First time I played, I started off with the Peugot 106. Amazing for drift and street X races. My highest drift was around 112,000...and I didn't crash! I then tried the Celica which I thought was uber rubbish and I stopped upgrading it. I haven't bothered much with the SUV's yet, but I got the Mustang, and I thought it was an amazing car, un-beatable.
Currently, my 2nd career, I started of with the Corsa 1.8, wicked car, especially for street X. I always get my 300 reputation points. I also have the 350zx (drag and circuit style races) and the InfinityG35 which I haven't started working on yet.