Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Wagons Kia Spectra/Spectra5 Kia Spectra Tire/Wheel Questions
18 messages, Last post on Nov 16, 2009 at 3:49 PM
You are in the Kia Spectra/Spectra5 Forum. Your Host is kcram
Discuss tire and wheel options or problems for your Kia Spectra/Spectra5 here.
|
|
|
|
|
Here's a link to (and an excerpt from) an Australian article on the Cerato that may shed some light on why the U.S. spec Spectras are now shod with Goodyear Eagle LS's! http://tinyurl.com/6qfd7 EXCERPT: In fact, it is the engine's strong performance that highlights one of the Cerato's two major failings: the Hankook tyres. Our test car came with Hankook Optimo K406 15inch tyres and their performance is a definite lowlight, potentially holding the Cerato back from being a better car. In the dry the Hankooks are OK, if a little prone to road hum over coarse bitumen. In the wet these tyres can be a real liability. Grip levels are adequate when cornering at normal speeds, providing you're not trying to accelerate at the same time. Attempt any amount of lock - let's say turning from a side street onto a main road with flowing traffic - with a need for acceleration and wheelspin is a real handicap. Braking, too, is a problem in the wet. As Russell mentioned in our first drive (above) the brakes can grab unnecessarily, and in the wet that is a real hazard - ABS would be a real boon in these circumstances. Shame the Cerato doesn't have it standard, then. One other way to improve Cerato's wet weather performance would be to fit different tyres after purchase, perhaps Bridgestones or Dunlops. There's also a good chance that better tyres would improve Cerato's bump soaking abilities - one area heavily criticised above. Clearly the Cerato's not trying to be a sports sedan, so its roly-poly ride is not going to be a big issue to suburban owners, and we had little problem over our seven-day test. But the ride quality was harsher than it needs to be over road joins, tram tracks and the like, and hinder what is an otherwise extremely competent, comfortable package. Overall, we really liked the Cerato in its role as comfortable, well-appointed, well-priced urban transport. With better tyres we would have no hesitation recommending it as a bargain-priced alternative to Corolla, Mazda3 and Pulsar. But if driving's still fun to you, think carefully about the Cerato's dynamic limitations. |
|
|
|
|
getting a Kia Spectra5, the fun factor. The 1999 Kia Sephia was the Kia vehicle that got me interested in Kia in the first place. Once I had Yokohama 70,000 mile all-season radials slapped onto Konig Diva wheels that Sephia handled like a dream! It was so much fun to drive after that! The Kia Spectra5 just looks like it would be fun to drive straight-from-the-factory. Question for Spec5 owners: what kind of tires does Kia put on it OEM? Goodyears? Are they nice and good-grippers?
|
|
|
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (May 28, 2005 10:24 am) |
|
|
|
maybe they'll be a good fit on the Spectra5.
|
|
|
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (May 31, 2005 8:15 am) http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+RS-A&vehicleSear- ch=true&partnum=05HR6RSA&fromCompare1=yes |
|
|
|
thanks for posting that tire link. I read it and the Goodyear's look to be the right "fit" for the '05 Kia Spectra5. They are built with an aggressive paw for cornering and handling fun. Sounding good, gentlemen! 
|
|
|
|
| I have to buy some snow tires & am interested in hearing back from others on their choice of snows and performance. I have some 14" used only one season, I'm not sure if I should stay with them or go for 15" + new wheels. Feedback appreciated! | |
|
Replying to: canuckkiafan (Nov 20, 2005 8:07 am) got new OEM rims and were golden. Good Luck Geo |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: geomatics (Nov 22, 2005 8:21 am) Thanks a lot for the info. What size of tires did you end up getting? I called my dealership in Ottawa and they told me the suggested size was 15" for the Spec5. They also tried to sell me the $200/tire + steel wheel package to me, but I've got 14" Yokohamas that have only seen one season. If that size is okay then I would only need to buy the rims....may check out the dealership for those rims though - have to make it soon given the forecast! Thanks again.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Wagons Kia Spectra/Spectra5 Kia Spectra Tire/Wheel Questions
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2009 Kia Spectra
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
