[Cyrius2]

So, here it goes...

I am newly registered to the forum and wanted opinions of current Karma owners.

I have ALWAYS taken an interest in the Fisker Karma since first reading of it in 2010. Leary to purchase a vehicle from a startup, for obvious resons, but loved the concept the feeling of contributing to the "eco" side of my brain with an astounding, sexy, luxury performer that would be rarely seen on the road despite the entry price.

While toiling with the idea after test drives and awaiting the "bugs" to be worked out from any first gen production vehicle, the company started having troubles. However, after all that has been said and done, I find myself STILL (and possibly MORE) compelled to seek after a Karma due to falling entry price along with the novelty of owning what I consider to be a great piece of automotive history. The visual and driving appeal is certainly still there along with the exclusivity of owning/driving something that is most definitely NOT what I call a "me too" vehicle.

Am I nuts for wanting to actively seek out and purchase a Karma at this point considering service, warranty, parts availability and other potential major negative issues concerning owning this vehicle?

 

[Antonin]

„Am I nuts for wanting to actively seek out and purchase a Karma at this point considering service, warranty, parts availability and other potential major negative issues concerning owning this vehicle?”

Yes, you are. Purchasing Karma at this moment is an emotional decision rather than a logical one. Much more so than when FA were producing the car. So it all depends whether you consider yourself logical or emotional

 

[MKaire]

Am I nuts for wanting to actively seek out and purchase a Karma at this point considering service, warranty, parts availability and other potential major negative issues concerning owning this vehicle?

I asked the same question, shared your sentiment, and bought the car. As Antonin stated, it was not a logical purchase, but rather an emotional one. I have had the car a little over 4 weeks and love the way it looks. That being said, my check engine light has been on multiple times, and I learned that my battery has 3 bad modules. I bought the car from a dealer that was honoring the warranty- Anxiously awaiting their response. All that being said, was still considering buying another one for my wife-at least until I got the news about the bad modules

 

[Sandy Eggo]

Crazy like a fox.

 

[Cyrius2]

MKaire, I'm sure we are not the only ones that share this apparent "emotional" rationale. You just took a step further than I could do to date.

I did have thoughts of if I did purchase one, would I need to purchase another for parts?!

It wouldn't be planned to be my daily driver, but may enjoy it so much that it would become that. I ride a BMW S1000RR the majority of the time. When I have a motorcycle, my cars tend to sit still most times.

Wondering if I would be able to find service or a dealer that will honor warranty or anything near where I am in FL. The Orlando dealer shut down and at last check, much was up in the air at the Tampa dealer. I couldn't get any concrete answers from them.

 

[MKaire]

I happen to live very close to Harleyguy, so he has been terrific. I would encourage you to call him prior to purchasing any car, and have him check the VIN. The dealer I purchased the car from is out of state, and agreed to warranty parts, not labor. That being said, I emailed them with battery issue on Friday, and no results as of today.

There are some really good deals out there, so if you buy the car right, and can put up with a less than perfect piece of technology, I suspect you will be very happy.

 

[Cyrius2]

Thank you, MKaire for the advice and direction.

I suspected and hoped I would have received more responses to this thread with owner opinions considering the number of people who have viewed...

 

[Fabulist]

Thank you, MKaire for the advice and direction.

I suspected and hoped I would have received more responses to this thread with owner opinions considering the number of people who have viewed...

@Cyrius2: There are a lot of existing threads covering this topic. I guess the owners don't want to keep covering ground that has been covered. At the moment, buying a Karma is a little like getting a mail-order bride. They are both very attractive and quite stunning, and for a lot of people, it turns out to be a wonderful experience. But it can also go terribly awry and there is almost no support at the moment and once you have it, you are basically stuck with it, and there is no giving it back or reselling it easily.

So read the postings here, talk to the specialists such as @Harleygy and @lormax, and choose very carefully.

 

[Weird Fishes]

Thank you, MKaire for the advice and direction.

I suspected and hoped I would have received more responses to this thread with owner opinions considering the number of people who have viewed...

I think Fabulist sums up the reason why you haven't received more responses to your question by pointing out that there are numerous other threads here asking the same thing. Check them out, and I think you'll find the answers to your question.

I would add that coming here to ask whether you should buy a Karma is like walking into a bar full of alcoholics and asking if you should have another drink.

 

[Nin ja]

I think Fabulist sums up the reason why you haven't received more responses to your question by pointing out that there are numerous other threads here asking the same thing. Check them out, and I think you'll find the answers to your question.

I would add that coming here to ask whether you should buy a Karma is like walking into a bar full of alcoholics and asking if you should have another drink.

I second the motion -- if you want to expand your reserach, suggest you also ask the question at http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/forum.php, i'm sure thye'll give you an ear full why Coke is better then Beer -- I take no resposibility for the comments you will receive ;-)

 

[Lormax]

If it means anything, I'd sure as heck buy one.

 

[Harleyguy]

MKaire, I'm sure we are not the only ones that share this apparent "emotional" rationale. You just took a step further than I could do to date.

I did have thoughts of if I did purchase one, would I need to purchase another for parts?!

It wouldn't be planned to be my daily driver, but may enjoy it so much that it would become that. I ride a BMW S1000RR the majority of the time. When I have a motorcycle, my cars tend to sit still most times.

Wondering if I would be able to find service or a dealer that will honor warranty or anything near where I am in FL. The Orlando dealer shut down and at last check, much was up in the air at the Tampa dealer. I couldn't get any concrete answers from them.

Not sure who told you Orlando shut down but I spoke too them the other day and they still were servicing the Karma same as Tampa I keep in touch with a few of the dealerships in South Florida and haven't heard of any of them closing . I will text the Tampa dealer

 

[Cyrius2]

Good point...my apologies for the redundancy. I'll search threads and continue my research.

@Harleyguy...I attempted a visit to the Orlando dealer about a month ago and there was not one Fisker in site and absolutely no trace that the building once shared space with Land Rover. However, I didn't have time to ask since I was just helping my business partner drop off his Range Rover for service.

I will check tomorrow since I shall be in the area to drop my BMW for service due to tire pressure sensor issues that cut power. Brand new 6-series GC with less than 3k miles...smh. All makes have issues of some sort.

 

[caricia78]

Ill chime in and tell you ive owned mine for almost 2 months and love it. Software is super glitchy but I bought it for the looks and got a good deal and didnt expect perfect. The bluetooth is spotty at best and overall not even close to as good as my I drive in terms of ease of use and reliability...but youll feel like a movie star driving it

 

[steven]

Hi Cyrius2,
If you are a gambler, I would buy one now. With the 50K you will be saving, it should more than cover anything that may go wrong over the next 4 years. If Fisker reemerges, and they honor their warranties, you will have paid half price for the world's most beautiful and ecologically responsible car. Your other option is to wait and see, you should have an answer before the first of the year, but you may be paying double. If you should act now, clear the vin number with Lomax or Harleyguy before you buy to make sure all the updates were performed.

 

[seantennis]

This forum is old but if you are still thinking about buying a Fisker, you can send me a private message. My wife and I just got one and so did my buddy. Both of us in the last 30 days. Did 80 horus of research and we know one Fisker expert technician and couple others which are good but not as you as our main guy. I can also tell you why I chose Fisker above Tesla etc.

 

[smoothoperator]

I can also tell you why I chose Fisker above Tesla etc.

I think all forum members would benefit from hearing your reasoning. If I was in the market for a Karma I think my list would look something like this (most important to least important re Karma v Model S)

1. Price
2. Styling/Quality of interior
3. Range Anxiety
4. Value prop if Fisker comes back

 

[Cyrius2]

I tend to agree with smoothoperator. I think all may benefit from your experience.

 

[KonsideringKarma]

Yes, I am in the same position and would love to hear what you have to say, Seantennis. Actually came across an article about you while doing my research.

 

[503Tim]

I agree with the Ya's here. We were an early adopter, still have the car and although we don't daily drive it, it is amazing. The attention you get is second to none. That aside I still believe the Karma is a more logical purchase than the Tesla. Yes the Tesla has more comfortable space, yes it has a superior user interface and yes it has an established dealer network. What it doesn't have is the word ROADTRIP in it's near future. If the S runs out of battery you have no choice (yet) but to stop and charge your car for at least 30 minutes in order to get another hour or two of driving and then charge again.... When the Karma runs out of juice I keep going on petrol, and then when that runs out... I add more petrol and keep going

This became very apparent to me since we work on luxury cars at my shop and have had a large amount of Tesla owners come in. Once they see the Karma the conversation naturally gravitates towards which is better. The one gripe I hear from them is the lack of being able to hop in it and drive to Phoenix without having to stop for an extended amount of time to charge.

The best comment I get from them though " **** it sure is sexy though"

Karma -1
Tesla -0

Now that I have had contact with @Lomax I feel even more confident in the car and my ability to service if needed. My .02