2009 Tesla Roadster - Photo Gallery

Despite its unique powertrain, the 2009 Tesla Roadster competes in an impressive bracket of high-performance two-seat sportscars.

Probably the closest comparable production car is the Porsche 911 Turbo, which is slightly quicker to 60 mph (3.7 seconds against the Tesla's 3.9) but costs $25,000 more.

Adding the Sport option to the Tesla Roadster brings its 0-to-60-mph time down to 3.7 seconds as well, but you'll pay dearly for that fifth of a second: the price goes up another $19,500.

The Porsche is better built, has a higher level of amenities, and offers far more dealers and service points, plus more space for people, stuff, and luggage.

Another competitor, the Ferrari F430 Spider, costs $75,000 more for roughly equal performance.

On the lower end of the scale, the Audi R8 carries a sticker price equal to the Tesla Roadster's, but with its standard V-8 engine, is more than a second slower to 60 mph.

All three of these cars, of course, have ranges of 300 miles or more on gasoline, with tanks that can be refilled in 10 minutes or less.

The Roadster's range, on the other hand, is quoted as 244 miles (from the EPA test cycle), but aggressive driving is likely to take that below 200 miles.

However, Tesla buyers know that perfectly well.

One further consideration: Any of those three companies (Audi, Ferrari, or Porsche) may be a better bet to exist 10 years hence than Tesla, whose executive turnover and abrupt changes in product strategy have kept the Silicon Valley gossip mill humming.