The search for our 16 year old's first car, is becoming a quest.

As to old school JDM that will fit taller folk?

2nd Gen RX-7?

May I suggest the Volvo P1 Platform.  V50 or S40 depending on what flavor you like.  Parts arn't astronomical as they share parts with Mazda 3 and Focus. They come turbo, AWD and Manual if you can find one.

I recently picked this one up for 4000CAD. Turbo AWD 6 Speed and I love it. 

Just don't let it become a Conquest.

Or a Starion. 

Sounds like a Subaru is ideal.......AWD and manual? Say a first gen Forester or a 97 Impreza? Fun cars, can be built into anything and are safe - reliable - cheap - AWD and can be had manual.  Win.

My son is 6'2". He wanted a stick too. We wound up buying a 2010 Mazda 3 hatch. Honestly, I think it's a great first car. 

I'd think long and hard before buying a 4wd. They can give you a false sense of security in icy conditions. A good FWD car with all weather or snow tires would be my suggestion.

I was stationed in Colorado Springs for 3 years. I had a FWD 1984 Nissan Pulsar with mud and snow tires on it. We took that car all over the place and it handled the snow really well. Whenever there was a big storm there would be 4wd trucks in the ditches along the highways and that little car would just keep chugging along. 

Good luck with your search.

R32Jordie said:

May I suggest the Volvo P1 Platform.  V50 or S40 depending on what flavor you like.  Parts arn't astronomical as they share parts with Mazda 3 and Focus. They come turbo, AWD and Manual if you can find one.

I recently picked this one up for 4000CAD. Turbo AWD 6 Speed and I love it. 

Such good looking cars. They look even cooler when built on a bit.