So it sounds like you want an R model. I love the L model myself, but the R has a bigger engine.
I just moved from Italy a month ago or else I could have assisted with translation.
My advice is stay away from major cities like Naples or Rome. Prices are high and you run the chance of buying a stolen one.
Use
www.Subito.it to search for the car you want. From experience Abruzzo, Puglia, and Sicily are good areas to find them for cheap. I picked mine up from Teramo in Abruzzo for 3000 Euro.
Here is where it becomes a PITA. You need to get an automobile agency to work with you, not all will since it is Italy but money talks, to get an atto di vendita. It is kind of like a bill of sale. You then need to get an EX1 or exportation document. In order to do this you have to take the original vehicle booklet and plates to an auto agency and get the vehicle removed from the Italian registration system. All in all the fees should be around the 375 Euro range. Don't forget to get a police check to make sure the car is not stolen before you buy it.
I know of a shipper in Salerno called Autuori. They or any other exporter can do it, but be ready to spend about 1800+ Euro for that.
Allow for a few weeks to drive around and find the car you want. Find someone that can help you translate. Look at the car real good especially under the front hood in the spare tire well and the latch for the sun roof as these have a habit of rusting, and for God's sake, make sure that the engine type matches what is stamped on the vehicle frame. For example my 500 L has a 110F stamp on the engine and under the hood to the left stamped on the frame is also 110F. US customs recently demolished a 500 because the engine type did not match the frame, hence it was imported under false pretenses.
Good luck!
