The wife's skip, sorry, Tigra (54) is starting to munch on quite a bit oil.

But not steadily. It'll go three weeks without using a drop (gets checked every week she does a lot of miles) then drop 3/4 of the way down from max to min.

It's done 70k ish miles and she does rev the t|ts off it, leaves it in at 4th 80 on the mway, down changes to 2nd at 65 things like that.

Does it sound like it might go kaput?

Oh please, I bloody hate it. It's started rusting on the back wings now too and jumping out of 5th gear on bad pot holes. As well as only doing about 30mpg, won't go up hills in 5th, leaks, rattles, smells a bit off etc etc.

With any luck, yes!

One question though; does it get the same usage pattern every week, or does it do 2 weeks on the road, and one in town work or standing?

Same 550 miles a week every week. Same road everything.

We're trying to move;)

I got nothing then.

Sounds like a typically well built vauxhall. I think most 16v (ecotec) have problems with excessive oil use, SWMBO's brother has an Astra and it uses a lot of oil. If you look in the manual I'm sure it states high oil usage. If its burning oil they do suffer from Valve stem oil seal failure.

Had similar on a M1 facelift Clio RSI. Ended up being the rocker cover gasket. Once replaced, stoped using oil.

Alarm is on the blink now too.

I think most 16v (ecotec) have problems with excessive oil use

Partners step sister is Oz has a 3.8 Ecotec V6 Holden Commodore and that uses oil nearly as fast as the petrol!

Must be a Vauxhall thing!

Phil

I think it's probably the 4 years and 72k it's spent at 6k rpm that has done it.

I drove it for the first time in a while last night, it was dark so I could leave the paper bag at home. There seems to be a huge amount a free play in the steering. You have to turn it about 45 deg before you get much motion out of the wheels. I don't know if it's the cheap Kwikfit tyres or something else.

There was some squeaking from somewhere when she was parking, wasn't brakes.

It's starting to sink in that it might be worth moving on. I've suggested something with better build quality like an Allegro.

I used to think Vx was ok too. It's seems reasonably screwed together but the materials quality is not good.

It's actually worse to drive than the Daihatsu Terios I got a shot of once. And that was like driving a jelly.

Yeh they probably don't take abuse very well. The Commodore gets thrashed a fair bit too.

Think it is time to move on. Give it a service and get it sold!

They are resonable and well put togther but you're right the quality of the bits they're screwing together isn't brilliant!

Phil

Well, it is a Corsa in a party frock, and not even one that suits it!

Only offerings from my Vauxhall past have been mentioned -valve stem seals and rocker cover .The latter -don't half spread the oil around and it's common ,especially on cars owned by Bodge it yerself previous owners who overtighten the bolts .

Might be worth keeping an eye on where it's parked to see if any oil patches appear overnight underneath it .

I've checked the drive for oil and it doesn't seem to be dripping anything.

Some noticable white smoke from the exhaust. I've not checked it during a cold start up or lifting off the throttle.

I think it's just worn. It's only a 90hp 1.4 and it really does have to work hard to pull the skip along. It must be bloody heavy for what it is.

Clickity click

Tigra - 1235 kg

Corsa 1.4 3dr - 1080kg

So 150kg heavier. Feels worse but then I've not driven the Corsa.

Only 92 Torques from that engine.

Car's old-style GBU entry:-

Vauthall Tigra

For - Vauxhall mechanicals.

Against - do

Sum up - Luton joke.

I've checked the drive for oil and it doesn't seem to be dripping anything.

Some noticable white smoke from the exhaust. I've not checked it during a cold start up or lifting off the throttle.

I think it's just worn. It's only a 90hp 1.4 and it really does have to work hard to pull the skip along. It must be bloody heavy for what it is.

Clickity click

Tigra - 1235 kg

Corsa 1.4 3dr - 1080kg

So 150kg heavier. Feels worse but then I've not driven the Corsa.

Only 92 Torques from that engine.

It's the 2 seat folding metal roof jobbie I take it. In which case, a 1.4 engine is suitable for shopping or gentle cruising on flat roads and posing. I'm a bit shocked that it's rusting already.

Aye a little bit of bubbling on the rear panels. No significant chips or scratches. In fact where there are chips the metal has gone black and looks like it's cured.

I'm going to try to get her to look at a newish Mini and an older C class coupe. But I've heard some negative stories about the reliability of both. The skip might be a pile of poo but its never stopped running, I'll give it that.

She's such a snob and so fussy that I'm having a job thinking of motors for her.

Well it's now developing a high pitched whining noise from the rear drivers side rear wheel which stops when you touch the brake but randomly reappears, normally at speed.

Also a similar but different high pitched whining noise has developed from the passenger side front wheel it only happens when turning right.

It's still eating oil like a fat American too.

She's spotted a deal in Perth on new Tigra's. £8999 + OTR. So she might get one of them :(

It's black too :faint:

I've warned her that I won't be held responsible for keeping a black one looking good.

On the positive side, the noises are probably stones under disc shields, or duff wheel bearings, so not that pricey to fix!

On the positive side, the noises are probably stones under disc shields, or duff wheel bearings, so not that pricey to fix!

Duff wheel bearings - quite cheap ,unless it's disc brakes with drum handbrake ,and for reasons unknown Vauxhall have decided to change design of rear axle stub /bearings -though the Cavalier that had this was quite old .Though saying that -90 hp - should n't need discs all round .

I did suggest driving it into a tree but she wasn't up for it.:rotz:

If the Tigra is based on the Corsa 2000-2006 then they handle OK.

The one's I have driven had the 1.2 16v SXI engine.

My sister had an 02 reg which wasn't too bad. Nothing broke off it.

Had another as a courtesy car in 2007 when my Felly was in the bodyshop, felt too bulky, wide and lifeless compared to my Felicia.

I had an Astra merit 95 N reg 1.4 8v engine and that was a good reliable car. Didn't burn oil or develop engine problems. One major prob was the rear brake cylinder that leaked.

Otherwse than that a solid Vauxhall until I wrote it off.

On the other end of the scale my Uncle bought a Corsa 12v off a family friend of ours. Belonged to their son. Battered and bruised a little, suspension creaks needed a new oil switch after it started leaking.

Like any car, treated well they will last and last otherwise expect big repair bills. Unless of course you're just unlucky and get a "Friday afternoon car" thats just plagued with problems.

The wife's skip, sorry, Tigra (54) is starting to munch on quite a bit oil.

But not steadily. It'll go three weeks without using a drop (gets checked every week she does a lot of miles) then drop 3/4 of the way down from max to min.

It's done 70k ish miles and she does rev the t|ts off it, leaves it in at 4th 80 on the mway, down changes to 2nd at 65 things like that.

Does it sound like it might go kaput?

Oh please, I bloody hate it. It's started rusting on the back wings now too and jumping out of 5th gear on bad pot holes. As well as only doing about 30mpg, won't go up hills in 5th, leaks, rattles, smells a bit off etc etc.

After re-reading this yep i think it prob will die soon then!!!

It's going in to get the squeaks looked at. Trusted independent grease monkey thinks it's likely to be worn brake pads. VX have a 'spring thing' that starts to squeal when they're worn down.

Wasn't so optimistic about the oil consumption. If it was a dog I'd have put it out its misery.

She'll need to drive my vRS for a couple of days :thumbdwn:

Let's hope she can get the mpg out of the teens this time and not hit the door off any walls. Again

What's this "if it was a dog..." buiness; I thought we'd already agreed it was a dog?

I think she's just cruel, beating the thing with a stick along the motorway while it squeals for mercy (or that might be her Leona Lewis CD).

I wonder if I might have an accident in a remote place by spilling some paint thinner into the engine bay whilst at the same time taking up cigar smoking while unicycling.

I think she's just cruel, beating the thing with a stick along the motorway while it squeals for mercy (or that might be her Leona Lewis CD).

I think you summed up half the problem with the car!