Nissan Figaro - what say you Oppo?

"rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S" (rb1971)
01/03/2014 at 19:21 • Filed to: None

As some of you may know, I travel frequently to Australia for family reasons since my wife is from Sydney. (Being forced to go to paradise is not one of life's greatest misfortunes ever.)

We are considering buying a beach car for Aus since we are here frequently, we spend thousands on rentals per year, and we are looking to develop local credit (she hasn't lived here in years) to make a house purchase in the next 2 years.

My requirements for a car in Aus are: small, efficient, beach-appropriate and fun. There are two Nissan Figaros nearby, a car I've always liked the looks of (and my wife LOVES). I'm sure it's no performer, but the laws in Aus plus the wrong-side driving are not conducive to hoonitude anyhow.

Does anyone have first-hand experience with these? Am I wrong to think that mechanically they are pretty basic Nissans and therefore likely somewhat bulletproof?

Here's a pic from where we're staying, taken just now:

DISCUSSION (5)

Simplify, then add beer > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
01/03/2014 at 19:31

You see a few of these around in Sydney, but the thing to remember is that they were never sold by Nissan in Australia. Which means servicing and parts is going to be tricky. Plus insurance is a lot higher for imported cars due to idiots bringing in cheap Skylines/Soarers and wrapping them around trees.

Still, very cool car. Have you also looked at the Daihatsu Copen and the Suzuki Cappuccino?

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
01/03/2014 at 19:58

I want one here in the States. I think they are soo cool. Especially in that Sea-Foam 50's green.

But 3-speed auto = sucks. At least it's boosted. Should be a fun car. I'd bet you could do some suspension work and make it at least fun enogh to drive.

They guys from Might Car Mods had one for a little bit. Aren't they based on the Micra? I doubt parts would be too hard to get. The unique stuff would be hard to find.

davedave1111 > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
01/03/2014 at 22:03

First up, I detest them. I think they're nasty faux-retro, and creepy as hell. That's just a matter of taste, but fair warning, I may be a little biased.

Mechanically, they're a 1st-gen Micra underneath, I think. (I went to check on Wikipedia, but it says it's on the Nissan B platform - clearly wrong because the Figaro's a decade before that.) The first gen Micra was launched in 1982. Simplicity ought to be there, but you wouldn't expect any sort of even vaguely modern refinement, handling, ride quality, performance, or fuel economy. Possibly it's a second-gen Micra, but I don't think so.

They're not terrible, if you like the styling, but if the prices in Australia are anything like the prices in the UK, they're ludicrously expensive for what they are. If they were priced a bit higher than an equivalent age Micra I could see it, but they're around the price of a brand new one.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > davedave1111
01/04/2014 at 03:01

Styling-wise I like them and the wife loves them. I'd probably rather have a 500 Abarth but there is a bit of "not available in the US" which appeals to me about the Figaro.

But if it's based on early-80s microcar tech, I might be put off.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
01/13/2014 at 18:50

Comfortable turbo rearwheel drive convertible? Why not.