It really depends on what class your running. I think a FWD car is easier to learn to left-foot-brake with, since it tends to get loose easier under brake+throttle than an AWD or RWD cars. Plus AWD adds to the adjusted displacement, so depending on the car, you may be stuck in a class you can't compete in just yet, and FWD cars are more redily available and tend to be cheaper. More torque would be ideal, but usually cars with larger engines (i.e. V6,V8) are hevier than little four-banger econocars. I believe bantam-weight vehicles would be a better choice.

With that said, I would say for <$1000 (which I'm assuming is what you meant), an older FWD toyota Toyota Corolla or Cellica. Both have engines that are easy to work on and are common enough to find parts for them when you break stuff. VW GTI are always popular and have a lot of potential if you decide to take it into performance rally (but I think you'll end up spending more).

If you're looking to spend an little more and try out a RWD car, then maybe an older RX7. I've seen a few at rally-x doing well.

 

GTI and rabbits would be a good choice. i think if i were starting off, which i have considered many times, i would go with a either a Nissan Sentra (prefferably an SE-R) or a mazda 323gtx. both pretty cheap, both good stong engines, easily upgraded to turbos, both fwd (my choice for beg. rally beater), both very light, and numerous parts available. for info on 323's check out www.roadraceengineering.com. i know of em from my dsm.
hope you find something to work for you.

also check out www.bensrallypage.com look under the classifieds for used cars and lots of other things.
-PJ

 

I think the 323GTX is a turbo AWD car (1.6l turbo AWD, w/ a locking center diff. I believe), and usually sells for $2k to $4k. The other 323 are N/A though. I've wanted one for a while, but it's out of my budget for a second car. I would agree, a rabbit GTI would be good. You can find one for under $1k often.

Also I would agree about bensrallypage. You're better off buying a pre-prepped car if possible. You'll save a lot of money if you're eventually going to go full-blown rally. If not, there's also listings for a lot of other cars that aren't prepped yet.

 

yeah, i don't know much about the 323gtx, but i do think you are right about the turbo and awd, forgot that. that would be my choice if i had the money. but for cheap, gti's are pretty common. and easy to find parts for.

-PJ