My first car was a 1998 S reg Vauxhall Corsa, 1.0ltr 12v 55bhp - and shockingly I still have it 6 or so years later. However I do have a Volvo 740 2.3ltr Estate sitting on the driveway that im sort of slowly restoring, although I'll probably end up selling it. f**king hate Corsa's.
I would advise getting something below a 1.4 for your first car, at least for the first year. You will crash otherwise, just my experience and what ive seen/heard. You learn how to drive after you've passed your test, so you really don't want anything too pokey.