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:

|| Purchase  || 2500 ||
|| Stamp duty and rego transfer || 107 ||
|| Rego      || 353 ||
|| CTP       || 880 ||
|| TPP       || 414 ||
|| Fuel /yr  || 700 ||
|| Servicing || ? ||
|| Tyres     || ? ||
|| TOTAL     || 4255 + fuel + maintenance ||

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.