1998 Vauxhall Tigra 16 i from UK and Ireland - Comments

Replaced cam belt,

replaced water pump,

replaced cam in drivers door lock, common fault in the alarm system,

designed and manufactured new exhaust system,

all work done before the common faults of the tigra appeared,

My Tigra is now pretty sorted, apart from the frustrating problem of the valves sticking,

I run the car with a petrol additive to give a little more umph and very regular oil and filter changes,

putting a twin exhaust on really put the mid band power up a lot,

now looking at de chipping it and maybe nitrous.

If you give a FWD car nitrous oxide you will need an inhibitor switch to stop it operating, on 1st and probably 2nd gear, otherwise the wheels will spin and leave you standing still!! I doubt there's room under the bonnet to put any extra gear on a Tigra anyway. You say the valves stick- do you mean bounce? If the valves are sticking there is something desperately wrong! Overdosing on fuel additives will also destroy the CAT, and therefore the resale value and eventual MOT prospects. Why don't you get a Mk2 Astra and put a supercharger on regulated to 8PSI, get your hands dirty, the older ones are much more fun.

My 1996 Tigra 1.4 suffered from a misfire when the engine was hot for about 18 months. I took it to a place recommended by a garage that dealt with performance cars and was told that it needed tuning. I had it tuned by a mobile tuning guy who said it was sticking valves and recommended the oil be drained, engine cleaner put in and then replaced with a thinner oil and that should solve the problem. This was done, but made no difference. I was then told that the next step would be, what I understand used to be called a 'de-coke', costing about £600. My husband was then telling a couple of guys 'down the pub' about this (both of whom had worked for years in car-related jobs). They told him to change the plugs and leads, which he did at a cost of about £30. The car is now running like new. I suppose the moral of this is not to take the word of the first person you talk to about your Tigra 'sticking valves' as it may not be that at all!

I have just been bought a tigra for a present and am over the moon with it.

I have never been into sporty look cars before always left that down to the husband, but just got rid of my vectra which I loved and this tigra is just winning me over really easily.

Nice to drive holds the road and although I think the suspension needs hightens because the speed bumps are just too much for it.

I love this tigra the colour light blue georgous anyone got any helpful tips for me with why I could not get out when I never had the keys the other day has the windows wouldn't open or the doors and in the end don't know how, but I got out, but maybe it was the alarm system. that doesnt knock me off though totaly love it it is my herbie. ha ha.