You wont be building a good xe nova for that sort of money

2k minimum and a 1.9gti will still run circles round you through the bends.

Nova needs coilovers and a lsd to even stand a chance of going round a corner, 205 does it straight out of the box.

Nova is harder to get to handle nicely but tuning is far better with a xe IMO.

Swings and roundabouts but for your first track car I'd get a 205 as they are very cheap and great fun.