. Today, however, there are a handful and none are as luxurious as this ride. If the acceleration were stronger, the steering feedback a bit tighter and the handling sharper, I might be inclined to streeeeeetch for one of these – but those are my priorities. Not all prospective buyers might agree. In reality, I might still be inclined if the General released ridiculous lease deals. The used car market is another option, but low production numbers will probably keep the values a bit higher than I would like.

Bottom line, I want the ELR more than the Volt. Even with the smaller back seat, two fewer doors, and a smaller trunk space, I still want it more. But I don’t want it so badly that I’m willing to pay twice as much for it. However, when leases are finally announced, if they’re in the $750-850 range, I will indeed replace my Volt with an ELR.

 

[Fabulist]

Based on my experience (with the Karma, not women), she's not trying to find her keys, but helping somebody in the back seat get their seatbelt fastened. I seem to be the only person in my family who can successfully fasten the rear seatbelt in the car that I am always the one driving ... ?!!!

I always thought that she was being very efficient by securing a kid in the safety seat in the back, while working on getting the next kid started -- multitasking at its best.

 

[PowerSource]

Handling is the issue. It is built on the GM FWD Delta platform which also underpins the Chevy Cruze (~16k car). I drove the ELR and the handling/road feel/driving satisfaction leaves a lot to be desired. ELR has to be the most expensive FWD car ever sold. If you look at this category there are not many FWD vehicles.

 

[shrowell]

Based on my experience (with the Karma, not women), she's not trying to find her keys, but helping somebody in the back seat get their seatbelt fastened. I seem to be the only person in my family who can successfully fasten the rear seatbelt in the car that I am always the one driving ... ?!!!

Clearly I need to study the diagram more carefully...

 

[FiskerZee]

By the way, all that lady in the photo is doing is putting her child in his car seat and making him safe in the back seat. Isn't it?

 

[Stefan]

Btw: reminded on this add, I'm happy, that Fisker decided to get rid of the "Plugin Hybrid" and "Q-drive" lettering and went for EVER

 

[FiskerZee]

I think Fab and I agree. The lady in the photo is indeed securing her kid in a child seat. I just wish I could go back 50 years and be that child, ah, we can dream!!!!!!!!!

 

[Stefan]

Hey Columbo, this makes completely sense to me.
If you see, how far she reaches into the Karma, she must be securing the baby on the passenger side!
We all know, that babies go on this side to get eye contact while doing a make up in the rear mirror on the highway.

 

[FiskerZee]

Indeed, it's a pity the karma isn't a little wider!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dave_Car_Guy]

I think Fab and I agree. The lady in the photo is indeed securing her kid in a child seat.

Guys and gals, you all have it wrong... she is CLEARLY jumping into the backseat to avoid the admiring and jealous chit-chat from the hundreds of Tesla drivers lined up to borrow her charging port.

After all, she can always make it home without electricity, but they can't... and since their cars are a dime-a-dozen (I see at least 2 dozen every day), she has to hide from the dolts who want to know what that beautiful car is!

 

[FiskerZee]

Yes indeed that makes full sense. I am always ready to offer her and her charge port a place to hide.