The original Tesla Roadster, launched in 2008 at $98,000 (equivalent to around $153,000 in 2026), now sells for prices close to its original MSRP depending on condition. According to Hagerty, concours-condition examples carry valuations between $85,633 and $97,767, while excellent-condition cars range from $66,000 to $79,567. Good-condition models sell from $45,567 to $58,967, and fair-condition Roadsters fetch between $27,167 and $39,433.
Tesla built just 2,450 Roadsters between 2008 and 2012, making used examples rare. A 19,000-mile example recently listed for $81,600 on CarGurus, while another sold for $77,000 on Bring a Trailer. Current market prices hover around this range.
The Roadster's value retention stems from its brand prestige, historical significance as the car that brought EVs into the mainstream, and limited production numbers. The car delivered up to 244 miles of driving range and accelerated to 60 mph in less than four seconds, establishing that electric vehicles could be both practical and performant.
Prices have fluctuated. Hagerty data shows concours models peaked in 2023 at around $164,000, with excellent-condition cars reaching $131,000 then. Limited-edition "Signature One Hundred" models and low-mileage examples have appreciated significantly, with some selling above $100,000 and at least one sub-1,000-mile model reaching $250,000.