I'm_now_smarter Posted October 11, 2007 Posted October 11, 2007 Congrats! That car is really cool, combining modern(ish) underpinnings with 50s & 60s styling. Even down to the whitewalls! Enjoy it. Clearly, with a classic Volvo, the smart and now the Figaro, you clearly lean towards the eclectic vehicle with character! Quote
mattdaddy Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 One of my favourite quirky cars. Congrats, I hope to own one someday too. Quote
pulsating Posted October 12, 2007 Author Posted October 12, 2007 If you want to buy one - I would suggest doing it fairly quickly. They are already 16 years old (they were only made for one year: 1991) and there were only 20,000 made in total. By now, who knows how many are still around? Not only that, but there are continual rumblings about Canada changing the 15-year import rule to 25 years. Nothing concrete yet, but that is the rumour. The Figaro was recently named as one of the top-20 Japanese cars ever made. Kind of like how the Smart must be in the top-5 cars that Mercedes has ever made Here are a few more pictures: Quote
SmartFerrari Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 ...Not only that, but there are continual rumblings about Canada changing the 15-year import rule to 25 years. Nothing concrete yet, but that is the rumour...It is more than a rumour:http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/15yearrule.htmBut seeing how quickly Government moves on things (check the date at the bottom corner of that link), the 15 year rule will be in place for a while yet.Really cool car by-the-way. I've seen a few here in Vancouver and I'm quite surprised to see just how roomy they are inside. Quote
MikeT Posted October 13, 2007 Posted October 13, 2007 I abandoned my plan to import a Peugeot 405 T16 4WD because of this rumoured rule change. That, and I don't really need another project car, as much as I love the 405 and a good turn of speed from time to time. Quote
SmartFerrari Posted October 14, 2007 Posted October 14, 2007 I abandoned my plan to import a Peugeot 405 T16 4WD because of this rumoured rule change. That, and I don't really need another project car, as much as I love the 405 and a good turn of speed from time to time.I wouldn't give up if I were you. You wouldn't have that hard of a time getting it to pass the MVI, because I am very sure that car already has the proper glass (AS1 & 2), the taillights should have the DOT/SAE markings (even if not, the earlier North American market 405's lights should fit?) and installing side marker lights should not be a problem. Those are the critical items they look for.You can never have enough project cars! Space is always the problem... Quote
MikeT Posted October 14, 2007 Posted October 14, 2007 Exactly....I have a 1.5 car garage with two in it (and I am thinking of reorganising it so I can get the B-Class in as well as the smart and 404 C).The glass and taillights are legal already; the headlights are EC-code so meet CDN standards, even though the stupid BC import information says they must be DOT - I wrote the head of the BC inspection program in the spring to challenge this and haven't heard back from him - I invited him to remove all smart headlights.....LOLI would love a 405 T16, maybe I'll get one after all, but not in 2009 as originally planned. Need another garage..... Quote
I'm_now_smarter Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 Well, you could always do what someone down the street did: put a massive addition on to your house, so that you have a six-car garage (with, of course, new rooms above it)!! <evil grin>The really weird thing is, the guy doesn't have anything interesting--- the "best" he has is an old Pontiac Fiero that was converted to electric! Luckily, others in the neighbourhood have far better taste... if less space. Quote
Guest kuroyanagi Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 I do not write down any ads message, adminisitor Mrs. Only figaro photo in japan. that is all. I would like Canadian folks how is figaro. Sincerley., Kazuo Kuroyanagi, Japanese Quote
deezle Posted October 22, 2007 Posted October 22, 2007 Thanks Kazuo.That green suits it perfectly. Quote
Guest kuroyanagi Posted October 22, 2007 Posted October 22, 2007 I am old boy already, 56, so I would like you to enjoy photos, spceially youth. Old generations also can enjy, though//I would like Canadians to realize and know NIsan figarosIf Canadian folks do need some other photos of other cars, my plesure to put up more photos, duede(this is American slangs, sorry tosay). I am intersted in Canadians and Americas, because they are very creative all the time. I am old , but karate professional, though--no lie. I do karate for my health everday. people can buy used cars from Japan, not limted to me, and other Jpanese used cars exporters---I never ever mind for sure. Pelase buid up your skills in importing, or just enjoy photos. Todoay I went to Nagoya POrt, then I repaired some car--let me put up the photos.Fender repaired note. LEt me explain more as to kei cars, Nissan figaro, Nissan pao, honda beat, cuppuccino( I am not sure of the speeings, is that right?), This time old kei car--I will introduce--cerbo--I will put up the photos, but racing cervo, 1965 around I guess, Let me get down bras tacks--kei cars, honda toppo--quite intersting,/ Right now US folks import kei trucks--1990-1997, but 1998 not available for them, because of US import regulations. Todays my photso belong to some cars repaired shots and my kei trucks 4WD suzuki carry--this is very cute to me and this suzuki carry work me very hard . Canaidans like honda acty kei truck, isn' it? honda is very facmous in the world, Vtec--engine, model EG6, EG9 honda Civic. my working truck--photos--http://japancarexporterkuroyanagi.hp.infoseek.co.jp/my%20working%20truck%20still.jpgNobody knows suzuki cerbo I am sure, this is old car, 550cc, while of late kei trucks cc is 660cc note.MT with solex, so pretty high speed possaible. The oener is the presidente of the some shop, Seto city, , Aichi, parefecture in Japan. He takes this cerfo for racing, 130km maxTake care, Canadian folks,Kazuo KUroyanagi Quote
SmartFerrari Posted October 23, 2007 Posted October 23, 2007 ...Nobody knows suzuki cerbo I am sure, this is old car, 550cc, while of late kei trucks cc is 660cc note.MT with solex, so pretty high speed possaible. The oener is the presidente of the some shop, Seto city, , Aichi, parefecture in Japan. He takes this cerfo for racing, 130km maxTake care, Canadian folks,Kazuo KUroyanagiYou are correct, I have never seen this Suzuki Cerbo before. Do you have more photos of this car?Because of Canada's import regulations, we have many of your cars here now. Some of my favorites are the Toyota Sera and Honda Beat. We are just starting to get Mazda AZ-1's which are really cool. Quote
Guest kuroyanagi Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 This suzuki cerbo 2 stroke engine. Very tinny engine, but I put the most expensive racing oil. Octopus echaust manifold and chamber--solex. 130km per hour. suzuki cervo is old car, so most Canidans do not know. Even Japanese youth do not know. It is very old car and restored. It is not 550cc and smaller engine, because 2 stroke engine. Exhasut--streight pipe Mzda AZ-1 is good car, isnt it--cute car Kazuo Kuroyanagi Quote
MikeT Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 That is a very interesting little car, kuroyanagi! Quote
swoosh Posted October 25, 2007 Posted October 25, 2007 I should check this forum more often. I also have a Figaro They are Fun cars, and have a smoother ride than the smart, but those 12" wheels give me a bit of a scare. Pulsating, you were lucky you didn't have to "Canadianize" it by adding the side markers like we have to in B.C. I'll have to say Hi, next time I'm on the Figaro.uk.supply site Quote
deezle Posted October 26, 2007 Posted October 26, 2007 Great looking car, swoosh! The side markers don't look too bad, actually. I'm surprised they're a B.C. requirement and not a country-wide Transport Canada thing. Quote
MikeT Posted October 26, 2007 Posted October 26, 2007 Most importers just glue reflex reflectors on, which are easily removed.... Quote
swoosh Posted October 26, 2007 Posted October 26, 2007 Hey Mike, Unfortunately the lights are drilled and wired for light. I asked for those Bike reflectors to be put on, but they said they had to illuminate, they also wired it up for Daytime Running Lights. (Wrongly as it is tied directly to the ignition ). ICBC 're-inspects the car when it is in an accident to make sure all those things are in-place. A conditional letter came with the inspection saying 'insurance could be denied if any of the "improvements" had been modified or removed'. I get the feeling they hate having these cars on the road! These cars were kinda advanced for 1991, they had a CD / cassette tape /AM-FM radio factory installed as standard. ( I have been told it was the first Nissan to come that way) Quote
MikeT Posted October 26, 2007 Posted October 26, 2007 Bummer Rob. Well they're not all that bad. Count yourself lucky. I think the 15 year old car pipeline is going to be cut soon. Quote
pulsating Posted October 27, 2007 Author Posted October 27, 2007 It's a little larger, but not all that much... Another fantastic little car that all of us would probably love is the Toyota Sera: Japanoid's picture There is a red one for sale here, and my wife loves it to death! P.S. Does anyone else notice how, after driving the Smart, we are all SO much better at parking now? Quote
MikeT Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 It _almost_ looks like a pedal-car in that photo.... Quote
MikeT Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 I saw another Figaro on the Inland Island highway today, near Parksville....so that's at least three I've seen in person in this area! Quote
mkt Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 completely random question about the Figaro, but were there any issues with mounting the license plate? Quote
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