Tesla Reopens Roadster Reservations Ahead of Public Reveal

Tesla has reopened reservations for the next-generation Roadster on its official website after years of delays and speculation.

The timing comes just weeks before a public reveal in Waco, Texas, on October 1. Nearly a decade after its 2017 concept debut, the sports car is set for a formal unveiling where pricing, specifications, and production targets are expected to be detailed.

The $50,000 Buy-In

Reserving a place requires the same commitment as in 2017: an immediate $5,000 payment followed by a $45,000 wire transfer within 10 days to complete the order. The full $50,000 deposit is fully refundable.

Tesla cautions that any estimated purchase price is only an estimate. Options, hardware, and packaging are still being finalized, and the final price will be confirmed when the configurator opens. Back in 2017, Tesla cited a $200,000 base price and a $250,000 Founder’s Series, but manufacturing changes — not to mention the nine years that have passed — make adjustments likely.

Visually, the teased production model differs from the original curvy red concept from 2017. The image on the reservation page shows a sharp, angular rear with a wide illuminated light bar and a prominent aerodynamic spoiler, evoking a blockier “Cyber” aesthetic rather than traditional supercar curves. For more details, check out everything we know about the Roadster so far.

A Rocky Road to Waco

The project’s path to production has been bumpy. First revealed in 2017 with an original 2020 delivery target, the sports car was repeatedly deferred to prioritize Model Y volume and the Cybertruck. Earlier this year, an April 1 presentation was initially targeted before the date was pushed several times, ultimately landing on October.

Throughout development, Elon Musk has outlined ambitious performance goals. Beyond a sub-two-second 0-60 mph time, he has described an optional SpaceX cold-gas thruster package that could drop 0-60 mph acceleration below one second, and he has joked that the car might even be able to “fly.”

Musk has also teased the Waco demonstration as unprecedented: “We actually need an audience to vouch for the fact that this is not AI,” he said at an event earlier this week.

Whether rocket thrusters make it to street-legal builds remains to be seen, but reopening reservations signals that Tesla is ready to show what nine years of development have produced.