20th Feb 2007, 16:36

This car is so great because its based on the Hyundai Elantra the original Spectra was rated as one of the worst cars ever.. in fact one magazine stated "you will have to look far and wide to find a worse new car"

3rd Jun 2007, 18:00

I have looked and test drove the 2007's Chevy Cobalt, the Nissan Versa and the Toyota Yaris among a few others. The last one was the KIA Rio and Spectra.

All in all, for what you get, the Spectra wins out in my opinion. The Versa had a fair warranty, but the car was too pricey for what it was. But it's a Nissan I guess.

The Cobalt was bare bones all the way, except it was automatic, which is what I was considering. It had the big 4 in it though, and would not be too good on gas anyway.

The Yaris was almost fully equipped, but it was small, cramped and rear end heavy. Road noise was terrible and it was pricey too!

The ION 2 with Saturn was nice, but rode a little sluggish.

All of these cars had little or not all of the goodies except when I got into the KIA. It was quick, responsive and looked OK for a compact that was rather big in my opinion for a compact. But it had everything, and I mean everything. Except when it came down to the automatic. I had to decide between breaking my promise to stay in budget, or have that luxury of an automatic. I decided for what the car had I was willing to stay with a stick.

I not only liked the car, but they sold it to me for 0 down, no trade in. Payments I could afford. The others were insane and totally out of their minds for what they wanted for the other cars at what little came with them.

My EX hauls butt. Handles well and I think it's looks can grow on you. Give me another few months and I will let you know then. But so far so good.

18th Aug 2007, 08:35

This has been a great car. I was looking for slightly better handling. The addition of springs, sway-bars and a turbo from www.kfxperformance.com has greatly enhanced the lowly econo car.

As a stock car, this is a great starting point, but the addition of the after market pieces puts it leaps and bounds above the rest.

15th Feb 2008, 00:16

I bought a 2007 Kia Spectra EX new. It has been a super car a lot more than I expected. Looking at the prices online I have discovered I paid more than I should have. However, the car now has 23,000 miles and not a bit trouble. Would I buy another Kia? yes.

5th Mar 2008, 17:52

I am 6'3 and considered a BIG GUY. I test drove the Nissan Versa, Toyota Corolla, Cobalt, Aveo, Focus and several other small cars, and I have to say that this car is, by far, the most comfortable! I have plenty of leg room where my right leg is not jammed against the middle console. Whereas the Cobalt and Aveo were the worst. The Versa was way too expensive for that size of car and the others weren't as roomy! The power is fine so far and the MPG is awesome!

28th Oct 2008, 19:38

All Kia Spectra owners with vibration problems at highway speeds, this is for you.. We had (more on 'had' later) an 06 and loved it, but also had that vibration problem almost from the beginning. We went through re-balancing, must be the tires, blah blah blah.

Its the alignment. Once we talked them into checking the alignment on the car, poof. No more vibration. 6 months later it came back slightly, got another alignment (all under warranty) and it was gone. Stayed gone.

Bad news, at 35K miles we were still loving the vehicle, but someone ran a red light and totaled the Spectra with our 17 yr old daughter at the wheel. The front end of the car was basically GONE. She and her friend walked away with only bruises. Can't say enough about how that car protected her. As soon as we get the insurance check, we are off to buy another one. Amazing little car, fuel efficient, comfortable, slightly dog like with the automatic, but as dependable as can be. Can't beat the warranty either.

15th Oct 2009, 21:49

Vibration/shaking issue is definitely fixed after getting a alignment and also balancing the tires! I now have 32,000 miles on my 06 Spectra and have done an alignment and had to buy 2 new tires @ 22k miles, because they were worn unevenly! Get an alignment And all wheels balanced if your car/ steering wheel is shaking!

It is a great car overall. It has more than enough power. I service motor with Full Synthetic oil every 5k. And I flushed Automatic transmission with Mobile One Full Synthetic ATF @ 30k! It runs smooth and shifts smoother!

Will recommend and buy another for sure!

8th Dec 2009, 11:28

To all Spectra owners, and any KIA or Hyundai owners or potential owners. These cars, and my Spectra in particular, are now rivalling the Honda and Toyota for quality and engineering. Korea is the Japan of the 60s.

My daughter has driven the Spectra SX for 65000 miles. It has performed admirably giving only fair fuel economy. It seems to be much much heavier than the Cavalier she was in that got totalled by a drunk driver. All cars crash well these days. It is truly amazing as another writer submitted that his daughter walked away from a totalled Spectra.

HOWEVER, you have to check the blogs to understand what we went through after owning a Sportage, a Spectra, and a Sonata. These are good cars until something goes wrong. Even if you have all the maintenance done at the dealership, they will try in every way to deny coverage of the car if something breaks. Multiply that by a factor of ten if you don't have the oil changes, transmission service and other things done at the dealer. There is a blanket declination policy trend that rivals the crooked insurance companies of years past. They simply will not take care of you.

Service at the dealership is the worst. Under warranty it is the place you go for problems. Understand, I have had very few problems. If, like me you use a local or more convenient service center and not the dealer, you might as well buy and extended warranty because the dealer will not be there for you. The warranty is not worth the paper it is written on.

I am in the process of unloading these cars for something like Honda or Toyota, maybe even a domestic. I want a company I can trust. Again, they build a great car at a very reasonable price. If it stays together and it probably will, you have a bargain. I want peace of mind and they simply cannot provide this to me.

As far as an objective review from an owner, that is not likely. Who is going to admit that their car is unsatisfactory.