firend of mine used to have a 96 2 door aspire, its a good car, he even found a turbo kit for it (a month after he sold it, lol)
one thing ill say make sure it has power steering (did aspires ever have PS?) it might be the size of a matchbox car but its a bitch to turn from a stop, or maybe im just lazy
id say spend a little more and get yourself an escort or cavalier, something half a step up or so, but thats just me