Faults:

Engine management light on all the time.

Speedo not working.

Stalling when coming to a stop.

Fuse blowing.

All these problems started at the same time. I changed multiple parts myself, looked over the car time and time again. This went on for 2 months until I sat in the car stressed at the problem playing with the ashtray; I found a 1p lodged inside the lighter... I removed the 1p and replace the fuse and the car worked fine...

General Comments:

Had the car 1 year now and has been fine apart from above. I love my car and wouldn't change it for anything else. I love the fact the boy racers around the town look at it and try and race me.. but I leave the little Corsas/Saxos behind.. haha.

Very fast for a 1.6; I've got a K/N filter on it and it sounds sooo nice..

Very comfortable to drive on long distances. reasonable fuel consumption (depends if you have a heavy foot).

I have read most of the posts and see that the problems are mainly with the older models?? Did Vauxhall sort out most of the faults on the newer models before the release of the new Tigra??

Faults:

Sump Gasket had to be replaced 2 times, second time after the car filled with smoke!

Head gasket blew at approximately 44,000 miles! Plus timing belt and brake pad change at a cost of £375!

General Comments:

I had wanted a Tigra since I saw one and finally, at the beginning of November 2004, I bought one. 7 months on, I am slightly, just slightly disappointed with mechanical problems.

Within the first 2 weeks the car had to be driven back to the dealer I had bought it from as there was a very strong smell of oil coming from the engine - to me, alarms were ringing! I was told the sump gasket had gone and this was fixed under warranty.

Approximately 3 weeks later, still slightly smelling of oil (I thought that this would be oil spilt on the engine that was burning) the car filled with smoke. I immediately pulled over. Again, the sum gasket had gone, had to go back to the dealer, and was once again corrected under warranty.

I have had no problems with this since.

Though, within the last month, my head gasket has blown at just over 44,000 miles on the car and the timing belt replaced.

Also, some careless driver, who admitted was not looking where they were going reversed into my driver side door and dented it 'nicely' (A job well done). I was not impressed, but I am lucky, as the person waited for me to return to my car and passed on their insurance details. The estimate for repair for a new door, labour and painting is some £679.

I have been on to them several times, but I am still waiting to hear whether I can go ahead with the repair from persons insurance. This incident happened on the 23rd of April!

These are all major problems I have encountered.

There are a few minor interior problems, but nothing is of a huge concern to me. The Air conditioning/temperature dial lights do not work and haven't since I bought the car (I bought the car second hand).

Also there are no little neat pockets to hold anything. The glove box can only just hold a packet of sweets and the drawer under the passenger seat, if you know you've got one, took me 2 months to discover it, only just holds my manuals and papers for the car!

The seat belts do not fully pull themselves back in, I either do it myself or they get jammed in the doors, scratching the inside of the door frame.

I also find it not very economical, I find fuel consumption quite high, but this just may be me!

The good points are that I am surprised at the room inside, my seat, the driver's seat, has plenty of room. I do get complaints about the back, but hey, I don't need to sit there!

The boot (or back of car separated by plastic-that's basically all it is) is also quite roomy, but back end is high, need to reach over entrance of boot to put things in neatly.

Any one else also notice that the passenger window opens when boot is closed?

I also find it to be a comfortable ride; I can commute for up to 2 hours a day for necessary trips without any problems.

I also love the attention it brings. It definitely turns heads. And you also don't tend to see many Tigra's about, until you own one! (Any one else get that problem?)

The interior is also lined in Grey, all matching, which is nice.

I do feel a little jinxed with my Tigra, having only owned it for 7 months and having to have the gasket's fixed 3 times, and a non-functioning door (climbing over the passenger seat could become a habit of mine if it goes on any longer), but with it being such a good looker I don't think I could be mad for long. Do think I'd buy another, I'd just hope it would be problem free! We can all hope!