Welcome bud. Good time to buy at the moment with quite a few around. The zed is the way forward and you get this place for free
Just work out what you want and do your reading first. And dont assume dealers know everything about the car.
Roof down may work
I used to carry a bottle of blachcurrant cordial jammed in behind the passeger seat until Liz decided to play with the seat controls while I was getting petrol. What a mess
I have had problems with parking tickets a few times this year. It seems there is a stupid game where kids take the ticket off your car for a laugh so the first you know of it is the letter with the increased penalty.
Definately appeal and I would think you will be ok.