Go the 944 route.
Definitely safe, keep in the Porsche family, has enough power to get out of its own way, plus you can probably pick up a decent one for $3k.
I looked at an E30 325 before the 944 (both same asking price). If it wasn't rotting, it would've been a tough choice. A big plus for a 944 is the galvanizing. You'll have the car for awhile, assuming she's careful. Not so sure about the VWs and older BMWs.