Consumer Reports buys an off-the-rack Fisker Karma for a test. The car was going through pre-test scrutineering and calibration and fails with about 200 miles on its' odometer.
Story here: http://www.slashgear.com/fisker-karma-breaks-down-in-consumer-reports-testing-09217763/
Remarkably, after the car was retrieved and returned to the dealer, the company claimed it started immediately and hasn't displayed any problems.
The actual test report may actually be one worth reading.
well that's Karma for ya
such a pretty car too
fasted58 wrote: well that's Karma for ya
Yeah, and let's hypothetically assume Fisker makes a great car and sells a million of them. 10 years from now, CR will still be carping about how they have poor reliability and are Not Recommended.
In reply to Duke:
But if they made a badge engineered version of it, it would be the best thing ever...
Duke wrote:fasted58 wrote: well that's Karma for yaYeah, and let's hypothetically assume Fisker makes a great car and sells a million of them. 10 years from now, CR will **still** be carping about how they have poor reliability and are Not Recommended.
If the Fiskar techs find the problem and fix it promptly, they should be praised for building a high-tech product that can be repaired, and for good product support. What good is a warranty if can't fix it anyway?
Duke wrote:fasted58 wrote: well that's Karma for yaYeah, and let's hypothetically assume Fisker makes a great car and sells a million of them. 10 years from now, CR will **still** be carping about how they have poor reliability and are Not Recommended.
well that's CR for ya
yea.. CR will always find a way to work that failure into any review
WTF does Consumer Reports have any business reporting on a Fisker for? I just want to know which toaster is the best.
Appleseed wrote: WTF does Consumer Reports have any business reporting on a Fisker for? I just want to know which toaster is the best.
apparently this one isn't the best.
novaderrik wrote:Appleseed wrote: WTF does Consumer Reports have any business reporting on a Fisker for? I just want to know which toaster is the best.apparently this one isn't the best.
Lol. "Tire Toast Test: FAIL."
I can't count the number of times that kind of thing has happened over the years; a car comes in on the hook because the owner says it won't start, it fires up fine and is driven off the tow truck. 
CR still does not have my respect and honestly probably never will.
Appleseed wrote: WTF does Consumer Reports have any business reporting on a Fisker for? I just want to know which toaster is the best.
Yeah, almost seems like the reviewers just slipped this one by. ("Fisker? Uh, some kind of food processor I think. I'll organise a test.")
I still remember when I sold appliances trying to work with the CR could hanging over the transaction at all times. Lots of people think it's the Bible.
It killed me to see "badge engineered" versions of Kenmore vs Whirlpool machines get vastly different ratings when the only difference was a tiny feature and the brand on the front.
About the only thing Consumer Reports is good at is teaching the fallacy of using small sample sizes to study anything, especially reliability. Their tests are based on one randomly bought sample of each appliance, which they run though meaningless tests to make a chart to illustrate the "differences" between the models.
Don't care for CR or the Fisker Karma. One was running around work a couple months ago so I checked out the specs... what a disappointment for what's a fairly decent looking car.
If you want o see how blatantly BS CR is, find the report on the Toyota Matrix, them read the review of the same year, same engined, Pontiac Vibe. One was nice and smooth. The other was buzzy. Guess which one?
I dont care, electric cars suck, replace the heavy batteries and motor and put a gas engine in it. Make it 100 times better. Oh and I hate CR to. If its not a gas sipping Honda they dont like it or recommend it.
Appleseed wrote: If you want o see how blatantly BS CR is, find the report on the Toyota Matrix, them read the review of the same year, same engined, Pontiac Vibe. One was nice and smooth. The other was buzzy. Guess which one?
Check the Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport test circa 2000 or so. They fell all over themselves praising the Honda and dissed the Isuzu. Guess they didn't realize both came off the same assembly line in Indiana.
Curmudgeon wrote:Appleseed wrote: If you want o see how blatantly BS CR is, find the report on the Toyota Matrix, them read the review of the same year, same engined, Pontiac Vibe. One was nice and smooth. The other was buzzy. Guess which one?Check the Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport test circa 2000 or so. They fell all over themselves praising the Honda and dissed the Isuzu. Guess they didn't realize both came off the same assembly line in Indiana.
same assembly line doesn't mean they put the same parts into the cars.. they might put more sound deadener and use better materials on the interior of one of them than on the other, and it's not unheard of them to use slightly different motor mounts that dampen the vibes differently.
GMC and Chevrolet are different trucks.
^^^ Yeah, right. 
(worked at both GMC and Chevy dealers).
The Rodeo and Passport are EXACTLY the same vehicle except for badging and some slight trim differences. There's a reason the door panels etc don't say 'Isuzu' or 'Honda' on them anywhere.
TG UK, Season 18, Ep. 4:
http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-18-episode-4_part-1_2377009.htm
I liked the episode... I know more about the Fisker than I knew before
You'll need to log in to post.
