None of these roadsters cost anywhere near a million dollars, but thanks to their exotic Italian flair, they'll turn heads everywhere they go.

Most car fans have daydreamed at some point about driving down a winding road on a sunny day in a classic Italian sports car. The trouble is, making that dream a reality usually takes hundreds of thousands of dollars. Or does it? Well, if the Italian roadster in question is a Ferrari then that's probably true, but if not, then it might be more achievable than most gearheads think. Other Italian manufacturers, like Alfa Romeo and Maserati, have made a selection of very cool but surprisingly affordable drop-top cars.

They're all great fun to drive, with the precise handling and Italian design flair that collectors love. There are budget roadsters of all ages too, from cars just a few years old to old-school vintage machinery. None of them cost anywhere near a million bucks, but they'll all make their owners feel like it.

When it comes to affordable Italian classics, it's hard to go wrong with an Alfa Romeo. They've produced some of the most stunning cars to ever come out of the country, and they're also some of the best deals on the used market too.

The 2000 Spider has all the right ingredients, with a timeless design and sharp handling. The car pictured is a top-spec Veloce that has been fully restored, and this 2000 Spider Veloce sold at auction for just £16,700 ($23,635). Non-Veloce versions in unrestored condition can be bought even cheaper, starting at around $10,000.

The FIAT 124 Spider has been discontinued for the 2021 model year, but there's still plenty of examples around on the used market. The 124 is based on the class-leading Mazda Miata and shares many of its internal components.

That means it's a lot more reliable than most Italian cars, and parts should be affordable too. Used examples start around $17,000, which is a bargain considering most 124s are only three or four years old.

The Lancia Beta is a piece of boxy '80s nostalgia on wheels, and a very rusty one at that. Lancia was under the control of FIAT at the time, and thanks to a trade deal with the Italian government, all FIAT products including the Beta used sub-standard Soviet steel.

It meant that Betas quickly rotted away, and Lancia had to spend millions of Lira buying back Betas from unhappy customers. It's a shame as the actual car itself was well-liked, and praised for its fun handling and sprightly engines. Anyone who can find a Beta Spider in good condition today will not only own a rare car but also a fascinating piece of Italian automotive history. The good news is that when they do come up for sale they're quite cheap: there's a mint-condition Beta Spider on sale at the moment for around $21,000.

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