Conference terri::cars_uk

    
    I'm glad that Vauxhall have decided to go ahead with this.Have any of
    you seen the convertable version?,but I don't think that theyr're going to
    produce this one.
    
    A nice little car,I think i'll have one!
    
    
    Andy.

    any ideas of release/ship date ?
    or prices ?
    
    dave D.

    
    Price,in the 11000-12000 pounds price range.
    
    The Tigra will have the GSi 16V engine.
    
    Andy
    

    Is it a two seater only?
    
    

    
    Providing they're toy dogs!
    
    Mark

I believe the 'ship date' is to be late '94 early '95. 
Well I hope thats the case cos its the only Vauxhall 
i'd touch and my cars due back in Dec.

					G.P

    
    
    Dont be fooled by looks its still a Vauxhall

Has the Tigra been released? I saw a quickie on the news
this morning about M plate cars and it showed two or 
three M reg Tigras. Ugly is too good a word for it, but 
I guess some poor soul will spend their money on one.

    
    The Tigra will be avilable with two different engine sizes, 1.4 and
    1.6. Not sure if they're both 16v engines.
    
    If you were looking forward to the Tigra convertible, forget it.
    Vauxhall have just canned it.
    
    Steve
    

    Top Gear did a review of this last week and again on the motor show
    prog yesterday. I think it looks good.
    
    It goes on sale in November and Vauxhall already have 3 months worth
    of orders.
    
    It will come with a 1.4 and 1.6 16v engine. The 1.6 will be a high
    insurance group.
    
    I'm looking forward to trying it although I expect it will be a bit
    cramped and too small for my requirements these days.
    
    Royston

    
    Apparently the insurance groupings haven't been decided for the Tigra
    yet.  The woman I was talking to on the Vauxhall stand reckoned that
    'cos they weren't going to badge them the insurance should be
    relatively low (i.e. similar to the Corsa GSi?, whatever that group
    is?).
    
    Chris.

    
    Saw one of these yesterday in Barbizon (France) it looked very strange,
    bit like a home made conversion of a Corsa.   
    Did I hear that some manufacturer was supplying cars with the option of a 
    gear change simular to the F1 type, where you moved up/down by pressing 
    buttons on the steering wheel ? If so which car was it on.
    

Re Tiptronic gearbox

Porsche 911

re -1

	The new Porsche 911 gets tiptronic gear change - Top Gear reveiwed it.

    
    No, not the 911, Tiptronic actually uses a gearbox on the floor and
    has been available for quite some time (I had a Carrera 2 in '92 with
    Tiptronic) I thought I had heard that someone had placed levers behind
    the steering wheel, press left for down and right for up but you still
    have to operate the clutch with your foot.

    
    I thought that they were going to add it to the new Renault Clio 16V as
    an option. The Clios that race in the group 2 European Rally series
    have such a feature.
    
    POL.

re .18

This new gearbox was automatic - you just moved the gearlever to the tiptronic
slot ( on the right ) and then you could either change with the gear lever
or the buttons on the steering wheel. Porsche feel this adds to the cars safety
as there is now no need to remove your hands from the wheel.

>> No, not the 911

Looked like a 911 to me ! either way it was a new Porsche.

    Yes its a 911�. The steering wheel mounted button is available as a
    retrofit option to any older tiptronic 911.
    
    	Rik
    
    �Not that Porsche call them 911's anymore the new (993 ?) is just
    refered to as the Carrera. (Not -2)

I test drove the 1.6 and 1.4 Tigra last month.  I like it...

Firstly I was impressed with the spec of both cars, especially the 1.6 
with twin air bags, elec windows/sunroof (the type that slides up over the 
roof), ABS... all standard.

Interior was good, simlar to the corsa GSi, but driving position was lower 
giving a more sporty feel.
 
Both cars handle superbly (much better than corsa GSi) - Very sharp and 
confident through the corners, so much so I wanted more power!
  
My only cons are:

Not very roomy (but I'm single, I don't care)
Brakes at bit spongy (This might improve with mileage (car only done 100ish)
Would have liked a little more power - but again the car hadn't been run 
in (although it was after I drove it 8-)) and I suppose Vauxhall have to think
about power = high insurance.

I want one,

Craig.    

P.S. Royston, where did you hear about 3 months order list?

    Craig thanks for your comments. Very informative. (how did you get a
    test drive on a car not released yet ?).
    
    The comment about a 3 month waiting list came from the snooty Top Gear
    presenter (forget her name) when she was testing it on the programme
    the other day (or it could have the Motor Show prog).
    
    Does the rear glass section lift up like a hatchback ?
    Does it have split rear seats ?
    
    I read in Autocar that the 1.4 is a better bet as its smoother and
    quieter, �2000 cheaper and probably a lot cheaper the insure than the
    1.6.
    
    Royston

Hi Royston,

Getting the invitation was a bit of a suprise:  Popped into my local Vauxhall
dealership one day expressing an interest in the Tigra, they knew nothing of
the car but took my deatils anyway.  One day last month, received invite from
Vauxhall to attend a drive day being held for dealers/press/selected members of
the public!

The wrap-a-round rear glass section lifts hatchback style (the rear glass BTW 
is heavily tinted, and contains a compound supposed to reduce cabin 
temps by ~ 5c)

The rear seats don't split (not that I can remember anyway), but it does have	
a opening in the centre for any long items.

I think if you was to buy new from a dealer the 1.4 would be better value (there
didn't seem to be 2000 pounds worth of diffrence) - But on the scheme (hopefully)
the difference should be negligible. 


Craig.

    Thanks for the additional info.
    
    I reckon that the 1.6 will be considerably more on the car scheme than
    the 1.4 not only because of the price difference but the 1.6 is likely
    to be loaded on the insurance which is now passed on to the driver
    cost.
    
    Royston

Rumour has it that the 1.6 will be a group 12 and the 1.4 will be an 8,
although that's not yet definite.  Anybody heard anything else about the
insurance?

Chris.

    
    Has anyone arranged a test drive of the Tigra yet?  I was told the
    launch at a garage in Fareham (Hampshire) wasn't until mid-/late-November; 
    does anyone know if this is the launch date for dealers, or is it just 
    this particular dealership?
    
    Chris.

    I've heard the launch date is mid Nov. Its likely to have the same
    release date nationwide.
    
    I'm looking forward to checking it out and will report back with
    my opinions.
    
    Royston

I too have been told mid November (18th).  

I'm still waiting for a quote back from fleet, apparantly they are waiting on 
the insurance grouping. I'll post the quote as soon as received.


Craig.

    Craig,
    
    I spoke to Car fleet yesterday and they said the Tigra prices were
    in the process of being entered on VTX..   
    
    Wendy
    

    Hot off the press
    
    1.4  3629
    
    1.6  4186
    
    

    Thats well out of order.
    
    That almost matches Calibra lease costs which retail at a few grand
    more.
    
    :-(
    
    Royston

..and the Calibra looks much nicer - even with the new grille

�..and the Calibra looks much nicer - even with the new grille

	Is it only me, or do other people confuse the restyled
	Vauxhalls with Protons?

	Ian.

    Just seen my first Tigra : YEUCH!
    
    Glad it's expense on the scheme ;^)
    
    Greg

>	 I think it's just you, but to start a rathole, when I see a Proton 
>	I think about following it, waiting until the driver gets out and 
>    	then shout
    
    
>	"Nice Proton" or the likes 

>	Haven't done it yet but I will one day,



Why????????

Re -.1

	I bet the HUMOR conference is a complete mystery to you!

	Ian.

Re .31 

Ouch.

Oh well .. I guess I won't be getting a Tigra.


Craig.

    Craig
    
    Did you question these quotes ? Even with insurance loading they seem
    way out of proportion to the on the road costs compared to other
    similarly prices Vauxhalls on the scheme. Especially the 1.4 Tigra.
    
    Royston

Re.39
>>>Ouch.

>>>h well .. I guess I won't be getting a Tigra.


>>>Craig.


	Well, after last evening's Top gear, I don't think that I'd want one,
they weren't very complimentary about the Tigra were they!  Certainly put me
off, not that I am in the market for that sort of vehicle anyway.

				Malcolm.

Sorry for the delay..

Yes I phoned fleet, basicly they said there is little or no factory support (?) 
for the Tigra and absolutely 0 discount.  I visited the local Vauxhall dealership
last week, apparantly each dealer will only be getting limited number of cars.
In fact the salesman told when the first Tigra arrived, somebody came in
and paid cash (no discount either) same day, and promptly drove it away.

Apparantly a colleague in scotland inquired about the Tigra on a lease from LEX 
(nothing to do with Digital fleet/scheme) they were given a quote 3400! 
Don't know any more about this though, if anyones interested I'll try and find 
out more.


..Craig

    Thanks for the update Craig. I guess that does explain it.
    
    Royston

    
    Just wait 3 months and they'll be discounting them like everything
    else!
    
    It's just the novelty value and it soon wears off.
    
    Mark
    
    

Am I wrong in thinking that the Tigra's main rival is probably the
Nissan 100 NX? Both appear to be small, ugly and not particularly
fast.

    
    
    
    I just test drove and put in my order for the 1.4l Tigra!
    I love the feel of this car! The rear seat folds down but does not
    split.
    
    Chris
    :)

    
    
    O.k I'v had the car for 2 months and love it!!
    
    Superb!!
    
    Noticed that with the alloy wheels, the front wheel rims seem to get
    quite blackened. Don't know if this is just dirt or something to do
    with the brakes...anyone else see this? I have noticed other Tigra's
    that show this as well.
    
    No complaints though!!
    
    Chris
    :)

    It's brake dust. I don't think it's corrosive.

    
    ...and we're still left with the fact that they are bloody expensive
    through Leaseplan.  Why so long after launch they haven't reduced
    prices to around Astra level is beyond me.
    
    Chris.

    Chris
    
    There was an explanation for this with the old prices in the Tigra
    section. Its something about the low volume of Tigras compared to
    Astras/Cavaliers therefore they are not discounted.
    
    At least the tax is less because of the lower list prices.
    
    Royston

    
    Ahhh...that makes a bit more sense.  But supposedly we're meant to
    get a special deal from Vauxhall regardless of model; I can't see how it
    could harm them to have more people lease them due to cheaper prices,
    which then means more cars on the road for people to say "I want one of
    those".
    
    Chris.

RE: .49

> It's brake dust. I don't think it's corrosive.

You're right about the brake dust, but it is very corrosive. Leave 
it long enough and it will etch its way into the protective lacquer 
on the alloy.

- John.

I have the Astra 1.8 Sports and have also noticed the blackening on the front
alloys. I also think this is from the brakes.........I recommend that you wash
them pretty regularly cos I left mine for quite a while and then be buggered if
I could get the crap off. Luckily when I had the wing replaced the garage
valeted the car and managed to get the crap off of the alloys. Haven't any idea
how they did it though !!

Regards

Barry

    
    
    
    Thanks for all the response folks!! I'll dig out my brush....but last
    time I took the car through the auto car wash it cleaned them pretty
    good!
    
    Chris
    :)

    
    
    had a bad experience with Vauxhaul re the length of time it took
    to change a burn out head lamp.
    
    took it in yesterday and they looked at it right away..but an hour
    later I was still sitting in the waiting room, getting updates every
    few moments about how this is the first Tigra that they have had to
    change a bulb on. In the end, they said they had to remove the headlamp
    to do it.
    
    then last night the same bulb went again.
    
    
    another hours wait this morning..and it turns out to be a fuse.
    
    
    I'll let you know!!
    
    I do LOVE this car though!! It is superb, just Vauxhall service should
    know how to change a fuse or bulb on one of their own cars!!!
    
    
    p.s  I saw that they had a dark blue M reg used Tigra for sale on the 
         lot at Wadham Kenning for anyone who's interested.
    
    Chris
    :)

    
    	Tigra - isn't that the hideous har that looks like it's been
    	the jam in a juggernaut sandwich?
    
    	If the fuse has gone, that sounds like a great excuse to get
    	rid of the car!
    
    	:-)