While I am not totally opposed to @tommcparland or @davidtracy suggestions (they are surprisingly rational for a change), the answer is Subaru Forester. Good space, good mpg, reliable. And most important, since she is a traveling nurse she may end up in places that have a great deal of snow, so AWD is a must!

I did the knee-jerk thing and clicked on the crack pipe vote...because gross interior 25-year-old rusty truck, amiright?

What’s going on here? These are all genuinely helpful suggestions and it makes me uncomfortable.

Yes.

Yes?

If it makes you feel any better, here’s my 277k-mile AE86 Corolla GT-S still running it’s never-overhauled 4AGE.

It’s just wrong to to the manual in the highest trim level only.

Amen, I’m waiting for the AWD Manual tranny with the Skyactiv-X! That will be a beautiful combo. 

Its called a hissy fit. Hiss on bro.

At least they’re not using a CVT!

Need to go to VW or Subaru for the good stuff

Yeah, I was planning a trip to the nearest dealership to trade in my '16 until I noticed that. Shame.

Rob, when your title read “worth bagging,” I thought we were going to see a mundane exterior on a whip that does this.

I know, but I want to drive the thing! I’d probably tank its “value” by driving it “too much”. But its real value to me is in the enjoyment I get from driving it.

relax and enjoy yourself would be my only advice

I once had a Mazda dealer tell me he wouldn’t sell his worst enemy an RX-8. He was trying to sell me an MS3 at the time. 

Good for you! I am admittedly very rusty at track driving because my job is boring and mostly involves sending angry emails, but my advice is to listen and learn above all else! You’re there to have fun and sharpen your skills. Don’t drive above your ability, don’t try and set a lap record, just pay attention and…

that was not enough NSFW warning.  Jesus. 

Any one who has ever seen me on here for stuff like this knows my recommendation and have probably seen pictures of this E9 (not my car). Good BMW 3.0 CS’ can be had all day in the $70k price range. You can even do a restomod like this. Now where is the guy on this site who owns that gorgeous orange one?

I love Amazon reviews ...