Nissan Figaro-OK for a first car ?

Mimi73 · 29-09-2005 8:55am #1

I'm thinking of buying a Nissan Figaro as my first car, just wondering if anyone could tell me if it's not such a good idea ?

Paul (MN) · 29-09-2005 9:45am

summary: it's a nissan micra and overpriced and looks like a classic but isn't.

KTRIC · 29-09-2005 9:58am

I don't mean to sound sexist, but are you male or female. The reason I ask is my girlfreind thinks the Figaro is "cute". There was one of these for sale in a dealer around the corner from us and she had her eye on it. If you're male then you really don't want a figaro, believe me.

Mimi73 · 29-09-2005 10:04am

I'm a girl...Yes, they are very cute !

KTRIC · 29-09-2005 10:06am

Mimi73 wrote:

I'm a girl...Yes, they are very cute !

Knew it

Go for it, they are a little expensive, but the do have a 1 litre turbo engine and one of the nicest interiors I've seen on a jap car.

Mimi73 · 29-09-2005 10:28am

Think I'll get it ! Thanks for the encouragement !

ds20prefecture · 29-09-2005 10:49am

They're a great wee car - robust Micra mechanicals, pseudo-retro looks and a roll-back roof. Depreciation is very low on these cars (assuming you don't get ripped off) because they are in high demand and not made any more. Combined with a 1.0l engine, and good economy they're very low cost to run.

I think they are automatic only, which mightn't be ideal if you are a provisionally licensed driver (if you get your full license with an auto, you are only licensed to drive autos. If you get it with a manual, you can drive either).

Make sure you get someone you trust to check the car over thoroughly before buying, even if it's from a dealer.

29-09-2005 11:25am

Imo there stupidly priced for some unkown reason,even more so that gt starlets and glanzas.

There roughly 80bhp 1litre turbos but dont be suprised if people shout "noddy" when you drive by in one!For the price of one you could do far better,i also think reselling it would be hard aswell as trying to see your cash back.

prospect · 29-09-2005 11:35am

Wouldn't be my choice, but neither are the new mini and beetle, but they'll still attract buyers.

It'll become a bit of a cult car with a small loyal following.

To the OP:

1. Do you like the car?
2. Can you afford the car?

If the answers to the above are yes, then go for it.

whippet · 29-09-2005 12:59pm

I spoke to someone recently that had one, he said that they are very over priced in ireland, and on the flip side that they are a bargain to import from japan.

ds20prefecture · 29-09-2005 1:32pm

eireal wrote:

i also think reselling it would be hard aswell as trying to see your cash back.

And yet it's hard to find one under €10,000? If they are 14 years old (and they all are) I reckon that the normal depreciation is done. What remains is the price that vendors can get for the car and the reason is demand. That demand may suddenly tail off but why now after 14 years?

There are two for sale in CBG. The one in Loughlinstown has been in and out of there for too long. There might be something wrong with it or he's using it himself. It does seem overpriced, but it only costs you what you lose on it. If I recall correctly, this one was advertised there last year for €10,500 so the price has increased.

I would agree that importing one from Japan might be the best course of action.

Paul (MN) · 29-09-2005 1:41pm

I would suggest that if it's rare, not made anymore, and cost the guts of €10k that it would not be suitable as a first car.

Unles you are loaded and can afford body/parts repairs. I presume it only shares mechanicals with the micra.

ds20prefecture · 29-09-2005 2:01pm

Paul (MN) wrote:

I would suggest that if it's rare, not made anymore, and cost the guts of €10k that it would not be suitable as a first car.

Unles you are loaded and can afford body/parts repairs. I presume it only shares mechanicals with the micra.

Strange argument this. My car is rare, not made anymore and cost the guts of €10k. I am not "loaded" and my car shares parts with no other car. The only reason my car might not be suitable as a first car is the insurance exclusion that prevents those under 25 insuring a classic. This exclusion does not apply to the Figaro (and may not apply to the OP)

Or do you reckon that a driver who is buying their first car is more likely to put a dent in the car? Possibly, but what a terribly defeatist reason for not buying something you like.

Lyre61 · 29-09-2005 10:29pm

I think that if a car puts a smile on your face when you see it and you get a fuuny grin when you drive it, you should buy it........with all the traffic god knows you will spend a lot of time in it and you may as well enjoy it.

greglo23 · 29-09-2005 10:40pm

have a look here http://tinyurl.com/a827j and http://tinyurl.com/8c23l

ds20prefecture · 29-09-2005 10:47pm

greglo23 wrote:

have a look here http://tinyurl.com/a827j and http://tinyurl.com/8c23l

I think that's probably the most helpful post I've ever read on Boards. Cheers Zaphod.

greglo23 · 29-09-2005 10:54pm

you could also try importing one from Japan. these guys have a few http://tinyurl.com/cfbnh. the only price i could see was
520,000.00 Japan Yen = 3,821.07 EUR

ds20prefecture · 30-09-2005 8:32am

I saw one in traffic this morning. While I'm not a fan of retro styling, the thing is so kitsch as to be fun. It was a helluva lot more interesting that the sea of grey and black euroboxes that surrounded it.

Oh, and I don't buy the "you have to be gay to like it" if your male. Just because most gay guys are have some sense of style, doesn't mean that someone who has a sense of style is gay.

Mimi73 · 30-09-2005 2:01pm

Going to go for it, just got loan approval and booked my test drive...
thanks for all your replies !!

ds20prefecture · 30-09-2005 2:03pm

Will you let us know if it lives up to your expectations?

Mimi73 · 01-10-2005 11:15am

Will do !!

dahamsta · 01-10-2005 12:22pm

I love these little cars, came across one in Cork one day and spent a good ten minutes walking around it and checking out the details. Not mad about the colours, but I suppose if they came in “normal” colours the concept wouldn't have worked quite as well.

bp_me · 01-10-2005 1:01pm

A word of warning, insurance can be difficult on old, rare, jdm cars when you are starting out. I speak from experience.

69 mustang · 01-10-2005 11:26pm

I think it was based on 1950 Cisitalia.
Some swimmers are hard enough to get parts for( speaking from experience too]
and that one could be a real night mare. Also what you pay out for may not be what the insurance companies will cover it for as it may only be worth a little more than Micra on paper, should anything happen to it.

02-10-2005 10:41pm

Does anyone know what the book value is on these?
Eg if you go and pay 10k for one and its crashed or robbed is there a chance your company will only pay out 1000e if your lucky?

figaro · 04-10-2005 3:50pm

HI Mimi

Did you get your figaro?? its such a cool car i love driving it!!!!

Mimi73 · 07-10-2005 2:05pm

No, haven't got it yet. On holidays, but hoping to get it when I get back. They're getting popular, there were 9 for sale on Carzone last week, now it's down to, I better hurry up !

figaro · 07-10-2005 2:12pm

Well take your time and dont rush into buying the first one you see. Make sure that you check the roof etc before buying. there is a great website called www.autosupplyuk.com/forums and they have all the info about the figaro do's and dont's when buying.

If you have any questions give me a shout!

figaro · 07-10-2005 2:12pm

Ps. i got a fig as my 1st car! and its fab!

Nissan Figaro-OK for a first car ?

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