Interesting read Dave - thanks for sharing.
The car you pictured is very similar to one I had lined up, but it was sold very quickly before I could get to try it. It too was a 280hp AWD petrol and was kitted out with quite a few extras and only had 9k miles.
Pity about your test drive experience - main dealer car salesmen (its usually men) generally seem lacking in some basic human inter-action skills and I have always struggled with them as a breed.
I learnt TH White have given up all interests in car dealerships and gone back to just agricultural sales (which is the core of their business). They used to be old style Land Rover dealers, but apparently JLR insisted they had to spend a huge amount of money to retain main agent status and had to have a high end swanky show room in keeping with Range Rover, rather their traditional old defender type customers.
It also looks like you were unfortunate to have had a test drive perhaps when TH White were in the middle of pulling out of car sales.
My situation has moved on over the weekend and sadly I have given up on the idea of a nearly new Alfa.
Unfortunately, their UK dealer network just has too many shortcomings.
A real pity, because personally I am sure I would have loved owning a Stelvio.
Coincidently, my better half was also less keen!
A Golf R I am sure is a cracking car, if not quite as stylish as your 159 estate.