For a DD, i wouldn't touch a $1k dsm with a 10-foot pole, especially a turbo. One that's in reliable shape is going to sell for more, and you're not looking for a project car to dump money into.
Want a cheap DD? Then buy an "off" car and either spend a little more for one that's in good shape, or spend a lot less on a car that requires some work. What I mean by an "off" car is pick one that isn't a best seller, or a non-popular model. For example, as reliable as Accords and camry's may be, everyone likes them and looks to buy them used. That means resale is high. However, people aren't looking to buy an old Taurus, Dodge Stratus, Hyundai Elantra. These are the cars noone actively looks for, but they still get good gas mileage, are reliable, and for the domestic cars parts are plentiful and cheap at any parts store. Resale is low, so when you find one that's more than 7-8 y/o the price has bottomed out. I personally prefer to find cars that are around 9-10 y/o with low mileage on them. That means they've got a lot of life left, and someone else has taken the big depreciation hit for you without using up the life of the car.
Now, as a project I think it would be a really fun car to build. I've always said that I think the DSMs are the 5.0 of the import world. They can be quick and cheap to mod. They're light tossable and cheap, and there are cookie cutter combinations that go from mild to wild. The AWD ones are particularly useful in cold-weather/ snowy climates.
Just my 2 cents,
Chris