No Way Jose Deposit

Posted by: @badboy

I made my reservation over two years ago and I can't even get info on what my position in line is!!! As for the $5,000 deposit, obviously I have had my reserve in for a very long time. I have been really excited about getting this vehicle, but I can tell you with all the new SUV EV's models coming out I won't be gambling a $5,000 deposit on the unknown. There are to many unknown factors here with this vehicle. First off the only way you will get one for around $40,000 is if it is a stripped down "base" model with small tires, no heads-up-display, shorter driving distance and more. This is like buying a pig-in-a-poke. As for the $7,500 tax credit, if your retired and not earning $100,000 or more a year the write off is worthless.

I would be willing to gamble a $1,000 deposit, but lets face it, they need us a lot more than we need them. There are lots of SUV EV options and lots more coming and a huge factor in making my decision no matter what the deposit amount is, would be the unknown factor on getting the Ocean serviced and/or repairs needed. And who are we kidding, because if the deposit was $1,000 and someone walked away from their deposit there would be lots of other people in line to take the order.

The $5,000 deposit is very bad marketing on Fisker's part and will cost them a lot of customers. And I'm not a cheapskate because I have owned Ferraris before, but I'm also not going to gamble $5,000. 

So if they stay with the 5k I'm out-of-here!

All the Ones are sold out so you do not have the option of gambling $5,000.  Fisker is giving you the option of converting your $250 reservation into a "binding contract" and making the deposit non-refundable for the possibility of getting the $7.5k credit, but if you do not have enough income for it, then you do not need to worry about this.  You still will keep your reservation if you do nothing and can always reevaluate later.

This is the first time I ever saw anyone reference 255/50 R 20 tires as "small tires."  The $37k version still has plenty of options but it is up to you to determine if it is worth it.  Also, even the "short" 250 mile range is farther than many of the EVs on the market today.

@ttrinchi As for tire size I think on a new vehicle like this anything less than 21" is nothing to brag about. Anything under 300 miles is not good and a base model should be at least 300 miles or more.

I have yet to see any EV ( worth driving) under $40k that gets this magical 300 mile range with larger than 20" tires. If you are so concerned about the "small" 20" tires, don't forget that every inch larger you go with the wheels, the less range you will actually see, regardless of manufacturer.  The 20" option on the Extreme and One and the standard on the Sport/Ultra are by far sufficient rubber for performance, comfort and a good return on mileage/range.

The 22" that many of us are choosing will decrease our range by an estimated 15-25( or more) miles per full charge, but that is a tradeoff many are willing to make for what we feel is a superior aesthetically pleasing look.

Sounds like you want no part of Fisker. Like @TT97 stated, the $5000 was for Ocean ONE only and they are sold out. Any other trim that has been reserved for $250 will become non-refundable upon you converting to a pre-order. No other money due until time of delivery. But it seems you are out of the Fisker mode already. Take care.

@badboy What EV are you looking at with 21" base wheels?  The only one I am aware of is the R1T/R1S and they are considerably larger vehicles (and can be upgraded to 20" wheels).

@seaphil Coming out is a New Chevy EV SUV RS: Choice of standard FWD with a midsize battery pack or RWD with the larger motor and medium battery pack—you choose where you want the motor—with optional dual motors for AWD. This is the trim with the longest range, up to 320 miles per charge. The RS rides on standard 21-inch wheels and has a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. There will be many more like these kind of SUV EV's over the next several months.

Posted by: @badboy

@seaphil Coming out is a New Chevy EV SUV RS: Choice of standard FWD with a midsize battery pack or RWD with the larger motor and medium battery pack—you choose where you want the motor—with optional dual motors for AWD. This is the trim with the longest range, up to 320 miles per charge. The RS rides on standard 21-inch wheels and has a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. There will be many more like these kind of SUV EV's over the next several months.

 

Like i said in my OP, an EV worth driving. I have  owned numerous Chevy’s/gm’s from basic to upper level trims and they all were plagued with annoying gremlins, mechanical failures, fit and finish issues (a $30k convertible in 1995 leaked like a sieve from day 1)and just lackluster reliability.

i so badly wanted to “buy American”, but i just find domestic cars are either bland beyond disbelief or they try too hard with the outside appearance and forget about quality/ride/comfort.

Posted by: @badboy

@seaphil Coming out is a New Chevy EV SUV RS: Choice of standard FWD with a midsize battery pack or RWD with the larger motor and medium battery pack—you choose where you want the motor—with optional dual motors for AWD. This is the trim with the longest range, up to 320 miles per charge. The RS rides on standard 21-inch wheels and has a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. There will be many more like these kind of SUV EV's over the next several months.

 

You are comparing the upgraded trims for the Chevy vs the base Fisker?  The base Chevy Blazer has 19" wheels and 247 mile range.  The 320 mile range on the RS is the RWD model, if you want the AWD, the range will decrease and price will increase.  At that point, you are priced above the Ultra.

As @remichex asked, why are you here if you are out on Fisker already?

@ttrinchi I think you miss my point. I have never owned a Chevy SUV but have had Land Cruisers, Jeeps and my current Hyundai SUV. I have never even like the looks of or been interested in a Chevy SUV but the one here looks impressive and it is only one of many to be coming out soon. Lets focus on this, I really like the Ocean but I don't think $5,000 deposit on an unknown makes good sense. One of the first concerns for you and everyone else should have is getting service when it breaks down or needs servicing of some kind. Bottom line for me is I'm willing to chance that with the Ocean, but not for $5,000.

Posted by: @badboy

@ttrinchi I think you miss my point. I have never owned a Chevy SUV but have had Land Cruisers, Jeeps and my current Hyundai SUV. I have never even like the looks of or been interested in a Chevy SUV but the one here looks impressive and it is only one of many to be coming out soon. Lets focus on this, I really like the Ocean but I don't think $5,000 deposit on an unknown makes good sense. One of the first concerns for you and everyone else should have is getting service when it breaks down or needs servicing of some kind. Bottom line for me is I'm willing to chance that with the Ocean, but not for $5,000.

These concerns, while valid, are no different than the early adopters of EV when they forked over nr deposits/down payments fo rthe original Tesla MS.  We like to think that HF has gained valuable insight and knowledge in the years since he helped develop that car and now his association with Magna is a huge step up than Tesla building their own EV's in house with no previous history or experience.

Hopefully, there will be few hiccups initially at least until the previously promised national service contract with Firestone?Bridgestone?Goodyear? PepBoys?(hope not) is sealed and we also get access to home servicing for basic repairs/updates.  Is it a risk?  Sure, but have you tried to get an appointment at a dealership lately for any warranty work or even an oil change? I have had to find a few independent garages because I could not wait the 3-4 weeks for my VW dealer to "make a hole" for me.

@badboy If you are looking for information on the Ocean, this forum is a great resource; however, coming on the forum with your first post being accusatory and negative will quickly alienate the other members on the forum.

Yes, there is a lot of information that is still not available on the car or difference between each trim; but there is also significant information that Fisker has shared to date and almost all that information can be found somewhere on this forum.  Service and repairs are definitely a big unknown; Fisker has shared preliminary plans on how it will be handled and does seem they have put thought into it, but for now, it is all just theoretical.  Tesla has been around for over 10 years and they can't get a handle on it; legacy automakers have great dealer networks for servicing, however, most of them have very limited knowledge on servicing/repairing EVs.

Based on the information I had on the Ocean and seeing what is coming out, I was comfortable putting down a $5k non-refundable deposit to be able to get a limited edition One but completely understand someone not willing to put down $5k.  There are many EVs coming out over the next few years (likely less now making it to the U.S. with the new EV credit act about to be enacted) and each person has different features that are important for them.  The Ocean will not be the right car for every person.  Obviously, larger wheels is important for you; I would have preferred 18" wheels (the One comes with free upgraded 22" wheels yet I am still going with the base 20" wheels).

Once all the cars are out in the market, there will be much more information to make a better choice.  For now, converting the $250 deposit to a non-refundable deposit is a small cost most people are comfortable doing; if the $7,500 credit is not as important, then you can leave it as a refundable deposit.  Even though I have the One on order, I still converted $100 of my Rivian reservation to make a binding offer for the R1S. 

Fisker will have cars available in November for journalist to test drive so there will be much more information available at that point.  They are also planning on opening a more detailed configurator in late October which will likely have additional info as well including the costs for options for each trim.

Wonder if @Bob is “outta’ here”??

@remichex he has been quiet...  

To me  it was not the issue with the 5k deposit, as i too was invited to make reservation for the One, but i saw no justification for it over the features in the Ultra.

Only thing left is for Fisker to deliver on their promises.  If i like it when i get to test drive it this Fall, i will make a reservation for the Pear.  Then i wait for the Alaska...... 

I feel like i am buying a new car every yr in the next few yrs..