Discussion
yeah it's the old Micra - saw lots and lots of them this weekend in Kensington - more than I saw Smarts by a long way so I guess theres someone knocking them out cheap at the moment somewhere in London. From what I remember that are just as good as the old Micra was but with personality added - I looked a couple of years ago (for the Mrs) - you can get green, blue, grey and yellow.
rfoster said:
They're all 1.0 Turbo Automatic (nice), she's got her heart set on a grey on (thank God.) Look pretty funky I have to admit, glad she doesn't like the pink one otherwise I'd have to get a brown paper bag o cover my face when I'm in it!
Pink is a custom respray job, you could never buy one in that colour.
Best resource on the internet is Auto Supply;
www.autosupplyuk.com
Good forums with a few technical people on there if you've any questions. They sell cars too but unless you live on the south coast its a bit impractical.
Friend of mine has had one for a couple of years now. She loves it.
The old Micra on which it was based was one the most reliable cars ever made, and the Figaro is no exception to that.
However, it is worth remembering that the Figaro has a turbo, so be aware of the usual turbo issues. The bespoke body and trim, added to the fact that they are now 15 years old (only produced in 1990-1991 IIRC), means that cars with damage to bodywork, interior or roof can be expensive to repair. Seem to remember an issue over corrosion around seals (headlights etc.).
They are great little cars and mechanically sound, however cheap examples tend be cheap for a reason. Good ones hold their value extremely well. In a way they're alot like Elises, its worth doing some homework and take a look at as many cars as you can, find a good one and they're excellent value for something that little bit different.
Happy Hunting.
Regards, Neil
The old Micra on which it was based was one the most reliable cars ever made, and the Figaro is no exception to that.
However, it is worth remembering that the Figaro has a turbo, so be aware of the usual turbo issues. The bespoke body and trim, added to the fact that they are now 15 years old (only produced in 1990-1991 IIRC), means that cars with damage to bodywork, interior or roof can be expensive to repair. Seem to remember an issue over corrosion around seals (headlights etc.).
They are great little cars and mechanically sound, however cheap examples tend be cheap for a reason. Good ones hold their value extremely well. In a way they're alot like Elises, its worth doing some homework and take a look at as many cars as you can, find a good one and they're excellent value for something that little bit different.
Happy Hunting.
Regards, Neil
How much are these stupid noddy cars then?
Someone drives one round here and I honestly think it's one of the worst looking, stupid kn*bmobiles I've ever seen. Your mates will (quite within their rights) mercilessly rip 7 shades of sh!t out of you if they ever see you in it.
I'd rather get caught kn*bbing a fat bird!
Someone drives one round here and I honestly think it's one of the worst looking, stupid kn*bmobiles I've ever seen. Your mates will (quite within their rights) mercilessly rip 7 shades of sh!t out of you if they ever see you in it.
I'd rather get caught kn*bbing a fat bird!
NJS25 said:
Friend of mine has had one for a couple of years now. She loves it.
The old Micra on which it was based was one the most reliable cars ever made, and the Figaro is no exception to that.
However, it is worth remembering that the Figaro has a turbo, so be aware of the usual turbo issues. The bespoke body and trim, added to the fact that they are now 15 years old (only produced in 1990-1991 IIRC), means that cars with damage to bodywork, interior or roof can be expensive to repair. Seem to remember an issue over corrosion around seals (headlights etc.).
They are great little cars and mechanically sound, however cheap examples tend be cheap for a reason. Good ones hold their value extremely well. In a way they're alot like Elises, its worth doing some homework and take a look at as many cars as you can, find a good one and they're excellent value for something that little bit different.
Happy Hunting.
Regards, Neil
Yep, what Neil says
My girlfriend has one and she really, really loves it (you can see half of it in my profile). Strangely enough, her dream car used to be an Elise, until she discovered the Figaro.
Watch out, some of you might be converted!
Look for signs of crash damage. Seems to be quite common for importers to buy in damaged ones and patch them up (you can ask for an auction report if that's where they claim it originally came from but it will be in Japanese I expect!).
When the girlfriend bought hers she had an RAC inspection which identified a few "interesting" things. Also missed a few (track-rod end on its way out, engine mounts corroded) but that's another story
Most definitely get one with as many of the bespoke bits intact as possible. Some can be bought (there's even a company that sells replacement roofs) but a lot of the switchgear and trim you'll never be able to replace unless you get lucky at a breaker (keep your eye on Ebay as breaker Figaros come up there from time to time).
As for servicing, we just use the local Nissan dealer who were quite happy to do the work.
When the girlfriend bought hers she had an RAC inspection which identified a few "interesting" things. Also missed a few (track-rod end on its way out, engine mounts corroded) but that's another story
Most definitely get one with as many of the bespoke bits intact as possible. Some can be bought (there's even a company that sells replacement roofs) but a lot of the switchgear and trim you'll never be able to replace unless you get lucky at a breaker (keep your eye on Ebay as breaker Figaros come up there from time to time).
As for servicing, we just use the local Nissan dealer who were quite happy to do the work.
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