You are here: Forums Wagons Kia Spectra/Spectra5 Kia Spectra Test Drive: What Did You Think?

Kia Spectra Test Drive: What Did You Think?

10 messages,  Last post on May 31, 2008 at 7:35 PM

You are in the Kia Spectra/Spectra5 Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Kia Spectra, Car Buying, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 2 1 2 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#3 of 10 Re: My Spectra5 test drive. [dgs] by axel_rose Mar 21, 2005 (10:06 am)
Replying to: dgs (Dec 13, 2004 12:25 am) Damn, your driving impression is off. Than again we are all entitled to our opinion. I found the handling to be tight and responsive. The acceleration was silky smooth and quick to respond to the drivers input. Cornering on a u-turn off ramp at 55 mph, the car handled superbly!   Here is a great review from Car and Driver regarding the handling of this great little car:   http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=8433 Replies to this message: red00lght (Sep 07, 2006 6:05 pm)
#4 of 10 Re: My Spectra5 test drive. [axel_rose] by red00lght Sep 07, 2006 (6:05 pm)
Replying to: axel_rose (Mar 21, 2005 10:06 am) I first test drove the automatic. It was ok, but not too inspiring to me. Then I drove the stick and the car seemed to come alive. Very responsive and fun! The cornerning was pretty good, but could be improved to make this a serious handler with some springs, sway bars, etc...   For the price, I don't believe you can beat this car. 140hp, good warranty, good utility, and good mpg. Thumbs up!
#5 of 10 Re: Kia Spectra5 Test Drive: What Did You Think? [pf_flyer] by 204meca Nov 11, 2006 (6:13 pm)
Replying to: pf_flyer (Aug 28, 2006 6:32 am) I am looking for a economical (in terms of purchase and maintanence) hatchback or wagon. For my daughter. She needs something economical, reliable, with room for her 75lb lab to replace her gas guzzling Jeep Liberty. Today I drove a Spectra5, Focus wagon, & Nissan Versa all with ATs. I could not find a Scion xB or Honda Fit. The 3 I drove are compentent cars & could meet the need.   Focus was the best for dog accomadations by far. It drove smoothly & had reasonable pick up. On the down side I felt like I was sitting down too low (almost in a hole even with the seat raised to the max), it had the most road noise, & just seems less solid (tinny sounds when closing doors, hatch...).   Versa definitely had the softest seats but I could feel the most bumps with it. Very light - too light - steering. Best acceleration, a modern solid feel. It had the 4 spd AT, I would have prefered the CVT. The passenger space is great, the cargo space wanting - definitely tight for the Lab with the back seats up!   Spectra5 felt the best of all. Quiet, very smooth ride, flat cornering (was not pushing any of these to their limit), lots of interior space, nice feel to the switches... Acceration was adequate, but could use more, on par or slightly better than Focus. Cargo space adequate. With the warranty & 6 airbags, this is the pick of the litter so far. Anyone one else compared these? If so, what are your thoughts? Replies to this message: albertomg (Jun 07, 2007 3:42 pm)
#6 of 10 ADMINISTRATOR: New forum please on Kia Ronda by 204meca Nov 11, 2006 (6:35 pm)
As I was looking at a Spectra 5 today I stumbled on this new mini- mini van called a Kia Ronda, the dealer had just gotten in.    I was positively blown away by it's good exterior & interior looks, it's safety features and the price.   It is a quite compact, about the size of a Ford Escape, but seemed very spacious inside much more than the Escape. The seats were very comfortable with a great interiour layout. Safety wise it come standard with traction control, ABS, Electronic Stabity control, 6 air bags. With a 2.4L engine it was rated at 22 city & 29 highway and price in the mid $18K range. It is not on Kia's website & seems to be all but invisible to Google. Does anyone know anything about this rig or was I dreaming? Replies to this message: spmrebel (Nov 12, 2006 9:17 pm) pf_flyer (Nov 13, 2006 4:54 am)
#7 of 10 Re: ADMINISTRATOR: New forum please on Kia Ronda [204meca] by spmrebel Nov 12, 2006 (9:17 pm)
Replying to: 204meca (Nov 11, 2006 6:35 pm) The Rondo is a new model for 2007. Its main competition is the Mazda 5. Like a mini minivan. These cars are trickling in now and Kia has not officially marketed/advertised these cars. From what I have heard is that Kia will start a large marketing blitz sometime around Jan/Feb timeframe.   IMO you should veer away from the Focus as its getting a bit long in the tooth. Also, reliability is a problem.   Good luck on your choices.
#8 of 10 Re: ADMINISTRATOR: New forum please on Kia Ronda [204meca] by pf_flyer HOST Nov 13, 2006 (4:54 am)
Replying to: 204meca (Nov 11, 2006 6:35 pm) Since it's a minivan, the place for a discussion on it would be over on the Vans & Minivans Message Board
#9 of 10 Re: Kia Spectra5 Test Drive: What Did You Think? [204meca] by albertomg Jun 07, 2007 (3:42 pm)
Replying to: 204meca (Nov 11, 2006 6:13 pm) pf_flyer: I'm sure you've already decided and I'm going to assume you went with the Kia (cause it is best overall) but, in case you haven't and, for anyone else, here's a long review (my first; it's a bit rough) for my '07 Spectra5 (Automatic) I've owned since end of April '07.   http://www1.epinions.com/content_372955254404   Cheers. ~A
#10 of 10 Today - 07' Automatic by udroppedthis May 31, 2008 (7:35 pm)
Have a few offered in autotrader lately. Test drove at the dealership. Sped up on the expressway ramp and felt like it didn't have pickup, but sped up to 70 without even realizing it   The bucket seats were a bit slim (used to bench seats), and the seat belt if not properly places dug into my hip (180 lb driver)   I liked the plastic foot dummy pedal for your non-driving foot, but felt better without it.   My driving foot wasn't extremely comfortable, and the horn was funny and wimpy sounding. Made me laugh.   The 07' had a wierd cubby on the left to the steering wheel on the dash, cell phone fit but couldn't visibly read it. The ipod hookup was cool with a cubby next to that in the center. And the extra charger in the arm rest was cool.   It had adjustable rollers for the cup holders, and the car handled well on an extremely bumpy trucking road.   I liked the feel and size of the steering wheel (test drove a pontiac G6 and the steering wheel was too skinny - but that one had the stereo controls in the steering wheel) The radio controls were easily accessible though.   I felt ok driving it, but afterwards felt like the bare minimum for a somewhat affordable price.   I'd still consider test driving another one offered by a private seller before I decide to spend all the money I have saved up for a car. All and all, the skinny bucket seats for my "fatoss" might not mesh well. But the reviews all sound pretty good.

Messages Page 2 of 2 1 2 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Wagons Kia Spectra/Spectra5 Kia Spectra Test Drive: What Did You Think?