GTP Cool Wall: 1991 Nissan Figaro

[GranTurismo916]

1991 Nissan Figaro nominated by @INEEDNAWZZZ

Engines: 1.0L Turbo I4
Power: 75 hp
Torque: 78 lb-ft.
Weight: 810 kg
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front engine, front wheel drive
Body Styles: 2-door convertible
Additional Info: "Mechanically based on the K10-chassis Nissan March/Micra. Potential buyers had to enter a lottery draw to have the chance to buy one, with 8,000 being built. However, demand became so high that another 12,000 were made. Only came in 4 colours, each signifying the different seasons. Nissan is not branded anywhere on the car minus mechanical components, so it won't shatter the illusion of it being a classic car. Famous owners include Eric Clapton and Princess Eugenie of York, among others."​

Spoiler: Additional Pics

 

[Murcie_LP640]

It is with great hesitation that I vote a Cool for this.

Unashamedly retro but it's actually quite a stylish thing in my opinion, aside from the wheels.

 

[Roger the Horse]

My neighbours had one of these (I believe they took it with them when they moved here from Japan) when I was a kid.

My parents had a Volvo P1800. My parents were slightly cooler.

Only slightly though.

 

[AudiMan2011]

Based on a Micra, which was never a cool car to begin with. Plus it simply screams fashion statement.

Seriously Uncool.

 

[JR98]

Cool, I've seen a few and when I first saw it I had no idea what it was,

 

[Niku Driver HC]

My neighbours had one of these (I believe they took it with them when they moved here from Japan) when I was a kid.

My parents had a Volvo P1800. My parents were slightly cooler.

Only slightly though.

Well, your parents must've been the coolest parents on the street, to have a P1800... What happened to it?

As for the Figaroooo (opera voice), I like it. I really do, it's just one of those cars that puts a smile on your face whenever you see one. Fashion statement it may be, but it's a good kind of fashion statement to me. And since it's based on a Micra, with Micra parts, you don't have to fear major breakdowns (things that happen with many classic cars). Not to mention that it is so retro that it works very well. It's cool for me, almost Sub-Zero even.

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

Nice idea but not pulled off well at all.

Uncool.

 

[numbnuts70]

It is what it is.

Ok for a 'novelty' car plus it's got a soft-top of sorts which stops it getting an un-cool.

Meh.

 

[Adamgp]

Looks ugly and dated.

Uncool.

 

[TheCracker]

Only owned by people who run retro furniture or clothing stores. Uncool.

 

[Tornado]

It's nifty. It also was thoroughly dedicated to being retro with modern mechanicals, rather than half assing it like... Pretty much every other retro car of the past decade.

 

[mustafur]

Uncool, retro based thats ugly as sin.

 

[JR98]

This car has a lot of mixed opinions. Half of us think it's a cool retro car and the other half think it's uncool because it's a retro car.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

This car has a lot of mixed opinions. Half of us think it's a cool retro car and the other half think it's uncool because it's a retro car.

I guess the people who think it's uncool believe that the Figaro is just a bygone member of a bygone trend, that was made merely to cater to nostalgia nuts. I am not sure of this, of course, but I think that is the case. To be fair, I don't think it's that offensive as a retro car, I've seen Japan do far worse.

Like this, for instance:

This "thing" is the Nissan March Bolero. And yes, that is the same base that the Figaro uses, the K10 Micra.

 

[JR98]

I guess the people who think it's uncool believe that the Figaro is just a bygone member of a bygone trend, that was made merely to cater to nostalgia nuts. I am not sure of this, of course, but I think that is the case. To be fair, I don't think it's that offensive as a retro car, I've seen Japan do far worse.

Like this, for instance:

This "thing" is the Nissan March Bolero. And yes, that is the same base that the Figaro uses, the K10 Micra.

It looks like the Figaro, but much, much, much, much worse.

 

[Wiegert]

Knowing what they really are and what they're trying to be makes it hard for me to find these the least bit cool. But at least the illusion was well executed.

Only owned by people who run retro furniture or clothing stores. Uncool.

There are at least half a dozen of these cars in town and I can say that most (if not all) are driven by middle-aged women who are either librarians or run some sort of boutique.

This "thing" is the Nissan March Bolero. And yes, that is the same base that the Figaro uses, the K10 Micra.

A later K11 Micra, FYI. 👍

 

[Niku Driver HC]

It looks like the Figaro, but much, much, much, much worse.

Oh, and this is the rear:

This, compared to the Figaro, is a true case of "half-assed effort". Nissan just stuck an awful grille, chrome bits and old-looking headlights and called it a day. Not really what you'd call a good plan, but I guess it worked in Japan, because this happened:

Yes, Nissan is still making the Bolero.

 

[JR98]

Oh, and this is the rear:

This, compared to the Figaro, is a true case of "half-assed effort". Nissan just stuck an awful grille, chrome bits and old-looking headlights and called it a day. Not really what you'd call a good plan, but I guess it worked in Japan, because this happened:

Yes, Nissan is still making the Bolero.

They are, quite possibly, the ugliest cars I have ever seen.

 

[numbnuts70]

Oh, and this is the rear:

This, compared to the Figaro, is a true case of "half-assed effort". Nissan just stuck an awful grille, chrome bits and old-looking headlights and called it a day. Not really what you'd call a good plan, but I guess it worked in Japan, because this happened:

Yes, Nissan is still making the Bolero.

^^^^
Now they're un-cool.

The Figaro just about rises above these, well a bit more than just, so an upper level 'meh'.

 

[Tornado]

Lol looks like a "Chrysler".

 

[niky]

It's nothing more than a fashion statement.

A shamelessly "retro" styling exercise based on the absolutely execrable Nissan March, retaining the base car's humdrum mechanicals and driving character.

-

Cool. It's cute.

Be even cooler if it was the Nissan Pao... though I reserve the right to vote uncool or cool on that one based on whim.

 

[JR98]

Lol looks like a "Chrysler".

That one doesn't look too bad but the other two look REALLY REALLY dreadfull

 

[Niku Driver HC]

They are, quite possibly, the ugliest cars I have ever seen.

The newer Bolero is not really impressive, but the real offender is the K12 Bolero. I though it was impossible for Nissan to ruin a perfectly good K12 Micra/March chassis, but they managed to do the impossible. That looks like something I could recreate in Automation.

And no, that is not a compliment.

^^^^
Now they're un-cool.

The Figaro just about rises above these, well a bit more than just, so an upper level 'meh'.

If I'm crazy enough, I might just nominate the K12 or the K11 Bolero and see how many people throw them into the pits of hell.

 

[Ingram]

There are at least half a dozen of these cars in town and I can say that most (if not all) are driven by middle-aged women who are either librarians or run some sort of boutique.

What was the stat on the Figaro Owner's Club stand at the Classic Motor Show? Something like 86% of Figaro owners are female?

 

[JR98]

The newer Bolero is not really impressive, but the real offender is the K12 Bolero. I though it was impossible for Nissan to ruin a perfectly good K12 Micra/March chassis, but they managed to do the impossible. That looks like something I could recreate in Automation.

And no, that is not a compliment.



If I'm crazy enough, I might just nominate the K12 or the K11 Bolero and see how many people throw them into the pits of hell.

That car isn't even worthy for the pits of hell

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Cool. There's one that putters around town and I always smile when I see it go by, since there's no way that person is a thrusty, bone-headed driver like the ones behind so many German sedans. I can't picture an angry person inside a Figaro, period.

Most definitely has the KST factor covered, too.

 

[ImaRobot]

Cool. There's one that putters around town and I always smile when I see it go by, since there's no way that person is a thrusty, bone-headed driver like the ones behind so many German sedans. I can't picture an angry person inside a Figaro, period.

Most definitely has the KST factor covered, too.

I opened this thread and did exactly this when I saw it. Didn't go past the picture before I scrolled up and voted cool

Its a quirky little car and I'm liking the way it looks, actually.

 

[BloodyThunderX]

If you grew up in Japan during the Early 90's and this car caught your eye, it was likely because of its looks. Good looks but the base of the car (Micra) makes you feel like "Oh? It's that? Well.. okay then."

Meh.

 

[JR98]

If you grew up in Japan during the Early 90's and this car caught your eye, it was likely because of its looks. Good looks but the base of the car (Micra) makes you feel like "Oh? It's that? Well.. okay then."

Meh.

But most people (Myself included until I looked at this thread) will not know it is based off a Micra

 

[Stotty]

My ex-PA has one of these.

She loved it, but it was gradually disintegrating around her as the rust set in.

To my eyes, the proportions are terrible.

SU