Every gearhead has played the game of "how much performance can I get for $10k?", surfing the internet classifieds for that hidden bargain.

Since the late 1990s carmakers have really spoiled owners with more power, performance, and speed from previously mainstream models, to the stage where modern sedans often match supercars. Every action has a reaction, mainstream cars are cheaper, meaning more sales, having an effect on the used sports car market - goods news for gearheads wanting the maximum for less cash.

10 2005 Honda S2000 - No Replacement Planned Ever

ClassicCars.com

Any gearhead will confess that part of sports car thrills comes down to engine noise, something Honda's excellent S2000 does rather well. Arriving in 2009 Honda changed the way sports cars behaved, installing a rev-happy normally aspirated engine producing 247hp and red-lining at 9000rpm.

ClassicCars.com

Although very reliable mechanically, making them great daily drivers, the ride is a little on the firm side, so gearheads might want to save this one for the weekend.

RELATED: 5 Best Japanese Sports Cars Money Can Buy (5 That Manufacturers Regret Making)

9 2009 Audi TT 2.0T Coupe - Power And Drive Train Updates

Car Brands

Mid-life product revisions are often a great time to buy a used car, Audi's 2009 TT line-up bucked the trend with previously available specification only available on higher-spec models. Previous entry-level 2.0T models now produced more power than the previous range boosting output to 265hp, good for 62mph in 5.7 seconds.

Car Brands

Whatever Audi's thinking was behind the revisions, 2009 2.0T models are the ones to go for, not only receiving more power but also shipping with all-wheel drive as standard.

8 2005 Jaguar XKR - Supercharged V8 Performance

Connors Motor Company

Performance and luxury are what Jaguar does best, with residual prices for the big cats making the XKR a great used purchase. Sub $10k buys a lot of performance with Jaguar's supercharged 4.2-liter V8 delivering 390hp, gearheads can expect genuine 150mph performance, 62mph coming up in 5.2 seconds.

Classic Car Garage

All this performance doesn't come at the expense of comfort either, even in the more desirable XKR spec, Jaguars grand tourer retains the supple ride the company is famous well known for.

7 2008 Volkswagen Golf R32 - Restrained GTI Performance

Which Car

Visually more restrained than its smaller GTi brother, Volkswagens R32 model launched in 2003 offering more performance without all the hooligan styling associated with sporty Golf models. Produced in fewer numbers doesn't mean higher prices, $8k will secure a decent example, and VW's reliability should dispel any worries.

Which Car

Down to business, R32's shipped with 3.2-liter V6 engines sending 250hp to all four wheels which in the right conditions should see 60 mph in under six seconds and topping out at 155mph.

6 2004 Corvette C5 - All-New Design - Even Faster

Hagerty

American muscle cars have always provided value for money performance, Chevrolets C5 Corvette probably the best of its generation. Completely new for the C5 model, new chassis construction increased strength while reducing weight which when matched with Chevrolet's LS1 engine proved to be a winner. Normally aspirated V8 5.7-liter front-mounted, LS1 produced 345hp considerably more than its rivals, boosting performance to near supercar levels.

2004 Corvette C5 - Front View
Via: Mecum Auctions

Capable of 175mph gearheads can get a lot of performance for $10k, although the C5 has recently seen a surge in demand with collectors gradually pushing values up.

RELATED: Here’s What Makes Paul McCartney Love His C5 Corvette

5 2002 Porsche Boxster 2.7 - Budget Model, Real Performance

Cars Guide

Few premium brands can match Porsche for prestige, while Boxsters might be considered by many to be entry-level models, they more than make up for it in performance. Huge popularity means bargain prices, mid-range 2.7-liter models boasting 220hp will hit a genuine 157mph, and depending on transmission choice hit 60mph in six seconds.

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Premium brand, mid-engined handling and, top-down motoring makes Porsches often underrated Boxster one of the great performance bargains.

4 1998 Mitsubishi 3000GT - High Tech JDM Grand Tourer

Japanese Nostalgic Cars

One for the Grand Turismo generation, Mitsubishi's 3000GT packed a lot of technology into its body, even if some of it was unnecessary. Starting under the hood, a twin-turbocharged 3-liter V6 producing 282hp mated to permanent all-wheel drive, and, active aero resulted in a sub-five-second 62mph time.

Pinterest

Clearly, all the tech impacted the overall weight, in VR4 spec tipping the scales at 3700lbs making it a GT rather than a sports car, even so, top speed still nudged 160mph.

3 2012 Camaro - Too Good To Miss Out On

GM Media

Performance bargains even when new, used Camaros represent one of the best HP to USD ratio of any car currently on sale. Admittedly, we will be looking at 3.6-liter V6 engines, but packing 323hp is more than capable of putting a smile on your face.

Shifting Gears

Few could argue against the V6 is slow, taking 5.9 seconds to reach 62mph, and maxing out at 155mph is only fractionally slower than the larger V8 models.

2 2008 BMW Z4Si Roadster - Fast Enough Without The M Version

Parkers

Dozens of high-performance BMW's are available at budget prices, most of which are sports sedans, while the Z4 offers owners real 2-seat performance car dynamics. Making a great used buy, range-topping 3.0Si models with 255hp 6-cylinder engines providing enough punch to hit 62mph in 5 seconds, topping 155mph given enough space.

Parkers

Fast, reliable, and, well-built Z4s seem to have been overlooked in the used car market, normally BMW's commanded high price tags even in older models.

RELATED: 10 Best BMW Models of the Decade

1 2014 Ford Mustang V6 Premium - Still A Proper Mustang

autoblog

Six generations and 55 years after the original, Mustangs remain one of the easiest recognizable muscle cars of all time. Following modern trends of smaller engines doesn't mean weaker performance, 2014 V6 Mustangs still pack enough power to impress. Under the classic hood, Ford's Duratec 3.7-liter V6 delivers 305hp good for 60mph in 5.5 seconds without resorting to turbocharging.

2014 Ford Mustang
Autoblog

Huge popularity means there is plenty of choices, a decent 2014 model is easily achievable for under $10k, giving gearheads 150mph performance for less than the cost of a subcompact.

NEXT: 10 Supercars Normal People Can Afford