Definately a JAFA. You live in NZ, sorry for giving a local opinion.

Here's a good option for your area and roads. http://www.ooyyo.com/new+zealand/c=CDA31D7114D28541111BA56FBA333544CD831D/-9192050112273667439.html/#images

Lets you show your manliness in AK driving conditions. And handles your roads and traffic exactly like a Ferrari does

I bought (actually told her to buy) a 2005 VW Passat Wagon 1.8T for my sister in the USA, when she moved there. Low mileage and good price. It's a VW so it has no soul and it's boring to drive, but it does its job pretty well and it's cheap to mantain. She hates the looks but couldn't be happier with the service it's providing. Volvo is a great choice if as mblixt said you just want a car that is a car.

Probably going to go for the Volvo, need to drive one first then if it's any good, find one with the specs I expect. Black or dark blue, non-leather seats, no ugly woodgrain interior panels, tiptronic, 2.4l petrol and maybe a turbo.