I freely admit I know SFA about 'renting cars' as every car I've owned has belonged to me 100%
However, with the old saying " buy things that appreciate (house) and rent things that depreciate (car)".... perhaps I should consider renting.
Figures are based on £15000 deposit and then £497 for 2 years with 0.9% APR. Servicing for two years included along with first year road tax. Start price about £5000 below list price.
The GFV is usually set at what they think the car will be worth come the end of the agreement. I think a cheque is unlikely, a more realistic scenario is that you get a GFV of say £15k, come to the end of the agreement and they say they'll give you £17k against a new alfa or £14k cash because "that's what its worth sir, we're doing you a favour to offer you £17k" and probably that's bottom book.
What they want is to get you in another shiny new Alfa and get that car back on the forecourt with a £19k sticker on it.
Also, I don't think £5k off list is that great, Broadspeed is showing £7855 off list is available, so even if you take their fee off (£250), you'd still be leaving £2500 on the table.