I think the bigger question is whether Frank Kent Cadillac in Dallas/Ft.Worth has the technical ability to actually service and repair a Karma. This is a very different and unique car that requires very specific training and experience to work on, particularly when it comes to the HV battery and the associated systems. Unless they have a Fisker-trained and certified technician, the warranty does not mean a whole lot.
New or Used? if you were buying a Karma now.
So I've been on the forums for about a week and learned a ton. I was originally planning to buy a Tesla Model S later this year but happened across a Fisker Karma in my area for sale and have been struggling for the last couple weeks on what to do. I LOVE the way the Karma looks. But I love the technology and what Tesla has achieved with the all electric car. So I have a question for this amazing community and especially Lormax, Harleyguy, Phillyfisker, and any other Karma techs on here, if I end up buying a Karma.
Would you recommend buying a new or used Karma based on the following choices, option 1 or 2?
1. Karma with ~100 miles on it, never titled, from Frank Kent Cadillac in Dallas/Ft.Worth. They say they are the only dealer in the nation that honors Full Factory Warranty on Karmas bought from them. They list this Karma as having most all of the "known issues from the buyers checklist" already being fixed on this Karma. It's about $80k for the car.
2. There are also several Karmas for sale nationwide and in the Dallas area that are roughly $55k-$65k. I originally was very nervous about these due to the lack of warranty and difficulty getting service. But after reading a lot on these forums I have mixed feelings now due to the guidance to buy a car with 10k, 15, or 20k miles on it to know its working well. I am also amazed at the community and technical support on these forums. And after reading what Lormax is up to I am feeling more comfortable about the idea of not having the full factory warranty, all things being equal I would prefer it but if I can get a Karma for $25k less without the warranty and dealership support I'm wondering if that is the better route considering Lormax's willingness to travel to work on Karmas and do prebuy inspections, etc...not to mention everyone else's support on here.
So that's my dilemma. Karma with warranty for $80k or Karma without for $55k. I'm curious what you guys would suggest given your experience and knowledge. I personally wonder how much the warranty is worth if parts are hard to come by, and have seen that Lormax is getting parts made to support the community.
So please any and all feedback is welcome and appreciated.
Thanks!
Karma_Chris
Would you recommend buying a new or used Karma based on the following choices, option 1 or 2?
1. Karma with ~100 miles on it, never titled, from Frank Kent Cadillac in Dallas/Ft.Worth. They say they are the only dealer in the nation that honors Full Factory Warranty on Karmas bought from them. They list this Karma as having most all of the "known issues from the buyers checklist" already being fixed on this Karma. It's about $80k for the car.
2. There are also several Karmas for sale nationwide and in the Dallas area that are roughly $55k-$65k. I originally was very nervous about these due to the lack of warranty and difficulty getting service. But after reading a lot on these forums I have mixed feelings now due to the guidance to buy a car with 10k, 15, or 20k miles on it to know its working well. I am also amazed at the community and technical support on these forums. And after reading what Lormax is up to I am feeling more comfortable about the idea of not having the full factory warranty, all things being equal I would prefer it but if I can get a Karma for $25k less without the warranty and dealership support I'm wondering if that is the better route considering Lormax's willingness to travel to work on Karmas and do prebuy inspections, etc...not to mention everyone else's support on here.
So that's my dilemma. Karma with warranty for $80k or Karma without for $55k. I'm curious what you guys would suggest given your experience and knowledge. I personally wonder how much the warranty is worth if parts are hard to come by, and have seen that Lormax is getting parts made to support the community.
So please any and all feedback is welcome and appreciated.
Thanks!
Karma_Chris
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Frank Kent Fisker/Cadillac has been fixing my car under warranty ever since I bought it in December 2011. I can highly recommend them.
I have a car in the shop now from Frank Kent and they are helping out with the repair costs
$25K - $30K seems like a lot of money for the warranty. If you can get a proper and thorough inspection done, the major failure points (HV Battery, RDM, Motors, Splines, Engine/Generator Coupler) are pretty well known and can be ruled out, or may have already been fixed. If you can get good confidence on the big ticket items, the $25K warranty premium seems overpriced. On the other hand, if you have very low risk tolerance, it may be better for your own psyche to pay the extra money and have complete peace of mind.
I would also suggest that it seems as though most of the cars in the lower end of the range tend to be earlier VINs that may have some of the issues. Some of the other cars with higher VINs seem to be trading in the high $50s/low $60s so the difference in price may only be $15-20K (assuming the dealer is firm on their $80K price).
However...some of the later VINs have had issues also. My Karma was among the last to roll off the assembly line, yet I ended up having to buy a new HV battery after the original, factory-installed one developed issues post-Fisker Automotive bankruptcy. The best thing to do is get the VIN of any Karma that you are serious about and ask the forum if anyone is familiar with the car.
And I can confidently recommend Lormax to you. He has worked on my Karma a number of times and has always been fair, honest, and knowledgeable.
And I can confidently recommend Lormax to you. He has worked on my Karma a number of times and has always been fair, honest, and knowledgeable.
I bought my car about 1 year ago to the date from Frank Kent. In my opinion, the best way to go. Last week my car stopped charging, and had a CEL come on as well. Had a bad relay and needed to replace a module. I'm lucky in that I have Harleyguy around the corner from me. He worked everything out with Frank Kent, and true to their agreement they paid for the parts without any problem. Big thanks to Harleyguy and David Rotman at Frank Kent.
Lots of good advice. Still not sure what I will do but I did go to Frank Kent yesterday and test drove a Silver Karma with Chocolate interior. I loved the car. My wife hated the interior color though, if it was black leather she would have said SOLD. David Rotman and the team there were very knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with. I am still not sure what I will do but am glad I test drove it as I now want one more than ever. They said they are in touch with New Fisker and plan to continue to be a dealer for New Fisker when cars start getting produced again, building on the 60 or so they sold already. They also mentioned that they have a Fisker that is their "parts" car when they have difficulty or delays in getting something they take it from that Fisker to get customers going and then replace it later as they get it. Really made me feel like owning it wouldn't be a hazard or concern. I will let everyone know when and what I decide to get a Karma and officially join the club.
Was the 'chocolate color interior' leather, and did it look like this?:I did go to Frank Kent yesterday and test drove a Silver Karma with Chocolate interior.
http://www.thehogring.com/2013/06/10/getting-finicky-over-the-fisker-karma/
Yes that is exactly what it was. Part of me likes it but I think I would prefer it in a Black Karma. I think all black would work better for me in the silver.Was the 'chocolate color interior' leather, and did it look like this?:
http://www.thehogring.com/2013/06/10/getting-finicky-over-the-fisker-karma/
That's a Signature Series. It is Silver Mirage with Mojave tritone interior. Karma_Chris, can you get the last 3 digits of the VIN? I'm curious if Frank Kent has one of those rare birds.
Sure, I will ask them for the VIN and post it. I don't remember them mentioning it being a signature series though.That's a Signature Series. It is Silver Mirage with Mojave tritone interior. Karma_Chris, can you get the last 3 digits of the VIN? I'm curious if Frank Kent has one of those rare birds.
Looks like its probably canyon tritone interior if they're not mentioning signature. As you and you're wife experienced people either love it or hate it.
Here is the VIN - YH4K14AA5CA000780
Yeah, I actually thought that in a vacuum it was really nice looking but I just didn't think it meshed with the silver as well as it should have. I haven't ruled it out, just wasn't 100% on it.
Yeah, I actually thought that in a vacuum it was really nice looking but I just didn't think it meshed with the silver as well as it should have. I haven't ruled it out, just wasn't 100% on it.
Was the interior a cream and dark chocolate color or was it dark brown and almost orange?
Dark brown and almost orange, like the interior pics in the link above for sure.Was the interior a cream and dark chocolate color or was it dark brown and almost orange?
That's interesting. Canyon tritone matched with inferno exterior is magnificent. I have never seen canyon with silver.
Yeah they have 3 Karma's all with that Canyon Tri-tone interior. Inferno, Shadow, and Silver. It definitely looked good in the inferno car.That's interesting. Canyon tritone matched with inferno exterior is magnificent. I have never seen canyon with silver.
This is merely anecdotal based on my (limited) experience.
When I've inquired about any of the Karmas for under 60k, they never actually pan out...they're often ads that are just left up by dealerships that get a couple a year as a way to get you on their call list.
Maybe it's due to buzz generated by Waxang developments but, they're listed now (by both dealers and individuals) anywhere from low 60s to high 90s. My point is that the prices have really been trending upwards and so, there isn't as much of a price differential and you might think. Also, bear in mind that, never having been titled, the one at Frank Kent is still eligible for the 7.5 k federal tax credit and maybe other state incentives as well so; that brings the prices even closer.
Had I not *just* gotten mine, I certainly would have bought the very same car you mention. I got inferno on black but, really wanted inferno/tri-canyon (boo hoo poor me ;-) )
Cheers,
-Joe
When I've inquired about any of the Karmas for under 60k, they never actually pan out...they're often ads that are just left up by dealerships that get a couple a year as a way to get you on their call list.
Maybe it's due to buzz generated by Waxang developments but, they're listed now (by both dealers and individuals) anywhere from low 60s to high 90s. My point is that the prices have really been trending upwards and so, there isn't as much of a price differential and you might think. Also, bear in mind that, never having been titled, the one at Frank Kent is still eligible for the 7.5 k federal tax credit and maybe other state incentives as well so; that brings the prices even closer.
Had I not *just* gotten mine, I certainly would have bought the very same car you mention. I got inferno on black but, really wanted inferno/tri-canyon (boo hoo poor me ;-) )
Cheers,
-Joe
1 - 20 of 33 Posts
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