You’ve seen the videos. That red car blasting into space, a mannequin named Starman chilling in the driver’s seat while David Bowie blares on loop. It was a hell of a marketing stunt. But back on Earth, people who actually want to put a second-generation version in their own garage are starting to wonder if they’re being pranked.
Honestly, the question of how much is the tesla roadster is a bit like asking for the price of a ticket to Mars—it depends on when you ask and how much you’re willing to believe.
When Elon Musk first rolled this thing out of a semi-truck trailer in 2017, the numbers were staggering. A base price of $200,000. A "Founders Series" for $250,000. For a car that supposedly does 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, it sounded like a bargain compared to a multi-million dollar Bugatti. But that was nine years ago.
The Current Price Reality in 2026
If you want to get in line today, you’re going to need a heavy wallet and even heavier patience. Tesla still lists the base reservation price at $50,000.
Here is how that breakdown actually works: you pay $5,000 immediately via credit card. Then, you have to wire the remaining $45,000 within 10 days. If you don't send the wire, you aren't on the list. Simple as that.
For the limited-edition Founders Series—of which only 1,000 were supposedly being made—the price was the full $250,000 paid upfront. Think about that for a second. People have been giving Tesla a quarter-million dollar interest-free loan since 2017.
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Why the sticker price might be a lie
The $200,000 "base" price is probably a fantasy at this point. Look at the Cybertruck. When it was announced, it was supposed to start under $40,000. By the time it actually hit driveways, the real-world entry price was closer to $80,000 or even $100,000 for the early versions.
Inflation since 2017 has been... a lot. Most industry analysts, and even some frustrated folks on Reddit, expect the final production price to land closer to $250,000 for the base and well over $300,000 for the high-spec versions.
The SpaceX Package and the Rocket Factor
This is where things get weird. Musk has been tweeting—well, posting on X—about a "SpaceX package" that involves actual cold gas thrusters.
"It will be able to fly a little," Musk claimed.
He's not talking about wings. He's talking about literal rocket tech hidden behind the license plate to help with cornering and acceleration. If this actually makes it to production, it won't be cheap. We are talking about a specialized trim that could easily push the how much is the tesla roadster total toward the $350,000 range.
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The weight of the batteries alone makes high-speed maneuvers tricky. Adding high-pressure air tanks (COPVs) to shoot air out of nozzles sounds like a nightmare for road legality, but it’s the primary reason the "specs" keep changing.
What are you actually paying for?
- 620 miles of range: That’s the claim. A 200 kWh battery pack.
- Top speed: Over 250 mph.
- Seating: It’s a 2+2, meaning the back seats are basically for groceries or people you don't like.
- The Roof: A removable glass panel that stores in the trunk.
The "April Fools" Reveal of 2026
In a move that felt either incredibly honest or deeply cynical, Elon Musk announced during a recent shareholder meeting that the final production reveal of the Roadster is scheduled for April 1, 2026.
He literally said he chose the date for "deniability."
If it doesn't happen, he can say he was joking. If it does, it's the most "unforgettable" demo in history. Meanwhile, production isn't even slated to begin until 2027 or 2028. This means even if you pay the $200,000+ now, you're looking at a decade-long wait from the original reveal.
Is it worth the deposit?
The "long-suffering" reservation holders, as Musk calls them, are starting to jump ship. High-profile tech figures like Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) famously cancelled their reservations recently after waiting eight years.
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There's a real risk here. If you put down $50,000 today, you're betting that Tesla will actually deliver a car that beats the Model S Plaid. The Plaid already does 0-60 in about 2 seconds and costs under $90,000.
Why pay $110,000 more for a car that might only be slightly faster?
The answer is exclusivity and the "cool" factor of the SpaceX tech. But for many, the math just isn't mathing anymore.
What to do if you want one
- Check your liquid cash: Don't put down the $50,000 unless you're okay with not seeing it again for three to five years.
- Read the fine print: Tesla says the deposit is "fully refundable," but users have reported months of delays and "bureaucratic hell" when trying to actually get their money back.
- Wait for April 2026: Before sending a wire transfer, see if the April 1st reveal actually happens. If it's another "two weeks" or "next year" promise, keep your money in a high-yield savings account instead.
The bottom line is that the Tesla Roadster is currently a $50,000 ticket to a very exclusive, very long waiting room. The final price tag is a moving target that will likely land far north of the original 2017 promises.