Ok, so I am looking to get a different car and I would like to have the ability to upgrade anything from performance to appearance. Therefore, I do not want something with no aftermarket, but the biggest thing is that I do not want a car that I can see hundreds around my neighborhood i.e. civics, etc. I am open to japanese and european, but my budget for the car is around 5-8k. Let me know if any ideas you may have. Thanks  

you could always build your own  

Your gonna have a problem, you want an uncommen car with a large aftermarket.

Cars'll only get a huge aftermarket if their common cause thats where the money is.

If you wanna stand out, it'll be tough.  

I do not necessarily want a huge aftermarket like the civic, but still SOMETHING. If it weren't an automatic, I would consider something like a Volvo 850 R since it isn't something tha anyone would expect, but still has a decent aftermarket.  

if you want a extremely good sleeper, you could go with a geo metro with an LS1 swap... theres a dude in my area that did it and he roasted a 3kgt vr4 lol  

yeah ok except that the geo is a piece of *** i actually want a good car.  

u could go with a honda crx.
those arent as common as civics are.
or a corolla ae86
mkiii supra
datsun z  

The thing about the CRX is that the only way to be anything worth it is with a swap and I don't know if I have the resources / time to do a full swap. The others that you listed would pretty much all need rebuilds due to their age and high milage. This kinda has the same difficulties as a full swap, so I was kinda looking for something a little newer.  

avoid the mk3 supra unless you have experience doing head gaskets. the ae86 is uncommon, matter of fact ive never actually seen one here in the north east. the datsun z's are extremely good cars, but yea they would need a rebuild. but chances are so would any mk3.  

if u wanted an rare car i would go with the AE86 i have only seen like 1 where i live and im paying on buying it soon.lol.  

i'll sell u my legend for 2000
lol  

Even though I think it would be cool to get the Corolla, the amount of work they will need is too much time and work for my schedule.  

Have you thought about getting a used Chevy Cobalt?

Those cars are not crappy at all, and they can be tweaked out pretty easily.

Check out http://www.chevycobaltlabs.com and you'll see some good ideas in the Mod Street section, especially looking at the engine and other internal mods.  

Thought I won't recommend you to go to any particular site. That guy makes some sense. The new (not the old) Cobalt SS is the best FWD sport compact you can buy nowadays. You don't see many of them around and you can get lots of aftermarket upgrades from the factory from: (i think its a) honed turbo manifold, CAI', Exhaust system, to a Limited Slip Differential.... And a spoiler and ground effects plastic if you're into that sort of stuff....ewwww......

Plus the knowing of a Direct Injected Turbocharged and Intercooled four making 260hp with launch control and great handling; now that sounds fantastic....

Plus those upgrades should push you to about 290hp with warranty mind you....  

Great idea but the only thing is that my budget is less than 10k so I think the  Cobalt is out of the question sadly.