Shawnster,

Can't help you with most of your questions, but the dash light problem may just be that the lights are adjusted all the way down. There are two small buttons on the dash, one you push in to "zero" the trip odometer and one you can twist to adjust the dash lights. Can't remember which is which. You'll probably not be able to see much of the dash with the lights on full brightness. From what I've seen on previous discussions, there is a tendency for the clear plastic pieces, which direct the light through the dash, to yellow with age and therefore transmit less light. Also the small bulbs themselves dim over the years. My own car has the same problem. I can read the speedometer while driving at night but cannot read the odometer.

Good luck with your new car!

__________________
Dave
1995 C280
1999 Triumph Daytona 955I - my speed fix.
1982 300TD - Gone, but not forgotten.