[raji]

very lucky indeed... you can buy some very very nice cars for 40 grand...

but i have to agree with Zfanatic, getting a higher-end sports car for her first car is just gonna end up killing her. The problem new drivers have IMO is that they're still getting used to how cars behave under certain conditions, circumstances, etc... and sports cars are known to be even more touchy and temperamental. What happens if she takes an off-ramp too fast and fishtails the car? What happens if she overestimates (or underestimates) the power of the car when taking a left turn at a busy intersection?

If you want to be smart, get yourself something classy-looking and has a little less under the hood. Perhaps something you can mod if you ever feel like it. I'd suggest the base Acura RSX or the Type S if you're a little more daring. Maybe even the Acura TSX. Test drive the cars before buying too, so you get a proper idea of how it behaves and if you like it.

If you want to get yourself killed, or worse, accidentally kill someone else and get thrown in prison for 25 years on charges of manslaughter, then get yourself an Audi TT, a fully loaded Nissan 350Z, a Mazda RX-8, a Ford Mustang Cobra SVT or some car that is similarly fast and temperamental. It'll do great for killing *someone* if you happen to decide to get behind the wheel after a big fight with your boyfriend or something...

don't milk your dad, buy a normal car for now and move up later.