Do Nissan still make the Figaro?
The Nissan Figaro was produced in Tokyo, Japan for the model year 1991 only, as a “limited edition luxury car”. Although it is no longer manufactured, its worldwide following means an enduring and growing market for the car exists in the UK with around 3000 Nissan Figaros licensed to drive on UK roads.
How much does a Nissan Figaro cost?
There is a pretty big gap between the cheapest and most expensive Figaros available. In a nutshell you should be prepared to spend between £4,000-£20,000 on the average example. The cheapest are usually those still in Japan and need to be imported. Other completely refurbished examples in show room condition with under 10 000 miles on the clock can fetch over £30,000. If you are looking for a pristine example you can expect to pay more than the value of the 1991 original.
Nissan Figaro pros and cons…
The first obvious upside to owning one of these adorable classics is the Figaro’s head-turning appeal. As a limited edition, it was Nissan’s attempt in the early nineties to break from their pigeonholed family saloon with a wacky, crowd-pleasing dinky toy. It is reminiscent of a 50s roadster with luxury leather interior, chrome trimmings, CD player (original models), power steering and semi-convertible roof. Testament to Nissan’s success can be seen in the Nissan Figaro’s worldwide fan base of owners and dealers, still circulating some thirty years after the car’s creation.
The Nissan Figaro is a good investment and annual servicing costs average around £300 (lower than the national average). As a classic collectible, it’s clear from sales listings and insurance valuations that the Nissan Figaro will maintain its value when properly cared for, and investing in enhancements to a Nissan Figaro will help to appreciate that value.
The fact that the Nissan Figaro is a ‘grey import’ can be discouraging to prospective buyers because the car is not recognised by Nissan UK, who will not provide servicing or parts. However, the Nissan Figaro is simple to service because its engine is identical to the ubiquitous Nissan Micra, and shares many parts with the Nissan Pao (its oddball sister). The car delivers the mechanical reliability and serviceability of a Nissan and will run for a long time without breaking down. Widespread popularity of the Nissan Figaro in the UK means that spare parts are readily available. Many independent Nissan Figaro dealers across the country, like The Figaro Shop, offer specialist servicing, repairs and refurbishing, so you can have a totally bespoke Figaro that truly is a car that makes your dreams come true.
Nissan Figaro problems…
The Nissan Figaro is a small 1.0 litre Kei car (minicar) which is now 30 years old, so it’s well worth bearing your budget and motoring requirements strongly in mind when considering factors like the Nissan Figaro’s age, engine size, speed, maintenance costs and practicality.
The Nissan Figaro has a 3 speed transmission only (no standard manual variant exists – although specialists like The Figaro Shop can and do convert them) and maintains motorway speeds of around 50 MPH. The Figaro is a comfortable ride and ideal as a city run-around, but it falls squarely into this category and is not suited for regular long-distance driving.
Of course there are inevitable maintenance needs to bear in mind when choosing a 30 year old used car like a Nissan Figaro, but these are usually down to ageing rather than manufacturing quality.
- condensation
- cracking and dulling of the leather interior
- weathering on the body paintwork
- rusting
- UV damage to rubber gaskets and trims
- dulling of the chrome plating
- ageing of the original bespoke carpets and floor mats.
Nissan Figaro vs other brands…
The Nissan Figaro has the performance, dimensions and features typical of a minicar, but considering its age, good examples are still fairly pricey when compared to its modern minicar competitors because of its cult popularity. The following gives a quick guide to what alternatives to the Nissan Figaro are available for prospective buyers of minicars who are flexible about their budgets and needs.
Manufactured from 2003 onwards, the Dihatsu Copen was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show as a Kei car for the future. Similar to the Figaro in looks, size and power, it also comes with convertible roof as standard. Because it’s a current model it has the added advantage that both new and used examples can still be bought. Expect to part with anything from £4,000 to £13,000 depending on age, mileage and condition.
Also a retro style roadster from the 90s, the MG RV8 is similar to the Nissan Figaro in size and looks but with a more powerful 3.9 litre engine, compared to the Figaro’s 1.0 litre. Manufactured in the UK, they were originally shipped to Japan but plenty are now readily available to buy back home again due to its popularity here. Depending on condition and mileage you can expect to pay between £5,000 and £10,000.
Based on Fiat’s Cinquecento from the 1950s, The Fiat 500 has enjoyed enduring success worldwide as a retro city run-around with a history spanning decades. A new electric model was released in 2020 to compete with a new generation of electric minicars. Like the Figaro, it’s a playful little car available in pastel colours and some models feature a panoramic roof.
Arguably one of the most spotted minicars on the roads these days is the BMW Mini One, Cooper, Cooper S and its variants. The BMW Mini delivers retro style and charm, and features like multi controls on the steering wheel and climate control appeal like few cars in this class. For comparison with the Figaro, the Mini One delivers more power with 1.6 litre capacity and is larger, with rear seats and 5 doors. An example with under 70,000 miles on the clock will fetch around £2,500 – £10,000 depending on age and condition.
If you need any more help or advice then do get in touch with us at The Figaro Shop. We love these iconic little cars and we love talking about them!
www.thenissanfigaroshop.co.uk
