This Week in Ask.cars.com

We’ve all heard that, second to the average person’s home, their most valuable possession is their car. When it’s time to buy that car and you have no idea where to start, there’s no doubt the decision is daunting. This week at Ask.cars.com, we answered that very question — where a first-time car buyer should start the search — plus a few more things that puzzled readers.

• Any suggestions for a first-time car buyer?
• Is the 2008 Nissan 350Z going to change in looks from the 2007?
• How can you find if a car is made in America?
• Is there going to be a Saturn Aura Red Line model in 2008 or 2009?
• How do I find what my car is worth?
• What are some cheap seven-passenger vehicles?
• When will the 2008 Ford Fusion hit showrooms?
• Can I get heated seats with cloth instead of leather?

The Week in Ask.cars.com

It’s been another week of terrific questions from Ask.cars.com readers. Our crack research staff has been hot on the phone with automakers and questioned our reviewers about driving impressions and more to make sure no automotive inquiry is left unturned. Check out the latest entries below. If you have a question you want answered, submit it at Ask.cars.com.

• Does the Nissan 350Z convertible have a hardtop?
• When will the new 2008 Ford Taurus X go on sale?
• How can you spot an all-wheel-drive Cadillac?
• Does the Honda CR-V or Mitsubishi Outlander have easier steering?
• Does the Impala use drive-by-wire technology?

Nissan Prices 2007 Nismo 350Z

The Ford Mustang isn’t the only sports car with gussied-up, high-performance trims. The 2007 Nissan Nismo 350Z was introduced at this year’s New York auto show with its over-the-top body kit, beefed-up suspension and bigger brakes. Now the price for all that is known: $38,070.

The top-of-the-line Grand Touring 350Z starts at $36,100, so the price bump to $38,070 doesn’t seem that bad. Dealers are taking orders as of today. Let us know if you’re one of the people heading in to put your name to paper for one of these, and why.

Related
2007 Nissan 350Z Expert Review (Cars.com)
2007 Nissan Nismo 350Z Photo Gallery (KickingTires)
2007 New York Auto Show: Nismo 350Z (Cars.com)

Friday Fleet Notes: 6.1.07

This week’s Fleet Notes will be brief because we covered so much last week, but one interesting tidbit comes from a staffer who got to drive the new version of his own car. Is he jealous? A bit.

2007 Nissan 350Z

As a current owner of a 2005 350Z (above right), I jumped at the chance to take the new 2007 for a drive. I did most of my driving on the busy streets of Chicago, running some errands, but I also got the opportunity to take it on the track at Road America in Wisconsin. There were many subtle changes from my ‘05 ride to the new ’07, some of which took place in the 2006 update.

Cars.com Reviews 2007 350Z

My week driving the 2007 350Z involved a daily commute to downtown Chicago, hundreds of highway miles and a few rounds on a racetrack. I don’t usually get to give each car that thorough a thrashing, but the stars aligned for the new Nissan, and luckily the car held up to the added scrutiny. Check out the full review to see just how much Nissan has improved its affordable sports car. 

2007 Nissan 350Z Expert Review

2007 Nissan Nismo 350Z Photo Gallery

On Wednesday, Nissan dropped the veil on its upcoming performance variation of the 350Z. Already a popular sports car in its regular trim, the 350Z Nismo has quite a few exterior alterations and a few upgrades to the Z’s suspension, exhaust and more.

Below are 18 new photos of the Nismo 350Z. For more information, check out our original post here.

Extra Z: 2007 Nissan Nismo 350Z

As we’ve seen in The Great Car Faceoff, the Nissan 350Z has some serious fans. Those fans are being addressed with the new Nismo 350Z, a race-inspired version of the sports coupe. Nismo is the brand of high-performance parts for Nissan vehicles.

Added to this 350Z are aerodynamic kits for the front, side and rear of the car, along with a rear wing. On the performance side, there are larger Brembo brakes, a tuned exhaust and lightweight wheels. There are also some interior touches special to the Nismo addition. Engine power remains the same as the base 2007 350Z, 306 hp.

The Nismo goes on sale in July.

New 2007 Nissan 350Z Gets Price Tag

We’ve been getting a lot of inquiries about the new 350Z and its new 306-hp V-6 engine. The cars are officially on sale today, and Nissan has given us a lot more info. The coupe and roadster sport mildly altered front ends, but most eyes will focus on the new bulging hood harboring that engine. Otherwise, the 350Z looks very much the same as any you’ve already seen on the road. That’s probably why the company only bumped the price $250 over the outgoing model.

The coupe will start at $27,900, while the roadster will start at $35,500. Keep reading for the full breakdown on prices and more photos.

Related:
Nissan Sneaks 2007 350Z Into L.A. Auto Show
Nissan Improving 350Z for '07

Nissan Sneaks 2007 350Z Into L.A. Auto Show

During the mad rush of last week’s media days at the L.A. Auto Show, we somehow forgot to mention there was a pre-production 2007 350Z sitting in the same area as the all-new Sentra SE-R and Altima coupe. The new 350Z, while looking just like the 2006 version, will sport the same engine as the all-new Infiniti G35 and produce 306 hp. 

That may not sound like a lot more than the 300 hp the previous 350Z put out, but with a new method of calculating power ratings in place, the 306 hp figure is roughly 17 - 20 hp more than the 2006’s actual output.

Don’t expect a new design for the 350Z next year, but we’re hoping that by 2008 it will get the same treatment the G35 did.

Update: Autoblog was on its toes at the L.A. Auto Show and snapped this picture of the 2007 350Z complete with a new bulging hood to harness its upgraded engine.

Related: Nissan Improving 350Z for '07