Agreed. Even if they showed one today saying "we made a new retro car" I'd totally buy that it was a current model. The fact that it looks so 'correct' 3 decades on is incredible.
No it’s not. I saw one here and I thought it’s an old European car but then I saw the door handles and window switches. It was confusing. It looked like someone retrofitted a modern car.
My mom had one of these when I was a kid. I can honestly say this is the first time in my life that I can smell a RUclips video. Man I loved that car, my sister and I would fight over who would be relegated to the back seat. Taking the top down by hand so everyone at my elementary school knew it was a convertible. Lost my mom a little over a year ago. The nostalgia that your video is bringing me is incredible, Doug. Thanks
Sorry about your Mom. There is no shame in spending way too much money buying a car that reminds you of another time: 90 percent of car culture is older people buying cars they remember from when they were younger. I bought a 1991 Geo Metro Convertible partly because it has the same engine and interior from my Moms first car, the first car I drove when I was 16, a 1988 Pontiac Firefly Hatchback (also known as Suzuki Swift, or Chevy Sprint) all very reliable Japanese cars, like the Nissan March which is also known as a Nissan March or Nissan Micra which my Mom and I still own, matching 2015 Nissan Micras. Just because a car is "boring" doesn't mean it can't make wonderful memories.
My wife has one, and I have taken care of it for now 10 years. Super reliable, and fantastic car. The car he reviews has almost no options, but it has some whacky ones. Parking stick Pin strip of the flower Cup holders The headlight eye lids Then there is a weird plaque that has this message behind the door and on the glove box Its wonderful to drive on the weekends
@@captnsquashypant82 Parking sticks are little poles that stick up from your front bumper to basically show you where your front corners are in tight spaces so you don't bash your fenders on anything. Not a popular item in western countries but they are more common in Asia. Kind of disappearing even in Asia because of parking sensors.
This is what we need today... not "retro inspired design" but cars with true retro design. New tech/manufacturing processes + retro design = killer product. Imagine this Figaro but with proper crumple zones, a nice modern engine, disk brakes, LED instead of halogen lights. All the sheblang.
I am in love with classic American cars. I would rather have one than a new car. The only problem is that they are not efficient, which would be solvedmby a new engine. Edison is a company that converts old trucks, like a squarebody, into diesel electric hybrids. It's really incredible.
I used to have one of these as my daily. You have now idea how many people came up to me to ask what it is, took pictures, and generally LOVED the car. It was usually older people that were the most excited about it. Definitely has a special place in my heart.
With every car today being grey, white, or silver corporate crossovers, seeing a funky, retro Italian design-inspired convertible is a real treat to the eyes. When I see these, I always do a double take because they are so cool and I love how colorful they are
I love my Figaro. It makes everyone smile. As a middle-aged guy, nobody ever looks me in the eye if I drive a Corvette or Porsche, but in a Figaro you're everyone's best friend. It was similar to the experience of driving my old bright yellow 1972 Beetle Convertible... you are obviously not trying to compensate for anything, LOL. I also get a kick out of taking it to Cars and Coffee and parking it next to a Ferrari and Lamborghini and having NOBODY pay attention to the cars that cost 20x as much. Bonus, I've almost paid for my car by renting it out for wedding photos. 🙂
The design elements on this car are so cool and unique. The white dashboard. The chrome everywhere. Simple yet beautiful touches. Wish more car companies would do something like this. Break up the monotony of modern car design.
I find it refreshing too. There's something so wonderful about making form and function work well together while avoiding the mundane. You can't help but smile when you look at it.
Call me crazy but I've never been more excited for a Demuro review. I'd rather learn about the Figaro, which I've always admired, than whatever the new McLaren or Lambo is by a MILE.
You're not alone. I see Figaros on the road and may buy one. I'll never see the latest most limited edition Lamboclarenarri. Modern supercars are so good they've become boring. Give me weird slow stuff like this.
Doug had written an article about how to import Japanese cars to the States many years ago and that helped get our Figaro here. It was an anniversary gift for my wife when we lived in Japan and bringing it back was cheaper than getting a newer car, not to mention that it's still a head-turner. Was great watching Doug excited to review this treasure. I converted ours to be fully electric in 2019 and love cruising seeing the smiles it brings people who see it. Thanks Doug!
@@RealSmartHacks In Japanese, フィガロ（Figaro）has the meaning of good looking nice guy who has sense of wit and humor. So it's right Nissan named this car Figaro.
My wife and I got two Nissan Paos last year. A his and hers. I absolutely love the Pike Factory cars. I daily drive mine. They get so much attention when we take them out.
These were built in the era when the Japanese economy was absolutely booming, when many Japanese people could afford to buy a cute but impractical car as basically a toy. That party came to an abrupt end when Japan went into a major recession in the mid 1990s. When that happened most Japanese companies canceled all the fun cars and just focused on boring, practical cars.
The Acura RSX was essentially the US spec Integra, after the Integra name was dropped from the US market. We didn’t get the Type R after the DC2 unfortunately, but the Type S was a decent, if less fun alternative.
The S-Cargo looks like a snail indeed, but it was really designed to look like a Citroen 2 CV Fourgonette, whose nickname was 'a snail' or 'escargot' in French. The are numerous Citroen references in the design: the overall shape, the way the hood curves, those protruding headlights, divided side windows, single-spoke steering wheel, exposed seat frames etc.
Love these types of reviews. Better than another "limited edition" Porsche 911 or McLaren. I really hope you review the Aptera solar car as well. One of my dream cars due to how futuristic it looks.
I agree. I'd rather watch a review of something weird and obscure like this than a super ultra most limited edition $3B Lamboclarenarri. I've seen Figaros and they're fun little cars. I'll never see one of those Maserimacattis.
I am being absolutely plagued by Figaros this week! I saw 1 on Monday and thought "you don't see many of those around" Wednesday the local owners club were on tour and saw about 25 of them! And Thursday, Doug has a feature about one... Just a weird week
Glad you finally got to review one! I picked one up in 2015 after you inspired me to import a JDM car when you got the R32. I still have it and it's as awesome as the day I got it.
We have a Figaro. A very practical & reliable classic. Since the mechanicals are based off of a Micra, parts are easily available. I would disagree with the assertion that the top is a hassle. For a manual it's very easy to deploy, stow & latch. Much easier to raise & lower than my Mercedes SL. While you won't be winning many drag races, its tons of fun to drive. These are somewhat more expensive to acquire in the US , but much more affordable in the UK.
Well , Honda showed one in Japan. But , i think it will be all electric. Chevrolet has shown some designs but , again , don't know if will be built and be ICE or EV.
Honestly Nissan alone is insane for not doing a reinvention of the Figaro. It would sell like absolute crazy and could be based on any of their small car platforms.
Motorbike manufacturers have sort of got it, but yeah cars are behind - with the exception of the reborn Fiat 500, as although they're so common, they nailed that retro-ness I think 👍
Back in the late 2010s when I was still working for a nissan dealership as a service tech, I had the absolute pleasure of being able to work on one of these! I had seen them in videos but never in person at that point, and you are right! Incredibly cute and quirky little car that definitely put a smile on my face! Hopefully I have the opportunity to own one someday!
My first interaction with a Figero about 10 years ago when I photographed a wedding where the father of the bride had one and it was the car they arrived at the church in. I did not know it was a Nissan due to the lack of the Nissan badge. I’ve always loved it from that day onwards.
ironically, we have it in the states, it is called Mitsubishi Mirage and it didn't sell too well though it is still selling, 40 MPG or more, it gets slightly better HP (78 HP), and it will get you awfully 400k miles with regular maintenance! If you maintain it slightly better than regular, I won't be surprise the Mirage will go 500k miles or more!
This thing is absolutely beautiful. When 2000s America asked for retro revival this was pretty much the mark that they were trying to hit (to… interesting results.)
The very first video I saw on Doug's channel was Nissan Murano Cabriolet in 2015. Since then I'm a big fan of this guy. Now, I'm watching this video with another Nissan Cabrio and it's like "I sense something; a presence I've not felt since...." Thank you Doug for all these years and comebacks :)
I'm gonna LOL if in 2025 Chevy introduces a new Beretta, or if Ford replaces the Focus with a 90's styled S-cort. 💀 (since the word has now become taboo do to popular usage of another meaning)
It's so cute and cool. I have been more interested in small Japanese cars because they are much more direct-feeling and easier to drive, like bicycles, than big SUVs. Small cars are more prevalent in Japan.
@@gooddypm the design was released in 1988 but wasn’t released until 1991, sorry to call you out on that. But yes most North Americans or Americans in General would have never knew this existed back in the 80s because it was never promoted to us Americans/Canadians and so on!
@@RetroKingOG the design was first shown at the 1989 Japan Mobility Show (Tokyo Motor Show). So,I say again? The car wasn’t in the press in Europe at the time and I highly doubt it that the motor press from the Land of the unFree gave two shits about a reboded MK1 Datsun March.
@@gooddypm[autism intensifies] (sorry couldn't help myself there) I'd say that it wouldn't have made the cover of magazines, but why shouldn't the motor press not also cover something awesome like this? And also, if the person earlier in this thread discovered it in 1990, well our perspective now, that's just a rounding error away from the 80s
@MilodeVries mainly because a rounding error wouldn't take into account that it was 91. And why would the western press cover a small quirky JDM only vehicle? The Internet wasn't a thing like today, leaks and rumors weren't as extensive either. I used to read two highly popular car mags religiously back then (Auto Express and What Car). Nothing was mentioned about JDM only vehicles. Do Americans know about the Peugeot 1007? What about the Citroen Ami? I'm sure a few do, like @AgingWheels but not many.
It’s not a scaled down US car of the 1950s, its a design based on the German Gutbrod Superior, which was also a small car (length: 3.6m) with the same style convertible top. By the way, the Superior was one of the first production cars in the world with fuel injection 1950-1954!
Hello Doug DeMuro, I hope that 1 day you able to review a Malaysian cars, such as Proton Satria GTi or any other cars from this brand.🇲🇾 As I know, you review almost every type of cars around the world from many brand & model as well. Honestly I like the way you review a car, very detail & entertaining.▶️ Keep it that way bro. I am your big fan from Malaysia.🤩
So happy you did a review of the Figaro! One of my all-time favorite cars that prove you don’t need a Ferrari to turn heads. Love this style of video, and you can tell you were excited about it throughout the entire video.
One of the major car websites in Australia lists two of these for sale at just over $A30,000- $US20,000. I love the fact that a sub-one-litre four-pot has a twin exhaust!
The fun Doug is having driving this car is just outright contagious...I realized at the end of the video that I was smiling and chuckling the whole time :D
"The 1950s when all cars were huge"? No they weren't, just think of the Goggomobil, Kabinenroller, Isetta (you even tested one), Fiat 500 etc. In a number of countries tiny cars like that were what most people could afford, often as their first motorized vehicle ever. The pastel colours of course are very retro.
Gorgeous little car. Love the Pao as well. First Doug video that inspired me to click in a long time. Such a cute and quirky car - I'd love to drive this.
My mum loves this car. The style really reminds her of cars driving around when she was young in the UK. The Fiat Barchetta is also quite a Quirky convertible. Own mine for almost 2 Years now. Still love it.
Doug, it's not scaled down, because it's not meant to be inspired by american cars from the 50s. It's actually scaled up, in order to bring the european post-war cars up to a modern size, like the Vespa 400 : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespa_400
this car is perfection. 50's-60's design, especially automotive, is my favorite era... i dislike car companies who bring back old names of cars or say they're reproducing cars from the past but then dont commit to the actual design. Even the bronco, it looks really good but all they really did was two toned fun colors and metal grills. once in a blue moon someone does it well but alot of times those cars are special order and/or expensive. that one foreign brand thats mass-producing that VW beetle/Fiat 500 esk car has my heart; they committed.
Despite neither car being sold new in the U.K. a lady at work had a Figaro. A different one had a Toyota Sera. There wasn't (maybe isn't) any equivalent of the 25 year rule in the U.K. There are delivery mileage Honda N Vans for sale in here despite them being only sold in Japan.
I didn't know this model before, it's magnificent and very tasteful, the colours are very 50's, all the buttons, dials, seat, handles... nothing has been left to chance, it's a Japanese car where you can feel the care and precision of the detail, a car that has a soul, an incredible look and that offers a lot of visual pleasure and certainly as much driving pleasure, a car that will produce a lot of good memories, because it's not an "ordinary" car!
This is the review I’ve been waiting for!!!! I’ve been wanting you to do a Figaro!! I’ve always loved this car for literally everything about it lol it’s got so much occasion so much personality and charm to it without it being redundant to own because it’s also a little Japanese car that you can live with lol.
We need more car companies do make unique cars… this climate of every car looking like every other car has killed the passion of the automotive industry of decades past
Ya, auto manufacturers want sameness to get economy of scale. Custom parts like on the inside of this car would raise unit costs if they order them in small batches.
I Agree 110% with You as ALL North American/European /Japanese Cars/SUV's/Trucks POST 2000 ...ALL Look The Same As One Could TRANSFER The Insignia Name Plates /Brands From The Cheapest Vehicle Brand With Absolutely No Problem Whatsoever ,,Right Onto The Most Expensive Vehicle Brand ...& VIOLA You Now ALL Have The MOST EXPENSIVE BRAND Whether It Be An ..Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar , Cadillac,..etc, etc ...I'll Neva Eva Be One Of Them ...as I've ALWAYS Driven a PRE 2000 Vehicle ..& I ALWAYS WILL!!...NMW!! ..Id Love To Own One of these 91 NISSAN FIGARO's!!...Soooo Nostalgia !!
I'm not the only one who thinks of the opera, The Marriage of Figaro, and sings FIGAROOO every time you hear this car's name. It wouldn't surprise me if that was Nissan's intention when coming up with names for the car. xD
You're probably talking about the aria "Largo al factotum" which is actually from its prequel, _The Barber of Seville_ (the two are based on non-operatic plays that were part of a trilogy; the third part wouldn't get an opera adaptation until the 20th century).
@@stevethepocket And, if we're talking about the operas, by different composers of course. Rossini wrote The Barber of Seville and Mozart its follow-up. 🙂
The most beautiful car reviews ever. I wonder how Nissan is not remaking this amazing piece of automotive deliciousness. Also I wonder how Nissan has lost its taste in designing cars, this car prove they had some artists back then.
one of the most prominent sightings of the Nissan Figaro was on the Doctor Who spinoff The Sarah Jane Adventures, as it was the ride of the show's main character Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) as she protected Earth from various alien threats. The looks of the Figaro was certainly eye-catching on screen.
These are really popular in the UK! There was one famously always parked outside St Pancras station that everyone would photograph. I really love the PAO though, it has such a PIXAR look to it!
Hi Doug, this is a VERY special one, and indeed it is gorgeous, the interior is like a big luxury car, you still can see them in Europe and they are really really beautiful. A friend of mine had one when I was living in Ireland, curiously there are lots of convertibles there and the U.K., probably because when the weather is good, having a convertible is a blast and I drove it several times so I can tell you that driving up the small roads along the coast and the cliffs with the windy weather was a wonderful experience and so every time I see a Figaro it brings a smile and very good memories. great little enjoyable car ❤
Even back when these were made convertibles were probably more popular than cars with air conditioning in the U.K. Bizarrely, twice we ended up with a Ford Escort convertibles as a hire car.
It's more of a Gutbrod Superior at home: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutbrod_Superior Fun fact, the '50s car this is styled after has direct fuel injection, whereas the much newer Figaro uses a conventional fuel injection system.
Fun fact: The Figaro is also a well known french newspaper that has been around since 1826. Nissan probably used that name as a french referrence just like they did for the S-cargo.
@@GTAman51Figaro is the name of the main character of the French play The Barber of Seville which was later made into an Opera by Rossini (Italy) which as as far as I know was way more popular that the original play. The play has a second part called The Marriage of Figaro for which another Opera was made, this time with Mozart writing the music. And for the life of me I can’t remember the name of the author of the play…. But he was French
The great thing about driving a car like that is that when it breaks down, people aren’t ticked off at you for making them miss a full light cycle, forced to change lanes, or deal with added traffic. They may honk far in the back, but once they actually get to see what the issue is, all is forgiven. Smiles on their faces. “Awe, how cute!?”
Great looking tiny car. I remember seeing a lot of Nissan March in the late 80’s where I live, thought they were successful. When I first saw the Figaro thought it was actually from the 50’s era. Absolutely gorgeous. Love the ‘fall’ color.
Living in the UK, you still see quite a few of these cars on the road today. Surprisingly, some are in pretty good condition, which is unusual for a Nissan. These models come with a Miles speedometer, unlike the one reviewed (which is a Japan import). Officially sold in the UK at some point, this car wasn't particularly beloved within Nissan internally. Its sole purpose seemed to be generating revenue for the company. It's worth noting that you won't find anything quite like this anymore, as Nissan has grown financially and no longer relies on products of this nature. The decision not to brand it as a Nissan was deliberate; the company didn't want this car associated with its brand, fearing it would detract from their modern, innovative image. Hence, there are no Nissan badges on it.
@@LCOF The Figaro has been officially imported into the UK, boasting substantial support within the country's automotive landscape. Whether this backing comes directly from Nissan or through an alternative subsidiary remains a separate matter. It's important to note that Figaros are not regarded as mere imports in the UK, underscoring their established presence and recognition within the local market.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Check out THIS! Figaro HERE crsnbds.com/nissan-figaro
Is the March/Micra on your bucket list by any chance Doug? 🤔
Saw this lurking in the garage so waited for this. Inspiration was likely 50s Austins rather than an after-life.
@@urgeeked3977add also the 240SX and Mitsubishi Starion.
I skip half your vids btw
i think practicality have to be 2 ,yes you have back seats ,but trunk is almost useless
I think the Figaro is absolutely timeless. You could tell me it was product around 2010 as a rival to the new Fiat 500 and I would believe it.
Agreed. Even if they showed one today saying "we made a new retro car" I'd totally buy that it was a current model. The fact that it looks so 'correct' 3 decades on is incredible.
I definitely agree. Only thing that dates it is that tape deck, or if you opened the bonnet. The quality of that interior is astonishingly good.
Hell I would mistake this for a rival the the ORIGINAL Fiat 500
I would rather have the Figaro than the Fiat 500!
No it’s not. I saw one here and I thought it’s an old European car but then I saw the door handles and window switches. It was confusing. It looked like someone retrofitted a modern car.
My mom had one of these when I was a kid. I can honestly say this is the first time in my life that I can smell a RUclips video. Man I loved that car, my sister and I would fight over who would be relegated to the back seat. Taking the top down by hand so everyone at my elementary school knew it was a convertible. Lost my mom a little over a year ago. The nostalgia that your video is bringing me is incredible, Doug. Thanks
I remembered a lot that i also ever driven this figaro back in 1998.😅
Sorry about your Mom. There is no shame in spending way too much money buying a car that reminds you of another time: 90 percent of car culture is older people buying cars they remember from when they were younger. I bought a 1991 Geo Metro Convertible partly because it has the same engine and interior from my Moms first car, the first car I drove when I was 16, a 1988 Pontiac Firefly Hatchback (also known as Suzuki Swift, or Chevy Sprint) all very reliable Japanese cars, like the Nissan March which is also known as a Nissan March or Nissan Micra which my Mom and I still own, matching 2015 Nissan Micras. Just because a car is "boring" doesn't mean it can't make wonderful memories.
心の温まる素敵なお話を聞かせて下さって、ありがとう。Figaroは、お母さんとの大切な思い出を想起させ、子供時代の小さな自分に戻してくれる「素敵なタイムマシン」ですね✨
Pray her soul RIP
My wife has one, and I have taken care of it for now 10 years. Super reliable, and fantastic car. The car he reviews has almost no options, but it has some whacky ones.
Parking stick
Pin strip of the flower
Cup holders
The headlight eye lids
Then there is a weird plaque that has this message behind the door and on the glove box
Its wonderful to drive on the weekends
What's the gas economy?
What is a parking stick?
@@captnsquashypant82 I think he meant handbrake.
@@captnsquashypant82 Parking sticks are little poles that stick up from your front bumper to basically show you where your front corners are in tight spaces so you don't bash your fenders on anything. Not a popular item in western countries but they are more common in Asia. Kind of disappearing even in Asia because of parking sensors.
@@doublestrokerollThey’re also known as bumper poles.
This is what we need today... not "retro inspired design" but cars with true retro design. New tech/manufacturing processes + retro design = killer product.
Imagine this Figaro but with proper crumple zones, a nice modern engine, disk brakes, LED instead of halogen lights. All the sheblang.
@@yevgeniykhakhaev9788 just like the Morgan's cars, right ?
What does that even mean? You're just throwing buzzwords around.
@@namecannotbeblank8920 No he isn't, you just don't know what he is talking about.
I am in love with classic American cars. I would rather have one than a new car. The only problem is that they are not efficient, which would be solvedmby a new engine. Edison is a company that converts old trucks, like a squarebody, into diesel electric hybrids. It's really incredible.
It was not meant to resemble 1950's american land yachts, it was meant to be a nod to atalian 1950's. And they hit right on the mark.
Exactly, “back when car were huge…” not everywhere… basically only in the USA
@@ParisTrois the front end screams classic Japanese design, it reminds me of the old Datsuns
The name is a dead giveaway.
Even though Doug offended it's look as stupid on the roof..
They nailed the styling of this car.
I used to have one of these as my daily. You have now idea how many people came up to me to ask what it is, took pictures, and generally LOVED the car. It was usually older people that were the most excited about it. Definitely has a special place in my heart.
More cars like this and less ultra expensive hypercars
Yeah this is cooler to watch than yet another limited edition McLaren or yet another Porsche 911 with some weight reduction.
Figaro > Supercars
@@wvusmceven Figaro > 1998 TVR SPEED 12.
That’s where I put the limit: Figaro ≈ any TVR. High standards. The difference is that one car is safe.
And huge suvs. Ugh, so dumb
1991 nissan figaro could be made and sold in today's market. It's styling did not diminish.
With every car today being grey, white, or silver corporate crossovers, seeing a funky, retro Italian design-inspired convertible is a real treat to the eyes. When I see these, I always do a double take because they are so cool and I love how colorful they are
Is Wuling Motors AIR EV has grey colours?
This could have the exact same everything, including the engine, and it would sell out at a $22,000 price point today
I love my Figaro. It makes everyone smile. As a middle-aged guy, nobody ever looks me in the eye if I drive a Corvette or Porsche, but in a Figaro you're everyone's best friend. It was similar to the experience of driving my old bright yellow 1972 Beetle Convertible... you are obviously not trying to compensate for anything, LOL. I also get a kick out of taking it to Cars and Coffee and parking it next to a Ferrari and Lamborghini and having NOBODY pay attention to the cars that cost 20x as much. Bonus, I've almost paid for my car by renting it out for wedding photos. 🙂
The design elements on this car are so cool and unique.
The white dashboard.
The chrome everywhere.
Simple yet beautiful touches.
Wish more car companies would do something like this.
Break up the monotony of modern car design.
Figaro is 8.9/10 car like 1999 Ford Thunderbird Coupe.
I find it refreshing too. There's something so wonderful about making form and function work well together while avoiding the mundane. You can't help but smile when you look at it.
I live here in Japan and these are still pretty common to see. Usually in this spring color. Very cool!
The thought of a car being sold in Japan with everything in English is weird. It's like if the Chevy Corvette had everything in Mongolian.
Call me crazy but I've never been more excited for a Demuro review. I'd rather learn about the Figaro, which I've always admired, than whatever the new McLaren or Lambo is by a MILE.
You're not alone. I see Figaros on the road and may buy one. I'll never see the latest most limited edition Lamboclarenarri. Modern supercars are so good they've become boring. Give me weird slow stuff like this.
Doug had written an article about how to import Japanese cars to the States many years ago and that helped get our Figaro here. It was an anniversary gift for my wife when we lived in Japan and bringing it back was cheaper than getting a newer car, not to mention that it's still a head-turner. Was great watching Doug excited to review this treasure. I converted ours to be fully electric in 2019 and love cruising seeing the smiles it brings people who see it. Thanks Doug!
@@RealSmartHacks In Japanese, フィガロ（Figaro）has the meaning of good looking nice guy who has sense of wit and humor. So it's right Nissan named this car Figaro.
Technology Connections will be particularly interested in this video.
I thought he had one
@@volvo09 He does :)
Thought this was likely his, but WA plates.
@@Aerith17
Because it was not obvious enough that he likes guys
I also thought Aging Wheels might be interested...
My wife and I got two Nissan Paos last year. A his and hers. I absolutely love the Pike Factory cars. I daily drive mine. They get so much attention when we take them out.
It's easy to forget that once upon a time Nissan built some really neat cars.
and Acura too, both use to build fantastic quality cars that looked great... that was a long time ago
These were built in the era when the Japanese economy was absolutely booming, when many Japanese people could afford to buy a cute but impractical car as basically a toy. That party came to an abrupt end when Japan went into a major recession in the mid 1990s. When that happened most Japanese companies canceled all the fun cars and just focused on boring, practical cars.
R3*?
@@slowery43back in early 2000s, Acura also ever made Acura RSX coupe, which took styles from Integra Type R into it.
The Acura RSX was essentially the US spec Integra, after the Integra name was dropped from the US market. We didn’t get the Type R after the DC2 unfortunately, but the Type S was a decent, if less fun alternative.
The S-Cargo looks like a snail indeed, but it was really designed to look like a Citroen 2 CV Fourgonette, whose nickname was 'a snail' or 'escargot' in French. The are numerous Citroen references in the design: the overall shape, the way the hood curves, those protruding headlights, divided side windows, single-spoke steering wheel, exposed seat frames etc.
next week: THIS is the 1991 Nissan Figaro TRD Trailhunter
Well said.
@LekkerBroodjeKaas bro how'd you get this emoji
TRD is a Toyota label.
@@СемёнМуратов-о4бhis probably using an I phone, you can download emojis on them to use at will
XD PRO-4X
Damn, Nissan absolutely nailed this car! Late 80's through mid 90's is like peak Japanese car era.
Japanese boom economy was a wonder and made many things temporarily possible. Too bad about later..
Love these types of reviews. Better than another "limited edition" Porsche 911 or McLaren. I really hope you review the Aptera solar car as well. One of my dream cars due to how futuristic it looks.
agree 100%! The super rare expensive exotic cars are boring. These weird cars are the best!
I agree. I'd rather watch a review of something weird and obscure like this than a super ultra most limited edition $3B Lamboclarenarri. I've seen Figaros and they're fun little cars. I'll never see one of those Maserimacattis.
Aging Wheels has reviewed one.
Yeah i love this vid also is very doug professional... like seasoned doug... the type of guy that gets better and better
@@bwofficial1776what about a review of Fioravanti F100 or Bertone Pickup Truck?
I am being absolutely plagued by Figaros this week!
I saw 1 on Monday and thought "you don't see many of those around"
Wednesday the local owners club were on tour and saw about 25 of them!
And Thursday, Doug has a feature about one...
Just a weird week
I unironically love this car. It's so cute and derpy!
For real, it's truly one of the "They don't make em like these anymore" cars, this is my first time seeing this car and it's amazing
I see Figaros fairly regularly here in the UK, but I still get excited when I do see one. You can't help but smile - they're such happy little cars.
Glad you finally got to review one! I picked one up in 2015 after you inspired me to import a JDM car when you got the R32. I still have it and it's as awesome as the day I got it.
Figaro is a very underrated tiny JDM car.
All YT comments should be as wholesome as this one. Happy to hear you are enjoying one of these and I wish you many more miles with it.
We have a Figaro. A very practical & reliable classic. Since the mechanicals are based off of a Micra, parts are easily available. I would disagree with the assertion that the top is a hassle. For a manual it's very easy to deploy, stow & latch. Much easier to raise & lower than my Mercedes SL. While you won't be winning many drag races, its tons of fun to drive. These are somewhat more expensive to acquire in the US , but much more affordable in the UK.
With people being more nostalgic than ever, manufacturers are crazy to not jump into this opportunity and create more retro looking cars.
“manufacturers are crazy”
that’s accurate on its own
Well , Honda showed one in Japan. But , i think it will be all electric. Chevrolet has shown some designs but , again , don't know if will be built and be ICE or EV.
Honestly Nissan alone is insane for not doing a reinvention of the Figaro. It would sell like absolute crazy and could be based on any of their small car platforms.
Motorbike manufacturers have sort of got it, but yeah cars are behind - with the exception of the reborn Fiat 500, as although they're so common, they nailed that retro-ness I think 👍
Asia is getting the good stuff. The Jimny retro silhouette is a big trend over there.
Back in the late 2010s when I was still working for a nissan dealership as a service tech, I had the absolute pleasure of being able to work on one of these! I had seen them in videos but never in person at that point, and you are right! Incredibly cute and quirky little car that definitely put a smile on my face! Hopefully I have the opportunity to own one someday!
My first interaction with a Figero about 10 years ago when I photographed a wedding where the father of the bride had one and it was the car they arrived at the church in. I did not know it was a Nissan due to the lack of the Nissan badge. I’ve always loved it from that day onwards.
I remember these being owned/driven by young ladies in Japan. Thanks for the memories.
Dougs the kinda guy who says the seasons out of order
Doug is the kinda guy who laughs when thinking of seasons
Doug be the variety of individual who will accidentally say August instead of autumn and make it past the video editing stage
@@retro_reviewshe also forgets to cut all the times he repeats the same points
This is the definition of timeless design. This looks like a new car interior.
I wish more companies took chances on weird stuff like this now. I LOVE this car.
Last time companies did that public hate it
Ok. Also Something that isn’t the Cybertruck
ironically, we have it in the states, it is called Mitsubishi Mirage and it didn't sell too well though it is still selling, 40 MPG or more, it gets slightly better HP (78 HP), and it will get you awfully 400k miles with regular maintenance! If you maintain it slightly better than regular, I won't be surprise the Mirage will go 500k miles or more!
This thing is absolutely beautiful. When 2000s America asked for retro revival this was pretty much the mark that they were trying to hit (to… interesting results.)
At first glance, I thought, "Oh, a new Technology Connections video." Then, I saw Doug.
The very first video I saw on Doug's channel was Nissan Murano Cabriolet in 2015.
Since then I'm a big fan of this guy. Now, I'm watching this video with another Nissan Cabrio and it's like "I sense something; a presence I've not felt since...."
Thank you Doug for all these years and comebacks :)
If you want to feel old, this would be like a car company today making a 90’s styled retro vehicle
I'm gonna LOL if in 2025 Chevy introduces a new Beretta, or if Ford replaces the Focus with a 90's styled S-cort. 💀
(since the word has now become taboo do to popular usage of another meaning)
Bring on the throwback minivans! Squared off trucks/trucks of a reasonable size!
Take a look at Mitsuoka Motors
Honda did recently show a concept car of a 90s style Civic as retro (gosh that makes me feel old).
*Ioniq 6 has entered the chat
Escargot has always been my favourite car name. Still makes me smile today.
S-Cargo
The two-tone colour is the culmination of elegance.
0:19 "..in the 1950's when cars were huge!" - yeah, in America.... In the rest of the world 1950's care were tiny.
Exactly
All American cars were mammoths. Plymouth, Pontiac, Chevys...
It's so cute and cool. I have been more interested in small Japanese cars because they are much more direct-feeling and easier to drive, like bicycles, than big SUVs. Small cars are more prevalent in Japan.
This must be one of the most interesting cars I've ever seen! Already loved the Figaro, but seeing all it's quirks is really wonderfull. Tks Doug!
I miss my Honda del sol. That car was perfect. Convertible, good handling, good fuel economy, comfortable, good audio, fun, and cheap.
I instantly wanted a Figaro when I first saw it in the 80s. It's half the reason I bought a FIAT 500c (Cabrio) with the same type of convertible roof.
How could you want a fair in the 80s when it didn’t come out till 1991? What a rather obtuse statement.
@@gooddypm the design was released in 1988 but wasn’t released until 1991, sorry to call you out on that.
But yes most North Americans or Americans in General would have never knew this existed back in the 80s because it was never promoted to us Americans/Canadians and so on!
@@RetroKingOG the design was first shown at the 1989 Japan Mobility Show (Tokyo Motor Show). So,I say again? The car wasn’t in the press in Europe at the time and I highly doubt it that the motor press from the Land of the unFree gave two shits about a reboded MK1 Datsun March.
@@gooddypm[autism intensifies] (sorry couldn't help myself there)
I'd say that it wouldn't have made the cover of magazines, but why shouldn't the motor press not also cover something awesome like this? And also, if the person earlier in this thread discovered it in 1990, well our perspective now, that's just a rounding error away from the 80s
@MilodeVries mainly because a rounding error wouldn't take into account that it was 91. And why would the western press cover a small quirky JDM only vehicle? The Internet wasn't a thing like today, leaks and rumors weren't as extensive either. I used to read two highly popular car mags religiously back then (Auto Express and What Car). Nothing was mentioned about JDM only vehicles. Do Americans know about the Peugeot 1007? What about the Citroen Ami? I'm sure a few do, like @AgingWheels but not many.
I think people sometimes take for granted everything Doug’s done for the car community. Thank you Doug.
It’s not a scaled down US car of the 1950s, its a design based on the German Gutbrod Superior, which was also a small car (length: 3.6m) with the same style convertible top.
By the way, the Superior was one of the first production cars in the world with fuel injection 1950-1954!
Period...this is the coolest car I ve ever seen in whole life..
Cant tell Doug enough how incredible it is to go from new pickup trucks to awesome unique stuff like this!
Hello Doug DeMuro, I hope that 1 day you able to review a Malaysian cars, such as Proton Satria GTi or any other cars from this brand.🇲🇾
As I know, you review almost every type of cars around the world from many brand & model as well. Honestly I like the way you review a car, very detail & entertaining.▶️
Keep it that way bro. I am your big fan from Malaysia.🤩
HE DIDNT CLIMB IN THE BACK SEAT BAD. nah, great review, great car. Always love doug. Perfect thing to watch on the toilet after school
So happy you did a review of the Figaro! One of my all-time favorite cars that prove you don’t need a Ferrari to turn heads. Love this style of video, and you can tell you were excited about it throughout the entire video.
One of the major car websites in Australia lists two of these for sale at just over $A30,000- $US20,000.
I love the fact that a sub-one-litre four-pot has a twin exhaust!
it's just the muffler with two tips. It's just a single pipe all the way to the back.
This is probably the most well executed "retro" new ish car ever made. So cool. Really special little car.
It's not bizarre and wacky at all. It's cool and sexy.
The fun Doug is having driving this car is just outright contagious...I realized at the end of the video that I was smiling and chuckling the whole time :D
"The 1950s when all cars were huge"? No they weren't, just think of the Goggomobil, Kabinenroller, Isetta (you even tested one), Fiat 500 etc. In a number of countries tiny cars like that were what most people could afford, often as their first motorized vehicle ever. The pastel colours of course are very retro.
That is the most beautiful Nissan have ever seen.
Looks lovely. I miss more simple designs like this
Gorgeous little car. Love the Pao as well. First Doug video that inspired me to click in a long time. Such a cute and quirky car - I'd love to drive this.
One of my favorite tiny cars. I desperately want one
There is a place in Virginia that sells a bunch of them.
Duncan classics
They have a showroom in TN too
I have one for sale!
@floridaman7 l bought a car from Duncan Imports last year. Good experience, and yes, their warehouse had quite a few of these cars.
I wish we could have more of these reviews. Not only cars from Cars & Bids, but actually interesting cars
We need more cars like this.
You won't get them didn't you know over inflated EV SUV's are more important.
My mum loves this car. The style really reminds her of cars driving around when she was young in the UK.
The Fiat Barchetta is also quite a Quirky convertible. Own mine for almost 2 Years now. Still love it.
This is the car Technology Connections has! Love this little thing
Doug, it's not scaled down, because it's not meant to be inspired by american cars from the 50s. It's actually scaled up, in order to bring the european post-war cars up to a modern size, like the Vespa 400 : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespa_400
Perfect beach cruiser!
These get a lot of looks when you're driving it around.
this car is perfection. 50's-60's design, especially automotive, is my favorite era... i dislike car companies who bring back old names of cars or say they're reproducing cars from the past but then dont commit to the actual design. Even the bronco, it looks really good but all they really did was two toned fun colors and metal grills. once in a blue moon someone does it well but alot of times those cars are special order and/or expensive. that one foreign brand thats mass-producing that VW beetle/Fiat 500 esk car has my heart; they committed.
I remember seeing these everywhere in England when I was a kid. I absolutely adore them.
Despite neither car being sold new in the U.K. a lady at work had a Figaro. A different one had a Toyota Sera.
There wasn't (maybe isn't) any equivalent of the 25 year rule in the U.K. There are delivery mileage Honda N Vans for sale in here despite them being only sold in Japan.
I didn't know this model before, it's magnificent and very tasteful, the colours are very 50's, all the buttons, dials, seat, handles... nothing has been left to chance, it's a Japanese car where you can feel the care and precision of the detail, a car that has a soul, an incredible look and that offers a lot of visual pleasure and certainly as much driving pleasure, a car that will produce a lot of good memories, because it's not an "ordinary" car!
IF the 2003 Ford Thunderbird and a 2015 Fiat 500 had a baby!!! Lol
Nailed it
Throw a Karmann Ghia in there somewhere and we’re good
This is the review I’ve been waiting for!!!! I’ve been wanting you to do a Figaro!! I’ve always loved this car for literally everything about it lol it’s got so much occasion so much personality and charm to it without it being redundant to own because it’s also a little Japanese car that you can live with lol.
We need more car companies do make unique cars… this climate of every car looking like every other car has killed the passion of the automotive industry of decades past
Ya, auto manufacturers want sameness to get economy of scale. Custom parts like on the inside of this car would raise unit costs if they order them in small batches.
I Agree 110% with You as ALL North American/European /Japanese Cars/SUV's/Trucks POST 2000 ...ALL Look The Same As One Could TRANSFER The Insignia Name Plates /Brands From The Cheapest Vehicle Brand With Absolutely No Problem Whatsoever ,,Right Onto The Most Expensive Vehicle Brand ...& VIOLA You Now ALL Have The MOST EXPENSIVE BRAND Whether It Be An ..Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar , Cadillac,..etc, etc ...I'll Neva Eva Be One Of Them ...as I've ALWAYS Driven a PRE 2000 Vehicle ..& I ALWAYS WILL!!...NMW!! ..Id Love To Own One of these 91 NISSAN FIGARO's!!...Soooo Nostalgia !!
I'd never heard of this car before but now I really want one.
I'm not the only one who thinks of the opera, The Marriage of Figaro, and sings FIGAROOO every time you hear this car's name. It wouldn't surprise me if that was Nissan's intention when coming up with names for the car. xD
You're probably talking about the aria "Largo al factotum" which is actually from its prequel, _The Barber of Seville_ (the two are based on non-operatic plays that were part of a trilogy; the third part wouldn't get an opera adaptation until the 20th century).
@@stevethepocket And, if we're talking about the operas, by different composers of course. Rossini wrote The Barber of Seville and Mozart its follow-up. 🙂
This is one of the coolest cars I have ever seen. Such beatiful design, and amazing attention to detail.
THIS! Reminds me of the good old days of Doug’s channel.
That is absolutely awesome. Can't believe I've never heard of this era of nissan
Doug's the type of guy who uses the word 'rimming' when talking about some derpy retro Japanese car named for spring.
The most beautiful car reviews ever. I wonder how Nissan is not remaking this amazing piece of automotive deliciousness. Also I wonder how Nissan has lost its taste in designing cars, this car prove they had some artists back then.
Wow! They did an awesome job on the interior details! Everything is unique and custom for that car
More custom than Maserati interior💀
@@AzVfL - And more reliable than a Maserati -
one of the most prominent sightings of the Nissan Figaro was on the Doctor Who spinoff The Sarah Jane Adventures, as it was the ride of the show's main character Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) as she protected Earth from various alien threats. The looks of the Figaro was certainly eye-catching on screen.
These are really popular in the UK! There was one famously always parked outside St Pancras station that everyone would photograph. I really love the PAO though, it has such a PIXAR look to it!
There used to be one near where I lived, too.
They're most popular in Australia, saw a group of Figaros gathering as groups in a nearby supermarket
Hi Doug, this is a VERY special one, and indeed it is gorgeous, the interior is like a big luxury car, you still can see them in Europe and they are really really beautiful. A friend of mine had one when I was living in Ireland, curiously there are lots of convertibles there and the U.K., probably because when the weather is good, having a convertible is a blast and I drove it several times so I can tell you that driving up the small roads along the coast and the cliffs with the windy weather was a wonderful experience and so every time I see a Figaro it brings a smile and very good memories. great little enjoyable car ❤
Even back when these were made convertibles were probably more popular than cars with air conditioning in the U.K. Bizarrely, twice we ended up with a Ford Escort convertibles as a hire car.
"We have a Fiat 500 at home, tonight we are splurging on this Nissan for your birthday."
Kinda funny that there's a Fiat 500 in the background of this vid
It's more of a Gutbrod Superior at home: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutbrod_Superior Fun fact, the '50s car this is styled after has direct fuel injection, whereas the much newer Figaro uses a conventional fuel injection system.
OMG! Please find more of these oddities Doug! These are just so much more amazing to watch!
Simple and elegant design.
Doug's the type of guy...
If it's on cars & bids, he's going to do all he can to sell it... no matter what, he really thinks of it.
The Figaro is basically Nissan's version of a forgotten 1950s German car, called Gutbrod Superior. Look it up and say it ain't so.
It ain't so.
Well, actually it looks quite the same.
Yep.really.They actually kinda stole its dezign...,if they were aware of the Gutbrod.I never heard about it..
Fewer originals than the copy - Gutbrod total of 6,860 cabriolet saloons and 866 estates
Even the convertible roof is the same.
Doug please review an example of the Nissan S-Chassis. Preferably a late model s14 240sx
I am surprised that this wasn't Alec's car.
i almost pulled the trigger twice on one of these... thanks Doug and TY for pushing me back into the "market of thought"
Fun fact: The Figaro is also a well known french newspaper that has been around since 1826. Nissan probably used that name as a french referrence just like they did for the S-cargo.
yeah they like a lot of overrated european stuff apparently
weird...I figured it to be an Italian opera reference 🤷🏼
@@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785 Maybe it is, I honestly have no idea where the word Figaro originates from.
@@GTAman51Figaro is the name of the main character of the French play The Barber of Seville which was later made into an Opera by Rossini (Italy) which as as far as I know was way more popular that the original play. The play has a second part called The Marriage of Figaro for which another Opera was made, this time with Mozart writing the music. And for the life of me I can’t remember the name of the author of the play…. But he was French
@@MarianoLu ahh, thanks for the lesson! i just remember 🎵figaro-figaro-fiiiigaro🎵 often parodied by cartoons and such
Can't wait for Doug to get his hands on a Mitsuoka of some kind
The great thing about driving a car like that is that when it breaks down, people aren’t ticked off at you for making them miss a full light cycle, forced to change lanes, or deal with added traffic. They may honk far in the back, but once they actually get to see what the issue is, all is forgiven. Smiles on their faces. “Awe, how cute!?”
Figaro! Figaro! Figarooooo! Figaro!FIGARO!FigaroFigaro!FIGARO!Figaro!FIGARO!FIGARO!FIGARO!
Great looking tiny car. I remember seeing a lot of Nissan March in the late 80’s where I live, thought they were successful. When I first saw the Figaro thought it was actually from the 50’s era. Absolutely gorgeous. Love the ‘fall’ color.
Buy two of them doug. One for the doug, one for the dog.
Damn, finally! I was wanting to see a full review of a Figaro for years!
Living in the UK, you still see quite a few of these cars on the road today. Surprisingly, some are in pretty good condition, which is unusual for a Nissan. These models come with a Miles speedometer, unlike the one reviewed (which is a Japan import). Officially sold in the UK at some point, this car wasn't particularly beloved within Nissan internally. Its sole purpose seemed to be generating revenue for the company.
It's worth noting that you won't find anything quite like this anymore, as Nissan has grown financially and no longer relies on products of this nature. The decision not to brand it as a Nissan was deliberate; the company didn't want this car associated with its brand, fearing it would detract from their modern, innovative image. Hence, there are no Nissan badges on it.
Nissan UK has never sold the car and technically does not support it in the UK.
@@LCOF The Figaro has been officially imported into the UK, boasting substantial support within the country's automotive landscape. Whether this backing comes directly from Nissan or through an alternative subsidiary remains a separate matter. It's important to note that Figaros are not regarded as mere imports in the UK, underscoring their established presence and recognition within the local market.
@@yangostv Still Japanese personal imports requiring an mph speedometer. Don't see the UK ones as well restored as this.
@@kbtred51 Yes. Any car registered in the U.K. needs various things like an Speedometer showing MPH and a rear fog light.