I was also going to recommend GTi. You might be able to squeeze a new, ‘17 GTi - Sport (performance package) in your budget if you opt manual transmission. If not, a lightly used Mk7 or most any Mk6 is well within your budget.

I’m surprised at some of the deals you found on Subaru Outbacks & the lack of deals you found when shopping for a Golf. I got my ‘16 Golf “S” for over $4500 off MSRP earlier this year & they were running the same promotion on SportWagons. Here in Seattle it doesn’t seem like dealers want to budge much at all on the…