Item: Used Vauxhall Tigra Coupe 1994 - 2001
Rating: 2
Author: What Car? Team

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Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

TIGRA

Not bad looking, and cheap to run, but too small

Used Vauxhall Tigra Coupe 1994 - 2001

The Tirga is based on the Corsa, so parts availability isn't a problem, and, while Vauxhall dealers are plentiful and good value, an independent garage will be even cheaper. Service intervals are every 9000 miles on pre-'95 cars, and every 10,000 for those built after - pretty much par for the course.

Regular running costs aren't bad for a coupe. The 1.4-litre has an insurance grouping of 10, compared with the 1.6-litre's 13, so it'll be noticeably cheaper to insure. Fuel economy is good, too, with the 1.4 returning 36.8mpg and the 1.6 36.0mpg. The automatic manages 34.0mpg.

Buy the right car, and you shouldn't have to spend too much on unscheduled repairs. Warranty Direct puts the Tigra towards the middle of the sports car reliability table - but below the Tigra's biggest rival, the Ford Puma - with roughly 30% of all cars needing attention. The engine and axle and suspension produce the most claims, though, and these can be expensive to fix.

Not bad looking, and cheap to run, but too small

With only two engines available, there isn't much choice. The 1.4 16v unit produces 89bhp, and the 1.6 16v gives 104bhp, but there isn't much different in performance between the two, so the 1.4 is a better buy, as it's cheaper to run.

That said, steer clear of any 1.4 car fitted with the optional four-speed auto 'box as it doesn't do anything for performance and dulls the overall drive. There was only a five-speed manual on the 1.6-litre.

When you're shopping, buy the latest car you can, especially one from after 1997, when Lotus tuned the suspension and improved the handling noticeably. What's more, throughout the car's life, the range was revised with ever-higher levels of kit as standard.

Finally, choose your colour carefully, as there were some unusual ones (such as a light metallic green) available when the car was new. These look strange today, so pick one that will ensure your car is easy to sell on for a good price.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Good balance between ride and handling</li> <li>Excellent build quality</li> <li>Decent practicality</li> <li>Sophisticated interior</li></ul>

Coupés are all about style, but while practicality undoubtedly takes a back seat to aesthetics, these cars still need to be easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s this that distinguishes a coupé from an out-and-out sports car.

Fortunately, there’s a wide range of style-focused models available, and you don’t even need to spend silly money to buy or run one.

For a blend of&nbsp;rock-solid resale values, punchy engines and an interior to die for,&nbsp;the Audi TT is a brilliant option. But the Mercedes CLA offers plenty of style and substance to match, while the Aston Martin DB11 will give you serious performance.

The Tigra gained a reputation for unreliability. There are problems with the electrics, engine, suspension and brakes

So, your first priority should be to look for a full service history, as it shows the car has been cared for and should ward off one major headache, head gasket problems. Look for sludge on the inside of the oil filler cap, too; as long as there's none there, you should be fine. The cambelt also needs changing every 40,000 miles, so check when it was last done.

When test driving, check for steering wheel play and listen for knocks and thumps from the suspension. Also look at the tyres for uneven wear - this could also indicate suspension issues. Check all switches and control work correctly and inspect the boot because the tailgate has a habit of leaking.

Finally, there were a number of safety recalls on the Tirga, so check with the servicing dealer to make sure the work has been done.

Take a popular supermini, slap a sporty-looking body on it, and what have you got? The Vauxhall Tigra.

Back in 1994, this pint-sized coupe captured car buyers' attentions and the car sold in healthy numbers.

Don't be fooled by those sporty looks and expect the Tigra to be that rapid, though - only 1.4- and 1.6-litre engines were available, with a maximum of 104bhp on tap. It's warm rather than hot and the ride is a little bumpy, but at least the handling is quite good.

Don't go thinking it's a real four-seater, either. Because head- and legroom are so restricted in the back, the Tigra is effectively a two-seater. Even in the front, things aren't that great - if you're tall, you might find that headroom is limited. And, everyone will find rear visibility poor and think the cabin has a very snug feel.

Boot space is only just acceptable, but you can fold down the rear bench to create a larger luggage bay.

Used Vauxhall Tigra Coupe 1994 - 2001 review

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Used Vauxhall Tigra Coupe 1994 - 2001 review

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