Agreed, I'm sold on the idea of going to collect it, but have some serious doubts about fitting the telescope in. Fortunately, I can nip across to Jonathan's place and try it out

That's the obvious next step.
I can't afford even a second hand 3.5m and anyway it is too big. The only other option then is something like the scopedome 3m offering from Poland. Anyone actually got one? Any good?