Verde, Bianco, Rosso, e Argento: 1974 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

Today's next car isn't something that'll win some fancy prize at the next Amelia Island Concours D'Corpulence, or get you the front valet spot at some Michelin starred restaurant...but it could get you the front valet spot at your local Salsa Dancing spot (is dancing allowed during COVID19 crisis?) or spark a conversation with random folks in front of the gas pump.  You won't need to spend thousands of your hard earned stimulus money on restoring or maintaining this car, but you should be able to simply drive and enjoy...provided you have decent skills with a wrench, multi-meter, and the internet. Find this 1974 Alfa Romeo Spider offered for $4850 in Decatur, GA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Twin Spark: 1996 Alfa Romeo Spider Tipo 916

The Alfa Romeo Spider built from 1995-2006 was a replacement for the aging Alfa Spider Giulia (1966-1993).  The Pininfarina designed exterior was a radical step forward in looks, but regrettably the car moved onto a transverse longitudinal front drive set up shaped with the contemporary GTV. The tipo 916 Spider was never sold new in the US of A, but you could get one in Canada...so now that they are 25 years old, import one yourself today. Find this 1996 Alfa Romeo Spider Tipo 916 here on eBay offered for $17,900 CAD ($12,811 USD) in Toronto, Canada.

Bella Macchina: 1993 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

This next car comes as tip from Erik202 who writes: Forums have the best deals. I swear it doesn't get any better than forums. These cars continue to be criminally undervalued. I have to mostly agree with Erik202, because forums are places were diehard lovers of certain makes/models have a reputation, so they can't go asking insane money or selling something that isn't as advertised, but I've seen some ridiculous stuff on forums too.  However, when you find a seller who is more interested in getting his car to a qualified next owner, you can often get some of the best deals on the market..particularly with oddball marques like Saabs or Alfas. Find this 1993 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce offered for $5900 in Hendersonville, NC via alfabb.com.

Déjà Ewww: 2000 Mazda MX-5 Custom 60s Alfa Look

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a fun little sports car wrapped in a boring exterior (sorry Miata fanboys, the shape is pretty blah...with maybe the exception of the newest model that brings some more style than the OG jelly bean) that is unfortunately slathered with a thick brush of innuendo about the driver and his dog.  Regardless, if you want the sweet driving experience of the modern Mazda platform with the classic looks of a 60s sports car 90s home-built-retro-custom, then I can imagine this next piece of Italiopanese sculpture might fit nicely in front of your Greco-Roman yard art. And if you get the vague sense of déjà ewwww...yes, we did feature this before. Find this 2000 Mazda MX-5 Custom 60s Alfa Look offered for $15500 in Temecula, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Italian for Steal: 1988 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio

This next tip comes from Erik202 who writes: Came across this cruising alfabb for sale listings. Seems like a great deal assuming the underside is even somewhat rust free. I had an 84 spider up until recently when I swapped it out for an e30 convertible (wanted the option of a rear seat for young kids) and absolutely LOVED it. This generation uses Bosch efi, are generally pretty simple mechanically and have awesome parts availability. I can't say enough about how much fun for the money these things are.  Find this 1988 Alfa Spider Quadrifoglio offered for $4000 in Chicago, IL via alfabb.com.

Piccolo Progetto: 1979 Alfa Romeo Spider

This next car comes as a tip from Matt C who writes; If all this needs is carpet, it's a screaming deal. Might be a big if, but running sub-$2000 Italian cars aren't easy to find anymore.  Find this 1979 Alfa Romeo Spider offered for $1900 somewhere near Atlanta, GA

Italian Style: 1973 Fiat 124 Sport Spider

This next car reminds me of a time when classic European sports cars were sold for less than $5k on Autotrader print magazines found at your local 7-11 market (Autotrader stopped printing the English language version of their classifieds in 2013)...and unfortunately I've got to think that this car is either (A) already gone or (B) a scammers lure meant to catch a big fish.  Either way, I'm not biting.  But maybe I should? Find this 1973 Fiat 124 Sport Spider offered for $3750 in Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Choco-Calzone: 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider

Last year, Porsche celebrated the 55th anniversary of the 911.  The 911 of 1963 doesn't share much in common with the 2018 911 other than maybe possessing four wheels and being rear-engined.  You definitely coudn't use parts from a 1963 911 on a 2018. In 1966 Alfa Romeo debuted their two seat Spider and changed very little over its 28 year production run. Meaning that you won't have too much trouble with parts for whatever year Spider strikes your fancy.  Find this 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider for sale in Astoria, OR for $6,300 via craigslist.

Faccina Sorridente: 1972 Fiat Spider 850 Sport

I never like buying cars that don't run -- it ends up being WAYYYY more of a project than expected, that busted engine turns out to be connected to a busted transmission which puts power to a busted rear-end which is equipped with busted brakes-- I much prefer to get a car that looks terrible but runs/drives because you find out so much more about the car...but there are times when the asking price is low enough to be worth the risk. Find this 1972 Fiat Spider 850 Sport offered for $2500 in Grants Pass, OR via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Fistful of Problems: 1969, 80, & 81 Fiat 124 Spider(s)

The current car with a Fiat 124 Spider badge on the back might be a Miata under the skin, but the original version sold from 1966 through 1985 was a purebred Italian from Turin.  Today we've got a selection from a seller that might be more spiders than spider.  Find these 1969, 80, & 81 Fiat 124 Spider(s) offered as a package for $6,500 near Sacramento, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Race Car? 1971 Fiat 850 Spider

The Fiat 850 Spider was a small 2-sear roadster with a body designed and built by Bertone and mechanical bits from the Fiat 850 sedan. The 850 is pretty slow, even by X1/9 standards, so having a number 11 followed by "HP" is funny.  Very funny.  Find this 1971 Fiat 850 Spider offered for $2,950 in Fairfield, NY via craigslist.  Tip from Cory.

Bellissimo: 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider

Many of the articles here feature used car listings that are woefully deficient in some sort of way.  When you stumble upon a CL ad with exceptional pictures, detailed info, and an interesting car it really stops you in your tracks .  The Alfa Romeo Spider had a number of updates over its thirty year production run but the basic formula stayed the same over that time.  The early series 2 spiders are one of the more desirable versions with chrome bumpers, relatively svelte curb weight, and pre-smog engines.  DT doesn't normally write about cars near the top of the market, but this one stopped me in my tracks at how well presented and nice it was.  Find this 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider for sale in lakes region of New Hampshire for $12,000 via craigslist.

Resale Rossa: 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider

Back in the old days before racing cars became mobile billboards for caffeinated cough syrup manufacturers and state run oil companies, racing cars were painted in national racing colors.  white was Germany, green was England, and of course red was for the excitable Italians.  Hence, when it comes time to repaint your old Italian car, red is the go to choice for many.  Find this 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider for sale in Seattle, WA for $10,500 via craigslist.

Stranger In A Strange Land: 2001 Alfa Romeo Spider

The 105 chassis Alfa Romeo Spider had a thirty year long run in the USA before checking out in 1994.  A Pininfarina penned front wheel drive replacement called 916 chassis came out in 1995, but was never sold over here.  Cars older than twenty five years old or older are legal to be imported into the USA.  Somehow or some way this 2001 Spider found its was across the Atlantic and managed to get titled in Massachusetts.  The USA federales' impound and crush gray market Nissan R33 GT-Rs and Land Rovers faster than a NASCAR pit crew can change a tire so buyer beware.  Find this 2001 Alfa Romeo Spider for sale in Cohasset, MA for $13,499 via craigslist.

Auction Watch: 1998 Ferrari F355 Spider F1

Find this 1998 Ferrari F355 Spider F1 here on eBay with starting bid of $58,000 and 4 days to go, located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.

Late Graduation: 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

For some reason, the value of Series 4 Alfa Spiders remain substantially higher than the late Series 2 and 3. If you must have the more modern car with the Bosch L-jet EFI and revised body lines, it's somewhat difficult to find a bargain on one that's only just nice enough to reliably beat the piss out of while still being presentable. Find this pretty decent and lightly modified 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider for sale on Johns Island, SC for $6,500 via craigslist.

Survived: 1987 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio

The 105/115 series Alfa Romeo Spider survived the inauguration of seven US Presidents, starting way back in 1966 when a Democrat named Lyndon B Johnson was living in the White House.  Somehow the Spider continued to be produced with evolutionary changes through eight elections and one impeachment resignation and only went out of production in 1993 when another soon to be impeached President was in power.  Find this 1987 Alfa Romeo Spider offered for $5,300 near Iowa City, IA.  Tip from Zach.