Comments on: Fisker Karma: Right Car, Wrong Price

By: Slandy

Slandy — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:26:57 +0000

Calling the Karma an overpriced Volt is a lot like calling a Porsche 911 an overpriced Kia. They share powertrain types, but that’s where the similarity ends. The Karma is a high-end luxury sedan; the Volt is much more mainstream. Creature comforts, speed, snob appeal are all better with the Karma. For that, you pay more – just like any other vehicle. Don’t forget, this is new techology, and like other new technologies in the past, it will be more expensive at the beginning. VCRs were $1000+ in the 1970s when introduced. The Karma, Volt and others like them are a great beginning, but it will take some time for the technology to become more affordable.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:48:02 +0000

I was looking forward to the Volt but they are going to be a little too pricey to be practical.

I’m thinking a plug in hybrid will be the most practical first step towards electric. A few car makers are working on plug ins which will have a limited all electric range + full gas engine.

By: MLR

MLR — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:45:33 +0000

I think all of the electric cars coming out are great for the future in the automotive industry.

For the most part, they won’t be feasible for the everyday person for a while, though.

Still really cool :)

By: kosmo

kosmo — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:32:00 +0000

How about finding a way to stream electricity to the car while it’s cruising down the road, using MIT’s WItricity as a model :) You’d have to build in a way for the drivers to pay for their usage, of course.

By: Lazy Man

Lazy Man — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:19:41 +0000

Good call on the Volt, Tom. I don’t know why I thought it was just another hybrid. Still at $40,000, I don’t think I’d be looking too much into the Volt. Unless it’s 10 years down the line and I’m buying one that’s 7 years depreciated for a cheap price.

The 300 mile range of the Tesla Model S is great, but I can’t have something that would die on me without a source of refueling.

I’ve heard that replacing the battery can nullify the maintenance savings. I’m not sure if that’s reliable information or not.

By: tom

tom — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:05:05 +0000

The Fisker Karma is an overpriced Chevy Volt.

Look for the Chevy Volt in the future. Same technology, half the price.

I’m waiting on the Tesla Model S. $50,000, but is fully electric and can run up to 300 miles, depending on battery size.

Here’s the catch with electric cars. While they are very expensive, they require no gas, and have very few mechanical parts compared to a gasoline powered vehicle. Fewer moving parts means far less maintenance, which is something most people don’t factor.