Tesla Roadster - Living with the Original!

A look back at where the current EV revolution started!
Shot on iPhone 14 Pro

[@meisnick54]

"You could run over a dime and feel if it was heads up or tails". That was a fantastic quote about manual steering feel and chassis rigidity.

[@linusa2996]

That was expected of a lotus.

[@BrandonCera]

I literally laughed so hard cuz it was my first time hearing that joke

[@OneTireFire]

@@BrandonCera It's not the first time it's been made, though. I think Jeremy Clarkson said something very very similar, but I can't remember what he was revieweing when he said it.

[@ErikRobertson]

It's so true. There were bumps and irregularities in my street that I never noticed until my Roadster was delivered.

[@braydos1578]

You can praise lotus for that though not tesla

[@JerryRigEverything]

Awesome car! 👌

[@Frame_Fusion]

Please no Durability test

[@TheMaskedGamer404]

meanwhile Zach beating the crap out of it in the nxt vid

[@devarshdave]

What about a TearDown? 😅

[@nandii_8850]

Jerry!!! from JerryRigEverything!😳. No wayyy!!!

[@miked3168]

Total junk. Tesla's aren't good cars. Just hype

[@albonfilms]

I think as car enthusiasts, many of us want to see a return to small footprint sports cars, but especially in the EV space. Obviously, there are limitations due to current tech, but the original roadster is proof that EVs don't have to be disconnected experiences beyond just speed. If the new Roadster ever does come out, I hope they make it dynamic enough to prove that driver's cars can exist with EV powertrains too.

[@jamesengland7461]

I wish they'd kept building this. I am almost sure they couldn't afford to.

[@wilneeley5695]

I really like the more mechanical controls. A lot of new cars have gone too far in touch screen only controls.

[@pweek18431]

My thought on every other electric car video has been, what will happen when this fails, and will this be economical to repair. But, just the simplicity of using a standard key switch to power up the vehicle and a physical linkage between the parking brake and the handle is so confidence inspiring. We desperately need vehicles like this that are economical to produce and maintain.

[@nickporter4279]

I've got my fingers crossed that the electric Cayman/Boxster replacement will be able to deliver the more analogue, small-footprint thrills of the original Roadster. Manufacturers have got it into their heads that "sporty" with EVs means a titanic >90kWh battery and 2-3 motors for some monster horsepower figure, but that's not what the market needs. Give me something tactile, agile, and hopefully fairly affordable. $50k, 55kWh, >250bhp,

[@_sticks_]

Look up the Aptera. An affordable, efficient/quick, great handling, light EV. Coming out soon!

[@jessepack180]

Crazy that we live in a world now where there are essentially classic EVs. Cool to see.

[@braydos1578]

Electric cars predate internal combustion vehicles

[@dirtyasianmafia2310]

@@braydos1578 Yea which I find insane. gas engines took over because of their range advantage and we've been driving internal combustion ever since.

[@kepler656]

In what way is a 2008 model year a fugcking classic? What're you, 17?

[@ProTeslaVolt]

Google “GM EV-1”

[@powershot9933]

@@ProTeslaVoltHoly hell

[@tralfazz6810]

marques explaining how to start the car as if it's the most absurd thing when it's pretty much just like a gas car is so funny to me

[@MartinzW]

Do you know if the parking brake is mandatory for the roadster? He made it sound like it is but it might be him being used to automatic parking brakes all his life (he did say he hasn't driven cars from 2008).

[@MJ.unplugged]

That is the point. It is absurd for a electric car

[@carholic-sz3qv]

You mean an old gas car!!! Lol!!!!

[@justingeorge7070]

@@MartinzW I’ve always parked the car that way, put in Neutral and pull up on the parking brake. I don’t think you have to, but I’m paranoid

[@xaviergl]

@@justingeorge7070 well if you leave it in neutral it could roll, kinda like a manual

[@Mike504]

Wish more EVs were more analog like this.

[@MadmaxMusic93]

Definitely not

[@twistedtxb]

​@@MadmaxMusic93trust me people will be actively searching for "dumb" cars once car companies realize the full potential of a car as a service

[@tnnt1263]

Ever see the i-MiEV?

[@CrayonEater2003]

Yeah, especially Teslas. I can't get over the fact that new Model 3's don't even have instrument clusters.

[@Matticitt]

I absolutely adore the rev-counter which goes to 15 000 revs. More EVs should have one.

[@goncalo33]

I agree.

[@fitz9806]

so what is it actually measuring? the rpm of the motors?

[@albert_gyorgy]

@@fitz9806 Yes

[@PatrickHavilah]

The original design of the car had two-speed transmission, so with the RPM you could see which gear you are in and when to shift. But they ditched that since it couldn't handle the torque of the motor. The newer revision swaps the RPM with a power meter, similar to what you get on modern Teslas or maybe Rolls Royce

[@patrickcarr9906]

@@PatrickHavilah Is it though? Looking at the max RPM for various teslas it seems like this is bang on.

[@MINDTHEHEADPHONE]

I'm absolutely loving this channel. It's great to see you in more relaxed and seemingly unscripted videos.

[@miptzi]

Vc por Aki, meu bom senhor? Quando vem o Kuba Kar?

[@piaresquare5424]

that's incredible that they had that much range way back when, I don't know why we settle for less nowadays

[@mamadouaziza2536]

because the car is so light, this is why it has so much range. But the faster you drive it the range will drop.

[@srt4b]

@@mamadouaziza2536 also safety bloat. Adds 100s - 1000s of lbs

[@avery4528]

They have less range because people want to drive 5000 Ib boats. This vehicle ways 2700 pounds. The lotus version was under 2000. It’s the smallest vehicle you’ll ever see

[@justingeorge7070]

This was my Tesla Roadster and I’m so thankful to Marques for featuring her on this channel! When I got the Roadster back in 2018, the previous owner had paid the $29,000 R80 upgrade which was offered by Tesla from 2014-2017. It upgraded the original 53 kWh pack to 80 kWh. There were supposed to be aero upgrades, better tires, and a redesigned front fascia but true to Tesla they never got to it. There are many Roadster owners I know on the original pack (when new it would give 160 miles on a standard charge, 240 on full). When I got the car she could go up to 350 miles, nowadays it’s closer to 260. Tesla stopped the 3.0 program because of faster than expected degradation (they used LG cells in the new ones vs the Panasonic cels of the original). I just hope the car lasts for awhile until someone can figure out a solution.

[@KyleHubb]

@@mamadouaziza2536 The Model 3 SR+ got 240 miles of range and had the same 54 kWh as this car. Much heavier though at 3,500 lbs (2019)

[@etienneg2977]

That car is in great shape for its age and mileage. Kudos to the owners, its fantastic.

[@WHATSINSIDEFAMILY]

The video we all been waiting for! (Well, I’ve been waiting for at least)

[@justingeorge7070]

Thank you Dan!

[@plpno]

We’re Old. 😂

[@obinnachris2596]

You traded yours for NFT. I hope the card is doing well. I'm being positive though. I hope it gets bigger 🙏

[@CamThomasEnthusiast]

What’s inside Dan next?

[@Mrdoc69]

bruh

[@dlewis8405]

Knowing the history of Tesla from this time I can fully appreciate the challenges of the Roadster project after seeing this deep dive. I have heard plenty of stories about how they could not get the parts done for the prices that would make it profitable.

[@SayAhh]

This roadster is the model that made Tesla...but one that Tesla stopped servicing.

[@notabenex1]

As a Lotus Exige owner - there is much much more than you think from Elise.

[@toshy]

NO WAY! Haven't you seen the bespoke "Tesla steering wheel"? This vid made me cringe so much...

[@gg_vard]

@@toshy at least he didn't say anything about the Opel Vauxhall parts

[@bwake]

Lotus designed the bonded extruded aluminum chassis. It definitely has Lotus DNA, even though it actually shares few actual parts with the Elise.

[@Keatoil]

These "as a" comments got to go LOL, brain-dead population

[@visionik]

I am the first (and only) owner of a 2009 Tesla Roadster Sport. Almost every part that is common with an Elise is in the interior: Steering wheel, windshield, etc. The top is not shared, but they are the same size and you can fit an Elise top with minor modifications. The other shared parts are in suspension, but much of the Roadster suspension was custom built by Lotus for Tesla.

[@shakeelkhan9881]

This thing is so cool. I really wish cars were more analog like this - all the physical buttons and switches etc. even turning the key to start it is so much more satisfying than pushing a button imo

[@RyanCowan]

Starting it up had me in shock compared to the current Tesla's 😳

[@pesqair]

current Tesla's what?

[@Telcontarnz]

@@pesqair commas matter. Or is it comma’s matter 😅

[@evgenyzak2035]

Developed in 2003-2006

[@Toma-621]

@@Telcontarnz apostrophes

[@Telcontarnz]

@@Toma-621 brilliant!

[@JayCork]

This video really highlights the fact that Marcus still is viewing these cars as gadgets rather than from the viewpoint of cars. Nothing wrong with that it's just interesting

[@chrisp-uk1wo]

I've never watched his channel but I loved the review. It's all the stuff I'd enjoy geeking out over

[@poppachoppa8956]

Yes he is a tech channel, he is reviewing all the tech in the car

[@RealJoseph123]

Auto Focus is a underrated gem about MKBHD. The phone shots still fools me a couple of times. I keep forgetting it’s not a actual camera, but the 14 Pro needs to work on the skin tones-that’s what the Pixel gets right with “Real Tone”.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

his skin tone looks just fine, he's Black.

[@issacevans9156]

@@mamadouaziza2536 you clearly aren’t a black person. Although it looks “fine” to you, the tone is actually a bit white washes and over exposed.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

@@issacevans9156 Oh? you cleary don't know me... He is using a damn iPhone to shoot his videos on and not a $50k Arri digital cinema camera. Even with the advances in software and chips inside an iPhone, it can never match a $50k dedicated cinema camera. Its a damn car review and not a Loreal Paris commercial

[@houssamalucad753]

@@mamadouaziza2536 yes it's not an expensive camera, but it is still more expensive than the Pixel that gets the skin tones right. Apple can do better.

[@atxridebranding9819]

What are his audio settings?

[@oisiaa]

I almost bought one in 2018 for $50k. I knew it could be a good investment, but never followed though. I think these will be worth $200-300k eventually.

[@thehonesttruth8808]

Yup, me too…these were so cheap back then

[@jonsimon9247]

Hot take maybe but I like the analogue and mechanical feel on the inside. I wish a manufacturer would make an EV that had a lot of analogue and mechanical parts in the interior not just screens. Also I’m 19 so you can’t say I’m just an old timer 😂

[@Qwertworks]

It also just makes a lot of sense. When I saw a video the other day of the submenus you have to go through to open the glovebox in I think it was the lyric (or whatever it is called) you start asking yourself what those people were thinking

[@TheAeroegg]

@@Qwertworks I know on many of the Teslas (not sure how many) you can press the voice command button and say, "Open glovebox." That's about as easy as it gets.

[@Qwertworks]

@@TheAeroegg sorry when I need voice commands to open a glove box something is wrong with the car design. There’s plenty of times when that’s just impractical: Have some loud kids in the back? Tough luck getting your voice command to work. Listening to music? Too bad. needs, to be paused. Transporting something big for which you have to have your boot partly open? As soon as you’re going on the highway it’ll be too loud for the voice command to be heard. Not to mention if you have some friends inside your car it’ll be like the “say the line, Bart!” meme as everyone just loses it because of the absolute dorkiness of having to use a voice command to open the glovebox that could have just as well have a simple release on it like almost every other god damn car so you can open it in less than a second rather than having to press the button > say the line > wait for it to be recognised > potentially having to do it all again I mean sure in the grand scheme of things it’s not a deal breaker but it’s just absolutely stupid design. If they wanna be smart about it, why don’t they give me all options? A voice command, some sub-menu on the touch screen AND a latch / button? User Experience through the roof!

[@TheAeroegg]

@@Qwertworks If the release was on the glove box, why in heavens name would you be reaching for it while driving? I've had no problems with ANY of the voice commands (there are several) at highway speeds and/or with other people talking.

[@Qwertworks]

@@TheAeroegg Even if it works perfectly it just simply takes longer sorry. If I can’t reach the glove box I wont be opening it anyway because I can’t reach the contents lol

[@xenotiic8356]

They could re-release this with nothing more but improved battery cells and a modern charger, and it would sell a lot more than 3000 units. I want one of these now!

[@HunterShows]

Sadly, Tesla has abandoned it like trash. Jettisoned it to outer space. Kind of like their 25K car project.

[@_red_scorpion_]

as someone who has an Elise, I think this car is SO fascinating and I would absolutely love to drive one. It's basically what I hope electric sports cars will be like in the future.

[@justingeorge7070]

Thank you for watching! I’m so glad my Roadster got featured on here. Never been in an Elise, but something tells me I’ll fit right in 😄

[@_red_scorpion_]

@@justingeorge7070 Most definitely Hahaha

[@SayAhh]

If only Elon gave a care about its customers...

[@chrisp-uk1wo]

​@@justingeorge7070Dude thanks for loaning it out!! I've been fascinated with Tesla for the past 10 years back when they were a lot more rare to see. That's an awesome fucking car I really enjoyed seeing the specifics of it. You're a lucky dude

[@skrads]

The most important Lotus component in the Tesla roadster was the aluminum bonded chassis which was innovative back in 1995 when lotus released the original Elise.

[@skylerreidbikes]

Great video as always! I'd love to see a video filmed on the Pixel 7 Pro or S22 ultra sometime soon to mix things up :)

[@BoomTharis]

Where did you hide your mic!? That's so seamless!

[@SaurabhSubhashMelveetil]

He's recording with the phone's default microphone.

[@tezzla6358]

that's a really good mic@@SaurabhSubhashMelveetil

[@SS-xg5zi]

@@tezzla6358 its iphone mic

[@zachg9065]

I remember when this came out back in the day, I was a Lotus fan and thought this was cool .

[@weeniehutjunior]

I love this channel, you're doing such a great job with car reviews! Excuse my fanboy moment, but it is because of you, MKB. You're always so interesting, funny, and informative. I think you could start a channel reviewing paint drying and it would be awesome. :).

[@DillandShaj]

I love big engines and cars that scream when you get on throttle but the fact that Tesla had a production EV car at this level is a true testiment to their amazing engineering!

[@carholic-sz3qv]

Lol…. Nothing special!!!

[@DillandShaj]

@@carholic-sz3qv I work as an EV designer myself and I think it's an impressive feat in 2008 to have a car at that level of production especially with the limited resources and knowledge they had for EVs at that time.

[@carholic-sz3qv]

@@DillandShaj wrong!!! It’s not impressive at all! It has first of all a massive battery pack that uses almost the entire vehicle rear trunk…. A regular lotus has much more usable space again the lotus has been praised for decades for been super light.

[@alexanderkenway]

@@carholic-sz3qv What part of releasing a Li-ion car in 2008 is nothing special?

[@relansis6962]

@@carholic-sz3qv “wrong!!’”🤡

[@OneWithLogic]

The little bit in the end about the kid is priceless, I love how Marques played along with the kid, just pure wholesome

[@donquinn1343]

Nice retro look at the first EV by Tesla.

[@Sizifus]

Ah yes, Martin Eberhard's and Marc Tarpenning's original vision of the roadster. Makes me wonder what Teslas after this would have actually looked like if the founders weren't ousted by Musk

[@Galaxy12Gaming]

I've honestly never seen it up close like that

[@mazda9624]

I remember first finding out about this car in either late 2008 or early 2009 and making it my mission to see one of them out on the road. Fast farward to May of 2010 and I FINALLY saw one in person out in the Rocky Mountains heading West on I-270. I still have the pictures to this day. I was truly enamored by this car ever since the beginning because it really was just THAT different and interesting back in the late 2000s.

[@mattc4045]

Its always cool looking at the past to see how it shaped the future

[@Eevee_133]

2008 Tesla Roadster: The official car of being 16 years old and more reliable than the same company’s newest 7-month-old vehicle

[@Harrison.13]

This was such a cool video. I would love to see more retro episodes!

[@cyber_steve]

I love the way Marques is amazed at the fact that have you have to manually put the key and turn it to start the car without releasing most average people who have cars have regular keys lol

[@ricardocampos3383]

lol he's amazed because an electric car doesn't have an engine that needs to be ignited, not because he's used to luxury cars

[@xxErmis]

This car has better software than the ID.4

[@aminfozdar]

any car has better software than the ID.4

[@bentleyspotter]

I remember seeing one back in 2008 and it was mind blowing. Also that dry carbon fiber was just a vinyl wrap

[@geckosquad3900]

I don't think Marques ever uses handbrake 😂😂

[@KuroRyuu86]

I'm Giving the huge shout out to the OG creators of this car, before Elon Took over the company , Kinda the same way he did with Twitter. Without those Two (i think), We would'nt have had this much of a Jump in EV Tech. Their Vision (and Elons money) really pushed the thinking of travel in an Ecological Sense.

[@ErikRobertson]

One of the OGs still drives his, and occasionally brings it out to Roadster meets. Really awesome guy.

[@Aamirphd]

I literally don't even know where to start! Seeing you review on old Tesla is so cool! But seeing this channel grow is even more amazing! such a wonderful watch, full on review with a phone and a mic amazing work MKBHD!

[@daveriley6310]

The Roadster, a 2010, was my first Tesla. Since then I have owned five more. In addition to needing to be a contortionist to get in and out of it, a Roadster owner basically has a 110 mile tether to home. Many viewers may come away with the impression that Roadsters had a 350 mile range. They didn't. That number is a very optimistic take on a $30k retrofit which Tesla offered years later. An owner could order and pay for it, then wait. And wait. Even with it, road trips in a Roadster could only be an unfulfilled dream. It was suitable for uncomfortable local driving only. But it was certainly a beautiful work of art. It was like having a supermodel for a girlfriend, but you couldn't take her with you on trips. You could could only enjoy her close to home. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[@GabrielAsher]

If you made 30 videos a day I’d be set for entertainment

[@shumushrif9204]

Bro you're sooooooo good at reviewing stuff thanks for blessing out eyes and ears with this world class content yet again

[@Robstrap]

I remember you ordering your original one lmfao, and they STILL arent shipping.... Tesla is a joke

[@SeezSantos]

Loved every second of this! Would love to see your drive the 1st ge NA Miata! What you said about not seeing the street lights reminded me of my Miata! I always had to duck to see the lights!

[@kyle1758]

I'm only 36 and 2008 still feels like a new vehicle to me. Newest I owned was a 2015 and I didn't care for all the bells and whistles. Sold it now the newest I have is a 2009, followed by my 2005 pickup, then a 1977 sports car. I'll just keep those on the road forever lol, I appreciate simplicity.

[@farookbaksh8699]

Lotus. The most jailbreakable automobile

[@melonmelon2848]

Older EV needs to be appreciated too! I like this as much as your RetroTech, Imma old 😀

[@asimo3089]

You uploaded 1 minute go so I haven't seen your reaction, but These cars are a blast to drive! So low! So small! So classic feeling. I love them.

[@QuantumBraced]

I love how barebones it is yet functional. I think this is the true spiritual successor of the EV1, it came only a few years after the EV1 was taken off the road, and is also a 2-seater that's not overly practical, but meant to showcase the power of EVs. Love it! This is also the the first factory made EV to use Li-Ion batteries, so it is literal history on wheels, I would drive it forever.

[@ken830]

And to show how quickly Tesla innovates, the first Model S was delivered in 2012... Just a few short years after the introduction of this Roadster... I have an early 2013 Model S and that car is still VERY much ahead of most modern EV offerings from competitors. That's a Tesla from a DECADE ago.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

not really.. The Model S was always a very expensive car with lots of features. Today there is the Lucid Air and the various Porsche Taycans.. If other manufactures built a car anywhere near what a Model S is, the price of said car would be $90k. The key is to build cars without all the tech, not every car needs adjustable suspensions, two motors, 100kwh battery and countless over the air updates.. The Model S is expensive and a flagship for a reason..

[@ken830]

​@@mamadouaziza2536 Not really what? Nothing you said contradicted me. My point is Tesla produced a car with specs and features that are still pretty modern by today's standards and many competitors can't/don't produce a car that matches that 10 year old car in many ways. For instance, working software that is mostly free from serious-bugs, efficient packaging (seven seats and 2 cavernous trunks), keyless entry and driving done right (ex: no pointless "start" button), quick on-board charger, etc.. Of course, the other makers are doing better than 10 years ago... but that's TEN YEARS ago... Countless OTA updates is not just a nice-to-have... it's a must-have for convenience, but also for safety and it's-2022-why-shouldn't-your-car-always-be-up-to-date-and-modern. And BTW, the Model S 10 years ago only had one motor and a 85kWh battery. The Model S was expensive because batteries were expensive. That's all. It wasn't "all the tech." What tech? You think adding the giant touch screen made it more expensive? No. The touchscreen and "all the tech" allowed Tesla to save costs. Physical buttons with switches, wiring harnesses, connectors, and the labor to source/store inventory/manufacture/assemble costs a lot more than a touchscreen. What Tesla packaged around the expensive battery is pure genius and a testament to their ingenuity for the time.

[@TheMagicJIZZ]

@@mamadouaziza2536 it was $60k

[@mamadouaziza2536]

@@ken830 but the Roadster doesn't have any of the things you mentioned.. You said that todays car manufactures can't produce a car anywhere near the technology of the Roadster?? Minus the carbon fibre bits, the Chevy Bolt EUV surpasses the Roadster in technology.. BMW's i8 Hybrid seems just as good or even better than the Roadster. Lets not even mention the Taycan or the Air Dream edition, both cars have technology for days.. To say that no car today has the technology of a 2008 Tesla Roadster is to say that The USA flag isn't Red, White and Blue.

[@lachlanB323]

@@mamadouaziza2536 Dude. The price of battery's have fallen 90% since the model S in 2012. Not a fair comparison at all! The only reason Tesla's sell for so much these days even though they're wayyy cheaper to make is because of high demand.

[@unknownuser7026]

Its so sad to see how we literally made no progress in terms of range. Like this thing is almost 15 years old and already got 350mi. Nowadays they dont even get that, just because manufacturers build these ugly heavy ass monsters...

[@ropro9817]

Pretty damned impressive considering that was from 2008. It's no wonder Tesla is still light years ahead of the competition. They literally had a 14 year head start.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

Hmm, Tesla is no longer light years ahead in electric cars, the Koreans saw to that.. However, Tesla is still ahead in some technology though.. I mean if all one wants is a simple electric car, there are plenty of them to buy.. BMW at one point was doing well with developing electric cars until they gave up, they had a great start with the i8 and i3. Now all we get are heavy clunky original gas cars converted into battery powered cars.. The i4 is horrible, it quick and handles well and thats about it.

[@ted9254]

Insane to think that 2008 was 14 years ago. I feel so old now

[@finesupplements9698]

Now review the EV1 by General motors. The REAL electric car OG. If you can find one thats still intact, I’m sure it would be worth millions

[@AzureousMakay]

This car was the beginning of why I fell in love with Tesla in the first place. I think it looks cool until this day!!! I was lucky enough to sit in one and drive around. Great video!

[@G1lgamesj]

Basically a Lotus Elise with a different caroserie and batteries instead of engine. The cockpit is exactly the same with some customization. The wheel is identical in an Elise except for the Tesla badge, same calipers, same frame, same dashboard, windscreen... Things that look different is the center console and shifter, speaker position and the little lcd at the door.

[@dodgedogg66]

This is a great video! I've always wanted to see what the OG roadster was like.

[@cgmehta8264]

love the fact that he proves you can be successful on YT with only a phone, by only filming this whole vid with a phone!!!

[@braydos1578]

true but he is coming off the back of a multi million dollar channel as well

[@donedwards6414]

I've never seen a review of the original Tesla Roadster. Thanks MQB.

[@grahamstefaan]

Doug Demuro. Go watch it.

[@rgriffith6476]

Noooooo wayyyyy that car shares suspension parts with the lotus. It is 50% heavier (2000 lb lotus vs 2800 lb tesla)

[@brentftaylor]

The quirkiest thing is to unlock the car manually you have to lay on the asphalt and insert the key in the bottom of the door. Also, on the Sport version, turning the key forward for a couple of seconds puts it into performance mode.

[@thunstrike]

Performance mode exists on the non sport version as well

[@prajwal7356]

0:24 Nice graphics, better than Froza horizon 😂

[@hexahorn]

Love the auto focus videos 👍🏻🔥

[@bene.303]

how doesn’t it have power steering but a backup kamera, even my 1993 mazda miata has power steering

[@GilbertKingAispuro]

HOW DARE YOU say "quirks and features". You'll never be like Jay Leno's son.

[@AbdullahTech]

What was the guy's book store or book publishing company? Why is there no links or mention in the description? What kind of shout out is this?

[@8888k]

I feel like i’ve been seeing a lot more mentions of the original roadster lately, and i’m all for it! This was such a different car back in the day, and i’d bet most Tesla owners, and even some new Tesla ‘enthusiasts’ don’t even know about it!

[@circuitdotlt]

Did you know Smart had their Roadster model as well? It is very similar in size, only 800kg and has a 80kW turbo-charged engine. I have one and converting it to electric now. It is really fun to drive, even if you don't get a lot of power. Like a street legal go-kart.

[@CitEnthusiast]

Very cool to see this car again. We need more like it!

[@farguc]

"I haven't driven a car from this time" - Bro just called me OLD and POOR in the same sentence.

[@aelaan12]

I am 6'3" and this makes me feel very claustrophobic, I had never seen one. So this is a lovely video.

[@Keatoil]

Hennessy, Tesla, Who's next on the list of using lotus bodies LOL

[@alxengel]

An absolutely epic car! Will be worth a lot in some years

[@fjs456]

You gotta be a die hard Marques fan to appreciate this embarrassing car review of a person who obviously has no idea about cars or the history of this certain car.

[@upstateteslaguy]

I have never driven or rode in an original roadster, but I did see one once in a parking lot and couldn't get over how small it was! Would love to ride in one or drive one one day! Thanks for the video!

[@farguc]

Never seen one, but Seen an Elise, at the time my tiny MX-5 looked like an F-250 parked next to a Ford Fiesta lol. It's so tiny.

[@PTJ_S]

5:31 I thought you not supposed to press the button thingy when pulling the hand break? Only when you put it back down.

[@skchang168]

The 1st gen Roadster is like a vintage 911 worth collecting and appreciating it every now and then, and take it for a spin with a smile on your face around town. 😃😎

[@MillionsofMax.s]

Never compare "this" to a 911. Especially when you never owned one. No comparison!

[@MadeByBishop]

I owned a Lotus Elise back in 2009. Don't remember the sun visors being that small - I think that's a Tesla thing! In general though, lots of similarities, including zero power steering and, in particular, that massive sill and how difficult it is to get in to!

[@skrads]

Same visor was in my 2011 Lotus Exige S260

[@ErikRobertson]

The sill is actually a bit lower than in the Elise. Was a $1MM design change because the Tesla co-founders wanted their wives to be able to enter/exit the car more gracefully :D.

[@CYBER-EV]

Props to everyone who bought one of these, and being part of the movement.

[@HunterShows]

Yeah, thank god for the rich.

[@gametime2473]

So Marquius has NEVER owned a car as old as 2008? Wow. It must be nice.

[@Araesh07]

Crazy to see how far Tesla has come.

[@kirillkasyanov]

same as iPhone

[@bestboy897]

Its crazy how big of a musk simp mkbhd is. It's as if he doesn't have an opinion of his own.

[@cubix626]

Isn't that just a lotus steering wheel with the Tesla logo

[@Engkushaini]

Yes

[@vepaS]

Back when Tesla had actual personality and wasnt just a redditor techbro circlejerk

[@bolt5564]

If a company was planning to build a car like this again. Lightweight small and analog.

[@Whatismusic123]

I'm not sure if I would fit in it 🤣 but it looks really cool

[@immanueliggi]

You can run over a dime and tell if it's heads up or tails. Epic stuff Marques🤣🤣

[@mikkithetrailerguy7876]

yup....i own that little beauty too...#269...I absolutely love it...thanks for showing it some attention

[@justingeorge7070]

Now that's a nice VIN 😉

[@ohbewandering]

This is great! Now do one on GM's EV1 :D

[@benbenoy4419]

You make it look like one of those little lamborghini kids drive around in parks.

[@Dada228822]

Wooooww, back to iPhone. Pixel must be real trash.🎉

[@andreymazur1836]

Marques, how about a test of EVs in winter? Nobody seems to be publishing any tests in winter conditions, especially for new pickups

[@CBMedia404]

I wish you could review my BMW E30 Marques

[@TravisRichey]

In 2009 my boyfriend took me to the Tesla dealership in Westwood to test ride a roadster for my birthday. It was amazing, like riding in a roller coaster. It was almost 10 years before I got ro ride and drive a Model S after that. Cool look at the now retro tech! ~Trav

[@Ko_onstantin]

my dream car would literally be a classic Porsche 911 retro-fitted with an electric motor! Small footprint, hell of an acceleration paired with timeless design and no giant ugly screen distracting you while driving and instead good old-fashioned buttons.

[@therealwillie2024]

8:35 every honda owner with slammed civics.

[@L33tSkE3t]

Obviously the Styling is mostly Lotus but, with some discrete Tesla influences here and there and nearly a decade and a half later and it still look incredibly sleek and modern.

[@BrazenRain]

This Tesla's software has what the new ones are missing: more cowbell

[@Later_Nerd]

Ya know what's interesting is I live next to a compound that has like 15 of them always parked out front in various colors. I guess they do a lot of manufacturing for these Roadsters. It's really cool, they must be doing well to own so many and their fence/compound looks really nice as well.