Nissan GT-R now available for pre-order in the U.S.

If you're one of the several thousand people anxiously waiting to pay nearly double retail for the privilege of owning a Nissan GT-R, you probably already know this. If you're one of those people and you don't know this, you're probably at the back of the line. Nissan's 691 officially certified dealerships have begun taking pre-orders, with customer delivery expected to start in June 2008.

Not every Nissan dealership will be selling the GT-R. To be officially certified as a GT-R seller and servicer, the dealership has to meet a strict set of requirements, including number of sales, service and facilities commitments, having a dedicated master technician on staff just to handle GT-R service, special management and technician training. The only people allowed to sell the GT-R are dealer principals, executive managers and general managers. No sweaty 22-year-olds will be trying to hard-sell you into a GT-R.

The GT-R features a 480hp, twin-turbo 3.8L V6 matched with a six-speed dual clutch gearbox. Not bad equipment for the MSRP of $69,850 (base) or $71,900 (premium) - although you're not likely to get one off the lot for that price. If you want one - or even think you might - get down to your local certified dealer today and put your money on the table. With only 1,500 coming to the U.S. and nearly 700 dealers, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out they'll be going quick.

You can find your local Nissan GT-R dealer by ticking the "GT-R Dealers Only" box at the top of Nissan's Dealer Locator page.