2005 Kia Spectra Consumer Reviews

Kia review

Written by: bepell on 02/13/2008

Vehicle

2005 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Overall a quality vehicle. May not be a popular brand, but gas, comfort and reliability is very good. My wife hit another car, messed his car up pretty good and all we messed up was our bumper, which can be replaced. After the accident, the car doesn't shimmy, shudder or ride funny. It's a well built car. I haven't had one problem mechanically. I even went more than 6 months without changing oil to see what would happen and the car didn't skip a beat. Maybe a more sleek design, but that's stretching.

Favorite Features

Comfortable seats. Decent sound system, and has good control when darting in and out of traffic.

Suggested Improvements

MP3 player.

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Better than expected

Written by: erns on 01/22/2008

Vehicle

2005 Kia Spectra SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Have just over 22,000 miles and the cars still feels solid, no rattles. 29 mpg in mixed driving!

Favorite Features

Good fuel economy, quiet, remote trunk release.

Suggested Improvements

No MP3 player

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Total airbag failure

Written by: sciguy on 10/11/2007

Vehicle

2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This was a great car for price until another car ran stop sign and hit it head on. I was traveling on open road at 40-45 mph. Other driver turned into my lane and hit me going maybe 15 mph in dead center front. Total failure of all airbags. 2 other family members in car at time. 6 airbags and not one popped. Damage in excesss $6000. If you want a safe car do not buy. Had been happy with all but spoiler falling off repeatedly and very lousy gas mileage. Do not put your family in this car.

Favorite Features

Peppy and handled nice and quite comfortble to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Make a car with functional airbags, I bought partly due to safety features. Don't lie about mpg. Correct spoiler on front or remove.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Very Good Experience. I really like it!

Written by: Robert at Texas on 09/11/2007

Vehicle

2005 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The driving is excellent especially considering its affordable price. It moves fast all the time, acceleration and in the highway. The CD-radio and speakers are real good. Quality interiors, soft and supportive; six cupholders and several bins to carry a lot of stuff. Good A/C. All of this makes my wife and three children ask for a ride for shoping or just fun pretty often, even though we have a van and mid-size sedan. We've had even a long 2200 mile round trip with fun and joy! No problems after 2 years driving it.

Favorite Features

The look is just great, particularly with the alloys!! And I like to drive a car loaded with safety features: 6 airbags, 4 disc-brakes, collapsible front and rear ends, safety belts with force limiters and much more, besides the 5 years warranty bumper to bumper and 10 years for powertrain.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage could be better. Front seats a little small for big bodies.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Nice lil car

Written by: silver bullet on 09/09/2007

Vehicle

2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

At 6'5'', 300 lbs I wondered at first if I could even fit in it, to my surprise I did. Now at about 45000 miles I can't complain much. It has good power and with the stick in it I really go if I need to, but I think it needs to have a sixth gear in it. I put an after market sound system in but left the factory deck in it and it sounds quite good. I had no problems other than the front spoiler is gone due to rubbing on parking ties and drive entries.

Favorite Features

Really great lights you really see at night, price tag and the warranty.

Suggested Improvements

The hatchback is somewhat hard to put anything big in and the passenger air bag light is a joke.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Fun to drive, very economical

Written by: matchick on 09/05/2007

Vehicle

2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

After 2 years and 52,000 miles, I still love this car. The seats could be more comfortable, but it is cute, runs great and is super fun to drive. I get about 32 miles to the gallon highway, so very easy on the pump. Non standard tires make replacements a bit pricey at about $125 per tire.

Favorite Features

I put window tinting like an SUV and the car is bright red, so I love the sporty look and have had many people ask about it. Love the gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

More comfortable seats and better adjustments for the seat.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Excellent

Written by: Nathanc on 05/07/2007

Vehicle

2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Good handling, good design both interior and exterior. Excellent reliability. Very good on gas mileage.

Favorite Features

Smooth power, excellent handling, excellent braking, excellent manueverability Easy trunk access and room.

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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2 years with the new Spectra

Written by: Hans on 02/20/2007

Vehicle

2005 Kia Spectra LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I got the 2004.5 in March of 2005. The paint is easily marked with fingernails at the door handles. Visibility is excellent with the height adjustable drivers seat. The 4-wheel disc brakes are very good. The manual shifter is a bit sloppy, and takes some getting used too. Service at the dealer has been very good. I also got a very good deal without having to negotiate, paying the advertised price with several thousand dollars off the sticker.

Favorite Features

Remote trunk release, 6 standard air bags, adjustable seat height.

Suggested Improvements

Exterior paint, and or clear coat.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Come on performance parts!

Written by: azsnow on 10/03/2006

Vehicle

2005 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I purchased this car for better mpg, and received a whole lot more! I have only had it for a year and have had 29,000 trouble free miles. It doesn't hold its resale value very well, but when you compare it to other cars in its class, you get way more for a lot less.

Favorite Features

Good looks, fast around town, and very reliable.

Suggested Improvements

There needs to be more performance parts for this car! The 1st to 2nd gear ratios need to be a little closer.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Kia changed my mind

Written by: Laura on 08/09/2006

Vehicle

2005 Kia Spectra SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I owned a Kia years ago and swore I would never buy one again. We were looking for an inexpensive car and decided to try Kia again. This time I was very pleased at the value for the money. I haven't had any problems in the year and a half I have owned the car. Kia has come a long way in my book. I enjoy my Kia and would recommend one to all of my friends and family.

Favorite Features

CD player, air conditioner, comfortable seats and overall looks of the car from the outside.

Suggested Improvements

Offer more upgrades to the mid models; like cruise control or other bells and whistles.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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