Designed for the Japanese market in the early ’90s, the Figaro has gone on to be a classic all over the world. Initially, Nissan set production numbers at only 8,000 units but a further 12,000 were put into production to satisfy the demand for the cute 2+2 semi-convertible. With prospective buyers entering a lottery-style draw to get one, it is no wonder this car has always been a desirable one.

In more recent popular culture, the Figaro was selected as the star car for The Sarah Jane Adventures (a spin-off of Doctor Who), engaging a new and younger audience with this Japanese modern classic now means the Figaro should live on long into the future.

With the Figaro only ever being offered to the Japanese market from new, the story of this car starts 6,500 miles away in the Mikawa Province of Japan. It would spend about a decade over there before it came into the UK at the start of the noughties. Going straight to the first UK owner in Margate, it would stay with them for a considerable amount of time, undergoing routine maintenance and usage.

It would have its water pump and timing belt changed in 2014, however, since then it has only covered 1,000km. After this big expense, it appears to stay off the road until 2017 when the current owner acquired it, also a resident of Margate it means this car has stayed local in the beautiful coastal town all of its UK life, but it is now ready to explore what else the British Isles have to offer.

In the current ownership, this Figaro has not been used or abused as many older cars have. It has been kept in brilliant running condition even if it hasn’t needed to be used. It is thanks to this level of care that it sits today in such great condition.

With a car like this, anyone who passes by cannot help but smile, so the new owner will have no problem creating many new happy memories, with this Figaro at the centre of them.

There is a fairly sizeable collection of paperwork with this car, with the V5c present. There are a few MOT certificates in the bundle with the most recent being dated the 1st of February 2022 meaning you have almost a full year of MOT with the purchase of this car.

Within the bundle, there are also a lot of invoices for works completed on the car, from the water pump and timing belt change down to a £50 speedo cable that was replaced towards the end of last year. The new owner can spend a good afternoon looking through the paperwork to understand the level of care this car has received.

Intriguingly there are a couple of photos of the Figaro on its Japanese plates before it came over to the UK in 2002. There are also a couple of pieces of Japanese paperwork which seem to be from just before it was exported to the UK.

Although the Figaro presents as a pocket-sized modern classic from the exterior the interior is fairly roomy and with the option to fold back the central fabric section even the tallest people will be able to fit in. Present with ivory leather seats with contrasting piping and most of the dashboard the same colour it complements the exterior Pale Aqua paint beautifully.

The leather seats do show some signs of wear with a bit of cracking to the surface, but there are no major rips or tears in this hide, most of this aging is on the driver’s seat. Some leather cleaner and conditioner should nourish the leather so it can be bought back up to great condition. The rear seats, like many 2+2s, don’t appear to have been used extensively if at all, and as a result, these are in great condition today.

The only issue within the interior that was noted is that the electric passenger window does not go up and down on the switch on the passenger door, however it does go up and down with the switch on the drivers side. So that rules out an issue with any expensive motors, it could be as simple as a fitting a new switch.

As with the exterior, the interior design language is set to look classic, even from new, so the switches and toggles within the interior look like classic Bakelite. The dials are like antique clocks with beautifully designed faces and the radio looks like it has come out of a post-war living room. All these little classic details within the interior have been thought out properly and are one of the reasons for the Figaro’s appeal today. Another little and quirky feature on the interior is the inclusion of an auxiliary heater that plugs into the cigar lighter to keep you nice and toasty should you want to stop and take in the view.

Being partly convertible the fabric roof retracts into a space on the rear deck, the condition of the headlining on this retractable part is in great condition showing no signs of water staining from leakage. When the hood is down it is stored in the compartment on the rear deck, this too is free from water ingress with only a few spots of corrosion where the water would drain. Due to this retractable roof, the boot is small, but it does have enough space to store a spare wheel, a jack, and a tool kit should you get a flat tyre on your adventures.

Overall the interior of this Figaro is in great condition, it has been looked after by people who care about it. With all of the original and quirky features still in place, it is a wonderful place to be. 

The Figaro was only offered in four colours, each representing a different season. Topaz Mist for autumn, Emerald Green for spring, Pale Aqua for summer, and Lapis Grey for winter. This car is presented in the Pale Aqua colour corresponding to the season of Summer and what a great car it would be in the summer months.

The retractable fabric roof allows you to bring the outside in, adding an entirely unique driving experience to the already quirky Figaro. The exterior of this Figaro is in great condition, every aspect is almost like new. From the brightwork to the hubcaps, everything about this car has been cared for throughout its 30-year life.

It is possible that the first UK owner kept this car in a garage much like the current owner. This would explain why all the exterior elements are in great condition. When a car spends all its life next to the sea the conditions of salty spray and sea air can cause corrosion much quicker than a comparable car-based inland, with thanks to the care taken in the storage of this car there are only small signs of surface corrosion.

The new owner will be getting a quirky and unique example of a modern classic in great exterior condition. This kind of car never fails to garner attention from anyone, with young and old appreciating its charm and character.

From the factory, the Figaro was fitted with a pokey 987cc inline-four, turbocharged engine. Producing 75hp it propels the 810kg Figaro down the road quicker than you would expect. Mated to a three-speed automatic transmission it is an easy car to both drive and live with.

Knowing that this is a product of the automotive giant Nissan means that parts should be easily sourced, and the mechanical reliability should also be bulletproof; the Japanese are famous for producing reliable and dependable cars that are cheap to run.

This specific Figaro has been looked after properly with lots of work being carried out to it under the previous owner, with the current owner only using this car infrequently it has not required any major works recently. However, one of the most important jobs (timing belt and water pump change) has been carried out within the past 1,000kms which should allow the next owner many more happy km’s of worry-free motoring.

When you get into the Figaro to go for a drive it starts up nicely and idles perfectly. On the road, it will keep up with modern traffic easily. This car does not produce any knocks or bangs from any of the corners when out driving and the brakes work nicely with no pulling to the left or the right.

Whoever writes the next chapter in this Figaro’s life will be doing so with the peace of mind that this car has been looked after properly and should easily go on for another 30 years.

The Figaro is a car that should go down in automotive history as possibly the quirkiest design from the ’90s. Now garnering cult classic status these Japanese imports are highly sort after within the UK and with only 4,500 making the long journey over here it is hard to find one that is in this kind of condition.

Many people look at the Figaro and think it is much older than it is, but with modern running gear and suspension, it is as comfortable and easy to drive as any modern car. Whether you want a quirky car to go to work in or a car to create a lifetime of memories with, this Figaro is the one to go for. Present in overall great condition it is ready to be your companion as you start your next adventure.