Yeah stay away from anything Euro like the Fiat Cunto or the Renault Clito, early Liberty's and Impreza's are good and AWD is even better, even the older L series Off Road AWD wagons can be a very cheap learner car and great fun off road to give you even more experience.
Have a look here, lots of young Subi fanatics and really helpful bunch of guys who like to get out and have fun in their cars.
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