I bought my '84 944 over a year ago now at the age of 17. I used all my own money and did the research/found it by myself. I personally think if she wants a 944, have her find out all the things that can go wrong, i found knowing about my car was the best thing I did. Also having paid for it, and having her pay for part of it and hopefully some future expenses, she will be less likely to drive it like an idiot (not that she would, I just know I treat my car alot better then I may have if I didnt buy it). Also, I do think that it was good I drove for about a year before I started to drive a standard. When you first start to drive I think its easier to focus on the road and other drivers if you dont have to worry about messing up gears.
Now that I have said that, it is a sweet ride
! I bought mine from the original owner with 204K miles on it for $2300. The miles are high, but we also knew the mechanic from our local PCA and he said the owner had never been cheap with fixes, so I got it. Since then, I have put another $2000-$3000 into it (some being gifts from my parents). Most of that was un-needed items I wanted. Like I put on new tires, installed a new stereo, and upgraded the sway bars to Turbo ones. The only money I have spent in the shop was a timing belt check/re-tighten ($150ish) and I recently needed a new A/C compressor that cost around $550. If you know how to do the rest of the maintenance it doesnt rack up a huge bill though. (illegal to work on A/C yourself due to the chemicals, and I dont wanna buy a $400 tightening tool).
OK, thats what I have to say as a now 18 year old with my 944 for over a year. The only other thing I would say that you should do is, take her to some local auto-crosses! Its not good to learn your cars limits on the road, in a set up parking lot is alot safer, and fun!
-Randy