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Tesla Roadster 1st Gen

2008–2012 · convertible

Tesla's first car and one of the most important EVs in history. Built on a Lotus Elise-derived chassis (Tesla manufactured at Lotus's Hethel plant in the UK). Single-speed transmission, RWD, ~245 miles of EPA-cycle range, the first highway-legal serial-production all-electric car to use lithium-ion cells, and the first all-electric production car to clear 200 miles per charge. Produced from 2008 to early 2012 (Tesla ran out of Lotus chassis), with ~2,450 cars sold across 30+ countries. Variants: Roadster, Sport, and the final-year Roadster 2.5. First delivery was to Elon Musk in February 2008.

Watch out: Battery degradation and replacement cost is the dominant ownership variable, the original Roadster pack is unique (not shared with later Tesla models), parts and refurbishment are specialized, and a full pack replacement is a five-figure event handled by Tesla or one of a few third-party specialists. Also: the Lotus-derived chassis means the cabin is cramped and the ergonomics are pre-Tesla-modern. Maintain for the historical significance, not as a daily driver.

What your Roadster takes

The parts and fluids that fit this generation. Specs we publish are confirmed against two independent sources; the rest fill in as we verify them.

  • Wiper blades26" driver · 26" passenger✓ VerifiedView
  • Tire sizeNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Engine oilNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Oil filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • Engine air filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • Cabin air filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • Spark plugsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Headlight bulbsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • BatteryNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • CoolantNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Transmission fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Tire pressureNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Key fob batteryNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Power steering fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Differential fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Serpentine beltNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake padsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Wheel fitmentNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake rotorsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • ThermostatNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • A/C refrigerantNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Fuel filterNot catalogued yetFind yours soon

Full clubhouse — owner Garage Lineage, common problems, year-by-year notes, and product picks — is on the build list.

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