Tesla Roadster Available for Order Again Following Brief Hold
Buyers must pay a $50,000 deposit days before the October 1 reveal event in Waco, Texas.
Tesla has reopened reservations for its next-generation Roadster, requiring a $50,000 deposit from buyers just days before a scheduled reveal event in Waco, Texas. This move revives the reservation process that was initially launched in 2017 and later paused in 2021.
What Happened
The updated reservation page requires an immediate $5,000 credit-card payment, described as fully refundable, followed by a $45,000 wire transfer due within 10 days. Reservations are not considered final until the wire transfer clears. Tesla has not published a confirmed retail price or production start date on the current order page. The structure of the deposit matches the terms used when Tesla first collected payments after unveiling the prototype in 2017.
Why It Matters
The reopening of orders tests whether new buyers will commit substantial funds before seeing a finalized production vehicle, given that the model's release timeline has slipped repeatedly. The October 1 event is scheduled in Waco, near SpaceX’s McGregor rocket test site, and is expected to include pricing, specifications, and production targets. An FAA temporary flight restriction over the McGregor area from September 18 through October 2 suggests a demonstration involving SpaceX-designed cold-gas thrusters, which Elon Musk has previously described as enabling extreme acceleration or brief hovering.
The Bottom Line
Original reservation holders have waited nearly nine years without receiving a production car, with some high-profile customers canceling. The October 1 event aims to address remaining questions about the vehicle's delivery timeline and final specifications.
