Maybe I should sell?
My 2011 TE SBP took some work back in the day. Had to fly to Mesa Az to get it.
Now I’m at 166k miles with a supercharger, upgraded sound, skids, sliders, roof rack, and still loving it. Driven from Death Valley to Mount Evans.
Re
If you settle for something less particular, I'd consider renting off airport. DIA takes advantage. I saved hundreds after renting a taxi to a rental place in town. One way rental to airport. Much cheaper.
You will be fine
Take your chains in case you need them. Other than that don't worry. I pulled a uhaul trailer with a car from tx or wa in the summer. We went through Denver and Cheyenne. Them 90 west. No snow of course but pulled just fine with no airbags, special drop hitches, or anything...
Those prices blow man. I pulled a Penske dolly from TX to WA for a lot cheaper than that. But not pulling makes side trips and sight seeing along the way easier. So I'd ship. Make sure the shippers let u load it up with personal effects. Some don't.
Did it
I went through this last fall.
I wanted a Blue trail with kdss. I am near Houston and flew to Phoenix to buy mine. Hit some trails on the way back. Nice trip.
Felt with the dealer direct. They had 4 trails in hand so I got a decent deal.
I didn't get that either. If your in town a lot, how the heck do u go through 20 vehicles? And if you are putting on that many miles to go through 20, than you have to be on the highway and that is the crappiest mileage ever.
Now I found your followup more informative. But on point number 2, I'd look for a new dealer. My local guy basically begged me multiply times to take it for the weekend or at least over night for a test drive.
research
I think is more about buying a vehicle then complaining about everything that was readily apprent if you test drove it and/or did even an iota of research.
well my middle ones were fine
30 minutes of stretching and elbow greese, but they went on. The headrests were a pita.
The lever on the side had a hole for it to fit through. i just threaded it over it.