Used 2005 Kia Spectra Wagon Consumer Reviews
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a decent car for a decent price
b wirsing, 07/30/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This vehicle drives better than a Corolla, Honda, and any other import car. It is as spacious as a van or SUV yet gets killer gas mileage and fits in those hard to get places. I am 6 foot and 230 pounds and took this thing camping; folded the seats back and was able to sleep comfortably in the back. I couldn't believe it. I also got 160 miles on an 1/8 of a tank.
KIA Spec V
KIA Spectra 5, 08/01/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
First, this car has been great to drive. I've had one big issue with the car and its due to the ground effects on the vehicle. The ground effects are too low for my area in Wyoming. I only have 1200 miles and I'm going to have to replace the ground effects. I've contacted KIA and the regional manager won't replace the part which is going to cost 365. I think they should reconsider this because the car hasn't been driven abusively or in any manner of the performance range of this type of vehicle. I've owned many cars and truly take car of them explicitly. This is the first KIA I've owned and I hate that a cosmetic part of the car is taking away from the experience of owning this KIA.
2005 Kia Spectra for sale near you
Showing 3 of 9 listings
- EX SedanMSRP: $3,000401 mi away
- LX SedanMSRP: $2,4981,069 mi away
- Spectra5 WagonMSRP: $4,7771,275 mi away
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Whoa ...
adventuresome63, 08/07/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
What were they doing when they figured this thing with auto-tranny gets 34 mpg, towing it?? 28 mpg on the highway. Disappointed with that. Otherwise it appears to be a solid car. No problem so far. Lots of stuff for $16k.
Satisfaction at its best
Eric, 08/21/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am a proud owner of Kia Spectra5. We were sold on its great looks. The dealer was the selling point too, he gave me the keys and said he'll see us in a few minutes. We drove it and fell even further in love.
Fun car to drive
Greg, 09/03/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Very fun car to drive. Am getting about 28 mpg city/hwy. Will improve as engine gets broken in. Seats four very comfortably & has lots of storage. Need to offer a upgraded sound system as an option. Standard stereo is nice but would like a little more power.
My Third Love
YoDa6669, 09/01/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I call it my third love after my wife #1 and son #2. I bought a black Spectra 5 back on January and compared to my old Hyundai Accent '96 I traded-in, is like floating on a cloud. I love this car! It has more standard featured that the Focus, the Mazda3 or the Matrix (I compared all 3 by total price with the extra goodies). It's fast, roomy, and best of all, stylish. As soon as I get out, people compliment my car. That makes me real proud! It still works perfectly, no breakdowns, good on fuel economy, the a/c cools like a freezer. It's a shame that I don't see more of them on the road but that's good too in a way.
Great New Car!
Pink Panda, 09/20/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My husband and I just bought our new Kia Spectra 5 and love it. We didn't really want a Kia, but when we test drove the Spectra 5, we changed out minds. I love the look of it and the extras we got like sunroof and cruise control. It drives really well - smooth and quiet. And best of all, it's fun to drive! And let's not forget the warranty we have on it, we don't have to worry about costly repairs. We also purchased the gap insurance which is great in case the car gets totaled. Whatever the insurance won't pay, the gap insurance will cover the rest. Great piece of mind!
KIA SPECTRA5 FIRST 700Mi
SPECTRA5, 09/29/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have a new Spectra5 2005 and I have had so many problems with this car. My first visit to the mechanic was for vibration/shaking in the steering wheel and vibration throughout the vehicle and a blown speaker. Second visit to the shop consisted of the front ground effects falling off due to faulty install and I still have not resolved the bad vibration in the vehicle. My third visit was a result of the vehicle's rear ground effects falling off, and another blown speaker and the bad vibration still not resolved; mechanics have no idea. Well I have not been back for the 4th time because now I am going into arbitration with this vehicle due to the rear ground effects falling off again.
Really awesome ride
Ricardo's Ride, 10/18/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I really did not trust Kia.. but let me tell you. They did a fantastic job with the Spectra5. It looks GREAT outside and the engine is totally reliable. I have not had any problem at all with the car and the way that it has been engineered ... great for college students or parents. This car is fast, secure (6 air bags, rear, front and side air bags), spacious, reliable, good looking and affordable. Totally recommended.
Fun to drive
Jimmy, 10/17/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I traded my 2004.5 Spectra EX which I had 42000 miles on it, for Spectra5. It is really fun to drive. Perfect handling very nice, Interior design very stylish, CD player improved from earlier versions, lots of room for its size, Ground effects superb, keyless entry fog lights -- I mean you get everything you may get from a $26,000 car but $10K cheaper. And I have seen comparison chart. This car beats Mazda 3 and Chevy Cobalt But slower than Focus ZX4 ST and Corolla XRS but it is cheaper and has a better warranty. I say thumbs up.
my Kia
ilovemykia, 11/15/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I LOVE my Kia Spectra 5. It has cut my fuel consumption and costs in half; it has more room inside than one would think it has; it operates well; and SO many people have stopped me to ask about it! I LOVE MY KIA.
My Spectra Wagon
John Parish, 11/29/2005
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Spectra wagon because they were having a sales drive here in Dallas. The car was far more than I expected. The fit and finish were flawless and the attention to detail in assembly were very good (none of the electrical was taped, but encased in tubing). I drive 80 miles to and from work 6 days a week and the car is fun and comfortable to drive. The ergonomics are good (I weigh 240# and am 5' 8" tall and the car fits me just fine). All and all, I am very pleased with my purchase!
An Excellent Value!
OmahaOwner, 01/27/2006
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
If buying a car is about value, then this car will satisfy. Good handling, extremely quiet interior, great looks and good gas mileage. Not a lot of power but more than adequate for highway cruising and plenty of torque for around-town driving. I've put 15,000 miles on it and still appreciate the excellent value I received for the cost of ownership!
Nice lil car
silver bullet, 09/09/2007
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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.
Fun to drive, very economical
matchick, 09/06/2007
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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.
Total airbag failure
sciguy, 10/11/2007
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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.
Most reliable car ever!
Robby, 09/04/2020
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I habe these vehicle since new , only problem i had with it was a bad radiator at about 160k miles , since that it has been flawless, car has now around 260k miles , it’s still running strong and a/c still works very cold!! Its a automatic
Mostly a good car
dawnmg, 03/28/2009
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I think the car is too close to the ground. It is impossible to park head-in without scrapping the curb. Even going up slanted driveways causes problems. The gas mileage on mine is horrible. After nearly 5 years of driving in town and on the highway, I am very disappointed in the gas mileage. I get about 18mpg in town and 21 on the highway. So sad! I thought FWD meant front wheel drive. If I have front wheel drive, why do my rear tires spin when starting on a hill?
Okay car
Probe, 07/28/2009
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is 4th year of my owner ship of kia Spectra5. Car seems to be ok , other than the fuel efficiency and service expenses.I keep my service schedule and I am not a agressive driver I get 21 MPG with in city ( got 24400 miles on car) and 28 -30 MPG on highway. Which is far lower than Japanese brands. I had to change my front brakes at 22000 miles I guess brakes should lost more. Good Year tires on this car lasted for 24400 miles and I guess they should last more. Bottom line is this car needs more maintenance in long run, that defeats the purpose of saving 2000 - 4000 bucks you save on this car when compared with other brands.
Dismal fuel economy
Reg Rothwell, 04/26/2008
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Generally, nice car. Ranked higher than others in the same price range and body style (Sport suspension and 4- wheel disc brakes led me to choose it over the others). However, gas mileage is terrible (26 mpg with 1 person; 21 mpg with 2 people - consistently so for 42,000 miles). Of course, Kia is unwilling to address the problem. Totally defeated the purpose for buying the car. Adding to the problem, it requires 91 octane.