Holden owner upgrades after 22 years, 869,000 miles
Rodney Boyle of Queensland, Australia had been driving his 1984 Holden Gemini diesel for 22 years, during which he has amassed a staggering 1.4 million kilometers (869,000+ miles) on the odometer. In addition to being reliable -- the car saw very few major repairs in its lifetime of service -- the old Gemini averaged around 54 miles per gallon for him.
Boyle had no intention of retiring his old car anytime soon, but when he saw that Holden was releasing a diesel version of the Astra, he went to his local dealership and reserved one. Recently, he took delivery of the car, a white Astra CDTi, which he says is getting a respectable 44 mpg so far.
And what of the Gemini? It's being retired, but it won't leave Boyle's possession. After 22 years, there's a history and a bond there that the Aussie won't simply toss aside. Besides, a good reliable car is something you never want to willingly get rid of, even if it's 22 years old.
(Release after the jump)
[Source: GM/Holden]
Press Release:
Queenslander Waits 1.4 Million Kilometres For New Holden Diesel
The launch of Holden's new Astra turbo diesel cars lured a Queenslander out of the woodwork to upgrade his 22-year-old Holden Gemini diesel boasting a staggering 1.4 million kilometre life.
But Rodney Boyle, now the proud owner of a new Astra CDTi, can't part with his beloved 1984 TG Gemini, the last example of a Holden passenger diesel program - instead he's going to put it in his shed.
Living in Brisbane, Rodney commuted to his parent's farm in Proston, a 700km round trip, once to twice a week for several years, so the kilometres quickly started to add up.
Once the family's farm was sold, Rodney began his own company, First Choice Logistics, and business meant he often had to travel so he continued to put the Gemini through its paces. After 22 years Rodney says it's been the most reliable car he's ever known.
"I've never really had to spend a cent on it. The only repairs it has ever needed was a water pump, a new clutch, three radiators and a few timing belts. Not bad for a car that has driven over 1.4 million kilometres," he said.
But when Rodney learned Holden were launching the new Astra Diesel, he decided it was time to upgrade. He placed his order with Beecham Holden in Caboolture before cars had arrived in Queensland to ensure he secured the first Astra CDTi to reach the dealership.
"The Astra Diesel is fantastic and I must admit it sure has come on leaps and bounds since my Gemini, and with 110 kilowatts it doesn't half go!" he said.
Rodney says the appeal of the Gemini and Astra is not just based on how reliable they are - he has also been benefiting from outstanding fuel economy.
"The Gemini used to get about 56 miles to a gallon and now in the Astra I'm averaging about 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the route I take. You've got to be happy with that," he said.
As for his trusted 1984 TG Gemini, Rodney has decided it has earned a rest. He plans to de-register the car and retire it to his garage where it will stay.
"I couldn't get rid of it, there are far too many memories so we are going to keep it for its sentimental value," he said.
The new Astra CDTi boasts a 1.9 litre engine, delivers outstanding performance and fuel economy in both manual and automatic transmissions and Rodney already has plans for it to outlast his faithful Gemini.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
James Fabin 5:44PM (7/05/2006)
Wow - that's pretty amazing. It's great to see such a well cared for car that still achieves a very respectable MPG (or do they use KPL down under?)
James
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Sugar's dad 5:48PM (7/05/2006)
Now that is reliability,wow, I don't blame him I wouldn't get rid of it either.
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Noah 6:10PM (7/05/2006)
There are a lot of Crown Vics out there with over a million miles on them (1.6Gm) and it doesn't make news. Three cab drivers sharing a Crown Vic hitting a million miles isn't exactly rare news.
Want your car to reach a million? change your oil more often ya cheap buggers.
--Noah
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Michael Karesh 6:16PM (7/05/2006)
Good diesels last practically forever.
Interesting that after 22 years of technological advances the new car's fuel econ is 10 MPG less.
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TJ Hooker 6:18PM (7/05/2006)
So why won't GM bring the Holdens over here and rebadge them. They could sell them as Chevys or Saturns or both, with price of gas and diesel never ever going down again you would thing this would be a nobrainer for GM.
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Stphane Dumas 6:25PM (7/05/2006)
James in Canada for the mileage we calcul a bit like Europe did http://www.convertit.com/Board/view.asp?mode=viewtopic&topicID=169&forumID=&catID= xLiters per 100 km (xL/100km) maybe they do the same in Australia
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David 6:30PM (7/05/2006)
I think I remember this car being imported as the Isuzu I-Mark back in the early 80s, when Joe Isuzu was on the TV.
Take a look:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isuzu_I-Mark
I think I remember the likes of Car and Driver and Motor Trend testing it -- of course they hated it because it was too slow.
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Takeo 6:35PM (7/05/2006)
Let's be fair here. The new car is bigger, better appointed, probably better put together and without a doubt, infinitely safer than the old car. Because of this it's bound to give up some efficiency to the older car.
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Chris 6:42PM (7/05/2006)
Not giving it up... Being Australian I know exactly where this car will end up... on his front lawn...
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Gardiner Westbound 6:43PM (7/05/2006)
GM can't risk importing a car that sells at a reasonable price point, is reliable and durable, and yields 56 mpg. People would buy them, recommend them to friends and relatives, and happily keep them for years. It is ill-equipped to cope with success!
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Chris 7:19PM (7/05/2006)
Yeah we use L/100km in Australia. I'd pretty sure a new Astra is probably almost twice the weight and power of an old Gemini so that's why fuel economy isn't as good.
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Phong 7:19PM (7/05/2006)
thats diesel power for you. More Reliable, longer lasting.
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Doug 7:54PM (7/05/2006)
David thanks for pointing out the Isuzu I Mark connection. A co worker had one. If the Chevette had a sedan version, and came in a diesel flavor, this would be it.
You can draw your own conclusions.
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Howard Kerr 8:22PM (7/05/2006)
The Gemini was originally an Opel/Vauxhall design, which then "migrated" to all other GM markets. Yes, it was a very close cousin to the Chevy Chevette and Isuzu I-mark, but that doesn't really detract from it's European/German design roots...does it?
No mention of the horsepower increase that has occurred in this car over the course of 22 years of evolution (probably in the range of a doubling of hp)....would you rather have high mpg, and be VERY slow to 60mph, or "slightly" lower mpg and MUCH better acceleration?
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law trainee 8:32PM (7/05/2006)
its not so easy to say that because of the high mileage and few major repairs and great mileage that GM will not import them... oh wait, it is eays to say. Probably not done because dealerships need to make repairs to generate more cash, people would buy fewer cars, people buy less diesel, *cough*!!!, the government hates that because it wants money from the taxes slapped on gas, greater fuel efficiency means less revenue, so GM and the government have no interest in selling diesels to the US population. In fact they are trying to marginalize diesels with higher and higher standards, which GM complains makes their duramax a $6500 premium, but it could be met cost effectively with mass produced engines in canada or mexico, where the assembly by hand in those countries does not require medical benefits to their workers.
its aggraveting to see what other countries can buy. If anything I give a finger to GM and Ford for not doing better and helping keep americans hooked on gas. making flex-fuel is a scheme to allow gas-guzzlering cars. what about propane cars and LNG cars? CA law requires an alternative fuel car to pay for a $4000 test to be allowed on the road. wtf!? thanks EPA, or rather bigoil.
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Sutibu 10:49PM (7/05/2006)
Two points:
1. I believe you all in the US WILL be getting a version of the Astra - as the new Saturn Ion:
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/the-next-saturn-ion-is-an-opel/
2. While Oz (Australia) is now mostly metric, they used to use the Imperial gallon Down Under, which is about 1.2 US gallons. Therefore, 56 mpg (Imperial gallons) is about 47 mpg (US gallons).
The 5.3L/100km Mr. Boyle is getting in his new car is therefore about 44 miles per US gal, or 53 miles per Imp. gal. Not too far off from his old, much more primitive Holden.
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KazO 2:38AM (7/06/2006)
It's been a while since I've seen an I-Mark diesel. Period diesel Chevettes had the same Isuzu engine. One of my parents' neighbors had one till recently.
GM still uses Isuzu diesels. The current Duramax was designed by Isuzu for the most part, and I believe some Opel/Vauxhall diesels are also from Isuzu.
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goat 9:35AM (7/06/2006)
If GM would offer something like this in the U.S., preferably in a rear wheel drive configuration, they'd have no trouble selling them.
All they'd have to say is this: 44 mpg.
Maybe sign this bloke up as a spokesman.
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Kotse 1:39PM (7/06/2006)
We had this '82 Isuzu Gemini Diesel (aka I-Mark) back in the old country..it was slooow as a dawg but is up there on the fuel economy scale.
The only issue that bugs us often then on said car is the recurrent draining of the water separator thingy..
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Tim 8:07PM (7/06/2006)
wow his new Astra gets the same mileage as my 650cc motorbike!!
insane
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