1995 Vauxhall Tigra from UK and Ireland - Comments

After wanting a Tigra for several years I finnally traded my Corsa in borrowed some money from my dad and boughtone.I'ts Arruba blue with a black interior, the first warning sign should have been when I turned up at the garage to test drive the car it was covered in chrome add-ons, even the gear stick had been changed!the second warning sign should have been that the salesman assured me that it had full service history, on closer inspection it had'nt.But by this time I was in love with the car and wanted it no matter what, I was asured that all the chrome would be stipped off and a standard gear stick would be fitted, and it was. The first time it went back to garage was a couple of weeks later as I thought the exhaust was loose, I was assured it was'nt. The noise got worse so it ent back again, and again until they agreed to put a new exhaust on free of charge. December was when things really started to go wrong, it started to cut out for no reason and the problem just got worse, after taking it back to the dealer three times they could not find a fault, they finnally linked it up to a diagnostic machine a fault had shown up this timeand that it was the EGR valve and the cost was in excess of £200.00, by this time I had owned the car 7 months.

Then in the March of the following year the car started to cut out again, this got quite frightening as it would happen on the motorway whilst doing 70mph.I took the car back to the dealers who again could not find a problem, I finnaly took it back and insisted that someone from the garage drive it. They finnally came back with an answer, after having the car for about a week they diagnosed sticking valves, quite a common fault with the Tigra I believe!and that's when I had to pick myself up off the floor, the cost was going to be in excess of £700.00,They told me it would have to be sent away to specialist engineers I had no choice, but to get the work done and nearly a month later I picked the car up and handed over £730.00 that was in May. The Mot was due in July so I took it to a vauxhall approved garage close to where I was working, Imagine my horror when I came to see me and told me that the engine was knocking, I did'nt understand exactly what he meant, but it did't sound good. He advised me to take it back to the dealers, so once again I left it at the garage whilst they tried to diagnose the fault, to cut a long story short, yes, it was engine trouble again, but this time a different part of the engine!and wait for it, the cost would be somewhere in the region of £800 to £900.It was at this stage that I asked to speak to the service manager, I told him that since they had been working on the car's engine recently I would have thought that they would have picked up this problem, I explained to him all that had gone wrong with the car previously and how much money it had cost me to-date and after a lot of debating he very kindly sorted it out for me free of charge!! I am eternally grateful to that man.

I can't even remember how many times the bulbs have blown, and amyonewho owns a Tigra will know that to replace the front headlights you have to take the bmper off! very expensive when being done by the main dealer!!! or anyone else for that matter. I have still got my Tigra, but have lost a lot of faith in it, and I have been warned that the valve problem could re-occur.

It's a shame because the car looks good, but is defective mechanically, which is something that has always been known by Vauxhall, ther was a watchdog programme all about the Tigra's problems.

I have had my Tigra for just over twelve months. When buying my car I made sure it was owned by a woman beforehand this was reassuring enough for me that the car had not been drove erratically. From the time I jumped into my new car I loved it, the ride was smooth and comfortable and I felt good driving it. The only thing I would change about my car is the engine size. I decided to go for the 1.4 model because of insurance purposes as I am only 24. I also had a problem with the bulbs keep blowing, but I found that after I had taken the back lights out and cleaned all the terminals the problem has been solved. As for the front lights I have upto yet had no problems. Enginewise there is a light knocking noise, but I put that down to wear and tear, but apart from that no problems. I think a quick oil change may take the knocking away as one is due. All in all I am happy with my little Tigra it looks nice without any modifications. It will take a lot of convincing for me to change my car in the near future.

For everyone's information, you can replace the headlights without removing the bumper. It's a 5 minute job you can do yourself!

I bought a Tigra Chequers in 2002 - like many people I was attracted by the good looks of the car... but it has become the worst thing I have done for several years and has become the worst car that I have ever owned.

I'm sure that some people will disagree with my comments, but many people have said the same thing about Tigras so there is something wrong somewhere... and we all know that every manufacturer makes duff cars, but the problems that I have experienced seem to be quite common... my reason for these comments is to stop someone else from potentially making a big mistake!!

I am on my 3rd EGR Valve and the engine fault light came on again last week, so could be my 4th EGR valve in 2 years. Dealership was happy to replace the EGR valve under Network Q, but were not interested in finding out why I keep getting the fault - unless I pay of course, now that the warranty has expired.

Have had so many problems with this car I have listed a just a few that have really bugged me or continue to bug me:

1. Creaking noise from Clutch pedal - finally had the cable replaced after several failed attempts by the dealership.

2. Radio aerial had to be replaced.

3. Switch on electric door mirrors needed replacing.

4. EGR valve failed 3 times so far.

5. Lock mechanism in driver door fell to bits so I couldn't get into the car.

6. I have to take the centre console off to tighten the nuts in the gear box housing every 3 months as it works loose and makes all sorts of horrible noises.

7. Wheel bearing had to be replaced after only 30,000 miles.

8. I burn about 1 litre of oil every 2000 miles and the dealership have told me that this is quite normal for a Vauxhall!!

9. Occasionally the front fog lamps will not switch off even if I remove the keys from the ignition and remove the fuse... the only way to switch them off is to keep pressing the switch and after about 10 minutes the lights switch off.

These are just a few of the problems that I have had so far. I have not included the annoying things about the car like changing headlamp bulbs which is a complete nightmare.

My advice to anyone thinking of buying a Tigra is that if you insist on going through with it then make sure you get 3 years Network Q and be prepared to spend a lot of time sitting in the service department waiting for problems to be diagnosed... in short do not buy one, there are much better cars that are equally as nice looking and more reliable. I will not be buying another Vauxhall after this experience... the dealerships are worse than useless and my experience with this car has put me off for life.

I have had my Tigra 1.4 now since February, it was a 21st birthday present and the car looked great. I also had problems with my lights, but I never had to have the bumpers taken off and the garage I went to didn't charge me anything. I have had problems with this car though ever since I drove it home. The sun roof has stopped working, I've had electrical problems with the fuses which still isn't fixed because according to the auto electrician he can't find any problem although the fuse 1 keeps blowing. I've also had problems with the engine valves which cost me £400 to be replaced. This was only replaced roughly two months ago and my car has recently cut out on me again with what looks like the same problem.

I've heard that a lot of the problems happen because of the pressure inside the car. The newer versions of the Tigra, mainly T reg and above seem fine as the passenger window comes down when closing the boot stopping the pressure inside the car. I have also heard that the wiring and electrics in the older versions are different to the newer. My mum has the T reg and has never had any problems in the last few years.

I have had my Vauxhall Tigra for about 8 months now and it has been problem after problem! I have ended up spending more money on it in repairs than I actually paid for the car in the first place. From little things like bulbs blowing to things that have cost me a lot of money for example having to have a new gas valve fitted! It seems like I have to take it to the garage nearly every month and then it will be fine for a few weeks until the next problem occurs. I bought the car privately so I cannot take it back to a garage when things go wrong. It has put me off the idea of owning another Tigra and as soon as I can afford to, I want to sell the car. It is a real shame because despite all the problems I do really love my car and I suppose that's why I keep paying out month after month for all the stupid engine technical faults occurring. I definitely won't be buying another Tigra once I have gotten rid of mine, its simply not worth all the money time and hassle!

I bought my 99 V reg Tigra in Sept 06 with a patchy service history, but unfortunately I fell in love with it. It's a black 1.4 sport version with Irmscher alloys. Below is a list so far of the problems I have had:

1. Engine 'big ends' knocking. Engine had to be REPLACED. Luckily I got a really good deal on a used one for about £300 and paid a friend mechanic another £200 to fit.

2. When I went to get new tyres I was told EVERY single wheel was buckled. I have no doubt that Irmscher produce anything, but superior products - I blame this one on the previous owner.

3. Drivers electric window does not go down fully. If you do wind it right down, you can't get it back up again!

4. Standard fitted Delco CDR500 player very temperamental - sometimes did not play CDRs.

5. When trying to replace CD player with aftermarket stereo, the aerial is not compatible - needed another part, also there is not enough space for all the wires. The Kenwood stereo does not fit flush with the dash.

6. Speed control valve needs replacing - sometimes engine cuts out because the revs drop too low, even with clutch right down and/or in neutral.

7. Passenger window seal slipped down - extra road noise.

8. Wheel bearing gone - this is probably just wear and tear.

So I have had a fair few problems, I'm sure I've missed some, but these were the main probs.

<u>ADVICE</u>

I'm not going to completely slate the tigra, a lot of these problems seem to be caused by lack of appropriate maintenance. I still think it looks great and is a fun drive, as well as being cheap and economical to run, insure and tax. I would however advise that anyone determined to buy one, will ensure it has a full service history, was Ideally made in 98 onwards (R reg I think), as I believe Vauxhall resolved a lot of faults around then. And above all, service it when you should! Then, I truly believe you will be a happy customer.

DO NOT buy a Tigra without a full service history!!!

DO get an independent mechanic to inspect the vehicle BEFORE purchasing!

DON'T be put off by all these horror stories. It's a great car if looked after.

I had wanted a Tigra for ages so when I saw a black 1.4 2000 48,000 miles, I just had to have it. I part exed my 02/52 Punto for it at a dealership. What a mistake!

The day I brought it home the electrics blew. It turned out to be a cable in the boot that the boot lid was chafing. I then paid for it to be serviced and when I enquired if the cam belt needed to be changed, I was told it had been recently. 2 weeks later the cam belt snapped resulting in my needing a new engine. Luckily the car was under warranty so the dealership (reluctantly) repaired the car with a second hand engine.

I have just had a new exhaust and now it has an oil leak which I am hoping when I take it to the garage today, it won't be anything serious, but hey this is a Tigra we are talking about! Also the tigra name tag came off - I don't know if it was nicked or just fell off, but I managed to get one from a Vauxhall dealership for about £12.

I have had my Tigra for 5 months and I really love it, but I also hate it! There always seems to be something with it. I advise anyone if they are going to buy one, make sure you get it from a dealership and try to get an extended warranty and remember your consumer rights.

Oh dear - really wish I'd checked out this page before buying my Tigra! I bought a 1998 Tigra 2 months ago, sold as seen. Just fell for its good looks, low-ish mileage (48k) and (what seemed to be) a bargain price. A week into owning it, guess what? Well, apart from the spring from the rear windscreen wiper flying off so I had to order and replace the whole thing, the 'engine management light' came on! I took it into our local garage whose diagnosis machine said the fault was the EGR valve. They put a new valve in, only to discover (my fault really for not reading the service history properly) that the valve had only been replaced by previous owner 2 months before. So, I got the car back with an unnecessary new valve (but I kept the last one just in case!) and a couple of hours later, that flamin' light came on again! Back to the garage again, who said the same fault code (1405) was coming up, they couldn't help me any further and I'd have to take it to a Vauxhall specialist. Anyway, as there didn't seem to be any major driving problems (just the annoying light coming on), I thought I'll just ignore the light for now and see what happens. Few weeks later, problems starting kicking in - shuddering whilst driving along, oil running out very quickly, over-revving when starting ignition and then last week, cutting out completely whenever I slowed down...

3 days ago I took it to an ex-Vauxhall mechanic who had seen these problems with Tigras too many times and knew exactly what I was talking about - what a relief! So he seemingly sorted it out by strip cleaning the sticking valves (they were filthy), putting additive thru' and specialist oil in and did other stuff I don't really understand. He said hopefully that would do the trick. If not, bigger problems were to lie ahead and things could get expensive. Although he said there was a small oil leak and I'd need to get it sorted soon, the car ran brilliantly when I picked it up and that dreaded light disappeared - yippee... until today!!! Oh no - it's back and the engine cut out again 3 times while driving home from work. It's booked back into the garage again this weekend - wish me luck! Will let you know what happens...

I've aways wanted a tigra and feb 2006 I bought a 1998 s reg 1.4i 36,000 on the clock, in dec 2006 the clutch went and I had it replaced and now it has gone again! I can't change gear at all. does anyone know whether this is a fault with this car! or just all tigra's.

I am not sure about your clutch problem, but one thing I do know is that mine was really awkward to get into 1st and 5th gear. I say was because unfortunately my tigra has died. I am the person that wrote the above review on how I bought a black year 2000 tigra approx 5 months ago and part exed my 02/52 punto. I had an oil leak which I took to a garage and they said there was nothing wrong with it, but I knew there was.

Whilst bringing my terminally ill father home from hospital one evening, the engine management light came on and the car over heated twice so I had to stop on the dual carriageway and fill it up with water. When I got it to a garage, they said the head gasket had gone and it would cost approx £800 to repair.

The car was still under warranty, but I had had enough so I told the place I bought it from to come and get it- they haven't so it is sat on my drive. Because it is on finance I have had to get the finance company involved and its now got really complicated, but I know that I am within my rights to reject the vehicle if it is not fit for purpose and will get a solicitor if I have to. Has anyone got any advice for me apart from never ever buy another tigra.

I am now paying nearly £600 per month to hire a car just so I can make daily visits to see my dad in intensive care as I live in rural Wales. This could not come at a worse time. As my father is very sick and disabled, he will be getting a mobility vehicle now for me to drive him around in, but I am unable to use it for my own use so as for me.. I will have to start again. I have seen an old seat ibiza which I will get as a stop gap to save me paying for a hire car, but I strongly advise anyone not to get a tigra because it will cause you too much trouble and money and you just can't rely on them when you need them. I have considered getting a new model, but I am not willing to take the risk. I never thought I would say this, but I think from now on reliability and practicality come before looks.

Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!

I've been having problems with my N reg Tigra just 2 weeks before being booked into a garage for a re spray. I have been so frantically saving for (pearl pink).

I've had my car just over a year, and it passed through its MOT with no problems in January, so been sporting it up ever since; Lexus lights etc, but this month (July), it's started cutting out on me when I go any faster than 30mph.

My husband fitted a new petrol pump in the hope that it was just the petrol not getting through quick enough, but still never solved the problem.

I've had it in the garage, and they couldn't find a fault, hence why I started looking online to see if anyone else has had this problem, and how it was solved?

So it looks like the spray job will be put on hold, and the EGR valve checked. I really can't believe this. I love my car, and I've been paying loads in insurance just to be seen in it. I have now to date spent more money on this car than I first paid for it. It hasn't really put me off this type of car, but maybe will if this EGR valve becomes expensive. I know my husband isn't happy.

I'll let you all know how I get on!

Hi everyone I have a lovely tigra its p reg and I have never had any probs since I have had the car, I have had it 3 years and have never let me down, it must be the best one around, lol,,, but!!! I also have another one and it has all sorts of problems,, everything you can think off.

I always wanted a tigra so when my 206 was writtten off by a blind man I bought a tigra just as good looking as my 206 but not as common so in july this year I bought a blue p reg with 61k it was great for 6 weeks I really loved it and bught a set of 17" wheels at a cost of 600 pound, but it appeares this horror car is about to cost me far more as after 6 weeks the speedo stopped working then the same day it started cutting out every time I came to a stop or slowed down for traffic light n roundabouts, but it always started up again if I depressed the accelerator down while turning it over then I parked it up for a week and it wouldn't start at all all I got was the click from the starting motor however this was fixed by jump starting the car then I put it in for its mot which I thought would find the problems to my tigra and resolve them it passed at a suprisingly low 130pound so I asked them if they could fix my speedo they said id have to see a speacialist electrician so I wasreally supprised when I pickedmy car up n found the speedo working again, but it was still cutting out so I changed the air filter the oil and the spark plugs great it stopped cutting out, but struggles to start and the revs do there own thing they si at 2k n then drop to almost the point of cutting out andthen rise again so I spoke to my mate who had the same problem with his omega so I took it to a specalist who connected it to a diagnosis and said there was a code on the ecu that couldnt be removed anyway he cleared the other codes and fair enough he only charged me a tenner and the car was fine for a day so I came onine to see if anyone else was having problems and iam amazed at how common the fault is although I was wondering why so many had the ecu light coming up and coudnt get them off so I investigated my car for these lights as I was having the same problems asother people without any lghts n I found that the last owner solved the problem by taking the bulbs out now I want to sell my car or scrap it so I can watch it go threw the pain its put me threw these last 2 months as no one seems to no whats wrong with it yet its so common so its ford from now on unless theres a website like this on fords well I've got to go the bus is due.

Had my Tigra 3 years. Fine for first 2, but then the dreaded engine warning light. Took it to a mate who changed the plugs, oil and even cam belt. OK for a while, but then it all started again. Took it to proper dealers; they put it on diagnostics machine; it came up with EGR valve had that changed for £180. Still no better, went back again, cleaned valves; slightly better, but for how long?

Very dodgy cars. Numerous other little niggles as all the above have had. DON'T BUY AN OLD ONE!

Having purchased an N reg Tigra for £1500 in April, I now realise I have been absolutely ripped off. Here are just a few problems I am having with my car.

The catalytic converter on my car has been making the whole thing smell of rotten eggs for a while now and I've been told that a cat for a Tigra is around £1500, the same as I paid for the thing.

The brake fluid is leaking heavily.

The oil is not leaking, however the light on the dashboard likes to tell me that it is whenever I go round a corner.

The exhaust seems to be a little bit closer to the ground every day.

The drivers side electric window cannot be put all the way down otherwise it doesn't come back up again. I have to put it around two thirds of the way down otherwise I actually have to press the button CONSTANTLY for around half an hour and then once it has risen around an inch I have to get someone to physically pull my window for another 5 or 10 minutes.

The tappets have gone causing a loud ticking noise under the bonnet.

It has absolutely no power and struggles to do 30mph in 3rd gear which means I have to drive around residential areas in 2nd gear using up loads of petrol.

All these above problems and others I can't think of right now are the exact reason why I am off to the Renault dealership on Saturday to get a proper, reliable, good-looking hatchback.

DON'T BUY A TIGRA - EVER!!!

Must go, I have some scrapyards to phone up.