Well, there really is no real right answer, I just didn't want to hold my opinion over everyone else's before they had a chance to answer.
Cbass, I'm afraid we aren't necessarily talking dragging, also. More of an all puropse sort of machine, with more emphasis on turn and burn racing than light to light. That's why I put driver skill into question. I'm glad to see many people have an opinion on the topic, though.
As for myself, I lean towards starting newbies out in low power cars with at least one handling bug. The way I learned (though this is WAAAAY out of the norm) is through racing quarter midgets and Formula 440's back when I was about thirteen with one of my Mom's friends. I usually suggest cars like Integras (power off oversteer is a weird experience for a newbie, it helps them to learn it) or Hachi-Rokus (teach them FR and they will thank you for it). Plus, they need to learn how to work on their cars. It's a tough time for a newbie to try and deal with getting connecting rods for a JDM engine after he grenaded it trying out a nitrous system. That's why I suggest cheap cars without too much power, good (if occasionally quirky) handling, and plenty of aftermarket support.
Not that I necessarily disagree with more bang for the buck.