For us it came down to the Subaru Legacy GT and the G35 Sedan.

You can get both in manual and are about the same in the HP department. I think the quality of both was close as well.

In the end Infiniti was more desperate to make us a deal (I was leaning more Legacy GT) and she really like the G35 more anyways.

I think either of those are a good choice.

 

Go for the G35 Coupe with the sport suspension. It's a great car and the 6-speed short shifter is fantastic. The rumor is that Infiniti is making it even better for '05 and upping the HP from 280 to 295.

 

and hopefully AWD

 

Yes, there is supposed to be an AWD version available....but probably$$$. Although the G35 is a great value for the money

 

we had a 2003 330ci and it was a great car. The back seat is not that bad and even I can fit back there (I'm 6 ft 195lbs) Plus its a fast little sucker. Or have her get the Xi version if you need 4X4

 

Everyone has made good suggestions. THe 330Ci is the convertible no? The IS 300 is another great choice and you can get a loaded on for 30k out the door.
The newer competition TL and G35 are selling well. They are quite a big bigger than the 330 and IS. I call them tweeners, bigger than a 3 and IS, smaller than a 5 and GS.
S4 is another great car, it is a 45-50k ride.

G35c is another nice car, larger than a 330 though. As stated with the manual the power if bumped to 298hp.
The Acura TSX has a high revving 200hp I-4. Its 29k with NAV loaded. Nice interior, FWD though. And the Legacy beat it in Road and Track.

Legacy is another fine beast.

The new Mazdaspeed 6 is coming. AWD, turbo I-4 for 274hp.

The IS 300 and 3 will have new generations next year. Both will offer coupes with a new item. A trick hardtop coupe/targa/convertible. Basically the roof will stop halfway for a NSX-T effect or u can drop it all the way down.

 

It's just as boring to drive, as it is good looking though. Probably a great daliy driver, but for the love of God, don't even try to put anyone over the age of twelve in the backseat, it's unbelievably claustrophobic. And then you've got the fwd, which equals the usual volvo understeer (seen as a safety feautre in Sweden )

So if she's looking for something sporty, go with the 330ci (or M3, I'd bet she'd like that ).

 

1) g-35 coupe
2) acura tl

 

fact... seriously