2003 Kia Spectra Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
I read & rated all 46 reviews of Kia Spectra available before I did my own review. PLEASE enter comments -- stars alone are useless. I gleaned a lot from both the positive and the negative reviews. After reading these, I can see why I like the Kia Spectra. This is NOT for a person who wants "style", luxury, sportscar performance. You will NOT "make a statement" with a Kia. You may even be the brunt of a few jokes. However, if you want a reliable ride, adequate performance, value for what you pay, and you don't mind some aesthetics issues, this is a good choice. If you buy new, then you want to be the type that is going to RTF (Run Till Failure) because they do NOT hold their value. If you buy used, as I do, then this loss of value is to your advantage!!! I bought a 2003 Spectra in Feb 2005 (15k miles) for $5700. I drove it for 2.5 years to work (21k miles per year). In June 2007 I bought a used 2006 Kia Rio5 and past down the 03 Spectra to my wife. The Spectra now has almost 80k miles. We change oil, windshield wipers, tires -- still has original battery!!). The CHECK ENGINE light came on at about 40k miles. I read owner's manual -- indicates an "emissions problem". I don't see any smoke coming from my tailpipe. Performance is the same. I put black electrical tape over the light to reduce the annoyance and it just keeps on rolling, no problem. Gas mileage for size of vehicle is not great (25 - 27 mpg hwy, aggressive driver). Comparable Toyota/Nissan/Honda/... would get mid-30's. BUT the Kia, especially when purchased used, is 1000's less than these other "better" cars, so even at $2.90/gallon, I can buy a lot of gas with these 1000's I save on the car. I am debt-free and purchase vehicles for cash, so I can self-insure a Kia (I carry liability only), which saves me more money. As I said earlier, I bought another Kia in June 2006, and I am about to buy another used Spectra (2002, 75k miles) from its original owner for about $3000. I am not as confident as a Toyota owner about bragging about Kias, but I guess I let my $$$ do my talking. New car folks, buy it and keep it "forever" because at this point the Kias do not hold any value. Use car folks like me, take advantage of the Kia's poor resale value and get a good, reliable car for less. As always, check out a used car carefully before purchase, title check, etc.
VS
Critical Review
Everything about this car has torn up at one time or another...the alternator and transmission had to be replaced as well as a slew of other parts. I have spent a fortune and the 'check engine' light remains on. Never consider purchasing a Kia. It's horrible. I just paid it off and can't wait to trade this week.
2003 Spectra Reviews
Showing 8 of 224 reviews.
Bought new by Grandparents in 2003 and given to me in 2016. I've got 180K on the car with little to no major issues. All maintenance done on time since 2003. I did have the timing belt break at 175K but since this little guy is so easy to work, rebuilding the top end was not that hard and allowed me to fix a few other things needed. Parts as of Winter 2022 seem to still be available. Yes, it could use a suspension refresh and yes manual windows and locks make you feel antiquated at times BUT I'll be danged if it ain't the best little car I've ever had.
Easy on gas. Best car I have ever bought
Bought new 2/2003. Have only had reg general maintenance on it. No real problems. It is a dependable car.
Good A/C. Good in winter snow.
No cruise control, won't do that again.
Bought this Spectra used from a Kia dealer 8 years ago. It has been dependable the whole time. Has needed normal maintenance only. Our daughter used it for college for a year in Minnesota. After that the seal coat on the hood got ugly. Mileage has been 24/32 mpg.
Basic Car to Get Around
Expensive Brake Repair jobs at times.
Ok ... I "purchased my Vehicle", 8 yrs ago and have been "REBUILDING this Car" in terms of Stuff going On it.. BRAKES, Engine Parts, Electrical System (Battery, Altinator,Starter), Suspension Components (Struts 4 of them-Front & Back) Tires, along with "Other MInor Issues.. I Keep this Car due to "No Fancy Stuff: Electic Windows, Electric Door Locks", Decent Car for basic stuff... NOT TOO Happy about it.. RUNS all I CARE about!
My kia spectra has about 125,000 miles on it and it runs perfectly! Never overheats or makes loud or weird noises! I’ve driven to sac 3-5 times a week for a few months now and it gets there with no problem.. that is also the same to San Francisco! 3 hour drive no problem!
I BOUGHT MY KIA IN 04 AND HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT FOR @ 10 years. Still own it, have done some repairs but am not selling it because my kia has been a very good and reliable car. I would buy this car again, but they are no longer made.
I bought this car new in the fall of 2003. to drive all over the state for sales. 130,000+ miles later my family and friends always joke that I should make a commercial for Kia. 2 accidents, never been stuck in snow front wheel drive, drove on every back road in Indiana. Never intended to still own it 12 yrs later but here we are. No major repair to engine. only brakes, Battery, a couple body parts. rust just showed up about a year ago and that's probably my fault for parking it on top of damp wet ground for long period of time. Not fancy but most reliable car I have ever owned and Iv had some very nice cars. ie. Mercedes, BMW, oh and my other favorite car Kia Seronto "Nice" just now selling because I'm not driving it. And somebody needs a good reliable A to B car. Price and Value were the reason for purchasing it. dependability, reliability were the reason for keeping it. It has paid for itself 3 times over.
Dependable, easy to fix, fun to drive
For what i paid, none
I just lost my 2004 Kia Spectra to an accident. I really liked that car as it was quite dependable, reliable and did what I needed it to do. I bought it used 21\2 years ago in a unusual situation as the car on had 54,000 miles on it. What little I had to do to it was fairly simple to get done and not very expensive
