Today is a massive milestone for the channel: Delivery Day for our Ultra Red Tesla Model X Plaid. It took about 6–7 weeks from the day we ordered it as a replacement for our bought-back long-range model.
Picking up a new Tesla is always an experience. We’ve done this before. However, the Plaid brings some new technical details and first impressions I want to break down for you.
First Impressions: The Exterior “Spec” Check
We took delivery at the Upland Tesla Center. Initial walkthrough revealed a few minor “Tesla-isms”:
- Falcon Wing Alignment: The right Falcon door has a slight misalignment. Interestingly, the gaps in the quarter panel glass are actually larger on this build than our last one. In the world of Falcon doors, gaps are good. They prevent the sensors from thinking an object is in the way. This stops the door from closing.
- Paint & Detailing: There was a paint drip in the trunk area. There were also some minor scratches. The delivery team was able to buff them out on-site.
- Wheel Flares: The black fender flares had some “powdery” overspray. This was likely from the wheel shining product. It needed a quick wipe-down.
Technical Interior & Software Setup
The first thing I did once inside was set up the “Lifetime” trip meter (Trip B). The car had 14 miles on the odometer. This is a bit higher than the usual 5. However, it is nothing to worry about.
- Steering Wheel vs. Yoke: We opted for the regular steering wheel this time because Abby prefers it over the Yoke. I immediately noticed one technical downside. The top of the steering wheel rim partially blocks the instrument cluster screen. This wasn’t an issue with the Yoke.
- Software Glitch: Within the first hour, the center screen became unresponsive and forced a reset. My driver profiles didn’t automatically download from the cloud. I had to redo my seat settings. However, the FSD/Autopilot calibration finished quickly within the first 20 miles.
- Audio & Comfort: The Plaid interior includes a black trim and lining on the seats. This gives them a “sportier” look compared to our old long-range. And man, it feels good to have ventilated seats back!
Tesla Insurance & Operational Costs
Adding a Plaid to the policy changes the math. Here is the exact breakdown for our two-vehicle coverage (Model Y Performance + Model X Plaid):
- Monthly Premium: $407.76 (This is a ~$100 increase from our previous Y + Long Range X combo).
- Comprehensive Deductible: $100 for both vehicles.
- Annual Mileage: We reported 15,000 miles for the Plaid (mostly road trips).
- Rental Coverage: $50/day. Tesla offered $75/day for an extra $4/month, but I declined. $50 covers a good portion of a standard rental.
| Feature | Spec / Observation |
| Model | 2023 Model X Plaid (6-Seater) |
| Color | Ultra Red |
| Odometer at Delivery | 14 Miles |
| FSD Calibration | Completed ~20 miles |
| Interior Hardware | HW4 (Hardware 4) / No Ultrasonic Sensors (USS) |
| First Issues | Minor rattle in the rear / Falcon door alignment |
The “Plaid” Decision
The only reason we upgraded to the Plaid was the pricing math at the time of our order. To add the 6-seater configuration to a long-range was $6,500. Upgrading to the Plaid (which includes the 6 seats) was only an extra $10,000. For a $3,500 difference, the extra motor and performance were a no-brainer.
Watch the full Delivery Day vlog here
We have already scheduled a full PPF (Paint Protection Film) for the Ultra Red paint. Road trips are already in the works. Subscribe to the SherwinM YouTube channel to see the high-performance tests and how we handle the inevitable Tesla service visits!
