*Ahem*, MK1 Toyota MR2? Small, light, agile, reliable, cheap as hell, and IMO more fun to drive than an FC. Not as fast, but that could be a good thing if she's just beginning. Oh, and it's the most fuel efficient sports car you can buy (28-32mpg). Oh, boy, I'm gonna get flamed for this one...

 

i beg to differ for the MK1 MR2....
its quite heavy for its power, and to be honest, much less aftermarket support....
if she wants to have a chance in Autocross, an FC has the potential to be just a fun off and on Autox car, as well as a car with great potential....

I'd say it is really a good hobby for the two of you, and a girl understanding rotary will mean so much, basically if u are, like the rest of them said, weak at heart, u will give up... but the things we learn to deal with and understand about rotaries only makes us more knowledgeble with other cars....

with that said, getting a project car is fun and all, but as Wonko said.... not the best for a DD, at least not in the beginning until u work all the kinks out...
besides, are u guys that tight in budget that u want to sell the kia? (what is it worth anyways) i say it is worth MUCH more to stay as your backup DD or whatever....

and also, the GXL is a better choice i would say. around here, the junkyard always has GXLs around, (i assume most of them have engine problems) but getting parts and LEARNING to rebuild it would be more of a fun project than a bump in the road....

so best of luck to u

 

Well, we are giving the Kia to her brother, not selling or anything. We will have more money to spend on the project as time goes on but we are being kinda strict on the initial cost.

It will be her daily but we will have several months to work over the car before she starts driving it, to assure that nothing major will go wrong. I have my FD and my 240sx so we have an extra car if any issues arise.