Made in Japan. It appears it is 70% Japanese and 30% guest workers. Your MPG will improve over time, once the engine is broken in. And 35MPG is very good. You are correct resale value is good.
1,500 pounds is about the standard for that class. A Jeep Cherokee is the exception; with the bigger engine and the factory tow package it can pull 4,000 pounds, but the Cherokee has reliability issues.
Oh, for gosh sakes: It's a TOOL chest! It's gonna slide in the trunk wether it's the only thing back there or not. It's not the rubber mat's fault! GEESH!