Head on a Pike: 1989 Nissan Pao
Whenever I find a Nissan Pike car (Pao, S-Cargo, Figaro, Be-1, K10-Micra) I find myself inexplicably writing about the car. The Pike cars beat the New Beetle, New Mini, PT Cruiser to the retro-style market, but keeping everything in perspective –the old Mini had been retro-styled since about 1970, the Beetle since about 1960. What was old is now new again…et cetera. Find this 1989 Nissan Pao offered for $9300 in Burlingame, CA via craigslist.
From the seller:
1989 Nissan Pao
fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
1989 Nissan Pao imported from Japan
3-door hatchback
Part of Nissan’s Pike series (BE-1, Figaro, S-Cargo)
Ivory/Cream
Power sliding canvas top
2+2 seater
1.0L I4 engine
Automatic Transmission
74k miles (119k km)
Body & paint in ok condition
Runs good
Comes with AC, Power Steering, Venting Windows, Etc
Nice retro styling appreciated my many
$9,300
Please email for more information
See a better way to drive something Paoerful? tips@dailyturismo.com
I'm a big fan of this Pike body style, my wife wants an S-Cargo however but we both agree the Pao is a great compromise. Problem is, some folks are less than forthcoming when asked about their cars. This was my experience. It's noteworthy that right after I wrote this I bought an auction Honda Beat that had its odo majorly rolled back and exhibiting a litany of expensive problems. Sigh.
thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/09/poor-prior-pre-purchase-planning-promotes-pao-problems/
The PAO came with a manual tranny option, but the Figaro didn't. I'd be curious whether anyone has swapped gearboxes between the two. A manual Figaro could be great fun I suspect…and much more in keeping with the retro theme than a slush-box. I've been thinking for 4-5 years about obtaining one for my wife.
These are based on the Nissan Micra. Those were sold up here in Canada at that time, so you might be able to score all the bits you need for the conversion from a Canuck Automotive Recycler (previously called a scrapyard).
Thanks for sharing
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If you drive a pike you are fishing for complements but on a coolness scale of one to ten this is an eleven. On the other hand if you go for this hook line and sinker you might be underwater.
Ok I’ll quit my carping.
you mean KEI cars, not Pike, I believe. Kei cars were a certain displacement to limit taxes on the car