A few others you could consider that are about $10k, fun, seat four, small, and reliable:
Ford Focus SVT - the older SVT Focus was damn good, available in two or four doors, and can be had with HIDs and Recaros.
Mazda 3S - fun car
Mazdaspeed3 - even funner, there's one for sale locally for $8k
Mazda RX8 - 2009+ are the best ones, really great cars
Saab 900/9-3 - this is the 2000-ish hatchback, not the later sedan model that was a terrible car. You could even find a Viggen for under $10k.
Porsche 944 - it had to be said......
Porsche 928 - if you are a glutton for punishment. On the upside, the nice ones are slowly appreciating. Not super small though.
Acura RSX Type-S
Honda Civic Si
Honda Prelude SH - was the best handling FWD car when new
Volvo C70 T-5 - another turbocharged Swede
Mazdaspeed6 - might be bigger than you want