2008 (or 9?) Roadster #278

[bpangburn]

This just came up on eBay.

Tesla Roadster Rearview Cam | eBay

Anyone here know any specifics about this car? Listed as 2008, but images show a Manufacture Date of Dec 2009.

Looks like an aftermarket stereo and possibly a few cracks/scratches, but that could be the lighting I guess.

 

[bolosky]

I definitely wasn't made in Dec, 2009. I have #670, and it was delivered in Aug, 2009 (and it's a 2.0, while this one is a 1.5).

 

[supersnoop]

There were no 2009s. All 1.5's are considered the 2008 model year, even though most were built in 2009.

 

[bpangburn]

Thank you. I've just placed a deposit on this car and hope to pick it up next week. Happy day!!!

 

[PokerBroker]

#105 has a build date of November 2008

 

[bpangburn]

Guess I can't type today with all of the excitement. This is #278, not #248. As a Junior Member I don't think I can edit that so if a moderator can fix the Thread Name I'd appreciate it.

 

[Andrew Wolfe]

The sticker clearly says Dec. 2009 and 278. Must be a story there. Mine is 472 and is from May 2009.

What is the carbon fiber thing under the radio?

 

[bart513]

Beautiful car! Congrats!

 

[spaceballs]

The sticker clearly says Dec. 2009 and 278. Must be a story there. ...

If I was bpangburn I would contact a local SC and ask about that that car VIN to make sure it checks out.

 

[bpangburn]

If I was bpangburn I would contact a local SC and ask about that that car VIN to make sure it checks out.

Absolutely!

 

[n2mb_racing]

Thank you. I've just placed a deposit on this car and hope to pick it up next week. Happy day!!!

Congrats! I just bought my Roadster from Texas Auto Direct as well. Let me know if you have any questions.

In general, they have been very good to deal with. I had them send the car to Tesla in Houston for a pre-purchase inspection. Tesla found a few problems, and Texas Auto Direct paid to fix them all.

You just need to follow up with them a fair amount. They tend to "forget" to do things that cost them money.

 

[bpangburn]

Car is headed to Tesla Service on Tuesday to fix an airbag light and a headlight. They will also do a pre-purchase. Car was fully serviced in August 2014 and apparently only has about 100 new miles since then. Tesla Service told me that they also did a complementary quick check on the car in January and everything checked out. Hope to pick it up on Thursday or Friday.

Regarding the VIN, CarFax is clear, but I'm also checking through a few law enforcement contacts. I have two mostly unfounded theories on the build date: 1. the VIN was assigned, but the build was delayed for some customization or other reason OR 2. maybe the car failed some sort of QA testing and went back through the plant. Other theories are welcome. I've asked Texas Auto Direct to see if they can get any other explanation from Tesla Service when the car goes in on Tuesday.

Thanks.
-Brian

 

[n2mb_racing]

Sounds good. You can call the Tesla Houston service center direct and find out more from them.

It seems like Texas Auto Direct is buying a bunch (or all?) Roadster trade-ins from Tesla. Mine was a trade-in from Georgia. Someone buying a P85D.

 

[bpangburn]

I agree with your assessment. When I asked my sales guy where he got the car, he said "Tesla" and said that they were starting to get a lot of cars directly from Tesla. I also haven't seen a certified pre-owned Roadster on the Tesla site in at least a few months.

 

[PokerBroker]

Nearly all of the 1.5 Roadsters failed QA checks which almost put Tesla into bankruptcy... it wouldn't surprise me at all if the VINs are out of order depending on how long it took to resolve each particular car's issues.

- - - Updated - - -

I agree with your assessment. When I asked my sales guy where he got the car, he said "Tesla" and said that they were starting to get a lot of cars directly from Tesla. I also haven't seen a certified pre-owned Roadster on the Tesla site in at least a few months.

And Tesla officially ended the Roadster CPO program a while ago.

 

[n2mb_racing]

I agree with your assessment. When I asked my sales guy where he got the car, he said "Tesla" and said that they were starting to get a lot of cars directly from Tesla. I also haven't seen a certified pre-owned Roadster on the Tesla site in at least a few months.

Another thing I remembered. If they put new rear tires on your car, make sure you check which tires they put on. They put inexpensive all-season tires on mine at first that didn't work well. I was able to convince them to swap them out for new Advan AD07 summer tires.

Finally, test all of the charging cables. One of mine was bad.

 

[tvuolo]

What is the carbon fiber thing under the radio?

Yes... what is the carbon fiber thing? Inquiring minds want to know. If it's some sort of custom (tiny) glove box, I would love to know more about it.

 

[bpangburn]

Once I see it in person, I'll figure it out and will certainly share.

 

[tvuolo]

Thanks! And congrats!

 

[TEG]

It looks like a fair bit of custom audio work was done from the pop-out screen to focal speakers.
I suspect that the carbon fiber bit under the radio is related. It looks like maybe there might be a USB port there.
Maybe a place to put flash memory with songs?

Also it has California carpool stickers, so one has to assume it spent some time being registered in California.