Tesla’s long-delayed second-generation Roadster is attracting buyers willing to put down tens of thousands of dollars before the electric supercar reaches production. For some enthusiasts, the appeal goes beyond speed and design: they want the chance to own a vehicle that could use compressed-air thrusters to lift briefly off the ground.

The excitement intensified in mid-October 2026, when Tesla CEO Elon Musk showcased a demonstration of the Roadster using compressed air to propel itself into the air. Although the flight lasted only seconds and the system reportedly requires six to seven hours to recharge, the spectacle was enough to persuade at least one prospective buyer to place another reservation.

“I was freaking out,” said Alex Lawrence, owner of used-electric-vehicle dealership EVAuto, who watched the demonstration live. He already had a reservation for the car but decided to secure another one afterward.

A $50,000 reservation for a car that remains years away

Tesla first unveiled the second-generation Roadster in 2017, presenting it as the successor to the company’s original vehicle. Reservations opened at the time with a $50,000 payment, and the automaker initially expected deliveries to begin in 2020.

That timeline has repeatedly slipped. Tesla now says production is expected to begin in 2028, although firm delivery dates remain uncertain.

The lengthy wait has not discouraged every buyer. Some reservation holders believe the Roadster could eventually become a rare and desirable vehicle, while others see its publicity potential as part of the attraction.

The financial commitment is substantial, particularly because Tesla has yet to provide definitive purchase prices. The company’s reservation terms state that any quoted purchase prices are estimates, and final figures remain unavailable.

Three versions, with the flying model reserved for select buyers

Tesla has outlined different reservation levels for the Roadster, with the cost increasing significantly for those seeking its more ambitious performance features.

• Base Roadster: A $50,000 reservation for the standard model, without acceleration thrusters or the flight system.

• Roadster Thrust: A $250,000 deposit for the version equipped with thrusters.

• Roadster Rocket: The proposed flying version, listed as available by invitation only.

Musk has acknowledged that the Rocket version will not be street-legal. That distinction means buyers drawn to its airborne capabilities may have to consider how and where the vehicle could actually be used.

Even so, Lawrence is determined to pursue the flying model. He believes the car could generate valuable publicity for his dealership, which has built a growing social-media audience.

His company, rather than Lawrence personally, placed the reservations. He plans to use the vehicle for track appearances and marketing content if the project eventually becomes reality.

One buyer wants to drive it; another sees a marketing opportunity

Lawrence is not the only enthusiast willing to wait. Utah-based technology founder Travis Cook has held a Roadster reservation for almost a decade and recently upgraded from the standard version to the Thrust model.

Cook describes himself as a car enthusiast who enjoys buying, selling and driving unusual vehicles. He also holds a dealer’s licence, allowing him to trade in the kinds of cars that attract attention wherever they appear.

For him, the Roadster represents the possibility of owning something genuinely different. He says other car enthusiasts often gather around his vehicles when he arrives somewhere, and he enjoys the excitement they generate.

Cook remains confident in Tesla despite the delays, saying the October demonstration exceeded his expectations. Watching the car launch from a ramp and land left him astonished.

However, he admits that the eventual purchase price could test his commitment. If the Thrust version approaches $500,000, he may have to reconsider how much he is willing to spend, although he acknowledges he could still go ahead.

His family has generally tolerated his enthusiasm for unusual cars, but he expects his wife may not be eager to ride in the Roadster, particularly given her reluctance to experience the rapid acceleration of his other vehicles.

Tesla has bigger priorities than sports cars

Despite the attention surrounding the demonstration, the Roadster does not appear to be among Tesla’s highest priorities.

Musk has increasingly described the company’s future as centred on artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous technology rather than traditional car manufacturing. He has also presented the Roadster as potentially the last Tesla designed primarily for human driving.

The vehicle received only two mentions during Tesla’s hour-long earnings call in October. During the call, Musk described the demonstration as arguably the coolest product demonstration ever.

That limited attention has not stopped prospective buyers from placing their bets on the project. For enthusiasts, the prospect of a distinctive electric supercar remains compelling, even when its production schedule and final specifications are uncertain.

Is the Roadster worth the wait?

For buyers who reserved the car years ago, the wait has been unusually long. The original $50,000 reservation could have been invested elsewhere; the WIRED report notes that investing the same amount in Tesla shares at the time would have produced a gain approaching $1 million by now.

Still, financial returns are not the only motivation for people pursuing the Roadster. Some want a rare performance car, others see a business opportunity, and a select group hopes to own a vehicle capable of an unprecedented automotive spectacle.

Lawrence sees the recent demonstration as a reminder of the kind of ambitious engineering that can capture the public imagination. He described feeling nostalgic, as though he were 15 again, watching something extraordinary unfold.

Whether Tesla can turn that excitement into a production vehicle remains an open question. For now, some buyers are willing to commit $50,000—or considerably more—to secure a place in line for a car that is still years away from reaching customers.