Went F body so I could have quick and some cornering.
If I lived in TN/NC/WA peninsula, I'd have the Miata.

Most people assume that an F-body can't do corners well...they're actually pretty good handling cars with just a couple of relatively cheap mods.  I say this from experience.  

Except for the Miata which is why everyone who knows what the fuck time it is is recommending it.

Might as well get God's Chariot. BMW E30's are the best value going for used "sporty" cars right meow.

Look at nissan altima coupe. 3.5   Small back seat and runs real good

Vette for any type of usage!!!

Evo 8.

How many of those will you find for under $10k that haven't been thoroughly thrashed?

10K? In order...

S2000
Miata
C5 Vette

No doubt a great car but 10K will mean new turbos and other issues so add another 7K for the Audi. I loved my B5 S4 but turbo replacement was a very big problem. Personally it's very hard to beat a S2000/Miata for that money and both will be reliable and cheap to keep running.

If $10K is my limit, then it will be a Miata from the choices. The aftermarket is all over those and they are a ton of fun. I test drove two of them but couldn't bring myself to get it because it would have been my one and only car and there was just no room.

For a toy, absolutely, go for it. Great handling, fairly fast, you are so low to the ground and the thing is so small you can zip and zing through traffic no problem. Oh yeah, they are reliable too.

S2000 would be another good choice but for $10K it's going to be harder to get a good one.

Wouldn't touch a $10K C5 Vette, the only reason I don't hate the C5 Vette's the most is because they made the C4's which were awful IMO, C5's just never clicked with me and I can't stand them. C6's are pretty neat, the newest ones look pretty wild and of course all the models before the C4's are great. I know the numbers are better all around but I would still take an early to mid 2000 year Mustang GT over a C4 or C5. That's just me.

Another big question for you OP is whether or not you plan on wrenching on your car. If so, F-bodies and Mustangs should definitely be considered. The reason those cars have been so popular over the years is because they are extremely versatile - you can tailor them to whatever type of motorsport you prefer with easy to find and mostly affordable parts. Obviously they make good street machines and drag cars, but they also make really good handling, fast cars on the road course. And if you wad one up at the track you won't lose your ass like you would with a Vette or something a little more high-end.

You, sir, are obviously a man of good taste and substance!