Something different you pick the car. S Chassis is popular choice as starter car.
You could grab Honda (Civic, CRX...), other BMW (E36, E46...), Nissan (350Z...) or Toyota (Older Supra, Soarer, AE86...).
For me, you could try buy anything Honda, if you want plan to drift grab bulletproof engine 350Z.
My first car was Nissan 200sx (S13).
Oh here hint, don't break anything traffic laws. I got suspended for 2 months for reckless.
Car that I own in real: Ford Fiesta 54 plate 1.4 Flame.