Australia - GTR pricing

[qik_shift]

Hi all,

I've heard so much inconsistency with pricing in Australia for this new GTR, and there has been some discussion over another forum about what the price of the car should be at for it to be a success.

There has been some rumour that the price will range from $120-140k, and other rumours it will be sold for $80k-$100k

If we remember back in the early 90's Nissan failed miserably at selling the GTR. It was sold at a time where the R32 did so well at Bathurst and Nissan thought this would be more than enough to justify its $100k price tag. We knew this was a killer car for the time and good bang for the buck. Why did it not do so well?

Some of my opinions are:
1. It doesn't have a euro badge
2. Grey imports destroyed resale values (this happened after purchase time but willl effect new sales - read below)
3. It was sold at a time where the economy was poor

So now we go 15+ years into the future and we are up to an R35 and Nissan are attempting to sell this car again. Here are some thoughts from me:

- $140k is too much for this sort of car. We are getting close in price to Audi RS4, BMW M3, and other nice cars offered under the euro marque. yes I know the GTR is a much faster and much more of a supercar, but the reality is that an RS4, or M3 for example will be just as much fun to drive - with the practicality of 4 doors so they appeal to a wider market

- People will be scared of grey imports. I already have seen an article in the Drive section of the Herald Sun discussing grey imports of this car. This will make people think twice about resale value. With a euro car, you know the resale will be half-decent, and not hampered by grey imports.

I really do hope I'm wrong if Nissan do sell at this higher price tag, and maybe because the R32 was sold at a time the economy was not great, the car didn;t sell rather than its higher pricetag - but I'm not convinced this is the case.

I'll give myself as an example. If the GTR starts at $80k for a base model and up to $100k for a premium model - I may be in the running to consdier buying myself a new one. If it's $140k, I would not pay this much for the car - regardless of how good it is. I would buy one second-hand, or look at ways I can get a JDM version in my hands for much cheaper.

Also at $140k, don't you think Nissan are being greedy given its markup in price from the JDM models?

Any thoughts? WOuld be great to have a crystal bal right now

[r35gtr]

i would assume the higher price tag for 3 reasons

1 - To align themselves with 'competitors' (the M3, RS4 etc)
2 - People have $$ to spend at the moment - look at the prices some historics are getting!
3 - Supply and Demand. There will only be limited numbers coming in.

[Bishnoff]

Hi all,

I've heard so much inconsistency with pricing in Australia for this new GTR, and there has been some discussion over another forum about what the price of the car should be at for it to be a success.

There has been some rumour that the price will range from $120-140k, and other rumours it will be sold for $80k-$100k

If we remember back in the early 90's Nissan failed miserably at selling the GTR. It was sold at a time where the R32 did so well at Bathurst and Nissan thought this would be more than enough to justify its $100k price tag. We knew this was a killer car for the time and good bang for the buck. Why did it not do so well?

Some of my opinions are:
1. It doesn't have a euro badge
2. Grey imports destroyed resale values (this happened after purchase time but willl effect new sales - read below)
3. It was sold at a time where the economy was poor

So now we go 15+ years into the future and we are up to an R35 and Nissan are attempting to sell this car again. Here are some thoughts from me:

- $140k is too much for this sort of car. We are getting close in price to Audi RS4, BMW M3, and other nice cars offered under the euro marque. yes I know the GTR is a much faster and much more of a supercar, but the reality is that an RS4, or M3 for example will be just as much fun to drive - with the practicality of 4 doors so they appeal to a wider market

- People will be scared of grey imports. I already have seen an article in the Drive section of the Herald Sun discussing grey imports of this car. This will make people think twice about resale value. With a euro car, you know the resale will be half-decent, and not hampered by grey imports.

I really do hope I'm wrong if Nissan do sell at this higher price tag, and maybe because the R32 was sold at a time the economy was not great, the car didn;t sell rather than its higher pricetag - but I'm not convinced this is the case.

I'll give myself as an example. If the GTR starts at $80k for a base model and up to $100k for a premium model - I may be in the running to consdier buying myself a new one. If it's $140k, I would not pay this much for the car - regardless of how good it is. I would buy one second-hand, or look at ways I can get a JDM version in my hands for much cheaper.

Also at $140k, don't you think Nissan are being greedy given its markup in price from the JDM models?

Any thoughts? WOuld be great to have a crystal bal right now

Great post qik_shift. With the current strength of the AUD and low tariffs, Nissan cannot justify asking anymore than $10,000 over the price in Japan. The additional costs (freight, compliance etc) of Nissan exporting the GTR to Australia would probably account for $5,000 - $7,500 tops per vehicle, so asking $140,000 as some have suggested is absolutely ludicrous.

Take the VE SS-V Commodore for example. GM is exporting this vehicle to the USA and badging it as a Pontiac G8. The US version will get Sat-Nav standard, as well as many luxury features from the Calais V and HSV range which are not offered on the SS-V. So any normal person would expect to pay a fair bit more for the added features, freight, RHD to LHD conversion etc. This however is not the case. Apparently, the G8 will be sold for under $35,000 USD (approx. $39,500 AUD) whereas the SS-V in standard form sells for around $52,500 AUD. A saving of over $13,000 AUD!!!

As a general rule, Japan always keeps the best of anything for themselves. Considering this, I myself will be importing a J-Spec TT, even if Australia gets the TT version (and not just the V8 version) and regardless of whether the Australian price is reasonable.

[r35gtr]

(and not just the V8 version)

wheres this coming from? i thought the v8 theory was dead in the water..

[Bishnoff]

(and not just the V8 version)

wheres this coming from? i thought the v8 theory was dead in the water..

I'm still yet to believe that Nissan will only offer one engine setup. Historically, Nissan have always had multiple engine setups; to name a few:

S13 Silvia: CA18DE, CA18DET, SR20DE, SR20DET
Z32 300ZX: VG30DE, VG30DETT
R32 Skyline: CA18i, RB20E, RB20DE, RB25DE, RB20DET, RB26DETT
R33 Skyline: RB20E, RB25DE, RB25DET, RB26DETT
R34 Skyline: RB20DE NEO, RB25DE NEO, RB25DET NEO, RB26DETT, RB26DETT Z2

Regarding offering the TT in Australia, I'm just reminded of how we got shafted on the Z32 300ZX by only getting the N/A version.

[r35gtr]

I guess we cant assume that just because the j-spec order sheets specify the TT, that thats what the au-spec will get

i wonder when the au information will be released?

[Bishnoff]

I guess we cant assume that just because the j-spec order sheets specify the TT, that thats what the au-spec will get

i wonder when the au information will be released?

As soon as the Tokyo Motorshow starts I'm gonna start hitting up the local Nissan dealers for any info I can get my hands on. I'll post anything I find out. I'm also looking into what's involved for importing the GTR and whether it falls under SEVS.

[r35gtr]

Press Days Oct. 24 (Wed.) and 25 (Thu.)
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General Public Days Oct. 27 (Sat.) - Nov. 11 (Sun.)

[qik_shift]

I guess we cant assume that just because the j-spec order sheets specify the TT, that thats what the au-spec will get

i wonder when the au information will be released?

As soon as the Tokyo Motorshow starts I'm gonna start hitting up the local Nissan dealers for any info I can get my hands on. I'll post anything I find out. I'm also looking into what's involved for importing the GTR and whether it falls under SEVS.

Bishnoff,

Please keep me filled in if not on the forum, via PM's as to how you go for Aussie information. I too am interested in the ceoncept of importing a model instead of a potential ludicrous markup buy Nissan. And you are right the JDM spec models always seem to be so much better equipped.

Let's just hope Nissan don't get too greedy over this one.

I've heard about a 3 year rule of some sort which disallows new models to be imported to give manufacturers a chance to release new models int ther own time. Is this true? If this is true, the only way I can see one can legitimately import one is to arrange a private import. Pretty tricky.

[r35gtr]

to be eligible to be on the SEVS list it has to meet certain criteria - mainly not being sold locally. If the application for it to be on the SEVS list is made before Nissan sells them locally then it may be eligible.

Not sure about the 2 or 3 year rule people are talking about - However if you look at the sevs list there are many cars that say the eligble years are up until the current model.(for example) 1998 - current model.

[Bishnoff]

to be eligible to be on the SEVS list it has to meet certain criteria - mainly not being sold locally. If the application for it to be on the SEVS list is made before Nissan sells them locally then it may be eligible.

Not sure about the 2 or 3 year rule people are talking about - However if you look at the sevs list there are many cars that say the eligble years are up until the current model.(for example) 1998 - current model.

I'll be trying to make an application before Nissan starts selling them locally. I haven't heard about the 3 year rule but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. I'll keep everyone informed on my findings.

[Bishnoff]

Okay, so I might have forgotten a few minor expenses. After doing the maths properly, I’ve worked out that the cost of importing a “Premium” version GTR (8,347,500 JPY) to Australia based on the current exchange rate would be $114,631.80 AUD.

That includes $2,700 for freight, $8,191 for import duties, $11,981 for GST, and $12,540 for luxury tax. So after compliance and registration, it’ll cost over $120,000 AUD. Still, if the GTR isn’t being released in Australia until 2009 and the possibility that we won’t get the TT version, it still might be a viable option.

[qik_shift]

The luxury car tax kills it doesn't it?

I'd say odds on that we'll get a TT version here.

[Bishnoff]

The luxury car tax kills it doesn't it?

I'd say odds on that we'll get a TT version here.

Pretty stupid really. I've only ever imported low cost vehicles from Japan in the past so I never really thought about all the taxes. But to be paying $30,000 AUD to the Government for nothing makes you stop and think.

[qik_shift]

Hmm well goauto has revealed we can expect a $150k pricetage in Australia.

Why is it so f'ing dear here? It sells for $75k in Japan and $80k US. Why the massive markup?

I just hope it sells, because Nissan Australia are struggling to make sales and need an affordable flagship to improve their image.