I'm sure I can't be the only one, but I purchased a Model S first, then a Roadster second. I test drove new Roadsters back in 2010, but fully loaded at $140K to $160K, I just couldn't pull the trigger and ended up buying a new Lotus Evora for $80K. I put a deposit down for a Model S in June 2010, then enjoyed my Evora for a few years with the intention of selling it when the Model S arrived. The main reason for looking at the Roadster and the Evora was that I wanted something you don't see at every stoplight. Fast forward to December 2012, I sell my Evora, and my Model S is delivered, as planned.
However, things did not work out as I thought. The Model S was to be "my car", however I work at home and my wife drives about 45 minutes to work every day, in traffic. So she drove it a few days, using the carpool lane, and cutting her drive time to and from work in half. And it didn't cost any gas. Several months down the road, I find the only time I get to "borrow" my car is on the weekends. So I gave up my Lotus and ended up with the other older, leftover car. Doesn't seem right. Luckily my wife agreed.
I knew I wanted another sports car, and started the hunt. Would really like to get a Roadster, but I remember them priced at $140K to $160K. To my surprise the prices dropped drastically - mainly because Tesla took so many in on trade, added 3 year warranties, and started selling them like hot cakes. I corresponded with the Tesla CPO guy for a few months - discussing all of the CPO cars as soon as they came in, before they hit the website or ebay. Nothing would match up - I wanted a 2.5, certain colors, certain options. I ended up running across an extremely well kept Electric Blue 2.5 right here on the forum, across the country, and bought it. Luckily I was on a business trip and stopped by to test drive and meet the owner before deciding on the purchase.
I have had the Roadster now for almost 2 months, and love it. When I purchased it I made sure to purchase one that was still within the factory warranty. I know it's a big investment of $12,500, but that was a requirement that I set before looking. So I went into Tesla and paid the bill, and now I know I have worry free driving for 3 years / 36K miles. You get the same with the CPO cars. So all is well - I have my sports car, my wife has the Model S, and we are both driving electric - which I actually had never thought I would do. Like many of us, I'm a car guy - restoring my 69 Camaro and 65 Mustang right now - can't give up the muscle cars. But things have changed for me pretty drastically. I still read all of the magazines - Car & Driver, Road & Track, AutoWeek, Automobile, etc. But, when I see a cool new car, like the Jaguar F-type, I read about it, but would never buy it - it's not electric. I also go to the San Francisco auto show every year at Thanksgiving to see all of the new cars for the year. This year, I may not go, I'm really not interested in anything else at all.
So if you can get a nice Roadster, get it - you will love it. But beware, it could change your outlook on cars completely. I'm desperate to get on the list for the Tesla Roadster replacement, supercar, or whatever it will be a few years down the road. That may be the only car I can replace my Roadster with. If you put a Ferrari 458 in front of me, or an Aventador, or anything else of that caliber, I would love to drive it around for a few weeks, but I would rather own my Roadster. And to top that off, I see those much more often then Roadsters, at least here in the Bay Area.
) I have driven a lot of cars in my life. The ONLY way I will trade #992 in is on the next Roadster from Tesla ...... And I may not even be able to do that! Unless the new one can fly or has laser cannons!:scared:
