Is it capitalism at its best or at its worst?As expected a number of Nissan dealers are taking full advantage of the very rare and very desirable GT-R, and tacking on maximum premiums. One dealer is selling the vehicle for $129,000, which is almost twice the suggested retail price.
Okay, I fully understand it's the dealer's right to charge whatever they want. And I also understand it's the right of any customer to pay whatever they want, proving PT Barnum was right all along...
Still, no matter how you cut it, it just doesnât smell right; sorta like really sour milk.
Full story here.
Full story here.
ewilfong says:
07:33 AM, 02/ 1/08
That's GT-R...I thought I was dealing with a different car for a moment.
I agree with your sentiment. They have the right to do it, but I think if I were in the market for any new Nissan and saw a $129,000 price tag on a GT-R, I'd likely go to another dealer.
rsholland says:
08:02 AM, 02/ 1/08
Fixed. Thanks. :)
kurtamaxxxguy says:
08:55 AM, 02/ 1/08
That's no surprise whatever. The GT-R's the most hyped-up car on the planet! One which largely delivers on its hype. One that auto journalists, video game fanatics and connoisseurs of fast and furious driving lust for. And one that's shipping here in __limited qualities__!
Is it any surprise many Nissan dealers, who are independent businesses (so the auto manufacturers continually remind us), are now taking advantage of all this hype to milk whatever they can out of this vehicle?
Those who want to buy the GT-R _right now_ hopefully understand this, and have the bucks to acquire their fantasy.
sabastian says:
10:12 AM, 02/ 1/08
Wasn't Nissan going to try and have their dealers cut down the markups?
daytona_500 says:
11:27 AM, 02/ 1/08
No surprise here. Although I'm sure even the markups wont stop some from getting just because they have to be the first ones to own it.
huyracing says:
11:48 AM, 02/ 1/08
easy, just don't buy one for that price. this is the rare moments where i like dealing with the high end dealerships because most i know do not mark-up. (but do not sell for less than MSRP)
i remember years ago when the Ford GT came out... $120k for a ferrari killer? Sweet! i went to the local Ford dealership and they wanted $250k so i laughed and walked out. utter BS. at least mark ups prevented me from buying the FIT, i definitely would be kicking myself over that purchase.
desmolicious says:
12:16 PM, 02/ 1/08
If you're dumb enough to pay a markup, then more power to the dealer. Here's where mfgs 'forcing' dealers to stick to a price doesn't work. The person who has just bought one at MSRP, because the dealer was not allowed to add a mark up, can turn around and immediately sell it himself for a huge mark up.
It's not the dealers who are at fault, if there was noone who would pay a mark up, mark ups wouldn't exist.
ahightower says:
01:30 PM, 02/ 1/08
I've heard examples of independent retailers being required to sell at MSRP, not above or below (outside of the auto industry). There could be some sort of contractual requirement. I suspect Nissan could control it if they wanted to, but they don't care enough to bother. And besides, if the dealers are forced to sell at MSRP, the lucky few who get their hands on one will just turn around and sell them "used" for the real market price. Hell, I'd do it. Nissan dealers might as well get in on that action. And Nissan benefits from the media exposure.
ateixeira says:
01:57 PM, 02/ 1/08
Dealers have a cash cow on their hands. They can't survive on $300 margins on Sentra for their whole lives.
This is supply and demand. Good for them if they can find a customer dumb enough to pay $129k.
estreka says:
03:23 PM, 02/ 4/08
The GT-R provides big short term gains for dealerships, but I think those dealers (and probably Nissan) will suffer in the long run.
Who cares, though? Nissan would be ripping off the dealers if they made them sell at MSRP. I'd love to head down to a dealership and pay sticker for as many GT-Rs as I could get then sell them on eBay. At least this way you've only got one middleman.