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A comment on Nissan Figaro – Retro-inspired convertible from Japan [video]. Parent comment

Re:Nissan Figaro – Retro-inspired convertible from Japan [vi... by russellbeattie on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @06:05PM (#23316970)
I would love to see a fad in California of small, lightweight, convertible electric cars. I'd love an electric 1957 Porsche Speedster style car to zip around town in. No luxuries needed - just enough to meet regulations. Take a $14,000 Chevy Spark, cut off the roof, swap the engine for an electric motor and I'd be happy as can be, even with only 100 miles range.
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Re:Nissan Figaro – Retro-inspired convertible from Japan [vi... by spike021 on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @06:36PM (#23317245)
It's not that easy, though. Safety regulations are completely different now compared to 1957, using your Porsche example. Bumper and ride heights, crumple zones, etc. All these factors would make it very difficult to just recreate vintage vehicles while still being street-legal.
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Re:Nissan Figaro – Retro-inspired convertible from Japan [vi... by jerrysievert on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @08:02PM (#23317936)
I think they were talking about converting a 1957 corvette. personally, I think that the closest you'll get will either be a Miata conversion or a z3 conversion. realistically, there's not enough room to convert either of those to be more than a novelty at the moment

as for something new, I still hold out hope that Mazda will go electric and come up with a nice new electric Miata, but I'm not holding my breath.

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Re:Nissan Figaro – Retro-inspired convertible from Japan [vi... by russellbeattie on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @10:11PM (#23318694)
That's why I also used a hypothetical electric convertible Chevy Spark as an example, as it's being sold today, has minimum frills, but still meets regulations.
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Re:Nissan Figaro – Retro-inspired convertible from Japan [vi... by bolotye on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @11:51PM (#23319216)
Check out the Fiat 500e. The 2021 will be Fiat’s own design, but older ones are basically Bosch internals stuffed into a Fiat 500 shell. Cheap off lease ones are available and so far (6 months in) dead reliable. And a very fun ride.
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Re:Nissan Figaro – Retro-inspired convertible from Japan [vi... by PaulWaldman on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @06:30PM (#23317214)
Smart sells an electric convertable, just not in the US.
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Re:Nissan Figaro – Retro-inspired convertible from Japan [vi... by ofcrpls on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @06:17PM (#23317095)
I'd buy a Suzuki Swift in a heartbeat if it were available.
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Re:Nissan Figaro – Retro-inspired convertible from Japan [vi... by thisisnico on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @10:14PM (#23318713)
Definitely would get a Suzuki Jimny, a jeep on a budget.
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