Tesla Roadster (1st gen)
2008–2012
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

Based on 8 verified auction results
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
Vehicle History Signals
- Auction lots tracked15
- Damage or salvage declared0 (0.0%)
- No damage declared15 (100.0%)
Est. Annual Ownership Costs
- Insurance (agreed value)US$1,140
- MaintenanceUS$3,220
- StorageUS$3,220
- Depreciation— (appreciating)
- Total annual costUS$7,580
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 8US$43,000
Bring a Trailer · 18 Aug 2026
46,000 mi
Sterling Silver · single-speed
US$93,500
mecum · 15 Aug 2026
Arctic White · Automatic
US$70,000
Bring a Trailer · 20 Jul 2026
32,000 mi
Fusion Red · Single-speed
US$67,000
Bring a Trailer · 25 May 2026
Fusion Red · Single-speed
US$45,250
Bring a Trailer · 19 May 2026
Racing Green · single-speed
US$159,500
mecum · 14 Jan 2024
Black · automatic
US$110,000
mecum · 15 Jan 2023
Twilight Blue
US$220,000
mecum · 15 Jan 2023
Radiant Red
Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.