Nissan Figaro

• Design-led collectible; performance is secondary
• Rust & water leaks are the biggest value killers
• Original top/trim drives top-tier pricing
• Auto-only; buy on condition, not mileage
• Parts support is good via UK/Japan specialists
• US 25-year eligibility supports steady demand

• Single-generation model — FK10 chassis, 1991 model year only
• Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout based on the Micra/March platform
• 987cc MA10ET turbocharged four-cylinder with three-speed automatic
• One of Nissan's four 'Pike' factory specialty cars
• JDM-only model; right-hand drive throughout production

The Figaro is a car you buy with your eyes, and that shapes both sides of the ledger. The good stuff is the look, the chrome, the open roof, and the fact that the K10 mechanicals underneath are simple and well understood. The trade is rust, leaks, and a 75 PS turbo that was never built to chase a freeway.

The Figaro is mechanically a Micra with a turbo, so the engine isn't the part that breaks. Rust and water leaks are what take Figaros off the road. The soft top seals shrink, water gets in, and the sills and floors quietly rot under the carpet while the car still drives fine.

The Figaro was never sold outside Japan. There is no USDM, EDM, or AUDM variant — every car is a single-year JDM build with right-hand drive, JDM-spec interior, JDM odometer in kilometres, and the JDM-specification MA10ET tuned for 75–76 PS. The United Kingdom developed an early gray-market import scene in the 1990s when private importers found a regulatory work-around, which is why the UK has the largest enthusiast base outside Japan and the strongest specialist parts supply. The United States opened to general Figaro imports in 2016 under the federal 25-year rule (1991 + 25 = 2016), making it one of the earliest JDM-only retro cars to clear the import barrier. Canada had been importing them since 2006 under its 15-year rule. There is no LHD conversion programme of any note; the steering rack, dashboard, pedal box, and wiper sweep are all RHD-specific.

Every Figaro is the same car underneath. MA10ET 1.0 turbo making about 75 PS, 3-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, K10 chassis. There's no manual option and no NA version. The MA10ET is the same engine as the Nissan March Super Turbo, which is useful when you go looking for parts.

Engine options

Transmission options

The only factory variation is paint. Lapis Grey for winter, Emerald Green for spring, Pale Aqua for summer, and Topaz Mist for autumn. Mechanically and trim-wise every Figaro is identical, so color and originality of paint matter more on a Figaro than they do on almost any other JDM car.

The Figaro launched in 1991 at around 1.87 million yen, roughly $14,000 USD at the time. Today a tired but driving Figaro is in the low teens, and a rust-free original-paint car with documented sill and top work can clear $30,000. The gap between a cheap Figaro and a sorted Figaro is mostly the cost of fixing rust, so the cheap ones rarely stay cheap.

Original MSRP: JPY1,870,000 at launch in 1991. Reported JDM list price around ¥1.87M at 1991 launch. JDMBUYSELL editorial cites an inflation- and exchange-rate-adjusted figure near US$31,500 in 2026 dollars, with a contemporary US-equivalent of roughly $14,000. Yen MSRP varies across secondary sources; the figure here is the most commonly cited JDM list price and is not corroborated by an official Nissan price sheet in the source set.

Today's market range: $12,000 to $35,000 (median ~$21,000). Source: JDMBUYSELL / USS Auction.

Demand remains design-driven with a strong premium for rust-free, correctly restored cars. Prices are steady-to-firm post-pandemic; top examples still climb, while tired imports soften due to restoration costs and rust risk.

Walk the Figaro looking for rust and water first, mechanicals second. Pull the carpets back, look in the spare well, feel along the sills, and put a hose on the top with the doors closed. The Critical items are mostly about the shell. If the metal's gone, the rest doesn't matter.

If the Figaro doesn't fit, the other Pike Factory cars are the natural next stop. The Pao is a fixed roof and simpler to own. The Be-1 is even simpler. If you want something that drives better and isn't tied to the Pike look, a Mazda MX-5 NA gives you the convertible experience with parts you can get anywhere.

Nissan Pao PK10

Same Pike ethos; simpler NA engine; more practical hatch

Nissan Be-1 BK10

Earliest Pike car; simpler ownership; similar charm

Suzuki Cappuccino

Small JDM convertible; more driver-focused; strong support

Full guide → 7 for sale →

Honda Beat PP1

Iconic kei roadster; high-rev fun; strong collector base

Mazda MX-5 NA

Classic convertible with better dynamics; easier parts in US

The Figaro doesn't really have direct rivals. The closest cars are its Pike Factory siblings, which share the K10 underpinnings but aren't convertibles, and the kei roadsters like the Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino, which are smaller, faster, and a completely different vibe. The Figaro wins on style and presence and loses on driving feel.

What is a Nissan Figaro and why is it collectible?

A 1991 Nissan Pike Factory retro convertible. Collectible for design, limited-run story, and originality-driven values.

What should I check first when buying a Figaro?

Prioritize rust, water leaks, and evidence of proper metal repair. A cheap rusty car is usually the most expensive.

Where do Figaros rust the most?

Sills, floor pans, rear arches, lower doors, and around the windscreen frame; leaks accelerate hidden corrosion.

Are parts still available for the Figaro?

Yes. Mechanical items are K10-related; Figaro-specific trim/top parts are best via UK/Japan specialists and clubs.

How reliable is the MA10ET turbo engine?

Generally solid if maintained. Watch cooling system, oil leaks, and turbo smoke; neglected cars overheat and wear fast.

Is the Figaro fast or fun to drive?

It’s more charming than fast. The 3-speed auto and 1.0 turbo suit cruising; buy it for style, not performance.

What makes one Figaro worth more than another?

Rust-free shell, dry interior, correct color/trim, quality paint, and documented servicing. Originality beats mods in value.

When is the Nissan Figaro legal to import to the US?

It’s already eligible: the Figaro is 1991, so it has been 25-year import legal since 2016 (state rules still apply).