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Kia Spectra5

463 messages,  Last post on Oct 22, 2011 at 2:39 PM

You are in the Kia Spectra/Spectra5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Spectra, Hatchback

Messages Page 14 of 47

#127 of 463 New Kia Spectra Ex Owner - Kinda Of! by spmrebel

Jul 05, 2005 (11:19 am)

Hi all,
 
I am kinda of a new 2005 Kia Spectra Ex owner. OK, its actually my girlfriend (I helped her with the decision quite a bit though). Anyway, we were debating between an Elantra GLS vs a Spectra EX. Both were very similiar in feel, workmanship, quality, and driving dynamics but the more modern interior of the Kia; and since this generation is only a year old, it last another 4 years, we decided on the Spectra EX. Another factor was the side curtain airbags. Also, I have a 2005 Elantra GT already and getting a GLS would nearly be the same.
 
We got a White 2005 Spectra EX with auto, moonroof, alloys and cruise control. It was without the rear spoiler (I actually don't like the Spectra's rear spoiler as it looks too ricy). I looked for ABS everywhere but couldn't find it. Its a really nice vehicle. Its near silent at idle (similiar to Elantra). I would say that the quality of the materials on the interior would beat the Elantra. I always thought that the Elantra had the best quality on the interior of anything in its price range until I looked at the Kia. My friend who owns a 2000 Civic and a 2005 Infinit G35 was amazed on the quality of the interior also. The other thing I noticed is that the doors felt a tad bit heaver on the Spectra than the Elantra. It almost seems as though the side impact door beams are a bit heavier. Another nice feature of the Spectra that I wish my GT had is that it has a remote trunk button on its FOB.
 
Doohickie,
 
I have been reading your posts about your next car purchase. My previous car to my GT was a 2003 Suzuki Aerio SX with the 2.0L. I had the car up until end of May when I sold it. I would say that both Hyundai and Kia are definitely superior cars in quality and craftsmanship. The Aerio didn't have the fit or finish that Hyundai has - especially on the interior. Also, the Aerio's engine was noticeably noiser at idle. Though slightly cruder than both Hyundai and Kia it was a darn good car. I only had 1 problem outside of routine maintenance. The catalytic converter went out and was replaced under warranty. This was in in 57K miles when I sold it.
 
Oh, I briefly took the Spectra Ex to 70 mph and no vibration. Also, my GT doesn't have any vibration at or above 70 mph also.
 
Good luck on your purchase decision.
 
Happy motoring to all.
 
Shawn

#128 of 463 Re: I know what you mean, and in fact there is a stretch of [backy] by geomatics

Jul 05, 2005 (11:28 am)

Replying to: backy (Jul 05, 2005 8:10 am)
Actually, the 2005 Spectra 5 already has the continuously variable valve technology CVVT, I have just over 9000km on the car now and mileage has increased from 26/28 to 32/38, of course that depends on how you drive.
 
love my spectra
Geo.

#129 of 463 Susiki Reno actually Chevrolet Optra 5 in Canada. by geomatics

Jul 05, 2005 (12:01 pm)

and it is still not as good as the Spectra5 (IMHO).
 
had one on a loner basis when my previous GM pos was in the shop. and this her are only a few reasons why i think the S5 is a much MUCH better car.
 
OPTRA5 Spectra5
119hp 138hp
1264000 torque 1364500
2 airbags 6 airbags /active head rests
mp3 optional mp3 standard
mpg (combined 30) mpg (combined 34)
15" wheels 16" wheels
 
I could go on but you already know i bought the Spectra5.

#130 of 463 Re: New Kia Spectra Ex Owner - Kinda Of! [spmrebel] by doohickie

Jul 05, 2005 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: spmrebel (Jul 05, 2005 11:19 am)
Shawn: Thanks for the input. As much as I personally liked the Suzuki Reno, I'm beginning to think it's probably not the best car to buy. The Elantra and Spectra are right in there, along with the Scion xA and Aerio, in terms of the numeric scale I've been working on. I wish I liked the Elantra or Spectra better in terms of the way they felt on the road (handling & power), but they just didn't impress me. In one of the reviews I read at cars.com, the writer said the Elantra is like that: You aren't crazy about it at first, but it grows on you.
 
I will have to drive all the cars again, and see what kind of year-end deals they offer. Most of the rebates I had figured into my numerical ratings expired on June 30 or July 5; I need to see what they're offering in September or October when I'm actually ready to buy.
 
For once in my life, I actually have time to look over the field and make an informed decision; now that I'm there I wish I were in more of a hurry! Heh...

#131 of 463 Re: Susiki Reno actually Chevrolet Optra 5 in Canada. [geomatics] by doohickie

Jul 05, 2005 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: geomatics (Jul 05, 2005 12:01 pm)
Yep, yep, yep; you're right, of course, geomatics. There are precisely three things I like about the Reno:
 
1. It makes peak torque at lower rpm's, giving it a slightly better off-the-line jump (my perception; YMMV).
2. I preferred the ride feel of the Reno to Elantra/Spectra. It felt more glued to the road (again, my perception).
3. It's stereo sounded better to me. I know it's shallow to prefer one car over another based on the stereo, but it really jumped out at me. (The Aerio's stereo was also good.)
 
These are all things that don't show up on paper, and all the stuff you cite is a convincing argument. But cars are more than numbers on paper, aren't they? It's funny, but the things I liked about the Reno are cited in many reviews as actually being worse than in the Spectra and/or Elantra. Maybe I'm getting old, but I actually prefer a softer ride to excess road feel.
 
I'll bop around the forums for a while and probably stay away from the car lots, then go back in September just prior to buying I guess, and then I'll decide.
 
On paper, the best cars for me are the Accent & Rio, followed by the Scion xA, Elantra GT 5 dr, Spectra5 and Aerio, with the xB, Focus and Reno also in the running. On paper, Accent and Rio are #1 & 2, but I wouldn't buy them as they are and have to wait for the 06 models come out to see if I like them... and I'm not sure Accent will have a hatch version. So that leaves a shootout between the xA and the Koreans. My son really likes the xB, so I'll probably keep that on my list as well, at least for now.

#132 of 463 Re: I know what you mean, and in fact there is a stretch of [geomatics] by backy

Jul 05, 2005 (12:42 pm)

Replying to: geomatics (Jul 05, 2005 11:28 am)
Right, Hyundai/Kia bolted a CVVT head onto the old Beta engine back in '03. Fuel economy went up a little (2 mpg in city, one on highway with the 5-speed on the Elantra for example, and emissions improved too) but I think we'll see even better fuel economy (and more power per liter) from the next-gen engines. On the CVVT Beta engine and an automatic Elantra, I can easily get mid-20s in the city and upper 30s on the highway (at legal speeds). That's not quite as good as a few other compacts like the Civic, Corolla, and ECHO, but it's not far behind and has more power than those cars.

#133 of 463 Re: New Kia Spectra Ex Owner - Kinda Of! [spmrebel] by spectraman

Jul 05, 2005 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: spmrebel (Jul 05, 2005 11:19 am)

Shawn said:
 
Oh, I briefly took the Spectra Ex to 70 mph and no vibration. Also, my GT doesn't have any vibration at or above 70 mph also.
 
For the record, my Spectra EX with 10,000+ miles has no vibration at 70 mph, nor even speeds in excess of 80 mph.
 
Could the grooved road explanation in a previous post have some validity? I know that there are several semi-truck "grooved" highways around the Detroit area that have the tendency to make all my vehicles either wander or give weird steering wheel feedback.
 
-SM

#134 of 463 Re: New Kia Spectra Ex Owner - Kinda Of! [spmrebel] by csandste

Jul 05, 2005 (4:20 pm)

Replying to: spmrebel (Jul 05, 2005 11:19 am)
Although I didn't buy the car, I think the Aerio's 05 interior tweaks add a ton of sophistication to the car. I didn't like the pre-05 digital dash and monochromatic interior one bit. The 05 passed my 01 Elantra in terms of fit and finish-- however, I'm still glad I bought the Maxx!
 
With the improvements to safety, the Spectra5 would be on my list if I bought today.

#135 of 463 Re: New Kia Spectra Ex Owner - Kinda Of! [spectraman] by doohickie

Jul 05, 2005 (4:42 pm)

Replying to: spectraman (Jul 05, 2005 2:32 pm)
Naw, it wasn't the road. It was the car, both times. I suspect there is a resonant frequency in the front end that tends to exaggerate any imbalance at about 70 mph. I am also starting to suspect that what the salesman said is true: That when a car sits for a while, the flat spot forms an imbalance that works itself out with some time on the road.
 
I'm aware of the phenomenon you're talking about, and that wasn't it.

Messages Page 14 of 47

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