Car companies know that if you call a car a coupé then you can charge more for it. Take the Vauxhall Tigra, for example. Under the skin it’s a humble Corsa but when it was launched in November 1994 Vauxhall charged more than £1,000 extra for a Tigra than for an identically powered and similarly equipped Corsa.

The higher price may have bought some funky looks and a degree of exclusivity that would never bless the Corsa, but it also cost the ability to carry adults in the back, shrunk the small boot to comedy proportions and endowed the car with rear visibility on a par with a Lamborghini Countach. That didn’t stop buyers beating a path to the showrooms.

The Tigra’s huge wraparound rear screen and “kiss the tarmac” front end gave the car a distinctive and pleasing look that, until the introduction of the Ford Puma in 1997, ensured it had few competitors.

The choice of a 1.4 or 1.6 litre petrol engine producing 90bhp and 104bhp endowed the Tigra with great fuel economy and low insurance ratings and appealed to younger drivers who wanted an attractive but economical car. In practice, the extra 14bhp of the 1.6 litre is barely noticeable over the 1.4 and I’d recommend you save the £500 premium it commands second-hand, drop two insurance groups and find a good 1.4 litre car.

If the Tigra’s exterior catches your eye then please don’t expect anything quite as radical from the interior. It’s all standard Vauxhall switchgear and an oppressive black plastic dashboard. Build quality is no better than average so check everything works, especially the heater, electric windows, mirror adjustment and stereo as all can be costly to repair or replace.

Despite the Tigra’s compact dimensions, front-seat occupants have plenty of room and the seats are supportive and comfortable. But legroom in the back is virtually non-existent and headroom is appalling. Don’t assume your children will like it either. My two daughters found it claustrophobic.

For drivers looking for a bit of zing from coupé motoring, my advice would be to give the Tigra a wide berth. Weighing in at some 180lb more than a standard Corsa it won’t win a race at the lights. But it is fun to drive. The power-assisted steering is light and the handling good, although push on through the bends and understeer makes itself felt even at relatively slow speeds.

Despite a hefty price tag when new — the 1.4 cost £11,250 — the Tigra lacks some of the equipment that one might expect: no ABS, no passenger airbag, no alloys, no air-conditioning. The good news is that many owners added some or all of these extras themselves. The 1.6 cost £2,000 more when new and came with alloys, ABS and a passenger airbag but no air-conditioning. While this might not seem like a priority, the Tigra’s small cabin and large areas of glass can combine to send interior temperatures soaring.

When Vauxhall finally killed off the Tigra in March 2001 sales had all but ground to a halt. A new version hit the showrooms last year and is better in almost every way. But as an inexpensive route into the coupé motoring club the original Tigra is hard to beat. Just don’t expect it to drive the way it looks.

Rear vision
View out through the tailgate window is poor

Boot space
Only 215 litres but rear seat can be used for extra luggage space

Boot area
Check boot carpet for signs of leaking seals

Air-conditioning
An optional extra but a very desirable one as the Tigra interior can get stuffy on a warm day

Alloy wheels
Standard on 1.6 litre and limited-edition models but you will find many 1.4s with nasty wheel trims

Security
Engine immobiliser system is integrated into the ignition key

Servicing
Vauxhall suggests every 10,000 miles but most owners recommend at least every 6 months, regardless of mileage

Seatbelts
Awkward to reach as they are mounted well back due to the Tigra's large doors

Engine
Timing belt and tensioner should be changed every 40,000 miles

Engine valves
Early models were prone to sticky valves, though regular oil changes and frequent long runs can help cure the problem

Safety
Passenger airbag and antilock braking an option on 1.4 litre models

Brakes
Front discs are prone to heavy wear so check them carefully

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Vauxhall Tigra 1.4 Coupe
Engine Four-cylinder, 1389cc
Power 90bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 38.7mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 11.5sec
Top speed 118mph

THE ONE TO BUY

Vauxhall Tigra 1.4 with air-conditioning and antilock brakes, 2000 W-reg with 40,000 miles. Pay £4,925 from a main dealer, or £4,250 privately

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OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY . . .

2000 T-reg Ford Puma 1.4i
2000 V-reg Renault Mégane Coupé
1999 S-reg Fiat Coupé 20V
1996 P-reg Alfa Romeo GTV 2.0
1996 N-reg Toyota Celica GT

VALUES: Vauxhaull Tiagra 1.4 coupé

(By mileage)

1999 V

Trade

30,000 £3,475
40,000 £3,325
60,000 £2,975

Retail

30,000 £4,850
40,000 £4,695
60,000 £4,350

2000 W

Trade

30,000 £3,750
40,000 £3,575
60,000 £3,150

Retail

30,000 £5,095
40,000 £4,925
60,000 £4,495

2001 X

Trade

30,000 £4,175
40,000 £3,925
60,000 £3,425

Retail

30,000 £5,525
40,000 £5,275
60,000 £4,775

A 1.6 model is worth about £500 more than a 1.4.

Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer