So now that I've got a good and proper car, I'd kinda love another one to drive more enthusiastically...

An Alfa Spider looks really pretty, and I really love the convertible look. I can't afford a Merc CLK, but the Alfas are beautiful. Models from the early/mid 2000's are pretty cheap.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_GTV_and_Spider

The 1998 facelift is where it's at, identifiable by a chrome frame around the front grille, and color-coded side skirts and bumpers. From 2000 onwards, there was only the 2.0L T.Spark and 3.0L V6 24V engines, for compliance with Euro3 standards.

Cheap models can be had for $4500, while a nice one is around $7500. This gets you a 2.0L Twin Spark engine putting out 114kW, and 0-100km/h in 8.4 seconds.

Power roof is optional. Leather seats are really nice.

Pricing picks

• $2500, cloth seats, a bit of wear and tear but cheapest by a long shot, 130000km: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-Spider-2001/SSE-AD-4145736

• $6990, cloth seats, black and white interior, very cleaned up, 109000km: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-Spider-2003/SSE-AD-4137643

• $7000, leather seats, black and white interior, 125000km: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-Spider-2001/SSE-AD-3967786

• $7400, great red colour, electric roof, 94000km: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-Spider-1999/SSE-AD-3964704

• $7500, red and black interior, 94000km: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-Spider-2002/SSE-AD-3992965

• $7900, lovely red interior, limited Millennium edition, looks well kept, 175000km: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-Spider-2000/SSE-AD-3855731

Advice on buying secondhand

• http://www.drive.com.au/used-car-reviews/alfa-romeo-spider-used-car-review-20141104-11g996.html

• http://www.motoring.com.au/used-car-advice-alfa-romeo-spider-1998-03-7423/

Actual costs

Cheapest example:

So that's about $1800 of immediate or impending on-road costs, plus the purchase price.