Tesla Offers Leasing Option for Roadster
25 February 2010
Tesla Motors is now offering the option of leasing the electric Roadster and Roadster Sport. Tesla Leasing allows customers to take immediate delivery of a new 2010 Roadster or Roadster Sport with a three year, 30,000 mile contract and with monthly payments as low as $1,658.
Monthly lease payments of $1,658 (excludes sales or use tax) for 36 months is based on an MSRP of $111,005 (includes destination and documentation fees). $12,453 is due at signing, which includes the $1,658 first month’s payment, $9,900 down payment, and $895 acquisition fee. No security deposit is required. Excludes tax, title, license, registration, and any locally applied fees.
At lease end, lessee will be liable for disposition fee ($350.00), any excess wear and use as set forth in the lease agreement and excess mileage charges of $0.25 per mile for miles driven in excess of 30,000 miles over the life of the lease.
Operational cost savings compared to a similar gas powered car could be $131 per month based on an estimated 833 miles driven per month based on EPA fuel economy tests, according to Tesla’s calculations. At the end of the term, customers have the flexibility to purchase their Roadster or pay a fee and walk away.
Tesla customers also benefit from the Tesla Rangers, Tesla’s mobile service squad. Tesla Rangers make house calls for annual inspections, firmware upgrades and other services, so customers can enjoy hassle-free service from their home or office. US customers pay $1 per roundtrip mile from the closest service center, with a minimum charge of $100.
Still rich for my blood.
Posted by: sulleny | 25 February 2010 at 11:32 PM
Such a deal.
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 26 February 2010 at 12:02 AM
$1658/30 days * 24 hr/day = $2.30. Yep, I want my hour.
Posted by: kelly | 26 February 2010 at 06:30 AM
At the end of the 36 month lease, and not going over 30,000 miles, the Tesla will have cost $72,000 to operate, not counting electricity, licensing or insurance. That's $24,000 per year for the privilege of having the vehicle in one's posession.
Cesare Marchetti's research shows that families are willing to spend 15% of their income on transportation. That means the Tesla owner needs to be earning $160,000 per year, after taxes, to own one vehicle. Gross income would have to be in the $250,000 range.
The $131 per month fuel savings Tesla claims must be based on the assumption of an equally expensive vehicle getting about 15 m.p.g. (Ferrari perhaps?).
This is one of the poorest excuses for economy I have ever seen.
Posted by: fred schumacher | 26 February 2010 at 08:08 AM
Nice analysis of the expenses. If you have the money, there are worse things you could put it toward than to help an electric car company stay afloat and develop more affordable cars though.
Posted by: Stephen Boulet | 26 February 2010 at 01:11 PM
You pay for half the car in 30 months, that is quite a steep depreciation. I can see why they offer this, it can make for more sales. Which company will carry the lease is a question, they end up owning the car and have to sell it on the used market. Maybe they are hoping the driver will want to buy it later on.
Posted by: SJC | 27 February 2010 at 12:12 AM