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I just got back from the Memphis International Auto Show. They had a wide selection of all the best cars and trucks available. I got to spend time in the Nissan trucks without being prodded by sales people.

Of course, the Armada was my favorite. It seemed to have everything. Big 305hp engine, 5-speed automatic, aluminum wheels, running boards and even a rear sonar system was standard. Some of the neat frills and options I would have selected were the chrome grill, auto-leveling suspension and the power tailgate. Apart from the price, this was the flagship from Nissan.

The Pathfinder has been around for a while in name only because this Nissan has been completely redesigned. Its much more luxurious and modern on the interior, but still has ample power and features you’d expect from an SUV.

The Xterra seemed more like a young person’s SUV. Not that I’m old . . .but it was cheaper, sure, and it has tow hooks and bumper steps as standard so you can go offloading. Don’t think I’d take my Titan off roading. Still has all the famous features including a first aid kit. This truck is for the adventurous go-getter. The bed has the util-track cargo channel like the Nissan trucks so you can tie down all your cargo. It’s a smaller truck, but it had a good feel.

The Murano is a stylish and eclectic as ever. The dash looks a bit disturbing from outside the vehicle. I noticed several people passing by with “yuck” comments, but once you got in, it looked fine and was appealing from the driver’s point of view. The appearance problem is the speedometer and tach are suspended on top of the dash, not a part of the dash. It does look odd, but it does go with the general styling of the vehicle. It’s a nice vehicle, but its more for city driving. Compare this to the Toyota Highlander.

The Titan Truck is an Armada with a bed. Thankfully, it’s a little cheaper. It is a good looking truck and one of my favorite features on the SE and LE models is the little storage box behind the rear tire, on the fender. That’s thoughtful and handy. Sure, it doesn’t have an in bed trunk like the Honda Ridgeline, but its still all truck.

The Frontier Nismo edition is a great truck with tons of features at a reasonable price. This could easily go from a daily drive to work truck in the same breath. The huge 265 hp V6 can tow up to 6500 pounds. The utility track cargo system and factory spray on bed liner enhances this vehicles work place superiority.

If money grew on trees, I’d have an Armada or a fully loaded titan. But on my budget, that pathfinder is an exceptional SUV. This Frontier Nismo Edition pickup is loaded with goodies at a price lower than you’d imagine.

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Many people have become fascinated with motor cars and engines in the last 100 years as they have become cheaper and more available. Currently a huge trend exists in JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) engines and cars. These cars are not available in other car markets and are primarily made for the Japanese. The benefit of buying these cars second hand from Japan is that they have not usually done many kilometres and are available for relatively cheap.

Nissan used engines imported from Japan often have turbos and extractors as standard. Honda also has some very snazzy engines available and there is quite a trend developing in this line of cars also.

In Australia, currently, the laws allow people to import Nissan engines and other JDM engines and then register the cars as collectors. But the government is changing the rules to say that the cars must be of a certain age to allow this to happen, as too many people have been taking advantage of the law and bringing Nissan and Honda engines into the country and selling them for double what they bought them for in Japan.

The most popular model of Nissan that people like to import is probably the Skyline turbo. It’s a lovely looking sports car and comes with all the addon features such as double overhead cam, turbo, extractors, sports exhaust and all the interior trimmings.

For more info on Nissan used engines see the link provided.

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If you grew up in the 70’s the Datsun/Nissan Z cars where the first import car to become popular with the youth of its day. It was an affordable sports cars built in the traditional European road course style.

The 240Z and the 280Z are legend and if you can find one in mint condition you will pay a pretty penny to get it. The cars of that era where not produced with the high quality steel, used in today’s auto manufacturing. The early cars were prone to rust. They also suffered from poor electrical systems as well.

But today’s Z’s are high quality precision driving machines, with modern electronics and, composite materials to go along with better steel. The Z cars have always been a fun to drive car and today’s 350 Z is no exception.

The 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster is a 2-door, 2-passenger convertible sports car, available in 5 trims, ranging from the Enthusiast to the Grand Touring.

The 350Z is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 300-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission (300 hp) with overdrive is standard, and a 5-speed automatic transmission (287 hp) with overdrive is optional.

The gas mileage is nothing to brag about, but if you can afford a sports car then you can afford the gas. It delivers excellent acceleration and sticks to the road like tar on a hot summers day.

The 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster (msrp $39,715), has been updated for 2006. With styling and features that make it comparable to the Honda S2000, (msrp $34,050) BMW Z4, (msrp $42,100) and the Porche Boxter (msrp $45,000). The 350Z may very well be the best value for your money.

Its roomier than the Honda. The BMW and Porche may give you a little more performance, or at least their nameplates suggest it, but the 350Z is right up there with the BMW’s and the Porche’s. The 350Z also costs $4,000 to 5,000 less than the BMW or the Porche. Plus the total cost to own and operate is way lower than the BMW or the Porsche.

But that’s no reason to pick the 350Z. Its flat out a fun and easy car to drive and will give you as much performance as the BMW’s and the Porches, and it blows the Honda away. The 300 horsepower engine is more than 50 horsepower greater than its rivals and the smooth shifting Nissan transmission, I think is superior to the BMW and Porsche.

It has 5 Trim levels, and is offered in 8 different colors, and a variety of interior packages
that will allow you to customize it to your preferences. Time and again people write that the 350Z is the best value for your money in its class and I agree. With excellent braking and steering its stays true to the road and is easy to drive.

I have heard some complaints that it rides hard, well duh, it’s a sports car not a Cadillac Eldorado.

If you are looking for a fun to drive car with plenty of muscle and excellent handling you have to look at the Nissan 350Z.

You have the author’s permission to reprint the above article as long as you include the author’s resource box. FairportRotary.com/raffle.asp

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