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.

Buying from Victoria

Sometimes there are good deals for interstate vehicles. Assuming that the distance somehow doesn't put you off, what other hoops are there to jump through?

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2013557

Basically it's not too hard, but you need to get it inspected and registered, which might be about $1600 once it's all said and done, though the commenter isn't clear on whether that includes comprehensive insurance or not.