Sranger said:
Of course once the Rex kicks in, the tesla kind of kills it in efficiency for the next 150 miles or so....
Yeah, but the Tesla has to carry its inefficiency for every mile of the first 80 or so - that's a 31% consumption increase over the i3 REx for your 85 kWh Model S. As we all have heard time and time again, statistically only the tiniest fraction of daily driving in the USA exceeds 40 miles, much less 80. Better to carry a 265 lb backup for that tiny fraction and suffer the 6% efficiency hit for every electric mile driven, than to haul around an extra 2,013 lbs of battery capacity and structure (that's more than 3/4 the weight of an additional i3!) that will seldom be used by the majority of us who do not drive long distances every day.
The Tesla Model S is an incredible car, and you have thoroughly documented on this site the wisdom of your purchase, as your daily drive requirements far exceed the i3's electric only capabilities. Please understand, however, that as the popularity of EVs grow, there remains a core group of us that care far more about efficiency and the environmental impact of our driving behaviour than we do about bragging rights of owning a "pure" EV.
I make only the efficiency case, here. If electric range and straight line acceleration are important to you, the Telsa Model S obviously wins. Interested in efficiency, cornering, controls, visibility, sophistication of safety and entertainment electronics, seat comfort, the ability to seat 4 tall adults, or fitting a large package in the hatch area with the rear seats folded flat? The i3 holds the advantage.
Horses for courses. Your Telsa Model S suits your needs as well as our i3s suit ours. I can only speak for myself, but the i3 REx hits on all cylinders (all two of them, anyway).