Large Man Drives a Nissan Figaro. Will It End Well?

[@Z-u-m-a]

Why the heck not. Kudos to anyone whose car brings some joy to their life.

[@samwilde595]

True car guy! You’re spot on I think, whatever you love is what you love.

[@anastassiosperakis2869]

NOT when they have an accident with a REAL car with far more passive AND active safety.

[@Brebgon]

@@anastassiosperakis2869 extremely rare case of that happening

[@May-ms9wg]

@@anastassiosperakis2869 air cooled 911s are fake cars smh no modern sensors or side airbags

[@TacPrecision]

They look a bit like a classic but with all the reliability and longevity as a Japanese car of that era. Fun fact with them being based on the Micra they share the same oil filter as the R33 GTR!

[@findlvrg4276]

These things are adorable. It's like if a fluffy kitten were a car, it just makes you smile and want to hold it.

[@mgutkowski]

When I met my wife, she knew nothing about cars. She appreciated that I did and when her Rover 25 died, I suggested that we get her something she could enjoy owning and driving on her terms, so she went for a Fig. She's still her own kind of petrol head after a succession of Smarts and I love that.

[@spainter1985]

I'm pretty sure these are so popular in the UK simply because of the retro styling. I think Nissan did a convincing job too - it's quite timeless considering they're 30 years old, a classic in it's own right!

[@markbennett6658]

You’ve got to consider the time period as well when these were released. There were a lot of very dull grey looking boxes in the early ‘90s. Nissan tried really hard with the Figaro and it is evocative of 50s French & Italian small cars. Like you say it’s timeless reliable and cheap to run. The rub is the lack of parts availability as Jonny Smith attests to with his!

[@Atombender]

Let's not forget that JDM cars are all RHD. Which makes them a natural choice to be grey-imported into the UK.

[@chrisogrady28]

I always love seeing a fig, they are very pretty and correctly sized, nice to see on the road. It's the exact opposite of a Nissan Qashqui or Juke

[@liamgell]

Thanks for driving our car!

[@67tomcat]

Never a fan, but at the same time, the Figaro is very cool and a throw back to when some manufacturers would take a chance or offer a niche car. That's a rarity these days for any volume manufacturer, and that's a shame.

[@GoldenCroc]

Japanese boom economy was a godsend for quirky cars, too bad we probably never will see anything like it again.

[@noseboop4354]

The US has introduced new legislation which permits low-volume car manufacturing, where barriers such as safety regulations don't apply. DeLorean is one of the first to take advantage of this to restart production, and hopefully more cool cars to come.

[@majortom1164]

For those who cannot read Japanese the little card says: Precautions when using a vehicle with a turbocharger Change the engine oil every 10,000km for SG class or every year, for SD, SE, SF class 5000km or every 6 months The best oil is Nissan Genuine motor oil "Turbo X" (SG class). When stopping engine immediately after driving at high speed or uphill, idle for about 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the driving situation Do not run the engine at high speed immediately after starting Please.

[@jesus_built_my_hotrod]

What i like about this channel is the appreciation of cars. Design, dynamics and just pure love of driving.

[@marvinsamuels1237]

Loving these videos of more down to earth, affordable machinery. Great work as always. I think the appeal of these cars is their retro modern cuteness coupled to the option of open air gentle cruising.

[@Mashmarriner69]

I will never own anything like this, but I'm god damn happy they are a thing.

[@K1lostream]

You know, its funny - when the figaro came out, I thought the same as you - it was a 'fake classic' - a modern car designed to look like a much older one. Now of course they're solidly thirty years old and I guess that makes 'em genuine classic cars! Not my bag at all, I have no desire to ever own one, but I do appreciate what Nissan did, and although I don't share the enthusiasm of Figaro fans, I do understand it!

[@kevinjekyll1521]

Keep getting your hands on all sorts of cars like this, it is so interesting to see what layout the cars have, and go for a test drive with you, in some cars we will never see or be able to afford. When you review a car, I go and see if I can find one for sale, also if I am looking at a car I look to see if you have looked at one. Thanks for the content, and I'm sure you enjoy this as much as, if not more, than us watching this. Enjoy.

[@Rhowhat]

I don't want for one but love seeing them out and about. Especially as you know that anyone who owns one loves it.

[@joshbrailsford]

Made my first cross-country drive in months at the weekend and saw a Figaro. Of all the notable cars I saw on the drive, the Figaro stood out most as it was the only one to make me smile. I don't think I'm the right person to own one, but I'm glad of those people who are and do.

[@deanchur]

James, you mentioned that it was designed for someone a bit smaller than yourself. I'm 6'4" and would deal with it because it's so unique and charming. Mind you I have fit in a Cappuccino before so I'm not unaccustomed to suffering for my love of small cars lol.

[@Geshmaal]

Interesting that you had the view that this car was more of a fashion accessory than anything else. I would wager that the average Figaro spends more of its life zipping about country lanes than the average supercar does.

[@GoldenCroc]

Average supercar rarely leaves the city limits, I would even wager.

[@Geshmaal]

@@GoldenCroc based on what I see in Glasgow they just roll around the same few streets all day rev bombing as they go.

[@GoldenCroc]

@@Geshmaal Seems about right.

[@jaymitchell-bunce5154]

The best this is you just smile when you drive it, and the people you pass often smile and turn to watch. It’s just a beautiful car to look at and a pleasure to drive.

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

Weirdly, this is a "one that got away" cars for me... I had a friend who's girlfriend was selling one, in that colour, here in Australia. I could've got it for 15k Australian micro pesos, but didn't think it was wise and passed. Considering the classic car dealership near my house has a yellow one for 55k, I should've listened to my wife and bought it for her. She wanted it bad. She must NEVER see this video.

[@BlackCatKitchen]

I have a Figaro and I love it!! I've featured it in one of my 1950's recipes too! It makes everyone smile! 😻😻

[@davidevans4089]

Nice video, I always enjoy seeing these on the road such a pity there aren't many cars like this.

[@nickmoore2301]

Great review, any car fitted with a Ferret Hammock is a win 🤣 I would rather have a nice one of these than a new Fiat 500 convertible 👍 Shame that rust is the biggest killer with these cars.

[@eze8970]

Thanks J, another quirky offering from Japan, so can't help but like it!

[@AntoniusTyas]

A Figaro and a Pao would be a perfect 2-smol-Nissan garage.

[@grayfool]

Not my thing either but, hey, go for it. It does make a nice change to see something designed to not be like every other car.

[@scalecrawlnl]

Great video, highlighting the most important factors with car's history, design and purpose: joyful motoring, getting there where you want to be in style. And awesome owners keeping this car on the road and in the best condition possible. And thank you for the JM focus on the fun of driving and owning a car that you like and enjoy! Fun review video of a cool car :-)

[@gabrielcaramet3238]

Nissan figaro I love those so much it's one of my gulty pleasure cars

[@JakobKsGarage]

Bought one three years ago because I love the shape, and thought it would be rubbish to drive, but it's actually really good. Up in the high revs it is rather quick, due to the turbo, but it IS slow in low revving city traffic. Made a video with it last year on my YT channel also. Economy is rather bad, compared to a regular small Japanese car, due to small wheels, high revving engine (4000 RPM at 100 km/h), turbo and the wasteful automatic transmission. So it drinks gasoline like a medium sized car from the seventies. But it is always a lot of fun to drive, so that doesn't really matter. And I know the feeling, you are trying to describe. Would also consider myself a petrolhead with a 356 and a Citroën DS among my other cars. Gave one of my cruising friends in an E-type quite a surprise earlier this year, when suddenly I floored it and kickdowned past him in the Fig on one of our trips 😎

[@Locomattive8572]

I must admit, Iv always liked them. Quirky and fun.

[@hexgraphica]

Same with the Daihatsu Copen, which one might argue to be the descendant of the Figaro, which wasn't as appreciated as it should have by car enthusiasts, probably because it didn't sport any muscle in its looks. In Japan they don't care as much about reputation and looking serious to others as we do, and the fact many of their best cars look really cute and expressive is proof of that. Daihatsu sold the Copen in EU with their usual 1.3L but retired altogether from the continent in '14, just in time before the new Copen was released. Now in Japan they sell three variants of it, the Robe which is angry looking, the GR which is the spicier Robe, and the Cero, which is the sweetest looking car on sale right now, go check it. Every time I see a Copen I would really like to drive it on a sweeping country road, because it promises joy just by looking at it.

[@Tourist1967]

I got one for my wife many years ago - I drove it more than she did, I think. That roof is a work of art. Also fairly nice inside except for the rather drab and hard dash and a bit of scuttle shake. The Toyota 1.3 engine was good too and with a manual gearbox. Quite a good power to weight ratio. I may yet import a Cero or a Robe...............

[@lm971120]

not to mention the insane 8000k rpm redline

[@psircos]

Thats lovely. Seen a few on the road over the years up here in Scotland. There's no doubt in my mind that one exists somewhere, on lowered suspension, a manual conversion and a remapped 120hp...🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Mr.Marbles]

Body kit stanced 20“ rim figaro with a big wing. Would make me cry but also laugh my ass off at the same time. Dont forget the hentai stickers!

[@robertrijkers4923]

a dutch figarodealer made a manual conversion with a 1600 cc 4 cylinder 192hp turbo now on sale for 14k euro.

[@psircos]

@@robertrijkers4923 Dear lord 😳 🤣

[@rhydianwilliams887]

Left my 208gti in a car park and came back to one of these exactly like this one parked next to me only yesterday, first time I've ever seen one and had to give it a second look, what are the chances of this video coming out today answering my question of what the little car was!

[@PuyoPuyoFever]

I love this car now

[@MrDead1975]

they definitely have some kind of appeal, my wife loved these the first time she spotted one on the road.

[@MikeWooshy]

I drove a pink one of these back from the Docks to an import dealership.

[@aviationlba747]

There is one of these just up my road. I didn’t know what it was until a couple of years ago, very interesting car.

[@b3nhor]

Now it's time for a Daihatsu Copen. It came in a kei car spec and a 1.3 yaris engine spec.

[@javigar133]

I recall seeing loads of those when I lived in London, not my dream car but I understand the appeal. I wish It was back in production

[@hotwheelshuntinguk]

I’ve always liked these. It’s one of those cars where you go ‘it’s a car I’m surprised exists, but I’m all here for it!!!’

[@BadDrummerCarl]

Theres a Figaro in my city, when driving around in my skyline I always want to meet them but only ever see them on the road

[@josefgordon7712]

There's about a thousand of these in USA JDM import dealers. It's kinda insane. I swear someone got swindled into shipping them over or something.

[@SteveDull]

Would rather look at a Nissan Figaro in a traffic jam than a Nissan Puke!

[@vinimaguire8109]

What a charming car and equally charming review

[@saschaaaaahall]

Ayyyyy that’s my sisters car Freddie, looking cool my dude. Hopefully I can get a ride in it soon 😎

[@alyshahall4700]

Hello you! Hopefully you’ll be able to see him soon 🤝

[@saschaaaaahall]

@@alyshahall4700 well I bloody hope so 😂

[@jamesengland7461]

I love these! Just not the available colors. I need purple or turquoise.

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Awesome car. Keep up the good work.

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Spat my Yorkshire Tea across the room. Bought as a fashion accessory. Says the man with more fashion accessories than most None of yours even have a Ferret Hammock 🤪🤪🤪

[@jo05dk]

You're having trouble scheduling video launches atm, ey? :) This isn't for me, but looking at them makes me smile, so i welcome them on the roads.

[@loulove321]

I don't even drive, but this is my dream car and someday when I maybe do drive, I want one so bad mainly just because how damn cute they look. I know it's hard to find one in a good condition, but it'd still be worth it to me, someone local to me has a pink one that she drives about and I get so jealous!

[@Mel-lb3zo]

This is exactly my thoughts, it's definitely a dream car for me.

[@ivan747100]

COTD - referring to the mesh parcel shelf in the passenger footwell as a 'ferret hammock'... ;)

[@RetroGamerVX]

Always loved these, they sort of remind me of a baby version of the car from the show 'Columbo'. They are fun and quirky.

[@carolkelly5578]

I'm the proud owner of a Topaz Mist Fig! I've hung onto it for 19 years now and admittedly have spent a lot of money on bodywork fixing, new engine etc. I use the turbo to overtake cyclists, foot hard down and whoom!!

[@LeroyPeterson]

The Nissan Pao is my choice for a cheaper alternative to the retro range. Hatchback with canvas sunroof. It's basically a JDM moke that you could survive a car accident in.

[@joshuakhaos4451]

Here in america, I've only seen one so far. But I'd be lying if I said I didnt like it, I found it to be a cool little car.

[@williamfence566]

12 years ago I bought my japanese import E36 from a uk dealer who had a figaro also in the showroom. He'd had it ages and said it might sell eventually. How times change.

[@richardmortimer8147]

When we decided to get a second car, my wife said she would like a TT or a pink Figaro. Obviously, we went for the TT! It went last year and we are now saving and deciding what to get next... hmmm. Still can't see myself driving a pink one!

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

My missus has a Daihatsu Copen. I'm just a smidge under 6' 2" and I drive it. If I'm at a set of lights and almost any other car pulls up next to me, it's the Copen that gets the looks and the smiles. Especially from the ladies. I'd like to have said it was me, but at 60, I'm not so sure now. It's a cracking little car too. had a tiny 1,200 Toyota engine. So that won't go wrong. It's a tidy little handler and corners on rails. With the roof down on a warm summers day, you can't beat it. And when the roof is down, even if a Porsche pulls up next to you, the little Copen will definitely get more looks and smiles.

[@dominicrusho]

They should bring this back as a seven-seater electric SUV

[@patrickbateman6885]

😂

[@jimjim5765]

😂

[@deanchur]

(Greta voice) HOW DARE YOU

[@edmundscycles1]

I think it's a nice little looking car . Very 1950s styling .

[@dsantosfranco]

Great video! You missed out on the seashell. It's a "Fleur-de-lis" that is the bespoke emblem of the Figaro, its actually what's on the bonnet. Other places where you will find it are the 3 chrome spokes on the steering wheel. As for the suspension it is unforgiving if you do not replace it, so on your model that must have been the case, but it should be otherwise very confortable.

[@rickc2102]

Not a fan of the shoulder doilies, but goodness, what a cute li'l city car.

[@xp50player]

Sure, I’d have one. Duncan Imports here in the USA has 77 on offer right now, starting at $9,000. RIght hand drive is a bit of a barrier tho.

[@churpina]

Eeeek this is my dream car! Im really hoping to find a good mechanic to revamp one for me and im good to go!!

[@SkepticalCaveman]

Perfect car for an EV conversion. With an electric motor the performance will improve dramatically.

[@jonathanwells10]

I suspect some of the popularity comes from Sarah Jane (old Dr Who assistant) drove a green one of these in the spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures. Jonny Smith (Late Brake Show) is currently converting his wife's model to electric power.

[@steddy1462]

That’s why I bought mine! Totally Sarah Jane, even has a sonic lipstick hanging like an air freshener

[@ReptilianAnusWizzard]

I cant belive ots from 91 looks way more Retro modern This is Retro modern retro

[@heilong79]

The classic car styling looked right out of the 60s. I used to see loads of these 10 years ago.

[@brianiswrong]

The thing with classic car insurance to consider is, You don't accrue any no claims bonus for each years fault free driving. Something to consider at 20,21 years old.

[@liamgell]

True! But not an issue for us as we have 3 cars - this is just a fun toy.

[@brianiswrong]

@@liamgell Just a thought, as we ran a Saab convertible on a classic policy and sole car for 4 years,then when insuring a " normal" car I struggled to get any discount other than a complimentary joining discount.

[@DavidSmith-xh5ob]

I have one it makes me smile every time I get in it.... Can't go anywhere with out being stop so much fun..

[@kennyraven2539]

Yeah got mine a couple years ago, love the older people who say they had one when they where young

[@callytheblueparakeet]

Even a Maybach lacks the Ferret-Hammock option.

[@Tourist1967]

I suspect their popularity in the UK is that the country has a large proportion of people who like to live in the past. It's (almost) brand-new, ready-made nostalgia.

[@jacobprice9446]

there's a company in Didcot, Oxfordshire that do manual conversions for the Figaro.. and the aptly named the Figaro shop

[@DavidColex]

Shame they didn't make it LHD, us continentals would love such a thing! Especially in Italy where 500s and MINIs dominate. Plus, this is essentialy a Bianchina replica.

[@alyshahall4700]

A few have actually been converted to LHD! It’s hard work but it definitely can be done

[@Westmoreland348]

It's a very sweet looking little car especially in that colour and I think they can probably tour quite well I was saw one with British numberplates touring In the hills above Malaga.

[@jms211]

The Figaro doesn't comply with the recently introduced ULEZ regulations so owning one in London could prove to be very expensive. Now might be a good time to find a bargain.

[@antoinettecastle4739]

I know this car!!!!👍💗👍Freddie

[@J4cko999]

There is a pink one near where I live, replete with advertising stuff for a Bistro, not moved in a while and someone has randomly emptied a can of beans on it (Wasn't that a thing for a bit actually ?) and the sauce has washed away just leaving the beans. Less unusually in the grime that has accumulated a selection of Phalli have been drawn, so the Figaro, absolute opposite of a Fanny Magnet even when you give it some beans.

[@andrewcbartlett]

Best not to question it!

[@realelaverick]

Nope, nope. You cannot describe something as a "ferret hammock" without providing an accompanying visual of a ferret enjoying said hammock... unless of course that was a euphemism, in which case - as you were.

[@henryhol8538]

My Daughter absolutely loves these! If it was manual and had space in the back for her mates she would have bought one.

[@laurensulphur6701]

There is enough space in the back and some have been converted to manual

[@ingopaul67]

You were right, bought by middle aged women who don't have a clue about cars. Still kind of respect it, its just different from all the SUVs of today.

[@alyshahall4700]

There’s a very small amount of younger women who buy them, who happen to know a lot about cars (hi!) 😁 I do agree - most people who buy them are middle aged women who don’t have a clue 🤣

[@GoldenCroc]

I would buy one if I had the extra space and money, they look just awesome and just plain fun, and you dont get much more *speed* nutter vehicle enthusiast than me, believe me. New experiences are the spice of life. Not a middle aged woman last time I checked either.

[@hectorsnet]

James... you're now officially a Hipster 😋

[@leebrown6623]

Cool little car 😎

[@Minggoreng]

this is actually one of the best design looking car from Nissan apart from those sporty like GTR Fairladys.

[@richardmortimer8147]

The biggest problem with a Figaro is, the tiny wheels! Can't imagine how often you have to change the wheel bearings!

[@alyshahall4700]

Not often at all! The wheels are the least of the worries - these cars don’t actually have too many repairs that need to be done so often 😁

[@Nickoboss29]

​@@alyshahall4700really? Can they be serviced by regular mechanics?

[@AliceC993]

I have only ever seen one of these here in the US. A bizarre car in many senses, but I kinda like it.

[@Saboda53]

It’s lovely!

[@ichheissedamian]

a pity these are getting so expensive

[@MrPleps]

There was one on the way to my highschool loved seeing that little nugget though im afraid i wont fit

[@arisaga822]

JP regulations: totally true. When I bought my Alfa, I had to prove that I had a parking spot within 2km. I noted down my in-laws house. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone.

[@SvenQ45]

Yes Nissan never had k-cars until the 2000s!

[@35deedub]

i would like to see a modded one with a manual box, different paint,. different wheels and suspension and a few tweaks to the engine....it has potential.....

[@alyshahall4700]

Surprisingly, there are SO many custom ones out there - the popular colours are Red, Pink, Black! A few have custom wheels too! Haven’t yet come across one with a modified engine..

[@johang7498]

The way it looked was what made the figaro unique; the only similar-looking car I can think of is the little-known and even tinier Autobianchi bianchina of the late 1950s, a Fiat 500-offshoot. Looking back, you could say Nissan was on to something with their pike factory-cars (be-1, pao, figaro and S-cargo), as they preceded European and American retro-design by some 10 years, but with a different approach. Whereas European retro-cars where modern interpretations of a classic icon, the figaro looked like a 1960-design that Nissan belatedly introduced in 1990, but based on the then current micra (assuming the Autobianchi wasn't the car they tried to recreate). To good effect though, because I can't feel anything but warmth for it. I like the term car enthusiast more than "petrolhead" as to me, the latter always implies some narrow-mindedness: as if you are only allowed to admire or enjoy very powerful or rugged cars. Maybe it's just me.

[@GoldenCroc]

Hear hear. Not many (as a percentage) car enhusiasts around though sadly. But I guess that goes for all hobbies/interests, most people are just "team supporters".

[@Nickoboss29]

The Vespa 400 too!

[@bigmoebigsley]

AC and CD player optional? Huh? I thought they were all pretty much the same with the options being dealer installed.

[@soyad9840]

thanks

[@tanner1ie]

I look at this and think it's a car from the 60s, forget you said it's from 91, start watching your description of it, then did a double take when you mentioned the CD player, then said "Oh yeah, it's 30 year newer than it looks!" 🤔😯😂 .

[@badusername4]

They’re the vespa of the car world… fair play

[@tradingcardboss]

I’m so looking forward to you reviewing the New Ami Car 🚗

[@adampetten5349]

Well a big man usually sings Figaro.