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Wagons Kia Spectra/Spectra5 Kia Spectra Engine Issues
125 messages, Last post on Jul 31, 2009 at 4:38 PM
You are in the Kia Spectra/Spectra5 Forum. Your Host is kcram
| Congratulations on your new Specrta5! Post your first impressions here. | |
Hey guys just giving you a quick update on my Spectra 5. I've had it for a little over a month now and have put on about 1,300 miles. so far, so good. Not 1 problem yet. This car has been great, I have also started noticing that after about 800 miles or so the car has really started to open up. Its seems even quicker off a dead stop and picks up speed very quickly when needed on the highway. I had my uncle take it out for a test drive the other day and he just turned to me and said man for a stock 4 cylinder this car is one quick son of a B**ch! LOL Gotta laugh at that. I love this car.
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Replying to: dansf49 (Nov 17, 2004 6:11 am) |
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Just picked up my new Spectra 5 tonight with 11 miles on it. I shopped around to alot of dealerships and test drove alot of cars. Decided on the Spectra 5 after doing research here on Edmunds and the test drive. For the first time in awhile I can hardly wait to drive to work tomorrow. I bought the Silver, fully loaded minus the ABS.
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Replying to: dekan (Nov 22, 2004 9:35 pm) |
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| I picked up my new Spectra5 December 20. The dealer loaned me a new Spectra5 to drive for the weekend because my car was not in stock. I purchased a black, automatic transmission, cruise control, and moon roof. I now have about 1300 miles on the car and I am very happy with my Spectra5. My previous two cars were also Kias', they were a 1996 and a 1998 Sportage. | |
| Picked up a Spark Blue Spectra5 Automatic on Dec 30, and this was one of the smartest automotive buying decisions I have made. The car is primarily for my wife, but at 6'5", 300Lbs, I am completely comfortable behind the wheel as well. Great gas mileage, tons of space, very nice handling. Drove it to work yesterday and hit 92 MPH without noticing! Extremely quiet interior. I must say the car has been more of a head turner than I anticipated. Seriously thinking of trading in my truck for one of my own! We will be upgrading the stereo, as the stock one is a bit lackluster, but no other complaints about the car at all. For those who are interested, I drove out of the lot for less than $15K. | |
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Hello all... Picked up my new Spectra5 early this week after driving several models and researching over the weekend. I drove the Matrix XRS, Focus ZX5, Elantra GT-5 door, Mazda3-5 door, and the Spectra 5. My only real requirement was a sedan to begin with that was economical, had a 5 speed and I could use it as a daily driver. This was an additional vehicle purchase as I was in the market to retire my 4x4 (99 Isuzu Amigo ~10" lift) from daily driver duties and make it a trail rig only. At first I was looking to buy a 2-3 year old pre-owned, but as I looked at what I wanted I found that a new vehicle fit into the price range and the bigger cars I could purchase pre-owned were not meeting the economical phase. With that, it was recommended to me that I look at the hatchback as it would work better for transporting work materials to the site (speakers, etc). It took a bit to convince me, but I warmed up to the idea, but I eventually was happy with my decision. So the basic requirements that it had to have was 5 speed, sunroof, ABS, and cruise. While I was at it I found that economical and sporty/fun to drive could by synonymous, so I can have my cake and eat it too. After driving everything and comparing them, it came down to the Mazda3 and Spectra5. With the Mazda priced  $3k more for the same options, I went with the Spectra and the loger warranty. Ironically enough, when we purchased our last vehicle, 2003 Sorento EX fully loaded, it came down to that vehicle and the Mazda Tribute after comparing 80+ vehicles... So to the good stuff... The MSRP was $16,965 with the 2005 Spectra5 manual Spark Blue Metallic with Sunroof, ABS, Cruise, and Mats. I paid $15114 for the vehicle, 3/4% over invoice and a $1000 cash back incentive. The last three vehicles I purchased, as referenced in this post, I purched through the web and paid invoice, or slighly over (<1%). There is absolutely no reason to EVER pay MSRP or more than 1% over invoice. So far I have thoroughly enjoyed the purchase, the vehicle and its been fun to drive. Fun to throw into the corners, and it sticks, very little to no lean, body roll, and it scoots right down the road. The only one I drive that came close or exceeded the performance was the Mazda3, THAT is a drivers car (too bad the dash/sudio system is fully modular, that was a big deterrant for me). Great fit n finish, materials used, and a fun package to drive. I absolutely did not care for the Elantra GT as was referenced, even though they are cousins to the Spectra. The tranny was slushy, and shifter was bad. The fit n finish was not up to par with the Spectra. That is all... carry on. |
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I have had my Spectra for 3500km now, and i must say I a still quite impressed. I purchased the S5 with the 5 speed, and let me tell you, it is the most fun I have had with a small (economy) vehicle in a long, long time. The only things that I have done to it is tint the windows, added sports pedals and a strut tower brace. the tint improved the curb appeal of the vehicle a great deal. I really couldn't stand looking through the windows of my black kia and seeing all that grey, the 20% tint fixed that issue. I researched new vehicles thoroughly before I even started to think about trading in my 97 Sonoma, ( which I miss to this day). I test drove all and I do mean all the competition, mazda3 (nice car), toyota matrix (gut less), VW Golf (not enough umph for the $$), pontiac VIBE (GM), ford focus (bad lines). I was getting very close to buying the mazda 3, then I drove by a KIA dealership and I saw a S5 sitting out front, I had to stop and see what it was all about. Took it for a test drive and immediately liked it, not to mention they gave me a great deal on my trade. I reserve giving the car extra high marks until I get about 20000km on it, but so far i am quite happy. I do have 1 issue with the vehicle, (keep in mind that I am a detailing nazi) the paint on my vehicle scratches very easy. I will re review the car in about 15000 km. 
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I bought my red Spectra5 a month ago, automatic, cruise, sunroof. I wanted a small vehicle with large useable interior space. So I test-drove Scion xB, Honda Element, Toyota Matrix & PT Cruiser. The xB is a few inches too short. The Element had the worst driver position for me. By the time I moved the seat up (5'4") the steering wheel is too close to me. If I tilt it, it's pretty flat. The PT Cruiser just felt heavy. The Matrix, like Toyotas in general, puts me too low. I can get the verticle adjustment in a higher trim level. But just for one person most of the time, it's not worth the extra money. Plus having driven a Hyundai Accent for three years, I cannot live without heated mirrors. That is more of a safety issue than a convenience issue in the snowbelt. It was hunting for the right gear the first couple of days, but has settled down. Otherwise, it's fairly smooth. I have to watch my speed on the road since I don't hear the engine noise. Mileage is getting better with each tank of gas (1300+ miles) Perhaps the best compliment is from my mother-in-law who is in her eighties. She drove it and said all the controls and buttons are where she can find them and understand what they do. Kia has done a great job designing the car for the driver with essential features that do not overwhelm a driver's attention. In case you are wondering, the Hyundai Accent hatchback is going to my son and we are selling his Toyota Corolla. My wife drives a Honda CR-V. So I didn't look at the Tucson or the Sportage. I would have considered the Chevy HHR or the Dodge Caliber if those had been available. |
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