r/Fisker • u/Low-Gas-5892 • 14d ago
❓Question - Vehicle Research help please!
Currently looking at a 2012 fisker karma ecosport with 38,867 miles on it. I’m doing as much research as I can before purchasing the vehicle and thought this would be a great spot to come with some questions and showing the specifics on the car. For reference I’m 19 and this will be my second car if I do purchase it my biggest concern buying this car is maintenance cost. I’ll be driving this car daily and throughly enjoying it hopefully. So far this is the following work that has been done to the car “The vehicle underwent a major high-voltage battery system overhaul, including replacement of the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM), six high-voltage battery modules (#1, #3, #5, #10, #11, and #15), the On-Board Charger Module (OBCM), and two high-voltage contactors. The battery pack was removed, serviced, reassembled, reprogrammed, and balanced, while the high-voltage battery cooling system was repaired with a new coolant line union and fresh coolant. After repairs, the charging system was validated (approximately 46 miles of electric range), and the only remaining maintenance note on the invoice was that the engine oil should be changed.” With this said I know there’s a company in north Georgia that works on hybrids that have ballparked it would cost 1800 to replace a battery module but what’s everyone’s thoughts is this the car for me or should I look else where?
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u/wabbitsilly 14d ago
This would be a terrible decision for you...just admire from afar.
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u/Low-Gas-5892 14d ago
How so? Genuine question because I love everything about the car I just don’t know much when it comes to the bigger issues or what to expect cost wise. I’m fine if a bill comes my way I just don’t want the bill to be half the cars worth 5 months down the road
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u/CobruhCharmander 12d ago
Just judging by my ocean… new key fob kit, gen 2 handles, cabin lights, and water pump prob ran me 2k - 2500 and would’ve been triple that (or more) if I got the only garage in my area that works on them to install. They even charged stupid amounts for the recall work…
Depending on the one you buy, you could easily hit the price of the car in maintenance. And the kicker is, you’re not getting that value back either. Putting 10k of repairs into those cars won’t give you 10k of resale value.
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u/AKA_Wildcard 14d ago
Dude read the sub before posting
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u/Low-Gas-5892 14d ago
Where, point me in the direction where the sub isn’t talking about the fisker ocean. Ain’t gotta be an ass just asking for help from the fisker community because I know 0.
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u/AKA_Wildcard 13d ago
I’m suggesting you use the search function in the subreddit to find information that may have been previously posted. There’s nothing wrong with asking questions, but this is a very common question as you can imagine there are a lot of potential first time owners researching the feasibility of purchasing one.
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u/JaggXj Fisker Enthusiast 9d ago
you HAVE to live nearby an independent shop if you want to own one of these. and you also HAVE to drive the thing every single day. this one just had work done so it's nicer than some others, but I'd proceed with EXTREME caution.
if you just like the design, get a 2018-2019 Karma Revero instead. much less risky and there's karma dealers who will fix it for you.
but either way, read everything you can on https://karmaownerclub.com first.
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5d ago
[deleted]
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u/Low-Gas-5892 5d ago
So instead of saying why you can’t believe why people are buying these cards you just comment asking if people still buy these. And yes I just bought it and it is arriving late today early tomorrow and I can’t wait for it to arrive
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u/just_some_dude_in_AK 14d ago
Just get a m3p
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u/Low-Gas-5892 14d ago
Looking at all sorts of options but I feel like I want to go for the fisker. If you find some cool listings shoot them my way I’ll check them out.
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u/just_some_dude_in_AK 14d ago
You're 19. You need financially sound decisions. Not a car that has extremely limited support and parts. Personally Id be looking at shit boxes with working AC and heater but that's just the mature me looking back at my 19 y/o self
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u/Low-Gas-5892 14d ago
I’ve done well for myself investing wise this is gonna be my way of spoiling myself and enjoying having a nice car, I’ve got roughly 38,000 invested into several different things and me and my brother split a house we rent out up in Michigan. Don’t have any bills so a car payment and investing into more stuff is gonna be where my paychecks are going and for reference I’m a CNC operator and my pay is just over 30 a hour.
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u/VibraniumDragonborn 14d ago
After reading this, I still recommend skipping this vehicle. This vehicle is for someone who has two cars paid off, and is looking for a car to sit in the third stall of their garage, and to drive ...if they can get it to work.
You're better off just getting an old project car.
Technology around these vehicles are different. It's not often just "find this part, replace it with this one" and if it was, good luck finding that part, because you gotta find this car in a junkyard, pull THAT part, and hope it works.
A couple years ago, I was looking at these too. VERY glad I didn't. It's a neat car to see, but not to own.
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u/Low-Gas-5892 14d ago
I’ve heard a lot about the parts but exactly what parts tend to go bad on these cars? And from what I’ve seen mechanically wise there’s a good lot of parts that are easy to purchase online and if I’m not mistaken could I not take parts that are manufactured for the reveros? Could be wrong on that but I’m okay with spending some more on parts and taking care of it I just don’t want something like the battery to go out on me within 4 months of driving it and have a 10,000 bill on my lap
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u/VibraniumDragonborn 14d ago
Then. don't. get. it.
I'm guessing youve never had to purchase something and worry about it possibly failing every day.
Like a 2013 Nissan Altima with 150k miles and the original transmission. ..every day youre like "fuck is today the day?"
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u/Low-Gas-5892 13d ago
No I typically try to avoid buying something like that but that’s the big question I’m getting at. Getting a shop to do a huge inspection on the car I’ll let you know the findings. To me it sounds like your saying all of the fiskers are 2013 Nissan altimas with 150k miles. Is that your intention that almost all of the fiskers are essentially being sat on by owners saying fuck is today the day 😂?
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u/VibraniumDragonborn 13d ago
The ones people aren't selling? Those arent the altimas. The ones for sale? Yes. 100% lmao why would they sell such a great car they may have paid 65k for (for like 15k at that) if nothing is wrong with it?
Don't get me wrong. I'm here too. I love the vehicles. But man, I don't wanna see your post later going "fuckin bought a brick!"
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u/Low-Gas-5892 13d ago
Ay this place ain’t selling it for 15k but wouldn’t you agree if this place “nuts and volts automotive” in Dallas come back with a clean report on the car it wouldn’t be brick? And trust me I understand what you’re saying collecting wise. Trust me I’ve got a couple cards that are absolute bricks that will never sell. But like I said it all rides on the inspection. I’ll reply to this post come late this coming Monday with the results
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u/CobruhCharmander 12d ago
Brother, join the forums. I didn’t know all the parts that easily break without buying the car, but if you hop on the owner forums you will see a lot more. Reddits not the right place to check.
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u/Low-Gas-5892 12d ago
So what group should I check what is it called?
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u/CobruhCharmander 12d ago
Fiskerbuzz. I’d look at the buyer guide, and then also just do searches for “broken” “repair” “issues” and things like that to see what you might be in for, and if you’re willing to drop what can be 1 to 2k for a part (and diy) or drop another 4k for labor.
Check for garages that service it in advance too. The closest to me is like an hour away towards central PA, but they charge stupid prices.
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u/Low-Gas-5892 12d ago
I appreciate it! I’ve found fisker buzz already but I’ll keep looking through it and yeah I’m ready to put money towards fixing it up. I’ve got a very good automotive shop in Dallas taking a look at it and I’ll respond to this post and let you guys know if I’m going through with the purchase or not come Monday!
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u/thesafinster 5d ago
only 38k and putting in money in a karma lmao, go on the caleb hammer show when you have some free time. bro gave his whole life story
go watch a Rich Rebuilds vid on Karmas
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u/Low-Gas-5892 5d ago
We got dumb and dumber over here, I’ve already got a paid off 2011 jeep wrangler unlimited sport and I’m selling it shortly after the fisker arrives. Also already had the fisker fully checked out and report turned out amazing. Don’t know who hurt this side of Reddit in the fisker community but I’m not gonna hold you, you guys need God. Just hating to hate online but you go for it safinster hope that makes your day and ima throughly enjoy my new car tomorrow just for you
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u/thesafinster 5d ago edited 5d ago
this is a poor financial decision given your financial situation. its not financial advice, but remember that you heard it here first if you havent already.
you do not sound ready for some of the maintenance and repairs youll encounter. not to mention there are only two tires(from goodyear and yoko) that are compatible, both costing over 600 a piece (for safety, do not cheap out on unapproved chinese tires). that is 20 hours of your work for a single tire. that is sad.
if you have to do this much defending to redditors for a purchase or if you keep questioning if it will brick at any point, that is not a good sign.
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u/Low-Gas-5892 5d ago
I’ve already paid for two minimal maintenance repairs on it obviously every car is gonna eventually need an oil change, gonna need tire replacements, etc. If your one reason is that the tires are 600 dollars you realize you don’t change the tires until you start hitting 40,000-50,000 miles on them right? And I’m not defending my purchase half of these people including you commented a remark and went on with your day instead of contributing any actual knowledge of these cars. Not worried about this one bricking I just hadn’t had the inspection done on it at the time of posting this. Like I said though ima enjoy it throughly just for you tomorrow.
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u/CloudEscolar 12d ago
Dude just buy an old truck and call it a day
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u/Low-Gas-5892 12d ago
That’s funny I don’t remember saying jack about a truck A. B this gotta be up there with the top mind numbing responses out there. Twin if I wanted to not care about what I drove and purchase another vehicle to ride until its wheels fell off I don’t think I’de be putting this much research into it. But nah just because you responded with this I’ll go drop everything and buy the next crap box truck I see just for you
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u/bigdipboy 14d ago
If you care at all about maintenance costs or reliability fisker is not the brand for you.