1998 Vauxhall Tigra from UK and Ireland - Comments

"Sticky valves" on the first service after I had bought it (when it was 2 years old). Vauxhall paid for repair as it was a known fault, although they didn't recall them, just fixed them as they were reported. Cost would have been around £600 otherwise.

At 3 years old I needed a new pump for the power assisted steering. It had done less than 20,000 miles and after complaining Vauxhall contributed half the cost, but it still cost around £300.

Now it's 4 years old and it's time to replace the drive belts (£200), the service dept have also told me that the timing belt should be replaced and also the rear brake drums (£300 odd and £250 respectively)

It needs a new reversing light switch too.

I bought the Tigra originally because I wanted something a little bit different with a little bit of go to it (I'm not talking a sports car here) but I wanted to be able to get a bit of speed out of it when I get a chance. I'm quite happy with that.

At a year old it was the newest car I had ever had and I like the car very much to drive. It looks good, too. But I am very frustrated that for the age and the low mileage that these things need replacing so soon. It is actually in the dealers being serviced at this moment and if I let him do all the things he wants to do it would cost almost £1,000 including the service.

Oh, and does anyone else think that having indicator bulbs that are only painted orange, which starts to flake after a little while, are just another little annoyance to add to things!

Yes, those orange indicator bulbs are a fashion thing. Some manufacturers have introduced them because they don't like the colour orange on their light clusters. (Why?!) They are less efficient than clear bulbs shining through coloured lenses, believe it or not.

I have been looking into buying a Tigra for a while now and the comments on them have been interesting. I hope they all don't have bad service history! any car comes with its problems, not always one make. That's my theory anyway. Yes I am a woman!!

Hi I am thinking of getting rid of my peugeot 306 to buy a 1.4 vauxhaull tigra. but after reading this site I am worried! the one I am looking at is a 1.4 80.000 miles. I am suposed to do a part exchange tomorow, help please do you think I will be OK to get a tigra or is it best to steer clear from them, thanks matt.