Nissan Figaro - whaddywe know?

[purplebargeken]

Mrs PBK like's them. A lot.

 

Would be happy to have one but would need to flog everything I have in order to get one (well apart from the green dolomite she doesn't know about).

 

They seem to cost around £3K upwards.

 

What do we know about them? I know they only come in auto (which isn't a problem), 1 litre turbo, 4 colour options only, Micra underpinnings, reasonably active OC.

[steveo3002]

they rust like a mofo and hard /expensive to get parts for 

[Bazfr69]

As has been said, rust is their main weakness.

 

Although trim parts are awkward mechanicals aren’t hard to find as it’s basically a Micra of sorts underneath (with a few foibles)

 

I researched them a while ago along with the Pao and it’s really only the price that put me off in the end.

[steveo3002]

long thread on the migforum a guy rebuilt one...might put you off or teach you to take a magnet with you

[purplebargeken]

I am attuned to rust, I have a Triumph (or two).

 

PAO.... hmmmmm.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

To my knowledge they are all automatic K10 Micras.  As others have said, it's trim and internal fittings that are hard to get hold of.  Switchgear, etc.

 

Not that many made and most have migrated over here, even the Japanese-market ones.

[vulgalour]

Certainly a car that holds its value and they still turn heads.  I was looking at getting one a few years ago, before rust was so much of an issue, and learned that I didn't really want a 2 seat automatic Micra.  However, if you do want a 2 seat automatic Micra that looks cute, then this is a good choice.  The Pao is a bit more practical, until you need Pao-specific trim bits and panels, at which point they're a pain in the arse.

 

I came to the conclusion I'd rather have a Daihatsu Copen.  Then bought a Rover 414.

[steveo3002]

To my knowledge they are all automatic K10 Micras.  As others have said, it's trim and internal fittings that are hard to get hold of.  Switchgear, etc.

 

Not that many made and most have migrated over here, even the Japanese-market ones.

 are they not also turbo ?    

[busmansholiday]

Sis and BiL have had one for a fair few years. They have been on Figaro rallies all over the UK and northern Europe and absolutely love it. To my knowledge they're had few or little problems with it but like most of them, they are summer cars. Like buying any car, buy the best you can, with these, body condition is more important than the mechanical bits as they are basically a Micra.

[anonymous user]

I know it's just a Micra in a 1950s party frock but I quite like them, I doubt I would ever buy one as they are just too expensive for what they are. Always preferred the Scargo, but they're not cheap and rot like anything as well.

[somewhatfoolish]

long thread on the migforum a guy rebuilt one...might put you off or teach you to take a magnet with you

Definitely read that thread, it's an eyeopener; they rust for sport.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

 are they not also turbo ?    

 

 

They are.

 

I saw three or four of them over the weekend.  The good weather has brought them out.

[captain_70s]

Loads of them kicking around Glasgow.

 

K10 mechanicals so fairly robust but they do seem to rot, doubt they're any worse than a K10 though, not seen one in years.

 

Are the outer panels fibreglass?

[Bren]

Think japanese ka with expensive parts

[purplebargeken]

S Cargo................ I love them, Mrs PBK also likes them, PAO and S Cargo as viable options, hmmmmm.

 

Any buyers for a Rover 45 of much smoothness?

[somewhatfoolish]

Loads of them kicking around Glasgow.

 

K10 mechanicals so fairly robust but they do seem to rot, doubt they're any worse than a K10 though, not seen one in years.

 

Are the outer panels fibreglass?

Wob is technically fibreglass, so most are these days.

[3VOM]

K10 mechanicals so fairly robust but they do seem to rot, doubt they're any worse than a K10 though, not seen one in years.

 

Are the outer panels fibreglass?

No - steel panels. OK round town but crap for high speed cruising - auto box is 3 speed. Lots of enthusiasts and club type stuff. Parts not cheap except mechanicals that are off the Micra. Some parts are crazy prices, check the cup holder, radio and "polo mint" wheel covers. Tom of Tom's Turbo Garage has one. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaeETZPdShsPqdK8wFbBKacImnfTtBOy-

 

https://www.figaroownersclub.com/category/buying-advice/

[Bazfr69]

Might as well throw the Be-1 into the mix too.

[purplebargeken]

Oh well, doesn't like the Pao which I actually really do like. very retro.

[Marm Toastsmith]

Oh well, doesn't like the Pao which I actually really do like. very retro.

 

My sister had a Pao about 15 years ago. It was brilliant.

 

Saying that it was rusty and overpriced when she bought it then... but she did actually make a small profit when she sold it on - following a shitload of welding. But these little things hold their value.

 

Also made a warning sound over about 65mph which stopped it being very fast.

 

Whenever I've looked at them I've always concluded that they're just too expensive for something that's likely to be at least 10% body filler. Still, should be cheap enough to run...

[purplebargeken]

Yes, prices are very salty.

 

JDM cars have little or no rustproofing from new I believe.

[Dirk Diggler]

Speaking of Micra based, has she heard of the Mitsuoka Viewt? Similar pricing but these and Figaro's have been common since new here; I'm forever amazed that people are impressed by them

[Marm Toastsmith]

they do seem to rot, doubt they're any worse than a K10 though

 

It's not that they're any worse than a K10, it's just that a similarly rusty K10 would have been scrapped years ago, whereas a Figaro is valuable enough to be badly welded and filled with wob indefinitely.

[BorniteIdentity]

What do we know?

 

Well, apparently the accent is on the ARR.  So it's Fig ARRR oh, not an operatic Figaro (as in Figaro Figaro FigarOHH)

 

Other than that? A Pao is infinitely cooler but a bit 'scene'.  The initial outlay is steep but prices are firm AF.  You'd do very well to lose much money at all.  

 

Oh, and all drivers seem to be disproportionately happy.  If you can, you probably should.

[Ghosty]

Speaking of Micra based, has she heard of the Mitsuoka Viewt? Similar pricing but these and Figaro's have been common since new here; I'm forever amazed that people are impressed by them

 

Micra based is a bit too vague a term for the Viewt, as the only thing separating it from being a K11 is the panelling at the front (and back in the case of the saloons). Not sure about the insides mind.

[dollywobbler]

I drove a Figaro once. It was so disappointing I promised never to do it again. Styled to perfection inside and out, but dreary on a scale I didn't think possible to drive.

[Tamworthbay]

Has mentioned rust yet? Oh and rust? A woman at work had one and got a ‘stupid’ quote for work at an MoT, I had a look and it was properly shagged, she spent £1200 having it welded up and it failed on yet more the next year. And the grey colour was so dull. Oh and rust...........

[Marm Toastsmith]

I drove a Figaro once. It was so disappointing I promised never to do it again. Styled to perfection inside and out, but dreary on a scale I didn't think possible to drive.

 

Yeah. The Pao wasn't exciting other than being a nice place to sit. And very easy to drive, slickly engineered with a feeling of no worries of mechanical failure. In no way sporting, but not an unpleasant way to bimble about town.

[Noel Tidybeard]

i believe they rust from just in front of the headlights to just behind the rear bumper :mrgreen:

[Fabergé Greggs]

What’s the bets that Mrs PBK has never even considered one and it’s Ken with the deep desires?

 

 

I’d deffo have a Pao were it not for the £££’s. I reckon either would be loads of fun. Do it!