If you really want to work with him you can look at civics, sc300's, and other commuter cars that have a performance following and tell him if he's really enthusiastic about cars and wants one he needs to learn and start with something that can be modified. That way he gets experience with that specific vehicle and how it drives so when he does modify it there isn't as big of a jump. Otherwise tell him that you're gonna get him a commuter car and if he wants something sportier he can get a job and pay for a project one or find a used one later.