Tesla unveiled its new Roadster on Thursday night with the kind of numbers Elon Musk likes to lead with — a promised 0–60 mph in 0.81 seconds and built-in rocket thrusters. The more useful document is the one buyers sign. Tesla’s own reservation agreement says it “cannot guarantee when your vehicle will actually be delivered or if it will be delivered.”
That line was first flagged by InsideEVs and reported by The Drive on 17 October. It is worth reading before handing over a deposit that can run to $250,000.
What the reservation actually gets you
| Deposit | Up to $250,000 up front |
| Delivery promise | None — “cannot guarantee when… or if” |
| Place in line | “Approximate”, and only if the car enters production |
| Refund | Fully refundable |
| Transfer | Non-transferable |
| Resale restriction | None (unlike Cybertruck Foundation Series and Model S Signature Edition) |
| Production start | Estimated 2028 |
| Final price | Not set — announced when buyers are invited to configure |
“Approximate” is the important word
Most car reservations at least promise a position in a queue. This one promises an approximate place in line — and only if the Roadster reaches production. It is explicitly not a confirmed build slot.
Tesla also says it is “still working on what options, features, and hardware” the car will have, so it “cannot confirm the exact price just yet.” Any price you see now is an estimate, and the agreement warns that features or specs could change on the way to production. In other words, the deposit secures a refundable interest in a car whose specification and price are both still open.
Why buyers are cautious: this has happened before
This is the second time Tesla has taken money for this car. The second-generation Roadster was first shown in 2017 with production promised for 2020, and early buyers paid large deposits — up to $250,000, the full price of the Founders Series at the time. That version never reached production.
Some of those buyers waited the better part of a decade. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman publicly complained in 2025 about trying to get his $50,000 deposit back — and this week, by multiple reports, praised the new car.
The one genuinely buyer-friendly clause. The reservation is fully refundable, and the agreement does not include a no-resale clause — Tesla used those clauses on the Cybertruck Foundation Series and the Model S Signature Edition to stop flipping. That leaves an exit, but it is a refund promise from a company whose previous Roadster deposits sat for years.
Should you reserve one?
That depends on whether you treat the money as a refundable bet rather than a purchase. On Tesla’s own terms, you are paying for an approximate place in a queue for a car with no fixed price, no fixed specification and an estimated production start of 2028. Keep a copy of the agreement and your payment confirmation — if you ever ask for the refund, those are what you will need.
Agreement wording and terms as reported by The Drive on 17 October 2026, from language first flagged by InsideEVs. Performance figures are Tesla’s claims for an unreleased vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Tesla guarantee Roadster delivery?
No. The reservation agreement states Tesla “cannot guarantee when your vehicle will actually be delivered or if it will be delivered.”
How much is the Tesla Roadster deposit?
Reservations can require up to $250,000 up front, according to reporting on the agreement.
Is the Roadster reservation refundable?
Yes. Reservations are fully refundable. They are also non-transferable.
When will the Tesla Roadster come out?
Tesla estimates production will start in 2028. The agreement gives only an approximate place in line, and only if the car enters production.
How much will the Tesla Roadster cost?
Tesla has not set a final price. It says it is still deciding options, features and hardware, and will give full pricing when buyers are invited to configure their cars.
Wasn’t the Roadster announced years ago?
Yes. The second-generation Roadster was first shown in 2017 with production promised for 2020, and early deposits of up to $250,000 were taken. That version never reached production.
