im 19 and had about that much to put down little more, but my payments are not too high on my 06 wrx (but i had a co signer).
dont get a Lancer es or oz had a 3g eclipse (hints the name) which is the same drivetrain they are nice cars but are slow and will pretty much stay that way.
im just saying there are many other cars that would be better platforms to start a performance buildup (2g eclipse)
__________________
6 letters spell it, 5 lifters be ticking on it, 4 cams spinning on it, 3in cutout on it, 2 heads flowing on it, 1 turbo creeping on it, SUBARU.
Osecuroms.org Opensource Stage II 2006 wrx 281 downloads and counting
Pm me about Subaru Tuning