--- title: "There’s a New Nissan Z With a $74K Markup—But the Dealer Isn’t Selling It Just Yet" description: "A dealership in Bellevue, Washington has a Nissan Z Proto Spec listed with a markup of $73,881." date: "2022-08-22" modified: "2022-08-22" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/theres-a-new-nissan-z-with-a-74k-markup-but-the-dealer-says-it-isnt-for-sale-yet" categories: - "Car Buying" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" tags: - "Coupe" - "Nissan" - "sports car" - "z" --- # There’s a New Nissan Z With a $74K Markup—But the Dealer Isn’t Selling It Just Yet ![]() *\Nissan / The Drive\* Dealerships just keep getting more brazen with their markups. Taking advantage of the market's supply and demand is understandable—I don't like it, but I get it. However, it just doesn't sit right when you see examples like this one from Bellevue Nissan in Washington. They've got a 2023 [Nissan Z ]()Proto Spec with an MSRP of $54,915, plus a market adjustment of $73,881, *plus* a $1,195 dealership protection package. This brings the total asking price to $129,991, as [a Reddit post]() originally highlighted. In reality, though, they might not be selling it just yet. It's a long and winding story, so let's start from the beginning. This is how it went when we initially reached out to Bellevue Nissan: ![]() Now, you should be able to buy some other brand new sports cars for the same money, including a Porsche 911 Carrera S, a [Chevy Corvette Z06](), a Mercedes-AMG GT, and a BMW M4 Competition. All of these are faster, more capable, and more premium sports cars. Don't get me wrong, the Nissan Z is a good car, but it's not 911 Carrera S good. So why would this dealer slap on such a massive markup? It all has to do with the Proto Spec and its limited availability. Only 240 Proto Spec Z cars will make it to U.S. shores, making them quite rare. Not every Nissan dealer will be able to get one in its showroom, so Bellevue Nissan wants to capitalize on its good fortune. I called several Nissan dealers across the country and, as it turns out, Bellevue is one of the fortunate few to have a Proto Spec Z in their inventory at the moment. This is why they might actually want to hold onto it. ![]() When we first reached out to Bellevue Nissan, we were told that the advertised markup was accurate and that they were taking offers. However, when we spoke to them on the phone Monday morning, a sales manager told us the car isn't actually for sale just yet. Due to the limited nature of the Proto Spec Z, they said they want to keep the car for a little while longer to give more customers a chance to see it. I asked if the dealer would sell the Proto Spec Z if a customer offered them their full $129,991 asking price, to which they were noncommittal. I then enquired if the markup would be negotiable if and when they do finally decide to sell it and the sales manager said that it would be. Of course, the longer they hold onto the Z, the less demand there's going to be, as more and more dealers start receiving them. ![]() Is the Nissan Z Proto Spec worth paying such a hefty markup for over the standard car? It's admittedly a little bit nicer than the Z Performance or Sport lines. The Proto Spec gets exclusive Ikazuchi Yellow interior trim and stitching, exclusive leather and suede seats, exclusive yellow Akebono brake calipers, and bronze 19-inch Rays wheels. However, all Z models get the optional Ikazuchi Yellow paint, so most of the Proto's visual differences are subtle. And the Z's normal Performance trim has all of the same mechanical components as the Proto Spec. This is why Bellevue Nissan will probably give in and sell the car if someone with deep enough pockets is impatient enough to pay for it. Customers are hoping that doesn't happen, though, as it might set a precedent for other dealers to adjust their Proto Spec examples sky high when they get them in. *Got a tip or question about the author? Contact them directly: nico.demattia@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()