Tesla Model S Signature Listed for $260,000 - A Six-Figure Premium
A New Jersey dealership is trying to sell a Tesla Model S Signature for an eye-watering $259,995. This price tag represents a staggering markup of over $100,000 compared to what Tesla originally charged buyers for the collector’s edition.
The car in question has just 297 miles on its odometer and carries VIN #71, indicating it is one of only 250 units produced as part of an invite-only farewell run for the Model S and Model X. The listing at J&S Autohaus in Ewing, New Jersey, also includes a $495 documentation fee, bringing the total price to $260,490.
The Signature Series was built as a farewell run for the Model S and Model X, with only 250 units produced. Each car features exclusive Garnet Red paint, gold brake calipers on carbon-ceramic brakes, and 21-inch wheels. The low VIN ending in ‘S00071’ also confirms its status as one of these highly sought-after collector’s items.
Tesla originally priced the Model X Signature at $159,420 and the Model S Signature around $155,000. This means that the J&S Autohaus listing represents a premium of over $100,000 compared to Tesla’s own price for the car - before it has even been delivered to the buyer.
When you compare this markup to what Tesla charged for the standard Plaid model, which was around $124,900, it looks even steeper. The reason behind this high asking price is likely due to scarcity and exclusivity.
The Signature Series was invite-only, with only a select group of existing owners receiving an email from Tesla offering them the opportunity to purchase one of these limited-edition vehicles. This combination of factors has attracted flippers hoping to cash in on collectors who missed out on this chance.
The ‘Signature’ name also carries historical significance. When the Model S first launched in 2012, the initial ~2,000 cars sold were Signature editions that required a $40,000 deposit and cost nearly $100,000 each. These early owners were Tesla’s original believers.
However, beneath its exclusive paint job and gold trim, the Model S Signature remains fundamentally the same car as the standard Plaid model. It lacks new battery cells, faster charging capabilities, steer-by-wire technology, or any meaningful range gain.
The buyers are essentially paying a six-figure premium for cosmetic upgrades and a numbered plate. The Tesla community is divided on this issue, with some enthusiasts defending the high price tag due to its exclusivity and historical significance.
Others argue that it’s nothing more than a marketing gimmick designed to separate collectors from their hard-earned cash. Even the author of this article owns one of these early Signatures and doubts it would fetch anywhere near $260,000 today.
It remains to be seen whether anyone will actually pay six figures for one of these limited-edition vehicles - the original 2012 Signature editions were genuinely historic but did not appreciate into collector cars. In fact, they’re unlikely to sell for anything close to this price tag in a private sale.
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