4. Chevrolet Corvette C5
The fifth generation of Chevrolet`s sports car, the Corvette was introduced in 1996 and stayed on the market until 2005, selling in big numbers and becoming a popular choice of sports car fans all over the world. The layout of this car is very competent and you have a 350 hp 5.7-liter V8 in the front, gearbox and rear suspension together (transaxle system), which gives the C5 perfect weight distribution for sharp handling and all of that topped with the lightweight and aerodynamically efficient body.
The C5 was capable of getting to 60 mph in just under 5 seconds and reaching 175 mph. Also, it is good to know that the maintenance costs are lower than on similar imports sports cars so if you are looking for a fast and cheap to run a car, this is a perfect choice. The prices for decent examples start at around $10,000 but they can go higher depending on condition and version. In any case, for 10 grand you should be able to find a decent Corvette C5 in coupe or convertible form.