The Opel Tigra...

[Playguy]

My car: 1995 Opel Tigra 1.4 91HP

Top Speed: Around 130 MPH/ 210 KMH
0-60: 10.5 seconds
Weight: 2 300 Pounds/ 1050 KG

This is my first car, I have it for a year now and got it a month after I got my liscense. A small and low coupe, not very fast, but very pretty (to me), and has been a nice companion through the last year. ABS, AC, Heated Mirrors are some of its features . Those pics were taken when I got it after a complete respray, because the woman who had it hadn't take care of the bodywork properly. I bought it because it had a very low mileage (34 000 miles/ 56 000 KM), and the engine was (and still is) super fine.

Not very fast, either accelerating or in terms of top speed, but that's not the real party piece of the car: it's the handling. Very planted, very steady, it grips and grips and, when that ends, oversteer that can be easily corrected. I had lots of fun in the (few) more spirited drives on back roads .

I couldn't be happier with my Tigra, I truly think it is the perfect car for anyone who just got a driving liscense.

---

So, did you know this car? What do you think of it?

 

[addictions]

These were a very popular car In the UK and there's a few near me with the C20LET lump In them.

Nice clean car you have.

 

[Playguy]

The Calibra engine? Nice! I wish I was rich so I could buy another one and put that engine and the 4wd system...that would be a nice sleeper xD

But yeah, now it is very cool, but you should've seen it when I first got it, if it wasn't for the state of the engine and low mileage, I would never bought it.

 

[homeforsummer]

So, did you know this car? What do you think of it?

When they were released back in 1994 I really, really didn't like them. The styling didn't work for me at all.

However, I think they've got much better with age. I actually quite like the way they look now, and like Ford with the Fiesta-based Puma, it's amazing what Opel/Vauxhall managed to do with what's basically a Corsa.

So yeah, nice car 👍

 

[addictions]

The Calibra engine? Nice! I wish I was rich so I could buy another one and put that engine and the 4wd system...that would be a nice sleeper xD

Yes Calibra turbo.
I used to have a charcoal black 4X4 turbo, Wish I still had It now.

 

[X-Power]

I've been in a Tigra (UK version) and thought the interior quality was the worst I've experienced, but as long as you like it, that doesn't matter. I have to admit it does grip good but it needs more power. It's not a bad looking car either, it stands out amongst the crowd... but that interior seriously lets it down.

 

[Jay.]

I agree so far, I never liked them. They look OK, the interior build quality was crap, but hey did handle well for what they were.

Yours looks really good for it's age. A good looking little car. +1

 

[Jondot]

Approve 👍 I think the Tigra now looks better than the Puma actually, even if I'd probably have chosen the latter.

As for the speed, that's exactly what you want as a first car - one that doesn't move terribly quickly but handles well. Although to be honest 0-60 in 10.5 isn't to be sniffed at - particularly when all your friends in 1.0 Corsas will take 7 seconds longer And nor is 130mph from a 1.4 - that's 1.8 Vectra territory.

 

[nk4e]

Is it me or Americans do like putting aftermarket rims on their cars as soon as they get it? Nice car though.

 

[homeforsummer]

Approve 👍 I think the Tigra now looks better than the Puma actually, even if I'd probably have chosen the latter.

Worryingly, I think I agree. Pumas are starting to date now (gorgeous Racing Puma excepted) but the Tigra is actually getting better with age. Though I also suspect I'd still prefer to drive the Puma, even if I prefer to look at the Tigra. Plus, the Puma's Fiesta-based interior is much nicer than the nasty Corsa one.

Is it me or Americans do like putting aftermarket rims on their cars as soon as they get it?

How is that relevant, given that the OP is Portuguese and his Tigra has standard rims?...

 

[Jay.]

Pretty certain they are standard. They look the same as the standard UK rims. AM rims do make it look better though.

I like the wheels. There are some nice 'subtle' kits around for it too. Depends on what you prefer.

 

[Cano]

they were sold over here for a couple of years as Chevrolets, then the model was folded... it was never very popular, and I cannot see why. I have always thought they look downright funky in a good sense, undeniably euro and from what I've heard, they are very good performers for what is basically a Corsa underneath. Now, in the rare ocassion of seeing one, they are all used up and almost scrap-heap ready. I have never been in one (they are rare) but if the interior is Corsa-based, I'm guessing there is a lot of stuff to make it better?

 

[TopHat]

Sharp car, man. 👍

 

[nk4e]

How is that relevant, given that the OP is Portuguese and his Tigra has standard rims?...

Random thought. I have known first drivers like to replace their rims as soon as they get them.

 

[addictions]

Random thought. I have known first drivers like to replace their rims as soon as they get them.

Wheels make a car.
I'm 35 and still change wheels on my cars apart from my present one (ST170 & the Mrs's Fiesta ST) as they suit the cars and are both a style I like.

In the Uk puting new rims on a vehicle Is like changing your shoes.

Jay: Pretty certain they are standard. They look the same as the standard UK rims. AM rims do make it look better though.I like the wheels. There are some nice 'subtle' kits around for it too. Depends on what you prefer.

Agreed, The wheels are standard Uk spec and they are easy to pimp, If It was mine and I spent that cash spraying It I would of left the badges off It and swapped the door handles for cavalier rear handles and had them colour coded as they have no key holes.

 

[homeforsummer]

I have never been in one (they are rare) but if the interior is Corsa-based, I'm guessing there is a lot of stuff to make it better?

Yeah, bits for Corsas grow on trees. Unfortunately not a great deal of it is particularly tasteful since Corsas are generally bought by the most tasteless people on the roads.

Here is a Tigra/Corsa interior:

And this is what the average Vauxhall owner does to it...

 

[Mr_Joe]

Top speed 210 km/h? with 91hp? really?

 

[Jondot]

And this is what the average Vauxhall owner does to it...

Oh god, and it's an automatic too

That's actually a little better than the average - at least it's all one colour. And at least the seats aren't pink and furry.

 

[homeforsummer]

Top speed 210 km/h? with 91hp? really?

Yeah, it's probably a little optimistic. The UK sites seem to list a top speed of about 118mph (189 km/h). Even the 1.6 with 104bhp is only listed at 202 km/h from what I can see.

Not bad in something so small of course, it'd probably feel a lot quicker than it actually is...

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

This is how it should be done.

 

[Peterram430]

Hello, we don't have many female members at GT Planet....

Only joking, I'm quite jealous actually.

 

[Playguy]

I actually quite like the way they look now, and like Ford with the Fiesta-based Puma, it's amazing what Opel/Vauxhall managed to do with what's basically a Corsa.

When I was looking for a good 1st car, that was one of the cars I liked. Interesting how I never really cared about the Tigras though, never had the love for them. But my dad found this nice deal, and I even though I was like meh at first, I had to agree it is much better than a civic (it has bad reputation here, like boy racer, chav, etc). It grew on my, and I first got in it, I fell in love. And now I can't live without it xD.

hey look OK, the interior build quality was crap, but hey did handle well for what they were.

Well, nothing really broke on my yet so I can't complain. It's not pretty but It does its job.

I like the wheels. There are some nice 'subtle' kits around for it too. Depends on what you prefer.

They are standart, yeah. I don't really want to place a kit on it, I've seen to many ruined Tigras here (serious questionable modifications material). I don't even like to see spoilers on it. I do like when it's just aftermarket rims, they look awesome, but unfortunatly at the moment that is not possible.

they were sold over here for a couple of years as Chevrolets, then the model was folded... it was never very popular, and I cannot see why. I have always thought they look downright funky in a good sense, undeniably euro and from what I've heard, they are very good performers for what is basically a Corsa underneath.

I read somewhere that they were sold there and in Brazil, but due to the fact that they were so expensive to buy and maintain, they dropped it.

Top speed 210 km/h? with 91hp? really?

Yup. In fact :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUXHARe4GcM

I've never tried that, I can't afford losing my liscence, but I've been to 190kmh, and It didn't feel 'dangerous', like the car was about to desintegrate. And that was on a short straight on the highway.

 

[Playguy]

This is how it should be done.

You know what I've said before about putting a calibra engine and 4wd in a spare tigra? That would be its bodykit...xD

Hello, we don't have many female members at GT Planet....

Only joking, I'm quite jealous actually.

AHA, I see what you did there...I get that a lot here too xD Don't care though, if girls dig it, it must be a cool car, right? xD

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

GT2 actually has a Tigra like that, but if I recall, it has V6 from the DTM Calibra..

 

[Paulie]

I always though it would have been nice to have a coupe version of the more modern looking Tigra that Holden was given:

I don't know if Opel got a coupe version of this model?

 

[Playguy]

I always though it would have been nice to have a coupe version of the more modern looking Tigra that Holden was given:

I don't know if Opel got a coupe version of this model?

Nope only cabrio too.

 

[Robin]

I really wanted to get a Tigra as my first car, I love it in the metallic blue with silver roof combo and as I liked the Corsa this car was great because its basically one underneath with far more modern styling.

But it was too expensive new so I bought a Corsa C (facelift) SXi and I'm really happy with it. Only thing is they are common as muck and they have a reputation because of all the ricers that chav it up!

Would still consider a Tigra now if I change cars but there so much cool new stuff out there that its starting to show its age.

Robin.

 

[Famine]

Yup. In fact :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUXHARe4GcM

Nope.

First, you're assuming it's standard and the engine he says it is. Not a safe assumption. Second, you're assuming that the speedometer is accurate. Even less of a safe assumption.

Let's work off the gear ratios - he's shown at 6,500rpm, presumably in 5th. Let's be kind and add 10% to that (6,600rpm) and run it through the gearbox. 5th is 0.89 and output is 3.74. That gives an output shaft speed of 1,983rpm. Stock Tigra tyre/wheel size is 185/55 on a 15" wheel, which gives a circumference of 59.7". 59.7" multiplied by the shaft speed gives a speed at 6,600rpm in 5th gear on stock 15" wheels as... 112.11mph/180.39km/h

Vauxhall, handily, also published a CdA for the Tigra 1.4. Pushing the numbers through a slightly more complex calculation posted elsewhere on this site says that 112mph requires 78hp from the Tigra. The Tigra actually has 90hp, which means that, notionally, it could reach 117mph/189km/h as an absolute limit, as standard - but it produces that 90hp at 6,000rpm. As we've just discussed above, the Tigra is doing 112mph at 6,600rpm - well past its power peak - and 117mph would require very nearly 7,000rpm, by which point it's producing only a little over 80hp.

You're looking at, for a stock Tigra 1.4 on stock wheels, an absolute maximum speed of no more than 113mph/182km/h. You say you've personally witnessed an indicated 190km/h - a speedometer in Europe is allowed, by law, a maximum overread of 10% from the factory, and 190km/h is well within that boundary (220km/h is not) so what you have observed is not at odds with the laws of physics.


The video you posted isn't a possible scenario for a stock 1.4 Tigra. I suspect it's a slightly tweaked 1.6 with a very large speedo overread.

 

[Playguy]

He does say the car is stock. And he was going downhill. But I don't know. What I know is that I've been to 190 with mine, and I know it could go faster. But If you say the speedo is wrong, well, I don't know.

My girlfriend has a Opel Corsa (Version D) 1.3 CDTi 75Hp. She went all the way to 200kmh. I know she wouldn't lie, and I know the car is stock. Is the speedo wrong too? The car was bought in 2008

 

[addictions]

In that video the temperature gauge doesn't look like It works to well either.