1996 Vauxhall Tigra from UK and Ireland - Comments

Poor wet-weather starting; hard to localise where the problem lies.

That omnipresent Vauxhall fault: the dreaded engine management warning light, making repeated and apparently spurious indications which are disconcerting to say the least! Our Vauxhall Omega 2.0 16V GLS does exactly the same, but at least its engine totally stalls in sympathy.... talking of which, the problem with both shaky cambelt engineering and faulty sensors, idle valve switch issues, etc., seems as much a feature of the Tigra as it is with the Omega. Presumably Vauxhall don't want the small car owner to feel left out on the nightmare front??

A nice looking car but dreadfully uncomfortable in both the front and back (at least for those of us at 6 ft), with irritatingly difficult front shoulderbelt placement, which if not careful routinely jams in the door as you close it, wrecking the paintwork!

Paintwork generally has various flaws - again a critique levelled at the Omega (at least of 1995-1996 vintage) and perhaps other Vauxhalls too.

I have zero faith in the mechanical and electrical reliability of the car, feeling that each little noise might be the start of a cambelt disintegration or whatever - Vauxhall have shown a shabby attitude towards customers over repeated cambelt failures (despite new belts being fitted at specified intervals) and I'd guess that the Tigra is as vulnerable to sudden 'explosive surprises' as the Omega.

I have recently bought a '96 Tigra, which I adore.

Unfortunately I have the dreaded "engine warning light syndrome" I approached Vauxhall (HA HA!) and they in turn connected it to the fantastic machine which assesses the fault. I don't think so! Also this cost me £28.00. only to be told by the afforementioned to wait until the "yellow" light comes on again. At which time I have to fly my car (with said light still on) for them to be able to diagnose. My car completetly cuts out and I have to switch off, wait a few minutes then give loads of pressure to my accelerator. I have had a new battery, a new fuel pump, a new cam shaft sensor (bottom sensor) and a few other bits and bobs which I can't remember the names of, but I am, but a mere woman and so, to my appeal, to all you wonderful men out there who have had Tigras with the same fault. Please, Please, Please, can someone help me and my wee car. I am desperate and can hardly see this keyboard for tears. Waiting in hope. Thankyou.

I have owned my Tigra since November last year and the Engine Management light has appeared 4 times, it is, at present at my local Vauxhall garage and when I get it back will be paying £300 for the priviledge!!

Other than that, so far, I have really enjoyed having my car and I really hope that this won't happen again now.

I've had my P reg Tigra since January this year. After buying it from a 'wheeler dealer' (good move!), it was fine for 6 months until the cam-belt suddenly went! £300 for that to be fixed, all was rosy again... or so I thought. Having driven my car on a 2 hour journey... the engine fault light came on. Having taken it to a local car mechanic to get the fault checked out - I've now been told the EGR valve needs replacing as well as a fault on the exhausts which is making it blow! Er, quote for that...£450...!!! I'm finding these 'little' repairs rather expensive... although I love the look, style and drive of the Tigra, I'm seriously thinking of trading it in... what a shame...

I have had my 95 tigra for one year, recently it started cutting out on slowing down.It would start again after a few moments with a lot of noise and smoke. It is at present in the local garage undergoing repairs to the tune of 671 pounds.

It has sticking valves which seemingly was a fault of these engines.However, i love the car to bits and would not swap for anything.

I have a w-reg tigra, which I love, but ever since I've had it there has been a problem with the EGR valve. The engine warning light comes on every four months. They have replaced the valve twice and I am still having problems with it. They cannot diagnose the problem without lots of expensive investigative work. This has been going on for nearly three years and I am losing my patience with it. BEWARE!

Do so called dealerships get adequate training from Vauxhall Motors? It would appear that no matter where one takes one of their cars for diagnosis of a fault specifically one affecting engine management ie. Camshaft Sensor problems, the problem is never really understood and solved with any degree of certainty. I have had an on going problem with the engine management light of my 1993 2litre Cavalier coming on at odd occasions, several main dealers have tested the car, each one coming up with a slightly different diagnosis.

How can the layman after trusting their advice, then paying through the nose for repairs, have any faith when the problem re-occurs afterwards. Something`s radically wrong with the system somewhere.

I have had my 1997 Tigra about 4 years now and it never caused me any problems while I was using it constantly - I loved it so much when I moved from Ireland to the UK I brought it with me.. Living in London meant I only used it at weekends... well that was until it just completely died on me...

I'm so upset - it's been in the garage since yesterday & an auto-electrician is currently trying to diagnose the problem... something about sensors on the motor etc… I dread to hear the verdict on how much it will cost to bring it back to life & worse still whether it can be brought back…

I am quite shocked at these comments on the Tigra; I have had my Tigra for nearly 7 years and have done 147,000 virtually trouble-free miles (crossed fingers!). It has obviously needed the usual maintenance, regular servicing, cam-belt changes etc, but has never let me down and has gone through snow, floods and to places you would not believe - I live on a farm so it's quite often difficult conditions, but the Tigra battles on. I agree the back seats are useless and it is a bit of a boneshaker, but it is such fun to drive - that's why I have kept mine for so long.

The engine management light has came on twice in 2 months. I turn off the engine then restart, and it's fine.

In traffic the temperature nearly goes to the top, then back down when traffic is moving. The car starts and drives fine.

Can anyone help please?

Hello can I just say if the car is over-heating try over-riding the fan switch the fan will be on constant therefore no problem well I have not had any and it has been 2 years now.

I have only had my dear Tigrea for 7 months now and no problems at all with it. Well I say no problems... i took it in for a service and found that my shock absorbers are worn and all my tyres are split!!! Gutted! Apart from that it drives like a dream. It's a W reg black 1.4 16v. Has anyone else noticed the vibrating when braking, the car feels like its going to fall apart or not stop at all!!! Also my side windows steam up and takes ages to get rid off. As I'm only 5ft I don't think the car is cramped - but then again I don't sit in the back!!!

Does anyone know how much the cheapest tyres I can get for it - last quote was £190.00.

My MOT is up in July, this is the first I have had to take it to... hope it behaves in there!

Well I bought my 1996 five months ago. I only drive round London at weekends so didn't want an expensive car.

When I bought it the speedo wasn't working and so I got that sorted for free.

But last night whilst driving at fifty MPH the speedo just stopped working again. Then after another minute the Engine Management light came on.

Diagnostic test will cost £47 then the fun begins.

All I want is a little run around dammit!!!

Hello all, I'm thinking of buying a 1.4 16v 1995 Tigra, I love the car and have driven it and all seems fine. did notice the engine management light came on and the revs stuck a little high - what is causing this and is it serious!

The engine management light coming on most likely means one of the sensors for the engine needs to be replaced, these can cost up to £250 (which I found out when it happened with my Corsa). I would either walk away or get the price down as there are lots of other Tigras on the market to buy.

Hi,

I have a 1996 Tigra 1.6 16v.

Ecu light appears and then disappears, then re-appears. This started with the speedo dying. A replacement cable only 11 quid. Car was cutting out, but a good service, plugs, leads, fuel filter, oil filter, air filter and a shed load of redex along with a good engine flush has fixed the cutting out. I did find that the leads were old and had been sparking across to the inside of the cover over the engine and onto the head.

It's an absolute pleasure to drive, but the annoying ECU light is really starting to bug me now.