2nd try? On the cheap friendly comp?

No.
If the car came with a 4spd, why add a $$$ figure to the car?
That is a penalty for how the car was born.

As far as a "Young Newbie" getting an old car. I agree! Why would they? I don't know but yet! Here they are! Besides, who said this is a Taylor's comp for young people. Are older people exempt from starting out as newbies to this?

If you can not afford a 4spd trans, I understand. It doesn't matter how much money you make it matters on how much money you keep at the end of the day. Out of that money, you save. The last thing you save for is the car. There's more important things than a hobby car to save for.
But do not use your own personal bench mark as a guide against someone else earning. Savings, bills and situation. This is unfair. To you and others. Let's say we have a 18YO at home and the parents give the go ahead to do a car. The kid works minim wage part time. 4 Hrs. a day for one year. That is 8K pre tax. 16K at 40 Hrs. That part time amount is double every last cent I could spare on a toy hobby car.

Should I penalize the kid?

Besides! Your not even competing. So why are you even posting?
You just like to seem to cause problems.
At least 451Cuda has thrown his hat into the ring.
I see your just Insitigating.
Another fly in the jelly jar!