Best and cheapest cars to work on are miatas hands down...get a 90-91 with the 1.6 ,..youll learn ALOT from mechanical to driving.. it will make you a better driver with the s2k as well no doubt

 

if you do get a miata 3 pointers for you...if its a 1.6 advance the timing 2 degrees ( non interference motor ) get a lightweight flywheel and invest the $300 in flyingmiatas butterfly brace

 

as far as wheels miatas hate heavy rotating mass so if you get inclined dont get bigger rims instead get konig heliums bad ass wheels and light,then drive the piss out of it haha fun for $5g's

 

I would get a Datsun 510/Z.

Very easy to work on - inline 6 (Z) so plenty of room under the hood and parts are cheap. Also, unlike a lot of aforementioned cars you'll end up with something that is actually cool at the end of the day.

 

We have a nissan quest [broken] sitting in our garage. You're welcome to come work on that anytime. Tools and sammichs will be provided.

 

That sounds like a Craigslist ad. All you need to do is ad "no pay but I'll tell everyone how good and cheap you are".