Hi, I'm UK based and a big fan of the roadster. I've been lurking here for a couple of months and have gained a sense of the car and how much their owners love them, but also the potential issues with the expensive electrics that appear to crop up more often than we'd really like!
I'm a serial ICE classic car owner/driver, and am looking to replace a classic BMW with a roadster sport. I like my cars to be more than just a mode of transport, so they need to be interesting on their own terms, and provide a stimulating technical challenge or two along the way. And I think the roadster fits the bill very well, though it will be the newest car (by a long margin) that I have ever purchased!
As a classic owner I like to get involved and get my hands dirty, and get to understand the old technology involved. I think EVs have progressed so fast in 10 years, that the original tesla roadsters can now be thought of as interesting old tech! This is clearly going to be a steep learning curve for me, as a straight 6 ICE engine is much the same as a V8, but an EV is something completely different in most ways.
I do have some questions of course:
Best way to definitively identify a roadster sport. I've read that a 3 instead of a 1 in the vehicle VIN (digit 8?) is the best way, correct? And also colours of stitching on the seats, plus the badging at the back of course?
How many 2.0 vs 2.5 cars in the UK? And what's the most desirable model and why? I confess I do like the look of the 2.5 front end better, but am not fixed in my view either way.
And any options, or trim levels that I should be looking out for as particularly nice to have?
Thanks in advance, and I hope my thinking of the roadster as a classic has not caused anyone any upset
I'm a serial ICE classic car owner/driver, and am looking to replace a classic BMW with a roadster sport. I like my cars to be more than just a mode of transport, so they need to be interesting on their own terms, and provide a stimulating technical challenge or two along the way. And I think the roadster fits the bill very well, though it will be the newest car (by a long margin) that I have ever purchased!
As a classic owner I like to get involved and get my hands dirty, and get to understand the old technology involved. I think EVs have progressed so fast in 10 years, that the original tesla roadsters can now be thought of as interesting old tech! This is clearly going to be a steep learning curve for me, as a straight 6 ICE engine is much the same as a V8, but an EV is something completely different in most ways.
I do have some questions of course:
Best way to definitively identify a roadster sport. I've read that a 3 instead of a 1 in the vehicle VIN (digit 8?) is the best way, correct? And also colours of stitching on the seats, plus the badging at the back of course?
How many 2.0 vs 2.5 cars in the UK? And what's the most desirable model and why? I confess I do like the look of the 2.5 front end better, but am not fixed in my view either way.
And any options, or trim levels that I should be looking out for as particularly nice to have?
Thanks in advance, and I hope my thinking of the roadster as a classic has not caused anyone any upset