The Honda Civic EX-L and Accord EX-L both would meet her criteria, to the best of my knowledge, and both are excellent cars with excellent resale value, safety, and reliability.
When I helped my gf buy her last two cars, my criteria were stick shift, safety, reliability, and predictably handling. She got a used Accord until she could afford a 350Z. The Z has power that could get her into trouble, but the handling is pretty much predictable understeer, so I don't worry too much. If she daily drove my S2000 I would be scared shitless that she would kill herself in a week.