The fourth and final vehicle in a set of four that was first introduced to the series back in November 2018 is today’s Rare Ride. The Figaro, a tiny, vintage convertible made by Nissan, is by far the most well-liked of the four Pike vehicles. It’s also the one that’s always available for purchase in the US.
The Aichi Machine Industry factory, which Nissan later referred to as the Pike Factory, produced all four Pike vehicles. All four models, which were based on Nissan’s Micra, were created with a young, fun-loving audience in mind. The Be-1, a quirky sort of hatchback with styling cues from the 1960s and 1970s, was the first Pike vehicle to be unveiled. Notably, the Be-1 was the only Pike constructed on the 1983-era first-generation Micra platform. The Micra platform from the second generation was used by all three of its successors.
The Pao, the second-most popular Pike car in the US, came after the Be-1 and had an older, more utilitarian appearance. However, it had a more conventional clamshell hatchback as opposed to the Be-1’s short trunk. The S-Cargo, a small utility van created to closely resemble a snail, was introduced after the Pao. There Nissan was successful. And finally, the Figaro, which had just one model year in 1991, finished last in the Pike car race.
The Figaro was the most opulent Pike vehicle and was not intended to be as functional. It was unmistakably charming with its smooth and hipster-like throwback style. Figaro was a fixed-profile convertible with just enough room for four people. The canvas roof folded into the back behind the second row of seats and removed the rear window. The pillars were all still standing. All versions included leather seats with contrasting piping, vintage interior knobs, a CD player, and air conditioning, making them well-equipped for a Kei car in 1991. There were four paint colors that matched the four seasons.
The 987-cc turbocharged inline-four used in all vehicles was front-drive, automated, and shared with the Micra. The engine could produce 78 lb-ft of torque and 76 horsepower.
At its premiere, Figaro was a huge hit. The intended run of 8,000 cars was increased to 12,000 to accommodate the constant demand from customers. All were auctioned by a lottery, with delighted buyers winning their chance to purchase a Figaro. The Pike program was completed once they had all been sold.
The Figaro is a well-liked JDM import choice in the United States due to its distinctive style, compact size, simplicity, cost, and age. Currently, there are more than 100 available on AutoTrader, with prices ranging from under $9,000 to over $100,000. One of the most affordable methods to get a vintage JDM automobile in the US is the Figaro. The gray vehicle we’re looking at today is for sale in Virginia from a reputable JDM car dealer. It’s $12,900 with 64,000 miles.
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Is Figaro trustworthy?
For such a small car, the Figaro is incredibly dependable and has fantastic heaters to keep you toasty in the winter. However, because it is a small automobile, if you spend a lot of time driving, the large trucks may terrify you because they will appear to be much bigger than you.
In how many UK locations are there still Nissan Figaros?
There are perhaps 4,500 Figaros in the UK, according to Fagan, the majority of which are grey imports because the model was never formally sold in this country.
What is the price of a Nissan Figaro?
For one with low miles and mint condition, budget closer to $20,000–25,000, though it’s not uncommon to find a well-used Figaro for less than $10,000 on websites like Bring-A-Trailer.
What number of Figaros exist?
As of May 3, 2021, there were a total of 28 Figaro’s locations in the United States. Sweet Home has the most locations (one, or 3% of all the sites), with a total of 28 Figaro’s locations across the country.
Can you fit into a Nissan Figaro’s back seat?
The vehicle features four seats, with the back two being small and lacking in legroom but large enough to accommodate youngsters, car seats, or short persons like me. Rear-facing stage one car seats can be moved into the back with a little bit of maneuvering but are most comfortable in the front passenger seat.
Can a Nissan Figaro be driven on a highway?
The Nissan Figaro only has a 3-speed transmission (although experts like The Figaro Shop can and do convert them to a manual), and it can travel at motorway speeds of about 50 MPH.
What is a Nissan Figaro’s top speed?
Nissan debuted the Figaro at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show under the marketing slogan “Back to the Future.” The Figaro, which was based on the first-generation Nissan Micra, was produced at Aichi Machine Industry, a special projects unit that Nissan would later refer to as the “Pike Factory,” together with the Be-1, Pao, and S-Cargo. Up until Nissan took over operations in 1966, Aichi was the primary location for the production of independent kei vehicles including the Cony 360 and the first-generation Nissan Sunny.
The Figaro, which is based on the Nissan March (Micra) platform, has a 1.0-liter (987 cc) turbocharged engine that produces 76 PS (56 kW; 75 hp) and 78 lbft (106 Nm) of torque through a three-speed automatic transmission. It also has front MacPherson struts, a rear four-link coil spring suspension, rack and pinion steering, front ventilated disc and rear drum Thermoplastic resin front fenders reduce weight .[9]
Air conditioning, a CD player, chrome and Bakelite-style knobs, soft-feel paint on the top of the dashboard, a speedometer with smaller inset gauges for fuel and engine temperature, and a tachometer with an inset clock were all included as standard equipment. Ivory leather seats with contrasting piping were also included .[9]
When did Nissan discontinue producing the Figaro?
Production took place from 1991 to 1992. It was constructed by a Nissan special projects team known as the Pike Factory, which also created the Be-1, Pao, and S-Cargo, three other specialized vehicles. However, The Figaro was by far the most well-liked.
Which motor powers a Nissan Figaro?
The 987cc gasoline injected turbocharged MA10ET engine that powers the Nissan Figaro is specifically designed for the car. Given that the engine is almost 30 years old, wear and tear may negatively impact its efficiency and dependability, which may occasionally result in catastrophic failures.
A Nissan Figaro is a Micra, right?
The initial 8,000 copies were immediately sold out, therefore Nissan decided to produce additional 12,000 copies. The Figaro was offered for sale to participants in a Nissan lottery who had drawn a winning ticket. It cost about 25,000 euros in 1991.
The Nissan Micra served as the Figaro’s foundation. Therefore, it is comparable to the Micra in terms of chassis and the like. However, because of its turbo engine, it differs mechanically. Of course, the entire car body is subject to the same rules. Due to its spacious leather seats, the automobile is quite commodious and travels very smoothly. Nissan is renowned for its excellent engineering, which is of the highest caliber. The cabrio roof is extremely lightweight and simple to open. Unlike other convertibles, this can be done by one person with ease. Everyone who has ever driven a Nissan Figaro will fall in love with this stunning Retro convertible thanks to its completeness, luxurious finish, and great craftsmanship.
Additionally, it’s a vehicle that doesn’t necessarily need to be stored over the winter—quite the opposite! The automobile is well-equipped with a heating and cooling system, a heated glass rear window, and it handles well in the cold. Overall, a nice, reliable automobile that is also stable in value and can be driven year-round. Particularly when purchased in one of the original four colors.
Due to the fact that there are no longer 20,000 Figaros, they will likewise become ever more exclusive. The steering wheel is on the right in every Figaro. They have leather seats, air conditioning, a sunroof, a radio/CD player (the first vehicle with this feature included as standard equipment), and a three-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharger is attached to the 1000 cc engine. The vehicle may go as fast as 160 km/h.
A Nissan Figaro has how many gears?
A turbocharged, 4-cylinder, fuel-injected MA10ET engine paired with a 3-speed automated gearbox that has model-specific gear ratios to match the vehicle’s power output powers the Nissan Figaro. When brand-new, this silky-smooth gearbox was the ideal option. However, as time passes, the gearbox may start to exhibit clunky, jerky gear shifts, power loss while in gear, noise, and, in the worst scenarios, become utterly undriveable.
We have a large selection of good, used, and tested low mileage gearboxes here at The Figaro Shop. The donor cars were tested before removal and would have only traveled around 70–80k miles. The kits are an affordable method to get your vehicle back on the road but do not include a torque converter. When possible, we always advise utilizing a fully reconditioned gearbox, which is available HERE.
Can you tow a Nissan Figaro?
If your Figaro breaks down and needs to be recovered, pay attention to how it is gathered. The automatic gearbox of the car is attached to the front wheel, therefore towing it could cause serious damage.
Nissan Figaros are legal to operate in the US.
Amazingly, this retro-styled car failed to meet US safety regulations and has been on the blacklist since 1991 even though it may have looked beautiful and like a piece of 1960s Americana. Again, now that 25 years have passed, you could import the Nissan Figaro or just purchase a real vintage American car.
The pink Figgy is what kind of car?
The Pink Figgy is what kind of vehicle? In 1991, 20,000 Pink Figgy Nissan Figaros were constructed, all of which were sold only in Japan. Four colors were available for the Figaro, one for each season.
A Nissan Figaro’s width is how much?
Over 40 measurements of the automobile are provided here. Some important measurements, such as length 3740mm, width 1630mm, and height 1365mm, are bolded. Only 145mm of ground clearance is provided. The back bench’s height to the roof is 820mm, while the front seat’s height is 920mm. Due to the variety in shape, the top and bottom boot heights and depths are approximations.
Although we are aware that a 6 6 person can fit in the two front seats of a Figaro, we always advise testing the vehicle out because the seats may have been altered.
A Nissan Figaro may be driven in the winter.
Yes. However, taking your automobile for a few short drives over the winter on nice, dry days will be beneficial for it. It prevents parts from seizing, gasoline lines from becoming clogged, and it allows the oil to flow.