One Year With a Nissan Figaro: Cute Car, Complicated Relationship

When my wife and I went hunting for a quirky summer car, the pale blue Nissan Figaro caught our eye at a local enthusiast dealership. It looked like a rolling piece of art, and for a while, it was fun. But after 12 months and a few thousand dollars, I realized this little retro machine was more trouble than it was worth.

I liked it, but I never loved it.

The Figaro is part of Nissan's legendary "Pike" series, a quartet of tiny, retro-styled cars built on the Micra platform. I picked the two-seater convertible for its turbocharged engine and folding roof. At $12,000, it seemed like a steal. But the driving experience fell flat. The three-speed automatic transmission and soft suspension made it feel like a rowboat on twisty roads.

And at 6-foot-2, I could only manage about 90 minutes behind the wheel before needing a stretch.

Then there was the attention. Every gas stop, every traffic light turned into an impromptu car show. Strangers would block traffic to ask questions. One night, a driver actually got out of their car in the middle of the road to approach us. It was charming at first, but it got old fast.

Worse, the car broke down on the highway thanks to a common engine failure. , costing $300 and two weeks of downtime. For a daily driver, that's a dealbreaker.

If you live in a city, drive slowly, and crave conversation starters, the Figaro might be your dream car. It's adorable, surprisingly spacious for Costco runs, and built with vintage charm. But for anyone who wants a reliable, engaging ride on American roads? Pass. I had my fun, but I'm glad it's someone else's problem now.