To clarify,
1.) I'm not wedded to the manual, it's just what I'm used to, and I don't have experience with any of the good new automatics.
2.) I'm in no rush, it's not even going to happen for a year or two. I'm doing research now because it's fun, and if something happens to the current car, I'll have some of the research done.
3.) The price range I listed before is flexible. If there's something really good for 35 or so that checks all the boxes, I'll certainly consider it.
Thanks for the advice, all. I'd heard BMWs had issues, but I don't think I realized they were quite as bad as many people here have experienced.