1980 Holden Gemini SLX 1.6 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A zippy little car

Faults:

Left brake light needs to be replaced regularly.

Left indicator needs to be turned off manually.

Dashboard has major cracks.

Seats wearing out.

Boot has major rust throughout.

General Comments:

This is an incredibly zippy car and handles great. However,it has very hard suspension which makes for an uncomfortable ride (especially over speed bumps).

The car had had two motors before I got it and has done quite a few kilometers (325,000).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th September, 2003

1980 Holden Gemini from Australia and New Zealand

Faults:

Water leak front passenger side and drivers side and how do you stop it?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th June, 2003

27th Jun 2003, 03:39

Is it leaking into the inside of the car? If it is, I had the same problem with my WB Statesman. You have to check the grate in front of the windscreen to make sure that the pipes that let the water out are not blocked because if they are, then the water overflows and manages to leak into the inside of the car.

1980 Holden Gemini TE 1.6 litre petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Reliable

Faults:

This particular Gemini has been extremely reliable for a car made in 1980.

The engine has been rebuilt twice - 191,000 kilometres and 351,000 kilometres.

The head gasket blows about every 100,000 kilometres.

The heater element corrodes about every four years and starts leaking.

In 1993 I discovered that the boot floor was rusted so I got a piece of floor pan from a wreckers, cut the rusted piece out and had new piece welded in. I now know to keep an eye on it.

Up until I started using unleaded petrol, mufflers used to last about eighteen months. Since changing to unleaded petrol, mufflers last three to four years.

There is rust in each door. When I checked it out, I found a strip of rubber door trim in the bottom of each door which was blocking the drain holes. I can only assume that it was put in there by a disgruntled worker at Holden when the car was being built. I keep the rust under control with fish oil.

The car still has the original transmission and diff which have never needed repair.

Front wheel bearings need replacing about every 80,000 -90,000 kilometres.

General Comments:

I have had this car for just over 22 years now and I think I will have it for quite some time to come.

I have been doing my own servicing and tune ups since 1984. I have picked up a few tips.

Use NGK spark plugs.

Use ignition points for a Toyota Tercel. They are ventilated and make a big difference.

Grease the front wheel bearings every 12 months.

The heater element is easy to change. It is just a matter of undoing two hoses and two screws. Then sliding the heater element out and the new one in. You might have to tie some wiring under the dash board up, because it gets in the way. Be careful of the instruction in the Scientific Publications workshop manual, because they say to remove the whole heater element which takes ours.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2003

22nd Feb 2003, 20:29

This review is very good. It helps you on how you can build up or repair your car. It is the best review I've ever read before.

1980 Holden Gemini S 1.6 Litre from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A great car

Faults:

Problem with the dash lights, they only work some times.

Lock on the boot would not work.

General Comments:

When I got the car it was a bomb, now it one of the nicest in town. All it took was some new flash paint, mag wheels and new interior.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st July, 2002

1980 Holden Gemini TE 1.8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great fun to drive you can do a lot in it!

Faults:

Well to get the car registered it needed about $700 worth of repairs, but now she goes like a beauty.

The repairs include a small amount of rust cut from the engine bay, a horn installed, a new carby, and the exhaust quietened.

The interior is fairly good except the dash which is cracking due to the sun.

General Comments:

Awesome car.

This is my first car and it is so easy to drive, as it handles well has good brakes and generally good to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th June, 2002