Click above for a high-res gallery of the U.S.-spec Nissan GT-R.
If you're reading these words right now, there's a good chance you're already too late. Nissan has selected 691 dealerships to begin taking pre-orders of the GT-R, with a price of $69,850 for the base model and $71,900 for the premium variant. Both prices don't include destination and handling charges (let along markups), which have yet to be determined.
Nissan's criteria for deeming a dealer "GT-R Certified" involves making a number of commitments including sales, service and facility requirements, along with having a dedicated "master technician" whose incredibly well-versed in the service of Godzilla. Sales won't be handled by your run-of-the-mill sales person either; the GT-R will only leave the lot under the supposedly expert hands of a dealer principal, executive manager or general manager.
Deliveries are expected to being this June. With only 1,500 GT-Rs on their way to the States and less than 700 dealers handling sales, the price gouging is all but assured.
Nissan's full press release is available after the jump and more information is available at gtrnissan.com.
PRESS RELEASE
2009 Nissan GT-R Supercar Pre-Orders Now Being
Taken At 691 "GT-R Certified" Dealers Nationwide
CHICAGO (Feb. 6, 2008) – Nissan today announced that the all-new Nissan GT-R supercar is now available for pre-ordering at 691 officially certified Nissan dealers across the United States. The 2009 Nissan GT-R, equipped with a 480-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine and advanced 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $69,850 for the GT-R and $71,900 for the GT-R Premium model (exclusive if Destination & Handling). Customer deliveries of the new GT-R are scheduled to begin in June 2008.
Nissan dealers have attained "GT-R Certification" status by meeting a number of strict sales, service and facilities commitments, including dedicating a master technician to GT-R service, special training for service managers and technicians, and designating dealer principals, executive managers and general managers as the primary communicators/negotiators in sales transactions. A listing of GT-R Certified Nissan dealers is available to consumers on nissanusa.com.
"A supercar as special as the new Nissan GT-R – and its owners – requires a truly exceptional level of care and handling," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "These Certified GT-R dealers are making a substantial investment in their showrooms, service tools and technician training – helping ensure that the purchase and ownership of the new GT-R will be an exciting experience for our customers, every step of the way."
About the 2009 Nissan GT-R
The all-new 2009 Nissan GT-R, the fifth-generation of the legendary Nissan supercar, is a multi-dimensional performance machine that lives up to the concept of "the ultimate supercar that can be driven by anyone, anytime, anywhere."
It features an all-new 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 producing 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque (estimated), backed by an all-new, paddle-shifted, GR6-type dual clutch rear transaxle. The new Nissan GT-R is built on an exclusive, all-new Premium Midship platform. This new platform enables the use of a world's first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing handling capability.
The Nissan GT-R's functional styling utilizes advanced aerodynamics, evoking the lines of a well-trained athlete. GT-R's hybrid body construction combines steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum, and features a low coefficient of drag of 0.27, while achieving high front and rear downforce. GT-R's four-passenger cabin features a sloping "aero blade canopy" roofline and curved C-pillar "sword edge," as well as GT-R's hallmark four-ring taillights, functional rear carbon fiber underbody diffuser, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust tips.
GT-R's interior balances functionality with a sense of ease and comfort. It features sculpted performance bucket seats for an optimal driving position, a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and multi-function display – which includes mechanical and driving information, as well as an on-board driving recorder.
Customers can learn more about the 2009 Nissan GT-R through gtrnissan.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Jeff Johnson @ Feb 6th 2008 4:54PM
Tourian: I do agree with what you say, its all about what people will pay. I would not blame a dealer for trying to make as much money as possible.
The thing I would like to comment on is that anyone that buys a care and worries about its resale value is really diluting the whole situation. The bottom line is that a car is a rapidly depreciating asset. When I buy a car, I buy it because I want to own the fun "zoom zoom" as mazda would call it. While resale value is a topic of debate, it's really a cost that I ignore. If I was THAT concerned about a car keeping its value I would just say screw it and go buy the cheapest piece of crap I could find to get me from A to B.
The early adopters that pay 100K+ for a GT-R have no right to bitch about its MASSIVE loss in value (from what they paid) after the first year. Remember its only worth as much as you are willing to pay. And if you want to have a GT-r in your garage in 08 get ready to throw huge amounts of money out the window to get it.
I paid 28.5K for my RX8 in 2005 brand new - when I sell in a few months I will be LUCKY to get $15K for it. Am I mad? no... ive gotten well over 13500 worth of enjoyment out of it.
No offense but anyone that buys a car and worries about the resale price of it when they are signing the papers and forking over 100K might want to re-evaluate the actual purchase itself.
Tsunami Racer @ Feb 6th 2008 5:01PM
markups = first one on the block to have it.
wait a couple months and you can get one at sticker. there are not 1500 people who want one of these AND can afford it. especially by year two and three, they'll be wheel'n and deal'n.
i'm just concerned about standing in line for service at the dealers next to the Axxess miniminivans and Stanza GXE's.
Grain @ Feb 6th 2008 5:39PM
Good post.
Tourian @ Feb 6th 2008 8:12PM
To Jeff: I understand what you are saying. I do not worry too much about resale value when I buy a car either, but then again I would rather it not sink into the toilet. Yes they all depreciate (unless you deal in rare Ferraris or Hemi Cuda convertibles) but some are better then others. If life "comes at you fast" as some say and you have to unload a car for whatever reason, I'd rather be in car that holds its value better then one that doesn't.
With that said, I'd never pay over sticker just to be the first. I can wait, but I don't hate others who would, or hate people that would stand to gain off those that would. Its hypocrisy plain and simple. Everyone in this country has benefitted some how some way because of supply and demand, period bottom line.
993C4S @ Feb 6th 2008 8:32PM
Can "authorized nissan" dealers charge over MSRP? I realize that MSRP is only suggested pricing, but authorized dealers usually sign contracts as part of their licensing agreement.
Most of the times when I see cars selling well above MSRP it is from a private party or a dealer that doesn't carry the brand. So, if you're lucky enough to be one of the first to get one, you then might turn around and sell through a private dealership at a premium and/or an online sale such as ebay.
Just curious.
Rob @ Feb 7th 2008 1:24AM
Is it true that after taking the GTR to the track you must have your vehicle serviced or have the warrenty voided? That and the service is $1000? I read this somewhere (maybe here but I dont think so) in an interview with a tuner, maybe MIME. It might also only be in Japan where they have the GPS track feature.