Mark,
I am also a pcarfanatic email user.
The only way I know how to shorten a message is the same procedure that you do: unfortunately, there's no "highlight and delete" function in the email editor that Wayne as choosen to use. Also: there's no "reply without history" button either.
Regarding fonts: I've never seen funky jibberish at the beginning of my emails (yes: I've sent myself emails to test the system: I'm a 'puter geek: what can I say!
) It may be the way you are set up.
Regarding using the HTML box or the box below: I don't think it makes a difference.
Hope this answers some of your questions.
-Zoltan.