Is it worth getting a project car as a first car?

I've just turned 18 and got enough money togeather to buy myself a first car. I've had an idea within the past month of having a car that i could gradually tweak, tinker and upgrade over the next couple of years but i was unsure whether it was worth it because it was my first car? I was planning to go for a old 1998 Honda Civic Hatchback and getting parts as i get money. It may be a bad idea or it may be a good one, i dunno. All opinions will be appreciated! *I have attached a photo of what i would want the car to look like

Do you want a car as transportation or a project?

If you need the car to get to work or university, then don't make it a "project". Well you can buy a sporty Civic, put on some nice wheels and a better stereo etc in it, and actually drive it.

"Project" cars tend to spend a lot of time in the garage being tinkered with, and can end up off the road for weeks at a time if you are doing any serious work on them. In the mean time, how do you get to work and earn the money for the nice car?

Projects are great when you have lots of money and a second car. Foolish idea if you don't already have reliable transportation. A cool project for your First car is foolish teen dream.

So you are independently wealthy. Buying a vehicle is the easy part. You are a kid so the insurance alone will be super expensive along with all the fees required to title, register and license it. The sportier the car the higher the insurance. It does not go down until you get married or reach 25 years old. Buy a simple car to get you back and forth to work or school.

Very bad idea. In the first place it is mandatory that you report alterations from the standard to your insurers ~ who will rub their hands with glee and put your already expensive insurance premium right through the roof. Don't report the alterations and if you have to make a claim your policy will get voided leaving you deep in the poop financially.
the 2nd point is that these 'projects' end up costing far far more than you anticipate, money very rarely got back when you eventually sell.