Hi Josh. Most of us on this board have been where you are, some with a mentor, some without. You're very fortunate to have your father to provide technical guidance and a modicum of common sense.
Lots of fellows your age get started with an old car of some kind, repairing or replacing parts to bring it up to snuff (the only requirement is that YOU LIKE IT enough to stay involved).
Here's an alternate idea that could be pursued on a budget and would give you the satisfaction of building a car from scratch. Look through the articles here and discuss it with your father. He may have secretly always wanted to build a car like this.....
http://www.nationaltbucketalliance.c.../techindex.asp
A car such as this would be a hoot on the highway with just a stock little 2000cc motor from a Pinto for instance.