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United States market

Tesla Roadster (1st gen)

2008–2012

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  • Lowest price

    US$43,000

    Since 2020

  • Median price

    US$81,750

    Since 2020 · n=8

  • Highest price

    US$220,000

    Since 2020

  • Sold cars

    8

    All time

  • Sell-through

    100%

    Of 8 lots

Tesla Roadster

Based on 8 verified auction results

HOLDAppreciatinghigh confidence

US$145,000

Market value · recent verified sales

+32.1%

12-month change

Hold or Wait

Appreciating but pace slowing. Patient buyers may find better entry.

Median sold price up 32.1% over the last 12 months. Hold if owned; chasing the trend at peak carries risk.

MSRP

Collectibility

8/10

Highly Collectible

3-Year Forecast

US$311,416

+115%

5-Year Forecast

US$404,466

+179%

Market scores

62

Desirability

Moderate

55

Liquidity

Excellent

85

Resale Outlook

Option premiums

What every option is worth.

  • Built ≤ 2010

    +US$19,636+24%

    9 with · 6 without · med confidence

Premiums compare the median price of sales with each option against comparable sales without it, mined from verified auction listings. Sales are pooled across markets on a relative-price basis, so exchange rates and market levels can't skew the split. Options interact in ways a one-at-a-time split can’t capture — treat each premium as directional rather than gospel.

Marque analyst note

The Tesla Roadster first generation has appreciated 32.1% over the past twelve months, with the median transacted price now standing at $145,000. This upward momentum reflects sustained collector interest in the marque's pioneering electric sports car, though the signal remains on Hold pending further market clarification.

Production of just 2,450 units established the first-generation Roadster as a rare modern collectible, and its classification as an appreciating classic underscores its position at the intersection of automotive history and emerging EV desirability. The highly collectible rating reflects both scarcity and the car's role as Tesla's flagship proof-of-concept, factors that continue to drive collector demand.

Sample data from sixteen transactions over twelve months and eight total tracked sales indicate moderate liquidity in this segment. While transaction frequency is steady enough to establish reliable pricing, the relatively thin market means buyers and sellers should expect longer holding or listing windows compared to more mainstream classics.

Transacted examples average 39,000 miles, suggesting most surviving first-generation Roadsters have been preserved with some care and driven selectively by their current owners. This mileage profile is consistent with the car's secondary-market positioning as a curiosity rather than a daily driver.

The market is pricing in significant appreciation ahead. Base-case projections estimate values reaching $311,416 within three years and $404,466 within five years, representing gains of roughly 115% and 179% respectively from current levels. This trajectory reflects confidence in the Roadster's historical significance as electric performance enters the mainstream collectible conversation.

With no active listings currently tracked, supply-side constraints appear to be supporting price floors. The Hold signal suggests the market has moved quickly; prospective buyers may benefit from patience, while current holders have little reason to liquidate into a rising trend.

Depreciation Benchmark

  • Current avg valueUS$145,000
  • Annual appr. rate+32.1%/yr
  • Segment average+3.0 to +9.5%/yr
This model holds value better than its segment average — strong long-term hold.

Vehicle History Signals

  • Auction lots tracked15
  • Damage or salvage declared0 (0.0%)
  • No damage declared15 (100.0%)
No damage or salvage declarations found in the titles and descriptions of the auction lots we track for this model. That's a good sign, not a guarantee — always commission a professional inspection and history check before buying.

Est. Annual Ownership Costs

  • Insurance (agreed value)US$1,140
  • MaintenanceUS$3,220
  • StorageUS$3,220
  • Depreciation— (appreciating)
  • Total annual costUS$7,580
This car has historically appreciated — carrying cost is offset by value growth, not eroded by depreciation.

Market Liquidity

  • Active Listings0
  • Sales Last 12 Months5
  • Sell-Through63%

Market Snapshot

  • Active Listings0
  • Avg Sale PriceUS$101,031
  • Avg Mileage at Sale39,000 mi
  • Recent Price RangeUS$43,000 – US$220,000
  • Total Sales Tracked8

Recent sales

Showing latest 8
  • US$43,000

    Bring a Trailer · 18 Aug 2026

  • US$93,500

    mecum · 15 Aug 2026

  • US$70,000

    Bring a Trailer · 20 Jul 2026

  • US$67,000

    Bring a Trailer · 25 May 2026

  • US$45,250

    Bring a Trailer · 19 May 2026

  • US$159,500

    mecum · 14 Jan 2024

  • US$110,000

    mecum · 15 Jan 2023

  • US$220,000

    mecum · 15 Jan 2023

Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.