Faults:

When I got it there were no keys and it was a pain to find the right ignition, very expensive too, but I finally found one.

Not the cars fault, but I had to replace the tires upon purchase, they were worn way down.

One more thing, the car is the coldest blooded car I have ever seen, but takes around a minute to warm up and then the heater is blowing out HOT air, needs a warning sticker for the heater, it is so hot.

General Comments:

This car would be perfect to try to teach someone how to drive a standard, you can take off without even giving it gas, strong brakes, must wear seatbelt to keep yourself in your seat, and it turns on a dime.

I filled it up for under $25 and that was when it was on empty. I haven’t had the chance to even empty the gas tank (yet). Does any one know what the size of the gas tank is on the car?

The car takes off good, but it’s no Viper. It is good for a high school student.

My car has dark tint making it look good, and a car wash would make mine look a whole lot better, I guess I have something to do after school now.

Faults:

Rear parcel shelf rattled on delivery.

Engine had tendency to run hot when stuck in traffic, though it never over-heated.

Driver's door window seal broke after about two years in service.

Paintwork very poor - thin and tended to go matt too easily, requiring frequent waxing.

Rear axle patter under heavy, emergency braking.

Rear end tended to hit bumpstops when carrying three on rear seat.

General Comments:

The Gemini (as the I-Mark was called in Asia) was bought new to replace a six plus year old Vauxhall Viva as the Vauxhall Chevette was too pricey in comparison. The fact that the Gemini came with a larger engine, five speed manual gearbox and stacks more equipment made it seem better value.

It was based on the Opel Kadett C and inherited that car's mid section, with different front and rear styling.

It was a great handling car with lots of grip and good steering so that it always felt safe yet entertaining turning into curves - it was certainly much better than its similarly sized Japanese rivals of the day.

A hot knife through butter gear change made it a real driver's car, even though the odd angle of the gear lever took some getting used to. For the local market, the car came with supplementary gauges for oil pressure and amps, along with a tacho and quartz clock. Combined with houndstooth cloth seats and mock wood inserts, the cabin was really well trimmed and equipped, certainly so after the rather austere Viva Deluxe.

However, the ride could be lively on badly rippled roads and the engine was vocal once past 60 kmh. The design of the A pillars also gave rise to wind whistle from 80 kmh up.

The Gemini never proved popular with local motorists and I lost plenty when I sold it.

Faults:

Needed new headlight assembly. Hard to find, but not impossible.

General Comments:

I recently acquired this car. The day after buying it I drove over 300km in it. This is the first time I have traveled that far without being crippled up at the end of trip.

I also tested fuel mileage on the trip and was getting 40 miles per gallon.

This car is extremely comfortable to drive and at the same time fun.

It handles like a dream. It accelerates smoothly, corners well and stops on a dime.