Bumping this thread as it captures the essence of why any of us looking for a Roadster should care about this car. I wanted to cite some of the more poignant comments in one post so we can enjoy them all in a single read (with my $.02 thrown in of course
). Ironically, this post may end up being as long as the original thread but oh well...
If you're expecting luxury, it's not the car for you. It's old school, requires a key (a key!!), rattles, creaks, cramped, some people have a hard time getting in/out, has no storage space, has a tiny display screen, and is the most fun I've ever had driving a car. It has soul. Lots of it.
You'll have to decide what's important to you.
@bonnie - I've decided what's important to me: (a) I'm old school and (b) I want a car with soul. Sold!
I converted to the Roadster after driving 9 different Porsches, including every iteration of the 911 Turbo since the 993. I've also owned a few Lamborghinis (LP640, Murcielago, Gallardo & Superleggerra) and Ferraris (360, F355 & 612). Also put a lot of miles on an F430 and a 458 Italia.
Yet, the Roadster is the one that sits in my garage. In fact, I like it so much, I've got 4 of them sitting in there.
@spiderguy - Hope you held onto that air-cooled 993T! BTW, where's that photo of your quintuplets in their crib? Your Roadster family has been waiting for months to see pictures of the kids so pls share!
I had a 1975 Porsche 914. A tiny, two door mid-engine roadster with a frunk. It was light and because of the mid-engine, it handled amazingly well.
The handling of the Roadster reminded me of the 914, which is a really good thing.
The difference was that the 914 was absurdly anemic in terms of power, and the Roadster is really quick. (When I bought it, it seemed amazing; after driving an Insane P85D, well, it's still not that bad.)
@bolosky - But was it a
914-6?
You say you have an S and an X. You need to test drive a Roadster to really understand just how fundamentally different it is from the cars Tesla currently produces. I would really like to hear back from you after you drive a Roadster.
@ecarfan - I too would love to hear the comments of those fortunate enough to own or have owned all three: R, MS, MX. Oh wait! Let's see what
@RobsJester and
@ChadS have to say...
...neither can compare to the experience of driving a Roadster.
Neither feel as quick. Neither as visceral. A Roaster is constant feedback, the conditions around you will demand your full attention. To live in the moment, some people seek out meditation, surfing, or sex. Screw all that, just clock a few twists in a Roadster, yeah, that'll bring you into the "Now".
@RobsJester - "Neither as visceral." That, sir, is the adjective right there! I have some thoughts on that I'll share at the end of this post.
Yes, the Model S is more practical. The P*D versions are quicker. But the Roadster is SO MUCH MORE FUN to drive... Mind you, the Roadster is not for everyone. Downsides include:
- Taut ride
- Little storage space in the cabin or trunk
- Noisy (wind noise, road noise, rattles and squeaks)
- Poor rear visibility
- Difficult ingress/egress
- Very low driving position means pretty much any car blocks your view, and not all cars can see you
If you can put up with that list, you will not regret getting one.
@ChadS - The fact that the Roadster is not for everyone is big part of the allure to me and, presumably, was for those of you fortunate enough to own them. I'm prepared to put up with its shortcomings if it makes me fell like a kid again every time I drive it.
That isn't the question, the question is - is there a mechanic experienced with Roadsters near him? It is now an exotic car, and worthy of consideration if you can get it fixed.
@PtG62901 - This strikes me as imperative esp. now that all factory warranties seem to be drying up. I'm in SoCal so I assume we still have some seasoned CS techs in our shops here. If anyone has any experiences or recommendations they can share, pls do.
IMHO, the Roadster will be a very collectible car in the not too distant future. I think that it will be viewed as the car that pioneered the electric era. This fact, in addition to the car being beloved by the vast majority of its owners, make it very desirable. Also, it's important to note that only 2,500 or so roadsters were ever produced,with only 1,464 of them in the US.
@spiderguy - Hoping you're right but only time will tell. In the meantime, we still await the photos of your four ponies in the stable!
If you want a car where you're part of the car, connected directly to the road by electric acceleration, get the Roadster. If you're contemplating on steering wheel feel and comfort get the S or something else.
@wiztecy - I test drove a P85D when they were first released. At the end of the test drive the marketing rep asked me what I thought. I told him it felt like I was dating a supermodel with no personality. True, she was stunning... no,
breathtaking to look. The fit, finish and her curves! Yet, I had no appreciation for just how much amazing tech was involved to arrive at such power. Sadly, and most importantly however, there just was
no emotional connection there. A true driver's car should give you that in spades and you should feel it instantaneously. I went in truly wanting to love the MS but came away feeling indifferent toward it. Buying one struck me as more of a status symbol purchase: almost as if I'd be buying an iPad Pro on wheels. The Roadster seems to be everything that car isn't. And I can't wait!
