Tesla Roadster price: what it costs to reserve, and what Tesla hasn't said
By Howard Huang · Published 18 Oct 2026 · Updated 18 Oct 2026 · Figures from Tesla's own pages and the October 15, 2026 reveal.
Tesla hasn't announced a price for the new Roadster. To get in line you pay $50,000 for Performance or $250,000 for Thrust; the flying Rocket trim is invite only. Musk says production starts in 2028. He first promised 2020.
Performance · Road ready · seats 2 · Tesla lists it as "By Reservation". $5,000 today (refundable), $45,000 within 10 days. Total to hold a spot: $50,000. Active aero and a multi-mode suction system that holds the car down for grip. Car price: not announced.Source: Tesla reservation page, 18 Oct 2026.
The Thrust deposit equals the 2017 Founders Series price
2017 figures: TechCrunch, Nov 2017. 2026 reservations: Tesla and TechCrunch, checked 18 Oct 2026. A reservation is money toward a price Tesla hasn't set yet.
The short answer: the only Roadster prices Tesla has ever stated are from 2017 ($200,000 base, $250,000 Founders Series). For the 2026 car, Tesla gives reservation amounts only, and says the price is confirmed when you configure.
How a Roadster reservation works
Reserve: $5,000Paid online. Tesla's page says this part is fully refundable.
Pay the rest in 10 days$45,000 (Performance) or $245,000 (Thrust), or the reservation is cancelled.
Wait for 2028Musk says production starts then. No delivery date yet.
ConfigureTesla invites you when production nears. Only then is the price confirmed.
Order and take deliveryYour reservation money goes toward the price.
Six lines from Tesla's reservation agreement. Tick them off before the 10-day payment:
It isn't an order. The agreement says the reservation "it does not constitute the purchase or order of a vehicle."
The price is an estimate until you configure. "The estimated Purchase Price of the vehicle, if provided, is only an estimate."
No delivery promise. Tesla: "we cannot guarantee when your vehicle will actually be delivered or if it will be delivered."
You can cancel for a full refund until you finish configuring the car after Tesla invites you to.
No interest, no escrow. Tesla says "we will not hold your Reservation Payment separately or in an escrow or trust fund or pay any interest."
You can't sell your spot. Your Reservation is not transferable or assignable to another party without our prior written consent.
Tesla Roadster release date: production in 2028
Production years Musk has given since the 2017 unveil, from our Tesla Roadster release date tracker. Latest, on stage October 15, 2026: "We enter production in 2028." (Tesla livestream).
Production isn't delivery. Tesla hasn't given a delivery date, and its agreement says it can't guarantee when or if a car is delivered. How the unveil went: new Tesla Roadster unveil.
Not waiting until 2028? The Roadster isn't on Tesla's referral list. A first Model 3, Model Y or Cybertruck (Premium AWD or Cyberbeast) ordered through our link comes with 3 months of FSD (Supervised). We get a referral credit.
Tesla hasn't said. The price wasn't announced at the October 15, 2026 reveal (CNBC), and Tesla's reservation agreement calls any price it gives "only an estimate." What you can pay now is the reservation: $50,000 for Performance or $250,000 for Thrust.
How much is the Tesla Roadster deposit?
$5,000 online, then $45,000 within 10 days for Performance ($50,000 total). Thrust is $5,000 plus $245,000 ($250,000). Rocket is invite only (Tesla, Engadget).
Is the Tesla Roadster reservation refundable?
Tesla's page marks the $5,000 "Fully refundable," and the agreement lets you cancel for a full refund until you configure the car. Tesla doesn't hold the money in escrow or pay interest on it (Roadster Reservation Agreement).
When does the new Tesla Roadster come out?
Musk said on stage on October 15, 2026: "We enter production in 2028." No delivery date was given. He first promised 2020, and the date has moved 7 times: Tesla Roadster release date tracker.
What was the Tesla Roadster price in 2017?
Tesla announced a $200,000 starting price and 1,000 Founders Series cars at $250,000, with a $50,000 deposit, for delivery in 2020 (TechCrunch, 2017). Tesla hasn't repeated those prices for the 2026 car.
What happens to 2017 Roadster deposits?
Tesla hasn't said publicly how 2017 reservations carry over to the new trims (Fortune). Ask Tesla in your account before paying a second deposit.
No. Tesla's Refer and Earn list covers Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck and solar panels (Tesla terms). Our referral helps only if you order one of those.
Is the flying Roadster street legal?
Tesla says the Rocket trim is "Not approved for public road use" and isn't sold in all regions (tesla.com). Musk on stage: "This is not necessarily a safety-optimized car."
Independent fan project. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Tesla, Inc. or SpaceX. Figures checked on 18 Oct 2026 from the linked official pages; they change, and your address or account can change them. Not a quote. Referral links are ours: we get the referrer reward if you order.
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