We're talking dragging here, and it has to be an import? I would say it is probably better to comprimise, but lean more towards the slower car. My reasoning for this is, if you start with a light car with not very much power, and learn to drive it very well, it's only a slight adjustment to add more power and drive it faster.
I would say a S13 hatchback with a KA24 would be a good start. You could pick one up for cheap with a tired engine, and rebuild it with a turbo and better clutch. You could start out with lower boost, and get used to driving it. The gradually increasing your power, you would be able to adjust your launches and shifting.
There is plenty of weight to be lost, taking out the back seat, removing the glass hatch, and so on. There is plenty of potential in a 2.4L DOHC motor when turbocharged.
If we are talking about drag racing, than a domestic would be my choice. The smallblock is king stoplight to stoplight.