1996 Vauxhall Tigra Verde from UK and Ireland - Comments

Idle Control Valve Split air tube split at 48000 (£50 repair + diagnostic, vauxhall wanted £90 just to run the diag)

Cam belt snapped and smashed engine up at 49000 (A foreign object shredded it somehow as belt was in perfect condition, just shredded down one side) (£1200 repair bill, engine rebuild etc).

Exhaust replaced at 55000, had 5 back boxs switched due to clanging. (£350)

Faulty Indicator stalk that flicks on the high beams when the indicator switches off. Still not fixed.

Oil Leak at 74000.

Multiple oil leaks at 76000 that cannot be pin pointed without a steam clean and strip down.

Also has water leak in the back under drivers chair.

I bought this car before I knew anything about it, and it is only just now with the discovery of multiple oil leaks, that I despise the thing.

I love driving the car, but its just so unreliable.

Also complaints from people who are 6' tall complaining of no leg room etc do not seem to effect me. I am 6' and I have no problems with comfort or space to move. Back seats are really not for anything apart from transporting things.

I have just read this review of a 1996 Vauxhall Tigra on the website. I own a 1996 Tigra. I am very sorry to hear that this person has had such a difficult time with their car, but I wanted to say that mine has been nothing, but a pleasure. I haven't had any major problems with it and I am up to 96,000 miles. I really enjoy driving it and owning it - it looks good, drives brilliantly and is economical for a sporty-ish car.

I have owned my Tigra Verde for 2 years now, and fortunatly had no major problems other than,

Faulty Indicator stalk that flicks on the high beams when the indicator switches off. Still not fixed.

Window washer motor recently packed in. but other than that it has just done 101,000 miles and just had its second cam belt fitted, very reliable, I must admit I am 5"11 and can fit comfortable within the car, but if you have to wear suits to work and spend up to 2hours a day in traffic its not comfortable at all, but I love the car its fun to drive and has a good amount of power when you need it.

I have had 2 tigras now in 3 years. the first one I had for 2 yrs and no it didn't break I crashed it through my own stupidity. the crash was a bad one fliped it a few times and the car was recked, but it kept me a live I couldnt beleave how strong they are. my new one has got over 104 thousend on it and is a excellent runner and still so strong. good service keeps a car running perfect. in side is a bit sad, but I have seen worse. a perfect car as long as loved.

I've had my Vauxhall Tigra for over a year now and have not really had any problems apart from usual car stuff.

Things like changing the cam belt, light blulbs, exhausts, tyres, etc. These are just normal everyday servicing costs and part of running a second hand car. For sure, changing the cam belt every 20-30k or 2 years is quite a lot, but every car needs this done and most cars are around this interval. If you don't then you take your chances.

I've changed the cam belt+tensionser and water pump (driven from the cam belt) on mine as I don't know when it was last done to be safe.

For the comments on indicator stalks flicking into high beam. Mine did that its just the stalk getting worn over time. Mine was doing that at 80k miles and I bought a replacement from a scrap yard for £5. It just clips on so took about 3 minutes to change. Easy to do yourself and easy for any garage to do to.

If the engine management light is coming on it could be the connectors to the sensors. Easy way to clean them is to get some fine sandpaper and go round the engine and unplug each sensor connector (one at a time so you don't forget the order!). Rub the fine sandpaper on the connectors blades to clean of any corrosion. Plug it back in and move onto the next one.

This will cure an awful lot of these type of problems as that is what that light means - it's just the engine saying *in you best little car voice* "I can't see one of the sensors - please check the connectors and wires for me!"

Pain in the arse, but again something that is not uncommon on all cars over a certain age.

Just my 2p worth.

I think they are great little cars for the money and look different. Great if you're a couple and don't need to take passengers. Don't even consider them if you need to transport adults in the back. I had 3 in the back recently and I needed a crowbar to get them out they were so wedged in!!!

I've had my Vauxhall Tigra for over a year now and have not really had any problems apart from usual car stuff.

Things like changing the cam belt, light blulbs, exhausts, tyres, etc. These are just normal everyday servicing costs and part of running a second hand car. For sure, changing the cam belt every 20-30k or 2 years is quite a lot, but every car needs this done and most cars are around this interval. If you don't then you take your chances.

I've changed the cam belt+tensionser and water pump (driven from the cam belt) on mine as I don't know when it was last done to be safe.

For the comments on indicator stalks flicking into high beam. Mine did that its just the stalk getting worn over time. Mine was doing that at 80k miles and I bought a replacement from a scrap yard for £5. It just clips on so took about 3 minutes to change. Easy to do yourself and easy for any garage to do to.

If the engine management light is coming on it could be the connectors to the sensors. Easy way to clean them is to get some fine sandpaper and go round the engine and unplug each sensor connector (one at a time so you don't forget the order!). Rub the fine sandpaper on the connectors blades to clean of any corrosion. Plug it back in and move onto the next one.

This will cure an awful lot of these type of problems as that is what that light means - it's just the engine saying *in you best little car voice* "I can't see one of the sensors - please check the connectors and wires for me!"

Pain in the arse, but again something that is not uncommon on all cars over a certain age.

Just my 2p worth.

I think they are great little cars for the money and look different. Great if you're a couple and don't need to take passengers. Don't even consider them if you need to transport adults in the back. I had 3 in the back recently and I needed a crowbar to get them out they were so wedged in!!!