Although the Nissan GT-R will sticker for about $69,000 when it goes on sale in the U.S. later this year, prospective buyers will be hard pressed to find any Nissan dealers to offer the supercar at that price. The combination of the GT-R’s limited availability and Nissan’s lack of dealer pricing control could see some of the turbocharged coupes going for as high as $129,000 — nearly double the car’s MSRP.
Exhaustnote.com called on 15 Nissan dealers through the United States and found that the GT-R will command at least $20,000 over its window sticker. Several dealers even said they were going to handle GT-R sales like an auction, pitting prospective buyers against one another.
One dealership in Carson, California said they would markup the GT-R by about $50,000 — joking the markup would be about the same as a new Nissan 350Z and Sentra.
The highest markup found was $60,000, bringing the GT-R’s out-the-door price to a staggering $129,000.
The huge markups are due to extremely limited availability of Nissan’s latest supercar — only 2,500 GT-Rs will be available in the U.S. this year. Most dealerships will only get 2 or 3 cars, but most have waiting lists at least 40 people deep.
While Nissan has counseled its dealers on markups — one of the GT-R’s greatest assets was supposed to be amazing performance at a value price — the Japanese automaker has no control over how much dealers will actually charge.


01/31, 1:45 PM
posted by:
roger426
wow!…slower and more expensive than Zr1
01/31, 1:46 PM
posted by:
crash1433
I can’t wait until all the idiots that screamed about the gt500 dealer markup read this. All the sudden your righteous nissan dealer, who some of you annointed the right hand of god, have decided to make some profit. Because before this I’m sure that they had cars on their lot merely as a convenience to you the shopper. I’m sure it won’t even be an issue because its an import dealer. However, if this was an article on the ZR1 it would be the ripoff dealers taking advantage of consumers and funding terrorists with the money.
01/31, 1:46 PM
posted by:
DrFill
By summer’s end, sticker will be the price. Fools rush in.
It can do virtually anything.
Except look sexy.
DrFill
01/31, 1:47 PM
posted by:
pmpvtkc
Let them fight it out and then the dust will settle after a couple / few years. But then a Spec V will be out and there will be another fight.
Don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to have this car and even though if I had 130K sitting around, I don’t think I would let any dealer to take advantage of me.
01/31, 1:49 PM
posted by:
jamaicandude
Everybody knew this was coming. There’s no way I’d pay $120k for a $70k car. Thank God I don’t live in the US. I’ll get mine with a few miles on it for close to the sticker price.
01/31, 1:49 PM
posted by:
G
That’s ridiculous.
The whole (well, not whole …) allure of this car was the value! I wouldn’t lay down over $100k for a GTR!
Unfortunately not a whole lot can be done about this.
Oh, I was in Tokyo about a month ago and I got to see the GTR in Nissan’s Ginza showroom. Oddly enough the biggest fanfare came from Westerners, many of them Europeans. Very interesting car … have a bunch of pictures.
I also actually saw one on the road, being trailed by a Turbo in Roppongi.
01/31, 1:52 PM
posted by:
G
Oh … and btw, who thinks that they’ll be picking up a ZR-1 for sticker, raise your hands…
I see a few already … ok please stand up so we can all see who you are …
01/31, 1:53 PM
posted by:
Scarface03
No surprise here. Anyone who didn’t think there’d be price gouging was fooling themselves. Whether American or import, it’s always going to be the same: if you have a popular, super-exclusive model, with demand far exceeding supply, the dealers will profit. MSRP means little.
And, roger426, if you’re talking about a drag race, then the ZR1 probably has the GT-R beat. But around a track, we’ll see. I have to keep in mind that Nissan has formally claimed that the GT-R can lap the ‘Ring within seconds of a Carrera GT. Track tests of the GT-R will be hot stuff.
01/31, 1:59 PM
posted by:
roger426
Scarface…I just like to get a rise out of the Gt-r guys they are die-hard that this thing will smoke a ZR-1. I think your right about the ZR-1 vs. gt-r on the track, but I have seen the ZR-1 lap at laguna seca at it looked really fast!!…I was very surprised!…I think it has a chance.
01/31, 2:00 PM
posted by:
pmpvtkc
Let him get a ZR1, I don’t recall ZR1 lapping the ‘Ring in 7:38.54.
01/31, 2:00 PM
posted by:
roger426
LP you are the perfect example of the morons you talk about!!
01/31, 2:02 PM
posted by:
roger426
I dont know as that the ZR-1 has lapped the ‘Ring yet?
01/31, 2:02 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Let the dealers have their fun. Let the players have their fun. It’s only money.
01/31, 2:08 PM
posted by:
jamaicandude
The ZR-1 will not sell for sticker. Neither did new Porsche 911 turbos. Quit acting like this is a new phenomenon only confined to certain brands. If it’s a good car, and especially if it’s sold in limited numbers, the dealers go nuts on the pricing. That’s how it always has been. Those bitching about it, get a clue.
01/31, 2:09 PM
posted by:
frylock350
Why doesn’t Nissan just make more of them if there is a demand. I mean as long as they don’t over-produce they’re not doing themselves harm and actually probably making more profit.
So this could hit $130k. What makes you think Chevy dealers will be content to sell the ZR1 for MSRP. I’m sure it will command some premium pricing as well. When alls said and done the Nissan will still be more “affordable” than a ZR1.
The allure of GT-R is more than its value. Its the sweetest turbo AWD car there is. Its like a super-EVO. GT-R is one of the few Japanese cars I like (and few cars I like period). But I’d still rather have a 98 Supra despite its not being anywhere near as good of a car.
As far as track day goes, the ZR-1 will eat the GT-R unless the track is wet or made of dirt. ZR1’s handling is excellent and gives up nothing to GT-R. In the straightaways the ZR1 will have its way with GT-R. Personally I’d like to see the GT-R’s rally car potential. With some suspension modifications, etc I’m sure GT-R could dominate rally racing.
01/31, 2:12 PM
posted by:
roger426
^What he said
01/31, 2:15 PM
posted by:
pmpvtkc
Chevrolet dealers will make you to bend over and grab your ankles! Anyone who thinks ZR1 will sells close to MSRP needs to have their brain checked out.
01/31, 2:17 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
I am thinking about being a dick on this. My company has cooperative program with Nissan that (in theory) lets me buy any Nissan available stateside for under dealer invoice (not MSRP). At the moment the program does not exclude the GTR. I might do it …
01/31, 2:18 PM
posted by:
roger426
Wow can you imagine making a million on a car that will sticker for $100,000 thats pretty amazing.
01/31, 2:19 PM
posted by:
pmpvtkc
Until this GT-R dusts all settle down, I’ll just get the 370Z in 2009 and have fun with it for a while.
01/31, 2:22 PM
posted by:
roger426
^What happen to your original name.
01/31, 2:40 PM
posted by:
F451
Most of us subscribe to a Free Market, so be it. Hell, more power to the dealer that makes an extra buck or two here and thereāit’s the American way.
01/31, 3:02 PM
posted by:
frylock350
Not $1mil, but I bet dealers will charge ~$150k for ZR1s. Possibly more. I’m a moron for assuming that a hot limited availability car won’t be marked up?
pmpvtkc, if you want a GT-R like experience on a budget you might consider a Subaru STi or Mistibishi EVO instead. They have alot more in common with GTR (as far as driving character) than the 370Z.
01/31, 3:03 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
The GT-R is fast, but it’s not THAT fast. The Z06 will beat the GT-R in the quarter mile, 0-150, 0-150-0, and it’ll also beat it on the Nurburgring if it is run with R-compound tires. The 7:42 time the Z06 ran on the ‘ring was run on its stock runflat tires (which pretty much suck). R-compound tires are good for at LEAST 4 seconds on a long track like the Nurburgring, especially in a high horsepower RWD car like the Z06.
The Porsche 911 Turbo’s ‘ring time was run on R-compound tires, and the GT-R’s 7:38 is not an official time (it was estimated by casual observers), and I have no idea which tires they were using to get it (chances are, not the stock runflats). The Veyron was never run on the ‘ring for any official time, and actually the Veyron probably wouldn’t do that well as the car isn’t that great of a handler.
Anyway, I like the GT-R, but there’s no way in hell I would pay ANY markup for one. And anyone I see with the first GT-R’s I can say for sure they are either filthy rich, or they are complete morons for paying a $60k premium for a Nissan. Most of them will fall in the latter category.
01/31, 3:16 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
Yeah, that is a very steep markup. 130k something I would not pay for a Nissan. lol also something I wouldn’t pay for a Corvette either. While yeah most cars like these do experience a markup, when the ZO6 debuted there wasn’t too much of a markup while there was some, it wasn’t practically double the sticker of the car. Also the markup didn’t last long at all because people were purchasing the ZO6 at sticker soon afterward.
I like the GT-R. If I was in the market for a premium sports car, it’d be a tough decision between this and a brand new ZO6.
However if I had my choice I’d just buy the ZR1 and call it a day. And yeah the ZR1 hasn’t had an official “gring” time released yet. So that we don’t know yet.
01/31, 3:20 PM
posted by:
DaBun07
im sorry i already thought that 70k for a nissan was a lot …but 120k is just ridiculous…im not to fond of the the way it looks either..compared to everything else available for 70k the performance offered is amazing…
01/31, 3:45 PM
posted by:
rsg
Note it says “as high as” in the headline. Just because some dealer in CA says their going to mark it up 50K doesn’t mean they actually will and certainly doesn’t mean it will sell for anything close to that. I could see some wealthy Skyline nut maybe paying 10 grand over, maybe 20 initially just to be the first with the thing. Everybody else, once the novelty wears off, will realize everything else in the price range with more panache, performance be damned (see NSX).
01/31, 4:12 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Mr. Supply, meet Mr. Demand. Capitalism works because it’s based on two basic human behaviors: greed and selfishness. This isn’t an investment, it’s conspicuous consumption; the laws of reason do not apply.
01/31, 4:26 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
We’ll see if Mr. Demand is there for $120k. I don’t think it will be, and if it is, it won’t be there for long.
Just because dealers are “asking” $120k right now, doesn’t mean they’re getting it. It’s easy to sell cars with pent up demand that aren’t even here yet. First ones won’t be here till what? August?
01/31, 5:13 PM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
Thats smart investing!
I just bought for $250K from a guy who had bought the house for $377K 15 months earlier. So obviously I will be looking for a list or registry of the fools who blew their wad on this prematurely.
01/31, 5:25 PM
posted by:
Wickedated
Rich people have disposable income, they don’t give a fvck if it’s marked up. It’s for those who can, not for those who wish. Both the Vette and the GT-R are very close perfomance-wise, and they probably don’t cross-shop either- you either like rice or you like American muscle. Until a reputable magazine does a shootout, every number remains speculation. The ZR-1 has not lapped the Nurburgring yet and it should, with sticky tires.
01/31, 5:36 PM
posted by:
gbb
$130K for a stinking Datsun?????………..They ar kidding………right?
01/31, 6:03 PM
posted by:
affliction
for $130K, you’d be a fool not to get the turbo 911 and actually I would rather get the gt3rs
01/31, 6:33 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
my sentiments exactly Wickedated.
Yeah affliction for that price and 10k more you could get yourself a nice Porsche 911 GT2 or GT3, which I’d buy at that price in a heartbeat.
01/31, 7:44 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Holy crap O_o
Can’t say I’m surprised at this, though.
Thank god I’m going to BUILD my own performance car (1st gen Camaro)
01/31, 8:20 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
Woo.
01/31, 8:20 PM
posted by:
Veda
global_lightning: Damn right!
01/31, 10:00 PM
posted by:
PhreknQwk
I keep telling people…the market price for a car is what people are willing to pay for them.
The reason the GT500’s are selling for what they are is because there was no shortage of people coming in and paying what THEY felt they were worth.
I actually believe this car is worth a markup based on supply and deman. $50,000 over, No.
$5-$15k…maybe.
01/31, 10:00 PM
posted by:
stick2clutch
global_lightning: I second that too…
But as far as that price though…. 911 Turbo please.
01/31, 10:06 PM
posted by:
441Zuke
i would tell them to suck my balls and that i will be going to a different dealership when the demand dies off
01/31, 11:00 PM
posted by:
stick2clutch
GT3 will do too. check it out.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9183739864458403027&q=porsche&total=46612&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1
02/01, 3:26 AM
posted by:
damaged1
..ha hhhhhhhahhaaaaaaahhaaahahhhahahahaa
….and so with one burst from their mighty nostrils, the Nissan dealers ended the wet dreams of the ricer gtr nut swingers near and far…..
02/01, 8:45 AM
posted by:
e46Ne90
hahaha, forget the turbo or gt3, ill even take c2 over this anyday
02/01, 9:59 AM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
yeah…. LP640, why don’t you do some research before you shoot your mouth off.
http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-gt2/
The 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 costs not 130K (U.S. Dollars) but 191k… Almost 200k
It has 530hp and 503trq.
vs
Corvette ZR1 with 620+ HP 600+ trq @100k even.
You can also claim that the Porsche handles better but when the magazines get a hold of the ZR1 we’ll see…
02/01, 10:17 AM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
Oh yeah and manufacture 0-60 claim? 3.6 seconds. So that’s 1/10th of a second quicker than a ZO6 that has less HP without AWD of course. Sorry but I while I do love Porsche’s bang for buck, Corvette owns Porsche.
The GT-R is going to be the closest competitor to the Corvette. Only will I looks at a GT-R when it actually goes for its indicated sticker price, because all of you can claim that you wouldn’t pay a lot for a Chevy I’d spend 100k on a ZR-1 with more performance and almost 100k less than a GT2.
02/01, 10:34 AM
posted by:
Htay5500
GTR or Z06 are my 1st 2 choices BEFORE than GT2.
02/01, 11:40 AM
posted by:
jumpoffit
wouldn’t you just be able to import the japanese version of the GTR since it’s already out in japan and just import one here when the States get them? Or have they outlawed the importation of the new GTRs?
02/01, 12:31 PM
posted by:
sanfranmac
The only thing that always stays ahead of human innovation, is human GREED. For a while at least,, Nissan’s bastardealers (there’s one right here in Serramonte- SF Bay area) will make thrice as much from each GTR sale as Nissan itself does.
Meanwhile- half of LLN’s posters will yap on incessantly about the ZR-1, and this and that. Seems inanity can keep up pretty well with innovation too.
02/01, 1:53 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
Hey LP, How much does a base Corvette cost? 45k What does Nissan offer that could mildly compete with it in its price range… Hmm a 350Z that stock isn’t even a comparison.
Ok soo lets see a true stickered GT-R will cost around 70k the same price of a new ZO6, and yeah it’s slighty faster good for the GT-R. It’s also AWD.
Also whatever happened to your argument about the Porsche 911 GT2? Oh wait I totally killed your argument on that one. If you had any brains you would have not said crap about that one.
02/01, 1:58 PM
posted by:
Buivrolet
SS, he’s probably not even worth arguing with. His typing style and reference to penis size in his name shows how advanced his intellect is…about the same as that of an opinionated twelve year old.
As far as the GT-R is concerned, the markup on these things is ridiculous, and it’s only due to the name recognition of the vehicle and not the merits of the car itself. If there’s anything I despise, it’s purchasing something based on a nameplate. It’s a fine car, but not that fine.
02/01, 3:07 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
You could always finance it with a 3/30 ARM adjustable…
02/01, 3:49 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
By the time I’m ready for mine, the price will be somewhat more reasonable.
frylock350 “Why doesn’t Nissan just make more of them if there is a demand?”
To control things, to keep people salivating over it.
02/01, 6:21 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Just say “no” and move on.
02/04, 12:02 PM
posted by:
zooachtiv
I guess Im a lucky one.. First on the list w/o a markup.. THANK YOU LOCAL DEALER!!!!
It was their opinion to have the car in someones hands who will drive it everyday. NOT some no-dick-doctor who will drive it on Sunday and never service the car.
Same cant be said for when I approached my cousin who owns a large Nissan dealership..
He told me at least $20K, or whatever the market bares.. I told him to F.O.
Nothing like having a car salesman in the family!