Tesla has reopened reservations for its fastest and most delayed car, the Next-Gen Roadster. The company quietly made the Reserve Now button live on its website on September 20, 2026. And most importantly, without revealing the car's final price, photos, range, or delivery date, a $50,000 deposit is being requested.
This booking has opened just 11 days before the big reveal event in Waco, Texas, on October 1.
What is the breakdown of the $50,000?
According to the terms on the US website:
First payment: $5,000 immediately by credit card. The company says it is fully refundable.
Second payment: $45,000 by wire transfer within 10 days. Until this amount clears, the booking will not be considered final.
This same structure was in place in 2017 as well. Even back then, Tesla charged $50,000 after showing the prototype.
Global pricing is as follows:
USA: $50,000
Canada: $64,000 CAD (6,000 CAD card + $58,000 CAD wire)
China: RMB 332,000 (approximately $52,120)
The company has not yet published retail prices. In 2017, the base model was reported to be $200,000, and the Founders Series was $250,000. Now, it's believed the price could range from $250,000 to $300,000.
What's coming to Waco on October 1st?
Tesla posted a "Go for launch" teaser on September 12th. The event will be held in Waco, 90 minutes north of Tesla's Austin headquarters and very close to SpaceX's McGregor rocket test site.
The location itself makes it clear that the Roadster isn't coming alone this time. It's also coming with SpaceX's Cold-Gas Thruster package. Elon Musk has repeatedly stated that this optional package will include 10 small rocket thrusters, allowing the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 1.1 seconds and hover for a few seconds.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a Temporary Flight Restriction in the McGregor area from September 18th to October 2nd. This applies when a rocket or high-energy demonstration is scheduled. According to reports, a remote-operated Roadster will be demonstrated at the event, and pricing, specifications, and production targets will be announced that day.
From 2017 to 2026 - A 9-year-long story
This is the second time Tesla is charging $50,000.
On November 16, 2017, the Roadster was suddenly revealed at the end of the Tesla Semi launch event. Back then, claims were made: 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, a top speed of over 250 mph, a range of 620 miles, and production would begin in 2020.
But 2020 came and went. In 2021, Tesla removed the price from its website and stopped bookings. 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 - delays followed each year. The company remained busy with the Model Y, Cybertruck, Semi, and Optimus.
Websites like ThinkEV wrote, "First-cohort deposit holders from 2017 are still waiting nearly nine years later, yet a second cohort is wiring money anyway."
This means that those who booked in 2017 are still waiting, yet people are paying for the second time.
Many customers tried to request a refund but had to wait months. This is why many analysts are calling it Tesla's second interest-free loan. If even 10,000 people book, the company will receive $500 million interest-free.
Why are people still paying?
Because the Roadster isn't just a car. It's Tesla's halo product. It will give the company a chance to prove it can build the world's fastest production car. If the SpaceX thruster claims are even half true, it will surpass hypercars like the Bugatti Chiron, Koenigsegg Jesko, and Rimac Nevera.
For Tesla fans, this is like becoming a part of history.
Should you book?
Experts advise against rushing. Wait until the October 1st reveal event. It would only be wise to invest if Tesla provides a firm production timeline, such as production starting by the end of 2027, and shows a live demo of the SpaceX thruster.
The paper says "refundable," but past experience suggests that refunds take time. So, only invest in something you can forget about for a year.
Overall, the Roadster's return could become the auto industry's biggest comeback story, or just another long wait. The answer will be revealed on October 1st in Waco, when the world will see if this rocket car actually flies.
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