Just a few short years ago, sub 6-second 0-60 times and 8-minute Nürburgring laps were the exclusive domain of hyper-expensive supercars. Now you can buy a sedan that can do those things for less than $30K. If that kind of performance isn’t enough for you, all these affordable rides can be made to go even faster.

We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best “everyday” cars to modify. Yes, these are the most popular cars to trick out, but they’re popular for a reason. Not only is each one of these cars a solid performer, they all enjoy a massive amount of aftermarket support as well. The nice thing about these top 10 cars to modify is that if speed isn’t your thing, plenty of dress-up items are available for them as well.

No.10 - Dodge Caliber SRT-4

MSRP: $22,995

Dodge’s Caliber-based SRT-4 may not set hearts aflutter the way its Neon-based predecessor did, but with its 300 horsepower, turbocharged engine and bargain-basement price, it’s definitely worth a look. The Caliber SRT-4 is a muscle car for Gen-Y: a budget-minded chassis, obscenely powerful engine, and it'll go like stink in a straight line. We wouldn’t want to take the SRT-4 on a road course, but it is good fun on a drag strip.

No.9 - Chevrolet Cobalt SS

MSRP: $23,525

Like the Corvette, the Chevy Cobalt SS shows that when GM lets its engineers loose, it really can build some world-class sporty rides. The Cobalt SS sports a 260-horsepower direct-injected turbocharged engine, a suspension tuned on the

Nürburgring, a cool no-lift shift feature, and a $500 LSD option that really should be mandatory. Chevy benchmarked the Lancer Evolution when designing the Cobalt SS and created a FWD sports car that’s easily as good as -- if not better than -- the mighty Integra Type R. It even held the production FWD Nürburgring lap record before a stripped, caged and Lexan-windowed Renault came along.

No.8 - BMW 3 Series

MSRP: $42,200

If other manufacturers are always trying to benchmark this car, you know it’s gotta be good. One could pick up any 3 Series and be happy, but for our money, the best 3 (without an “M” before it) is the latest 335i coupe. This Beemer combines genuine luxury, genuine performance and a twin-turbo straight six that is said to be underrated at 300 horsepower so as not to steal the old BMW M3’s thunder. The only downside to the 335? Its cost. Expect to shell out $40,000 for one with decent specs.

No.7 - Ford Mustang GT

MSRP: $30,095 est.

No explanation necessary for this automotive icon. Few cars can match the Mustang’s combination of good looks, performance and price. And if you need more performance, the list of go-fast goodies made for the ‘Stang is positively huge; you’d be hard-pressed to find a car with more aftermarket support. The latest 2010 Mustang GT gets a new look, hugely improved interior and 15 more ponies than last year’s model. This 315 horsepower V8 even gets a trick sound tube connecting the intake to the cabin. It sounds like a cheesy idea, but once you hear that throaty growl in the cabin, you’ll be thinking that this sound tube is the greatest invention since toilet paper.

No.6 - Scion xB

MSRP: $16,420

With all the other performance-minded rides on this list, it seems odd to put the xB on here. But then, who would have guessed that a diminutive, underpowered box would take the tuning world by storm? The newest xB grows in size and power, and its steady stream of aftermarket support seems to be turning into a raging river. As it stands, the Scion xB has more dress-up accessories than Barbie.

No.5 - Subaru WRX

MSRP: $24,995

What there to like about a rally-bred turbocharged sedan (or wagon) with a sub 6-second 0-60 mph time and room for five? Subaru’s WRX hit the scene in 2000, with a face that only its mother could love, but it quickly established itself as the go-to ride for rallyists, road racers and guys who just like to go fast. The newest WRX is still just as ugly, but as it now packs a 265 horsepower wallop, is better than ever.

No.4 - Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

MSRP: $25,685

Mitsubishi’s latest Lancer Evolution has grown in power, capability, size, refinement, and price. While we’d love to save some cash and buy the more pure Evo IX MR, the thought of paying to repair any and all honing damage frightens us. Instead, we’d pick up Mitsubishi’s latest Lancer Ralliart. It shares the Evo X’s drivetrain (minus a differential), engine (minus 54 horsepower) and paddle-shifted dual clutch transmission (minus the S-Sport mode). While there’s no doubt that the Evo X would shame the Ralliart on a racetrack, on the street the two vehicles feel almost identical. The Ralliart is an awesome car at an awesome price. And as Evo X owners start modifying their cars so that they can brag about their rolling parts lists, smart Ralliart owners will be able to buy the lighter (and still great) Evo X parts for a song.

No.3 - Nissan 370Z

MSRP: $29,930

Rather than rack our brains trying to figure out a clever way to describe why this iconic Japanese sports car is so good, we’ll just say this: Nissan’s Z is great because it’s pure. It’s a pure sports car and doesn’t try to be anything else. It has a potent 332-horsepower motor, spins the correct wheels (the rear ones) and is perfectly balanced. The fact that it looks good is just an added bonus. 

No.2 - Volkswagen GTI

MSRP: $23,230

The original hot hatch is still one of the best. Volkswagen’s sport-tuned Golf has enjoyed a rabidly loyal following around the world for decades now, and the car’s popularity shows no signs of waning. North America still doesn’t have the newest GTI, but the car we do get still sports VW’s venerable 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four, and the available DSG transmission is every bit as good as everyone says it is.

No.1 - Honda Civic Si

MSRP: $21,905

The car that launched the import tuning scene as we know it today still soldiers on. With its 197-horsepower, 2.0-liter motor, the new Civic Si is the most powerful Civic ever sold in the U.S. This new car also has one of the best 6-speed manuals in existence, an LSD option and an extremely balanced chassis.