I'm sure everyone else will chime in, but to get started in rallying, my best advice would be to:
- Volunteer at a performance rally, or try and get on a service crew. You can learn tons by helping out and seeing what works and what doesn't. Lanark Highlands Forest Rally is coming up very soon (i.e. 2 weeks),
http://www.lhfr.ca and volunteers are always needed!
- Do some TSD (Time Speed Distance) rallies. These are legal speed rallies done on open public roads, but you learn almost all the timing rules that are used in performance rallies as well. You'll learn how the rules of rallying go, how to deal with pressure situations, etc. There's a sticky at the top of the forum for the MLRC Mini-Rallies.
- When you have a hankering for driving hard, try a RallyX. These are low speed events usually held in Bancroft, Ontario, but they are MUCH lower prep than a performance rally. Basically get an extra set of tires (gravels preferred, but winters + tubes can be used too. You can usually get used gravels for cheap) and maybe a skidplate and go at it. MLRC puts on RallyXes as well, there should be a sticky at the top.
If you're still hanging in there, you may want to try co-driving as it's a LOT cheaper than driving. And you get all the speed thrills as well
I wouldn't recommend any particular car before you do some of the above to see what works and what doesn't, but IMHO, RSX no, Prelude no, Impreza maybe. One thing you'll have recommended is that you buy (not build) your first rally car, and I firmly believe that + 2WD. Bad things can happen, and you must be prepared to walk away from a car if you have to. Plus, most rally cars are sold for far less than their build cost.