i really like the FX35. If it came in RWD and not AWD, i would have considdered buying it instead of the G. I do think any new infiniti is a bit much for a first car.
an older one would be good. an old G20 woudl be a fantastic car. a neighbor a few years younger than me had one as his first car, and it was great. small, rwd, and not too powerful.
edit: my mistake, fwd.