Positive feedback about good running Karmas

7610 Views 27 Replies 18 Participants Last post by Nin ja, Apr 22, 2015

dfisker

Discussion Starter · Apr 8, 2015

Hello all, I have been on here for a few weeks reading about this car. I really want to buy one. I have my eyes on one that I want to make my DD.
1. Does anybody have a car that hasn't had any issues at all? I don't see many post about that. All are mostly whats wrong with the car.
2. For new buyers can someone create a worst case scenario for a new buyer, with repair and labor costs for major parts that are known to need replacing such as ICU, Batteries, RDM, TM etc.... this would include new parts list, rebuilt parts list, and labor rates for individuals who can do the repairs and availability.

Im at the point where I can't pull the plug because of the unknowns. Sorry that may be a lot to ask for...but I feel after reading all these posts that every car will have an issue. Is that true? Am I gonna purchase a car and maybe next week have to spend 20k on fixing it.
Thanks

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

Bert Yetman

· #2 · Apr 8, 2015

dfisker: I would have to say that my Karma hasn't had any issues. I've had the car for 3 years and 20,000 miles without regret. My list for the 20K service is: 1. backup lights never worked 2. Rt front wheel needs repainting (curbed) 3. Replace allergy filter (in the book for 20K, but I want to make sure...Aaachoo!) $. Rear windows chatter when lowering 5. Left front tire rubs on fender liner

That's it. I don't use the bluetooth or iPod connections. Everything else works just fine.

sherrillt

· #3 · Apr 8, 2015

dfisker said:
...Im at the point where I can't pull the plug because of the unknowns. Sorry that may be a lot to ask for...but I feel after reading all these posts that every car will have an issue. Is that true? Am I gonna purchase a car and maybe next week have to spend 20k on fixing it.

:huh: Odd - Why can't you pull the plug?

Every car made has issues; the Karma a few more than most, but almost anything can be fixed with time and money. I would call FiskerPhilly (knowledgeable tech) and just have a brief chat. The Battery module(s) and RDM issues you already know about and cited are well documented and any repair will have to include the possibly (depending where you are located) of having to transport your car back and forth to a knowledgeable repair facility. These factors due to the uniqueness of the car will easily run up significant expenses and translate into weeks of down time especially if you are not near PA, FL, or CA to be able to have the car repaired for significant battery specific issues that may infrequently crop up during ownership or future required updates.

If you have the flexibility and tolerance of having the car down for repairs for extended periods; if and when there are major issues in the future, I doubt it should be of any great concern to use it as a DD (that's what cars are made for).

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Hockeydad

· #4 · Apr 8, 2015

I have had my karma for over 2 years now and have over 35k km on it with no real issues other than small annoying things. Definitely give FiskerPhilly a call, he's been a karma saviour and an all around good-guy ... I just wish we had someone like him in Toronto to help service our cars!

Nin ja

· #5 · Apr 8, 2015

Since you have read a good portion of the post, do as suggested, PM FiskerPhilly get his info and just talk to him about what you want. If you are in the southeast, then reach out to harlyguy.

DHH

· #6 · Apr 8, 2015

I completely understand the question - I bought mine in September coming from three panamera turbos in a row. The key is you don't want to own a 55k paperweight if something goes wrong with no warranty coverage.

I bought my Karma with 6000 miles for $57k in September and have had zero issues and have put another 6000 miles on it. Adam and Joe ( harleyguy and fiskrphilly respectively) are the only two guys that I would trust blindly.

I have always had in the back of my mind that something will break but so far it has run just like a "normal" car.

If you have the ability to find a clean great car with low miles like 4-7,000 I wold do it and try it.

It is the most fun car I have ever driven - it is big, and slow and drives like a U-boat but every minute is really very enjoyable.

Good Luck

Harleyguy

· #7 · Apr 9, 2015

My shop is filled with Karmas right now mostly services and little odds and ends .Joe has some bigger jobs going RDM and Motors yesterday I repaired a battery . So repairs are all over the place.

AlJOHN

· #8 · Apr 9, 2015

I would have to say on balance it has been a good 3 years. I had to replace the RDM, and part of the repair was covered by the New Fisker. Otherwise, I have been trouble free for 28,000 miles. I followed the forum and sealed the windshield so a CIU leak wouldn't be a problem. The battery has actually gotten better over the years. I try to use 75% or more and only charge over night. After the software updates in the early days, everything functions well. I had a Lincoln before the Fisker, and it was more problematic (22 times in the shop in 14 months). So my bar may be low. Best cars ever owned was Audi. They are just solid an well put together and engineered. All in all, I expect to enjoy the Fisker for a number of years to come.

JCMorrill

· #9 · Apr 9, 2015

In fact, it seems to me that the people who drive theirs more often have fewer problems. The real problems come when the battery is not regularly charged/discharged, or the 12V system goes flat.

Nin ja

· #10 · Apr 9, 2015

DHH said:
It is the most fun car I have ever driven - it is big, and slow and drives like a U-boat but every minute is really very enjoyable.

Good Luck

"slow" is relative. mine seems fast enough giving its size. would a better 0-60 response time add to bragging rights, proprabily , but given its size might be pretty scary too. 6s is not to shabby in real life everyday driving.

dfisker

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 9, 2015

Thanks guys appreciate the feedback from all of you. This is good info. @DHH What do you like most about driving it?

LonePalmBJ

· #12 · Apr 9, 2015

I've had the car for three and a quarter years now, and I've had essentially no problems after the first six months of teething pains and software issues. I find my car to be completely reliable. I've never had a mechanical, safety or performance issue to deal with.

dfisker

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 9, 2015

LonePalmBJ said:
I've had the car for three and a quarter years now, and I've had essentially no problems after the first six months of teething pains and software issues. I find my car to be completely reliable. I've never had a mechanical, safety or performance issue to deal with.

Thats awesome... If you don't mind me asking. I know vins have nothing to do with problems or not. But are you early or later vin?

LonePalmBJ

· #14 · Apr 9, 2015

dfisker said:
Thats awesome... If you don't mind me asking. I know vins have nothing to do with problems or not. But are you early or later vin?

1158. I was an early order but due to the EcoSport leather interior and then later the Deep Ocean color got it pushed on the production schedule so mine was made middle of the pack.

Brent

fyre238

· #15 · Apr 9, 2015

So far with 17,000 miles i changed the oil a few times and a set of tires.I drive my car everyday, rain or shine. I have the security of Miami Fisker if i ever have an issue.

cmverdeza

· #16 · Apr 9, 2015

Hi every one, 17500 miles, daily commute only issue muffler change, repaired by the best HArley guy, otherwise running like new

DHH

· #17 · Apr 10, 2015

OK - if an Escalade is faster 0-60 than our Karmas I guess they are slow!

JCMorrill

· #18 · Apr 10, 2015

All I know is, that without feeling at all like I'm making the Karma accelerate hard ... I seem to be out in front of most cars when we're lined up at a stoplight. I think the Karma does great 0-45. And, that's most of my driving.

SC Karma

· #19 · Apr 10, 2015

JCMorrill said:
All I know is, that without feeling at all like I'm making the Karma accelerate hard ... I seem to be out in front of most cars when we're lined up at a stoplight. I think the Karma does great 0-45. And, that's most of my driving.

I totally agree.

Fabulist

· #20 · Apr 10, 2015 (Edited)

JCMorrill said:
All I know is, that without feeling at all like I'm making the Karma accelerate hard ... I seem to be out in front of most cars when we're lined up at a stoplight. I think the Karma does great 0-45. And, that's most of my driving.

SC Karma said:
I totally agree.

That has been my experience also. The power delivery by the electric motors is so quick that unless you are sitting at red light with a MBZ SLS or a McLaren, you can generally get ahead or at least keep pace.

You do pay pay the price on the high end, around 70 MPH, where the delivery curve flattens out and it takes a lot of effort to go faster and the other cars start to pass you.

I have seen the shocked and confused faces of many Mustang, Camaro, and Corvette drivers in my rear view mirror after they see a large and absolutely silent car jump ahead of their noisy and shouty cars at a red light or a highway on ramp. ALso, people who drive the really fast cars, Prosches, R8s, Ferraris, etc., generally slow down to admire the Fisker, so you can pass them while they are gawking.

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