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Affordable, easy to work on, and surprisingly quick, these cars make the perfect platforms for your next badass track weapon.

Although it is a costly pastime, having a fun day at the racetrack is the dream of most gearheads and racing enthusiasts. But, sports cars don't come cheap, and taking a new road car to the tracks is one sure way of piling up the bills. However, there are affordable used cars that are designed to give you the satisfaction you crave if you are on a budget. Apart from their pocket-friendly prices, these race-spec cars are light, nimble, and solidly built to withstand abuse.

Furthermore, aftermarket and factory parts are readily available, tech support is plentiful, and the cars themselves are relatively easy to fix. They may not be the fastest or the most expensive cars on the track, but they will put a smile on the face of whoever is behind the wheels. So, it is time to ditch the fear and pursue your track-day dreams even as you consider this ranking of the best track toys you can buy for $10,000.

The Z3, introduced in 1996, has a certain appeal and excellent road manners that have made it popular with everyone who loves to drive. In its short production run, engine options grew from the initial 114 hp I-4 to the 3-liter I-6 in the 2000-2002 models.

With 228 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque on tap, the 2001 Z3 blazes the quarter-mile in 14.13 seconds at nearly 96 mph. With its well-tuned suspension, superb steering, and excellent brakes, it is a blast to drive, and examples like this blue roadster are affordable.

Although the base model in the 2006 Ford Mustang lineup had a 4-liter V6 engine, the GT model packed a 4.6-liter V8 unit. The all-aluminum engine, mated either to a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission, was good for 300 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.

It runs the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds, handles superbly, is composed around corners, and has powerful brakes that provide excellent stopping power. A new one back then started at $26,321 for the GT Premium coupe, but today, a good one can be yours for roughly $10,000 in decent condition.

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Thanks to its low weight and easy-to-tune nature, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is not only a best-selling roadster but also a track day favorite. Everything about it is just perfect - from the affordable price and the reliable/efficient 4-cylinder banger to the 50/50 front/rear weight distribution.

For 2006, one of its best years, US-specced MX-5s got a 2-liter I-4 engine that churned out 170 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque. These agile and simply-styled babies are fun to push around the tracks and are available for cheap at used car dealerships.

Jointly developed by Subaru and Toyota, the Scion FR-S boasts a well-balanced chassis and a low center of gravity that gives it well-sorted handling. Thanks to its small size and light weight, the FR-S is a good baseline for modifications and therefore is a favorite of racing enthusiasts.

Power for the 2013 model comes from a Subaru-sourced H-4 engine that churns out 200 hp and returns excellent fuel economy. As a track car, the Scion FR-S delivers pure driving pleasure at affordable prices for good higher mileage examples like this black base automatic.

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Between 1983 and 1996 General Motors produced over 350,000 Chevrolet Corvettes which is why they are some of the best-used sports car bargains. For less than $10,000, you get a small and reliable sports car with iconic '80s looks and a V8 mill feeding the rear wheels.

What's more? In addition to the availability of replacement parts, the C4 Corvettes can be tuned to perform better. This red 1989 coupe with a tan interior and 93,323 on the meter is up for grabs for up for grabs for $9,900.

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Although it disappoints with a poor fuel economy, the 2011 Mazda RX-8 is a unique sports car that is worth the consideration of racing enthusiasts. The high revving 1.3-liter Wankel rotary engine under the hood spins out 212 hp or 232 hp depending on the choice of transmission.

Boasting athletic handling with responsive steering and lots of road grip, the RX-8 is fun to drive and easy to live with. This sparkling black Grand Touring Automatic with 4-wheel disc brakes is listed for just $9,471.

Boasting the highest number of victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche passes down its rich racing heritage to each of its models. The 1998 Boxster has a strong chassis and is powered by a water-cooled 2.5-liter flat-6 engine rated at 201 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.

Being a Porsche, it doesn't disappoint in its driving dynamics thanks to a near-perfect front/rear weight distribution, its light weight, low center of gravity, and powerful brakes. With their styling beginning to look a little ancient, prices of the Boxster 989 are falling below $10,000 like this 1998 model.

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When it comes to mid-engine sports cars with cheap price tags, no one does it better than Toyota in the MR2. Small, light, and reliable, an MR2 from any generation is a good choice for adrenaline junkies looking for a dependable track toy.

The 138 hp cranked out by the 2003 model's 1.8-liter engine is sufficient for the 2195-pound car while its mid-engine layout produces nearly perfect handling. Furthermore, the 2003 MR2 has massive tuning potential to make it run better, and used ones come cheap on the market.

Although pitched against more modern sports cars, the elegantly styled 1998 3000GT is starting to show its age, it remains an affordable track car. With the vehicle's considerable weight, the 218 hp and 205 lb-ft of torque available in the SL model don't raise hairs.

However, the good news is that it excels in handling, cornering, and braking and can be modified to perform better. While prices of some 3000GT models are steadily rising, if you know where to look, you'll still find good ones below $10,000.

The Nissan 350Z is not only one of the best options for a cheap track day car, but it is also a great enthusiast car. Under the hood lies a 3.5-liter V6 engine that can easily be tuned to churn out 400 American ponies for credible track day performance.

Moreover, the 350Z is well balanced, sounds amazing, handles deftly, has strong brakes, and has a large community of dedicated enthusiasts. Still one of the best value performance cars out there, they frequently turn up for less than $10,000.

Jay Moren is a car enthusiast who loves everything with an engine. When he's not writing about cars, he plays the saxophone and keyboard. He also plays as a goalkeeper for a non-league side in his native Nigeria