Is the Standard Base Roadster "the one" to get?

[CTOWannabe]

I had a deposit down before the reveal (now turned performance reservation). I quickly put down a Thrust deposit after the show.

But after the euphoria of that AMAZING reveal, I, just today, cancelled my Thrust reservation and am thinking about cancelling my Performance reservation and thinking the base standard roadster may be the one to get.

So why I nixed the rocket/thruster models. They are hella cool, but just not realistically something I would ever use on road or track. The thrusters make a coal-roll like plume that I just can't see subjecting others to on the road. It's totally rad, and if you're a drag strip guy, totally makes sense. But I'm not. Even on track, it seems discourteous to plume the track using it. Also, with no frunk, the luggage space in back seems really useful to us for road trips.

But now I'm thinking about the performance model. It has a fan system that has 2 parts to it. A Brabham BT46/McMurtry Sperirling vacuum cleaner style fan, and a low pressure GMA T.50 style fan all in one. I can't see ever using the vacuum style fan, even on track, as it will eject huge amounts of dust and rock chips on others, and even on track, that seems pretty disrespectful. Maybe it's useful on the drag strip for helping on launch, but not my use case.

The T50 style low pressure helps for some downforce thats usable on the road and for high speed runs creating long tails. I'd like it if it were a separate option even though Id use it rarely, but it comes together with the movable skirt mechanism and vacuum mechanism, which adds weight, complexity, and extra things to maintain.

So I'm starting to think maybe the base is the way to go. If I"m understanding the base has no fan system, and has a little less HP, but likely has less weight. So am I crazy in thinking the base is "the one" to get?

Curious how all you others are thinking about which model to get?

So a few stats Ive collected so far:

	Base	Performance	Thrust	Rocket
Production	Apparently regular unlimited production; announced, not reservable	Apparently regular unlimited production; reservable	Limited release; reservable (not available in all regions)	Invite only (not available in all regions)
Deposit (6)	—	$50k ($5k now + $45k within 10 days)	$250k ($5k now + $245k within 10 days); one per customer	Invite only
Cost	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Seats	2	2	2	1
Power	~1,340 hp (5)	1,500 hp	1,500 hp	1,500 hp
Torque	~960 lb-ft (5)	1,033 lb-ft	Same	Same
Drivetrain	RWD	RWD	RWD	RWD
FSD	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)
0–60 mph	Not stated	Under 1.6 s	0.85 s (Tesla: under 0.9 s)	Under 0.59 s
Top speed	~210–214 mph (4)	~210–214 mph (4)	230 mph (9)	Over 230 mph (9)
Thruster nozzles	0	0	4	10
Fan suction	Likely none	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rear luggage room (2)	Yes	Yes	No, the tank takes the space	No
Range	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)
Weight	Under 1,700 kg (~3,750 lb) target	~1,700 kg	Heavier, amount not stated	Heavier, amount not stated
Battery charging	15→85% in 10 min, over 500 kW (1)	Same (1)	Same (1)	Same (1)
Air tank refill	No tank	No tank	200 L: 2–6 h now, goal under 30 min	600 L: ~6–7 h now, goal ~1 h
Road legal (7)	Yes	Yes	Likely road legal with feature limitations (8)	Likely road legal with feature limitations (8)

(1) Tesla gave range and charging for the car in general.
(2) There might be frunk space too.
(3) It isn't clear what "Limited FSD" means. After the reveal, Musk posted that you will be able to ask the Roadster to perform the tricks shown autonomously, and that Tesla will have a looping test track at its Texas HQ for owners.
(4) 214 mph is from Tesla staff via Top Gear and 210 mph is from Hagerty; a 330 mph gearing version is planned.
(5) From Top Gear's narration, not confirmed by Tesla.
(6) US amounts shown; refundable until you configure. UK, Canadian, EU and Indian amounts differ (India: about ₹50 lakh for Performance and ₹2.5 crore for Thrust).
(7) Musk's "not necessarily a safety-optimized car" quote plus the McLaren and Koenigsegg track-only mode precedent.
(8) Tesla's site says "Not approved for public road use," set against Musk's reveal quotes and DeSantis's post. The FAA says "The Tesla vehicle does not meet the FAA's definition of an aircraft," and the Transportation Department says NHTSA "will continue to monitor the situation."
(9) After the reveal, Musk posted a goal of over Mach 0.5, about 400 mph peak speed. This is a stated goal, not a spec.

 

[CTOWannabe]

Also, this thread has a poll going of which roadster people plan on getting:

https://www.teslaroadsterforum.com/forum/threads/roadster-which-model-are-you-going-for.54134/

 

[Ken in Miami]

I’m betting it’s going to be like the cyber truck release they have a limited production foundation model and you will have to take it as it comes then they’ll release orders for the other models. Thanks for that chart. It looks like from your chart that you cannot put a deposit on the base model? I’m sure that means going forward since so many people had deposits for years.
It’s an amazing vehicle on all levels no matter which model you get.

 

[tesla fan]

I was about to put down a deposit on a base car but then I understood no FSD? Really? In the flagship high tech Tesla? How dumb is this to leave FSD out of this vehicle. I as many Tesla owners have vowed-“ to never buy another car without FSD”- the driving data cannot be much different then the model 3 performance - thanks Elon - you just saved my Kids from my buying another $350,000 car! If the base is unlimited production without FSD wait 12 months and these will depreciate just like all electric cars have done. The silly rocket vacuum models are stupid. How many times are owners driving to Musks track to do a flip flop in their car and risk their lives. I like many guys in my Ferrari, Porsches, corvette clubs - have never even done a crazy launch control drag run - illegal on the street and unpleasant feeling and could damage your expensive vehicle’s drivetrain. And if you did do it - how many times twice? Scare the wife and your best friend and that is about it.
This car needs to set a new Nurburgring record/ the base car / gas to set this record to embarrass corvette zr1X and Porsche gt3-rs.
I number Nurburgring won’t allow suction systems on their track and definitely not the jets -

 

[ginmqi]

Great summary of known tech details so far!

I agree with your logic in terms of a true daily sports car but my thinking also takes into account value retention/resale/investment potential. The Thrust to me is the sweet spot as it is the most usable of the insane trims. Rocket will likely be geofenced to Tesla's own test track which Elon said they will build and Thrust will be much more usable on the street (likely clicking through disclaimers on the screen and car camera will have to detect no obstruction anywhere near the car) to get that <1s 0-60.

The "plume" you speak of will dissipate very quickly as I believe it is simply a physics byproduct of ultra high pressure atmospheric gas coming into contact with regular outside air which causes the moisture/condensation formation due to temp differences. In the demo event the white clouds gone away fairly quickly.

What's more worrisome is the faster than speed of sound pressure waves AND the loud decibles created using the linear thrusters. I would imagine the interior of the car is insulated enough to not need hearing protection but anyone in the vicinity should have that.

 

[gtgarner]

I had a deposit down before the reveal (now turned performance reservation). I quickly put down a Thrust deposit after the show.

But after the euphoria of that AMAZING reveal, I, just today, cancelled my Thrust reservation and am thinking about cancelling my Performance reservation and thinking the base standard roadster may be the one to get.

So why I nixed the rocket/thruster models. They are hella cool, but just not realistically something I would ever use on road or track. The thrusters make a coal-roll like plume that I just can't see subjecting others to on the road. It's totally rad, and if you're a drag strip guy, totally makes sense. But I'm not. Even on track, it seems discourteous to plume the track using it. Also, with no frunk, the luggage space in back seems really useful to us for road trips.

But now I'm thinking about the performance model. It has a fan system that has 2 parts to it. A Brabham BT46/McMurtry Sperirling vacuum cleaner style fan, and a low pressure GMA T.50 style fan all in one. I can't see ever using the vacuum style fan, even on track, as it will eject huge amounts of dust and rock chips on others, and even on track, that seems pretty disrespectful. Maybe it's useful on the drag strip for helping on launch, but not my use case.

The T50 style low pressure helps for some downforce thats usable on the road and for high speed runs creating long tails. I'd like it if it were a separate option even though Id use it rarely, but it comes together with the movable skirt mechanism and vacuum mechanism, which adds weight, complexity, and extra things to maintain.

So I'm starting to think maybe the base is the way to go. If I"m understanding the base has no fan system, and has a little less HP, but likely has less weight. So am I crazy in thinking the base is "the one" to get?

Curious how all you others are thinking about which model to get?

So a few stats Ive collected so far:

	Base	Performance	Thrust	Rocket
Production	Apparently regular unlimited production; announced, not reservable	Apparently regular unlimited production; reservable	Limited release; reservable (not available in all regions)	Invite only (not available in all regions)
Deposit (6)	—	$50k ($5k now + $45k within 10 days)	$250k ($5k now + $245k within 10 days); one per customer	Invite only
Cost	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Seats	2	2	2	1
Power	~1,340 hp (5)	1,500 hp	1,500 hp	1,500 hp
Torque	~960 lb-ft (5)	1,033 lb-ft	Same	Same
Drivetrain	RWD	RWD	RWD	RWD
FSD	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)
0–60 mph	Not stated	Under 1.6 s	0.85 s (Tesla: under 0.9 s)	Under 0.59 s
Top speed	~210–214 mph (4)	~210–214 mph (4)	230 mph (9)	Over 230 mph (9)
Thruster nozzles	0	0	4	10
Fan suction	Likely none	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rear luggage room (2)	Yes	Yes	No, the tank takes the space	No
Range	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)
Weight	Under 1,700 kg (~3,750 lb) target	~1,700 kg	Heavier, amount not stated	Heavier, amount not stated
Battery charging	15→85% in 10 min, over 500 kW (1)	Same (1)	Same (1)	Same (1)
Air tank refill	No tank	No tank	200 L: 2–6 h now, goal under 30 min	600 L: ~6–7 h now, goal ~1 h
Road legal (7)	Yes	Yes	Likely road legal with feature limitations (8)	Likely road legal with feature limitations (8)

(1) Tesla gave range and charging for the car in general.
(2) There might be frunk space too.
(3) It isn't clear what "Limited FSD" means. After the reveal, Musk posted that you will be able to ask the Roadster to perform the tricks shown autonomously, and that Tesla will have a looping test track at its Texas HQ for owners.
(4) 214 mph is from Tesla staff via Top Gear and 210 mph is from Hagerty; a 330 mph gearing version is planned.
(5) From Top Gear's narration, not confirmed by Tesla.
(6) US amounts shown; refundable until you configure. UK, Canadian, EU and Indian amounts differ (India: about ₹50 lakh for Performance and ₹2.5 crore for Thrust).
(7) Musk's "not necessarily a safety-optimized car" quote plus the McLaren and Koenigsegg track-only mode precedent.
(8) Tesla's site says "Not approved for public road use," set against Musk's reveal quotes and DeSantis's post. The FAA says "The Tesla vehicle does not meet the FAA's definition of an aircraft," and the Transportation Department says NHTSA "will continue to monitor the situation."
(9) After the reveal, Musk posted a goal of over Mach 0.5, about 400 mph peak speed. This is a stated goal, not a spec.

Why would you cancel your thrust order?

Couldn't you have used the "thrust money" to upgrade your performance with everything when it came out? I'm sure there will be options available at every level.

 

[CTOWannabe]

Why would you cancel your thrust order?

Couldn't you have used the "thrust money" to upgrade your performance with everything when it came out? I'm sure there will be options available at every level.

Not sure what you mean. I prefer not to get the thrust model as I don’t do drag strips and prefer the luggage space for road trips. I think it’s a super cool model and feature, but I just wouldn’t use it. If I kept the deposit, I don’t think you can downgrade the deposit for a performance or base model. I have a feeling I’m missing some aspect of your question. Apologies for that.

 

[ginmqi]

Not sure what you mean. I prefer not to get the thrust model as I don’t do drag strips and prefer the luggage space for road trips. I think it’s a super cool model and feature, but I just wouldn’t use it. If I kept the deposit, I don’t think you can downgrade the deposit for a performance or base model. I have a feeling I’m missing some aspect of your question. Apologies for that.

I think you're right. There is no way to downgrade and then get the difference refunded. What you do have to do is cancel and then re-reserve.

Having 0 luggage space can be a pain with the Thrust version....of course if you are just traveling by yourself you can just put the stuff in the passenger compartment lol

 

[CTOWannabe]

I think you're right. There is no way to downgrade and then get the difference refunded. What you do have to do is cancel and then re-reserve.

Having 0 luggage space can be a pain with the Thrust version....of course if you are just traveling by yourself you can just put the stuff in the passenger compartment lol

Depends on the use. I imagine that the best use case for the Thrust version is more of an 'event' car. Best use by far is on drag strip and half mile/mile high speed/airstrip runs. Maybe some limited track too. I'm sure there are some desolate enough places in the country where you could give it a go once or twice too. All somewhat 'event' type time. So I think the thrust owners will do great enjoying the heck out of it. And I bet some will still manage to road trip it with maybe small duffle bags under their feet or stuffed around the canister area something like that.

As much as I'd love to imagine it on the autobahn, I don't think they'd allow you to light that thruster up on a public road. Could be wrong, but my bet would be against it.

I like to travel with a companion. I guess I'm very "dr who" that way! But you're right, if you're by yourself, not an issue.

 

[CTOWannabe]

Next-gen Tesla Roadster – Trim comparison (Chart 2.0)
(Locked rev. Based on original chart + press/media sheet details. Subject to change.)

Feature / Spec	Base	Performance	Thrust	Rocket
Production	Apparently regular unlimited production; announced, not reservable	Apparently regular unlimited production; reservable	Limited release; reservable (not available in all regions)	Invite only (not available in all regions)
Deposit (6)	—	$50k ($5k now + $45k within 10 days)	$250k ($5k now + $245k within 10 days); one per customer	Invite only
Cost	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Seats	2	2	2	1
Power	~1,340 hp (5)	1,500 hp Over 1 MW (media sheet)	1,500 hp Over 1 MW (media sheet)	1,500 hp Over 1 MW (media sheet)
Torque	~960 lb-ft (5)	1,033 lb-ft Over 1,400 Nm (media sheet)	Same Over 1,400 Nm (media sheet)	Same Over 1,400 Nm (media sheet)
Peak acceleration	Not detailed	Over 1.5 g	Over 5 g	Over 5 g
0–60 mph	Not stated	Under 1.6 s	0.85 s (Tesla: under 0.9 s)	Under 0.59 s
Top speed	~210–214 mph (4)	~210–214 mph (4) Over 210 mph (media sheet)	230 mph (9) Over 230 mph (media sheet)	Over 230 mph (9) Over 230 mph (media sheet)
Drivetrain	RWD	RWD	RWD	RWD
Thruster nozzles	0	0	4	10
COPVs	None	None	1	2
Air tank refill	No tank	No tank	200 L: 2–6 h now, goal under 30 min	600 L: ~6–7 h now, goal ~1 h
Optimus actuators	Not detailed	Not listed	Electric Optimus actuators	All-electric Optimus actuators
Fan suction	Likely none	Yes	Yes	Yes
Active Track Mode / dual ride height	Not detailed	Yes (stiffness more than triples; ride height drops up to 40 mm)	Yes	Yes
Carbon-ceramic brakes	Not detailed	Yes	Yes	Yes
Doors	Not detailed	Dihedral w/ removable roof panels	Dihedral w/ removable roof panels	Dihedral w/ removable roof panels
Door messaging note	—	“Not to be messaged as having Butterfly doors”	—	—
Ano White paint	No	No	No	Yes (UV/cryogenic protection, electrostatic dissipation, corrosion resistance)
Gold-tinted / Gold Glazed glass	No	No	Yes	Yes
Supersonic interior	No	No	Yes	Yes
Product-page images	None	None (guidance: all assets are Thrust or Rocket)	Shown	Shown
Rear luggage room (2)	Yes	Yes	No, the tank takes the space	No
FSD	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)
Range	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1) Over 300 miles (media sheet)	310–320 mi (1) Over 300 miles (media sheet)	310–320 mi (1) Over 300 miles (media sheet)
Battery charging	15→85% in 10 min, over 500 kW (1)	Same (1)	Same (1)	Same (1)
Weight	Under 1,700 kg (~3,750 lb) target	~1,700 kg	Heavier, amount not stated	Heavier, amount not stated
Road legal (7)	Yes	Yes	Likely road legal with feature limitations (8)	Likely road legal with feature limitations (8)

Footnotes
(1) Tesla gave range and charging for the car in general.
(2) There might be frunk space too.
(3) It isn't clear what "Limited FSD" means. After the reveal, Musk posted that you will be able to ask the Roadster to perform the tricks shown autonomously, and that Tesla will have a looping test track at its Texas HQ for owners.
(4) 214 mph is from Tesla staff via Top Gear and 210 mph is from Hagerty; a 330 mph gearing version is planned.
(5) From Top Gear's narration, not confirmed by Tesla.
(6) US amounts shown; refundable until you configure. UK, Canadian, EU and Indian amounts differ (India: about ₹50 lakh for Performance and ₹2.5 crore for Thrust).
(7) Musk's "not necessarily a safety-optimized car" quote plus the McLaren and Koenigsegg track-only mode precedent.
(8) Tesla's site says "Not approved for public road use," set against Musk's reveal quotes and DeSantis's post. The FAA says "The Tesla vehicle does not meet the FAA's definition of an aircraft," and the Transportation Department says NHTSA "will continue to monitor the situation."
(9) After the reveal, Musk posted a goal of over Mach 0.5, about 400 mph peak speed. This is a stated goal, not a spec.