2003 Kia Spectra Base 1.8 DOHC

Summary:

A great car for a great price

Faults:

Nothing at all.

General Comments:

The Service dealer for the car is really slow it took them four hours to change the oil.

This car is very slow acceleration.

Should get better gas mileage than it get for being a four cylinder engine, the car only get 24 Miles per Gallon.

Not a very comfortable car, the seats are very firm.

Runs great, seems to last.

Get a lot for a little price tag.

Great Air conditioning, it gets cold very fast, and blows nice and hard.

Better than the over priced Honda Civic.

Not bad looking of a car either.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th June, 2003

2003 Kia Spectra LS 1.8L

Summary:

Good car for the money

Faults:

Nothing has happened as of yet.

General Comments:

Good car for the money.

Motor has some power.

I reccommend getting the 5 Speed transmission.

Not very comfortable for long distance travel, but a good commuter car.

CD player has good sound.

The hatchback model is very convienent.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th June, 2003

2003 Kia Spectra LS 1.8L 4 cylinder 16v DOHC

Summary:

A high performance bargain built to last

Faults:

Nothing to Date.

General Comments:

This car has excellent acceleration.

The car has great steering and could turn on a dime.

Great fuel efficiency.

Little maintenance.

Roomy inside.

Air bags and child anchors make the car very safe for any age.

Trunk space is Huge.

Car body is very Sporty, resembling the civic or Dodge neon.

Seats are luxurious great for long trips.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th June, 2003

17th Jun 2005, 21:08

Are you sure you are talking about a Spectra???

22nd Apr 2006, 05:47

I'll second the reviewers review with the exception of great gas mileage. I get 25 mpg and would expect more.

All day comfort seats, acceleration is good albeit noisy, and the handling will surprise you. No problems in 25K.

From the other posts I'm guessing there is a quality consistency problem. Guess I'm lucky!

14th Feb 2008, 14:19

Are you serious?! I think you're talking about the wrong car considering the fact that I've had numerous problems with the car and I only got it about a year ago. Maybe you should make sure you're driving a Spectra.

2003 Kia Spectra Base 1.8L DOHC

Summary:

A great little car at a great price

Faults:

Nothing.

Just lose the cheap tires!

Also a better shifting automatic transmission.

Still, Overall happy with my purchase.

General Comments:

I just had the oil changed and this car is wonderful!

This car would be awesome with a 2.5L V6 with rear wheel drive.

A/C works great!

CD Player sounds good for stock.

Pick up is good for the 1.8L engine.

A/C does not rob all the engine power.

I love the styling / looks of the car.

My color is Evergreen.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th May, 2003

2003 Kia Spectra LS

Summary:

Don't buy a Kia, no matter what model!!

Faults:

The car won't start in park, I have to start it in neutral.

General Comments:

I have had many issues with Kia Canada. Let me back track a bit...

I bought a brand new 2002 Kia Rio in May of 2002, and by November 2002 they realized it was a lemon after so many electrical problems -- which there is not enough room here to get into it. So they decided to help me out -- great, I got into a 2003 Kia Spectra -- perfect I thought -- everything seems to go well.

Eight days after I bought it, it failed to start -- the lights all came on in the dash, but it didn't turn over -- AMA ended up coming to look at my car, and he was able to start it in neutral. I thought it had something to do with the remote starter (hoping it had nothing to do with the car), I took it to where I got the starter installed.

To make a long story short, I have had two brand new starters put in, and finally they took it out, only to find out that it still won't start in park -- I have to start it in neutral each time, which is about 30 times now since Dec. 6, 2002 when I bought it.

The guy from the starter place is taking it to Kia next week to see what is going on -- he thinks it may have something to do with the ECM module. I have also heard that this same problem has happened in a Kia Sportage.

I am sick and tired of all these problems with Kia. I certainly will never recommend anyone to buy one of their cars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th January, 2003

16th Jun 2003, 01:14

It is a shame that this reviewer chose to criticize Kia for problems caused by an aftermarket remote starter device.

19th Jun 2003, 15:17

This is obviously a neutral start switch. if you took it to Kia in the first place instead of the "starter guy" your problem would have been solved. Try more constructive methods of problem solving and don't have some hack shop put in a cheesy aftermarket remote start.

14th Feb 2004, 09:21

Replying to the first comment. If Kia made parts that were halfway reliable, there wouldn't be a need to buy aftermarket parts in hope of having a car that works.

4th Aug 2004, 01:41

Replying to the previous comment, and defending the first reply, Kia should not be blamed or held responsible for aftermarket alterations to a vehicle, and in some situations the warranty could/should be void. Obviously the issue is with the installer and not Kia. So please, do not make ridiculous comments in the future.

12th May 2009, 23:37

What is the problem if suddenly the wiper turns itself, after that the electric antenna up and down, ABS light and brake turns on??

Please someone help me before I get rid of this car??

Thanks...

21st Oct 2011, 20:54

I have a 2003 Kia Spectra, and have experienced the same problem with the vehicle not starting in park. I have not had any aftermarket remote starters installed or anything like that, so I believe that the remote starter is not to blame in this man's case either.

Shame on you Kia, for the poor quality you put in your vehicles.

15th Feb 2019, 11:20

It's your neutral safety switch (sometimes called an inhibitor switch).

In reply to 15th Feb 2019, 11:20

15th Feb 2019, 23:11

Wasn't this same answer posted some 15 years ago (15:17)?