Have you visited the V-series section yet? If not feel free to chk in there, most of your questions will be answered. With regards to the 350z VS V35 argument, you can make either one look better than the other any day of the week with some nice wheels and kit but practicality wise I'd go the V35 with the two extra seats for my kids.
Auto vs manual is a personal preference, test drive both preferably a series 2 auto (aluminium center console and leather gear boot) to compare. The auto's on these things are not to be laughed at as the torque is pretty respectable.