How crap are Nissan Figaros?
Discussion
Wife beast loves the look of these, enjoys small cars and deserves a treat.
Now she won't test drive one, she's always ticked a box on the company car list, or a new small hatchback of some variety.
Never had an auto but would get used to it, if its a smooth shift. Not bothered about originality I know they're 30 yrs old but it mustn't feel knackered so fresh interior, paintwork and under-carriage,. We'd pay top money for a goodun, unfortunately it wouldn't be garaged.
Not really a car person but It wouldn't be her only car. Recent history includes Hyandai i20, Dacia Duster, and a few Peugeot 107s (she really liked her purple 107, honestly who doesn't )
Would she be in for a massive disappointment?
Now she won't test drive one, she's always ticked a box on the company car list, or a new small hatchback of some variety.
Never had an auto but would get used to it, if its a smooth shift. Not bothered about originality I know they're 30 yrs old but it mustn't feel knackered so fresh interior, paintwork and under-carriage,. We'd pay top money for a goodun, unfortunately it wouldn't be garaged.
Not really a car person but It wouldn't be her only car. Recent history includes Hyandai i20, Dacia Duster, and a few Peugeot 107s (she really liked her purple 107, honestly who doesn't )
Would she be in for a massive disappointment?
They're ok to drive around town.
Out on the motorway the engine revs pretty high to do anything much above 60mph.
A smooth gearchange might be a big ask now that they're so old.
Some I have driven have held onto first gear when cold, and lumped into second gear until warmed up.
So test drive when cold as a dealer will just say "they're all like it"
Another issue to consider, the safety aspect, as they're so old. (accident protection)
Out on the motorway the engine revs pretty high to do anything much above 60mph.
A smooth gearchange might be a big ask now that they're so old.
Some I have driven have held onto first gear when cold, and lumped into second gear until warmed up.
So test drive when cold as a dealer will just say "they're all like it"
Another issue to consider, the safety aspect, as they're so old. (accident protection)
They are all autos and have a turbo'd Micra engine with circa 76hp
Low geared, they are fine for short runs and town use. Anything of any distance will be frustrating to a petrol head, but my wife is happy to do 30 miles when necessary.
They were not rust proofed when new (Japanese market only) and can really suffer in the UK. Sills and rear wheel arches are worst, followed by bumpers and chassis extensions supporting them. Front wings are plastic! Some bits - ac condensers, bumpers, repair sections (depending where you buy them) etc can be eye wateringly expensive.
Electrically they can have issues but there is nothing complicated in them. Find one that has been looked after, or better still well renovated, and it makes a pleasant town, toy car.. Original colours are only 4 off - winter, spring, summer, autumn. After market colours knock the value and the less said about pink probably the better. Not a lot of luggage room, but the back seats are handy for shopping.
As only 20,000 were built (and originally you had to win a lottery to buy one!) there is a story and a rarity - hence the prices. My wife was offered a swap with an old 911 - she turned it down!!!
Low geared, they are fine for short runs and town use. Anything of any distance will be frustrating to a petrol head, but my wife is happy to do 30 miles when necessary.
They were not rust proofed when new (Japanese market only) and can really suffer in the UK. Sills and rear wheel arches are worst, followed by bumpers and chassis extensions supporting them. Front wings are plastic! Some bits - ac condensers, bumpers, repair sections (depending where you buy them) etc can be eye wateringly expensive.
Electrically they can have issues but there is nothing complicated in them. Find one that has been looked after, or better still well renovated, and it makes a pleasant town, toy car.. Original colours are only 4 off - winter, spring, summer, autumn. After market colours knock the value and the less said about pink probably the better. Not a lot of luggage room, but the back seats are handy for shopping.
As only 20,000 were built (and originally you had to win a lottery to buy one!) there is a story and a rarity - hence the prices. My wife was offered a swap with an old 911 - she turned it down!!!
oakdale said:
Yertis said:
Welshbeef said:
What’s a wife beast?
I was just wondering that too…In grey, the Figaro reminds me a bit of Columbo's Peugeot 403 convertible 
miken2k8 said:
very have you seen them? they are faux retro cool. Like the stype rover 75 etc absolutely awful. And they all come in those babysick colors. You honestley would be better off with a mk1 eunos in every way possible
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