Car tuners have existed pretty much since the inception of the automobile - and it's easy to see why. No matter how hard the manufacturers try to perfect the styling and the performance of their cars, there is always someone unhappy with either. For some, tuning is all about the aesthetics and expressing themselves with the looks of their beloved vehicle; for others, it's about achieving the maximum performance possible - no matter the cost.

RELATED: This Is Why The Honda Civic Is A Favorite Among Tuners

But we digress... So, whether you prefer keeping your vehicle stock or customizing it to the point where it has little to do with the car that had initially left the factory is a matter of preference. But if you're into tuning, you're lucky because there is a ton of cars on the used market that have fantastic modification potential and could be yours for very cheap. And since there are so many of them, we couldn't help but rank 10 of them that we think are best.

10 Audi S4 (B5)

audi s4 b5
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We'll start this list with a less obvious vehicle - a second-gen Audi S4. Produced between 1997 and 2001, the B5 is still an incredibly potent performance sedan - or wagon, if you wish. With 247 hp from a 2.7l bi-turbocharged V6, it was the ultimate foe of the E36 BMW M3. And due to its famed Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the B5 often took the upper hand.

Twenty years later, the B5 is more affordable than ever and has aged pretty well - not to mention its tuning potential, both in terms of performance and appearance. Find a decent example for around $7,000, get larger turbos and some coilovers - and you're good to go.

9 Ford Mustang (Foxbody)

Ford Mustang (Foxbody)
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As far as the more apparent cars are concerned, this list would've been incomplete without the Foxbody Mustang. The tuners have long discovered the fantastic potential of the, perhaps, most unloved Mustang generation.

The Fox platform and the powerplants are quite reliable - so there is still a ton of them running around. Parts are plentiful and cheap, and the community is immense. And if you are as unhappy with the 225 hp output of the 5.0l V8, you can take it upon yourself to fit it with a turbo kit.

8 Mercedes-Benz 190E

Mercedes-Benz 190E
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The 190E is not a car that instantly comes to someone's mind when talking about tuning. That's mostly due to the uninspiring performance on the baby Benz from the 90s - unless we're talking about the Evo and Cosworth versions, of course. But those are way too expensive.

A standard 190E, however, could be yours for under $10,000, and if you're lucky, it might even have the 160hp 2.6l inline-six. These cars are astonishingly robust and can be turned into bonafide 90s style icons with some minor investments into a beautiful set of wheels and coil-overs. Tuning doesn't necessarily mean neck-breaking speeds, after all.

7 Mazda RX-7 (FC)

Mazda RX-7 (FC)
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While the FD RX-7 is getting more and more collectible and, hence, more and more expensive, the FC remains somewhat overlooked. And as a result - cheap. And while you shouldn't expect that Wankel engine to be very reliable, you should be aware of its fantastic power capacity.

With a proper turbo kit and exhaust setup, it's easy to get as much as 450 hp from the 1.3l rotary unit. And if you're not too into the Wankel lifestyle, you can always swap the stock unit for an LS V8 or a Honda K24.

6 Subaru BRZ

Subaru BRZ
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When the Subaru BRZ and its Toyota/Scion twins first came out, the chief complaint of the car community was, of course, about the low power output. The early models, which are now the most affordable ones, only make 200 hp from Subaru's 2.0l boxer engine. Which is adequate, but nothing more.

But the BRZ was always more about the handling - all thanks to the nimble weight and almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. And as it got cheaper, the BRZ started getting a real following in the tuner scene. These sports cars are very versatile and can become drifting machines, drag strip demons, or stylish backroad cruisers. The choice is yours.

5 BMW 3-Series (E36)

BMW 3-Series (E36)
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We're delighted that the E36 3 Series is now getting the respect and attention it deserves. For years, it had lived in the shadows of the now-classic and collectible E30 and the more modern, powerful E46. But that's changing, and the tuners all over the world are starting to recognize the E36's potential.

And we're not talking M3 - even the regular versions are fantastic for tuning. You can swap an M3 engine in very easily and hit the racetrack, or get some BBS wheels for that classic look. The possibilities are endless, and with price tags in the sub-$5,000 range, it's hard to resist them.

4 Porsche Boxter S

Porsche Boxter S
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Yes, you read that right - the first-gen Porsche Boxter S is, in our opinion, one of the best options for a project car right now. And don't believe the haters who treat it as a lesser Porsche - they've never driven one. Because the Boxter S feels, drives, and sounds like a real Porsche.

And as a project car, it's not achieving crazy amounts of power with a watermelon-sized turbocharger. It's about style and everyday usability. With a beautiful set of wheels and a revamped suspension, the Boxter S can become a true king of twisty roads.

3 Honda Civic (EK)

Honda Civic (EK)
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Don't let ricers convince you otherwise - there is plenty of exceptionally tastefully modified EK Civics around. The sixth-generation is a real fan favorite - in the Civic community, it's praised for implementing the engineering innovations of the fifth-gen (yes, we're talking VTEC) in a more attractive body style.

RELATED: The Evolution Of The Honda Civic, In Pictures

And even though the EK hatchback first came out almost 25 years ago,  a lot of them still roam the American roads - whether modified or not. It's a true legend of the tuning scene that can be modified for track use, drag racing, or ostentatious aesthetics if that's what you're into.

2 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mazda MX-5 Miata NB
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We've said it many times, and we'll repeat it - Miata is always the answer. However, there is one thing that prevents it from claiming the first place in this ranking - pricing. Sadly (or not), the beloved first generation is now getting more and more collectible and, as a result, more and more expensive. It's not uncommon to see a pristine example listed for sale for a whopping $25,000. By Miata standards, that's huge money.

RELATED: The Most Glaring Problems With The Mazda MX5 Miata

Still, you can find a second-gen model for reasonably cheap - and it's tuning potential is just as high. The same goes for the community - we are sure that there is at least one Miata owners' club where you live. Parts are plentiful, just like your tuning options with a Miata - you can turbo it, stance it, drift it, and so on. And that's why it's always the answer.

1 Dodge Neon SRT-4

Dodge Neon SRT-4
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The Neon SRT-4 is a perfect example of why you shouldn't judge the book by its cover. Even though it won numerous awards when it first came out in 2003, it was widely misunderstood in the car community. In 2003, the Dodge nameplate wasn't as synonymous with performance as it once was and as it is now. And yet they managed to make a car that would become a real menace to all the tuner imports.

See for yourself - with a remapped ECU and a little more boost, the SRT-4 is capable of more than 400 hp on the wheels. And the potential is endless. In 2012, the SRT-4 set a land speed record for four-cylinder production cars at 226 mph. Not bad for an ugly Dodge, huh?

NEXT: The Greatest Car Tuners To Ever Exist