Used 2006 Kia Spectra Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Great affordable, reliable car.
I purchased my car last year with 86,000 miles on it. I now have 100,500 miles on it and it's doing great. I took this car on a 2,000 mile road trip in the summer and my Spectra did fine. I do have to say that one con for this car is that it does not get up to speed very quickly on the highway. When I try to accelerate the engine feels weak and buzzy; it gets pretty loud and I don't go much faster. Beside that, it's a reliable car that gets me to and from work and around town with no problem. I get about 30 MGH combined city/highway. The interior is very roomy and comfortable even with five people seated. The trunk is deep which is awesome for travel. Overall a great, reliable car.
And we just keep rollin...
I bought my 2006 kia spectra brand new with 53 miles on it. I change the oil every 4000 miles, change the transmission fluid every 80,000 miles. I didn't have to put new brakes on until 120,000 miles. At 150,000 miles I had her tuned up. I decided at 185,00 miles I should put new belts on it. The check engine light came on at around 85000 miles still under warranty took in for new O2 sensor. The check engine light came back on just after 100,000 miles and its been on ever since, sooner or later its gotta burn out right? still waiting for that but she runs like the day I bought it. We are currently at 265000 miles and still rolling
2006 Kia Spectra EX
Having had an assortment of problems with a previous American car, we decided to look at the Korean Kia Spectra EX. Wow, were we ever pleasantly surprised. This is a great little car. The doors close solidly with a click. The engine cranks quickly and is eerily quiet for a small car. Power is more than adequate for our intended use. Seating position and comfort are outstanding. The power options list for this car is lengthy including power, heated mirrors, power windows and locks, trunk release, tilt wheel, rear defroster, CD stereo, A/C, keyless remote entry and more! The build quality feels first-class. This car is an absolute pleasure to own. And the gas mileage is great too!
Used But Loved
I bought my 2006 Kia Spectra SX used about 2 years ago and after a rough beginning fixin issues left by the former owner I've really come to enjoy this car. The SX wheels, suspension and body are a plus over the other models and considering it's a compact car it has plenty of interior room, a nice size trunk and more than enough umph to get around. If I keep a light foot on the pedal I can get MPGs in the mid to high 20's with mixed driving
Love my Kia!!!
Bought my 2006 Spectra brand new and 262000 miles she is still going.. I have had to do very little to the car and she still sounds great. She's been all over the country. My travel companion and has never left me stranded!!!
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Still an excellent car
I bought mine in Feb, 2006 based on looks and value not knowing at that time how wonderful this car would turn out . It has been a pure pleasure to own I have kept up on the scheduled maintenance and this car has turned out to be the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned flat out. It is part of the family It will be hard someday to give her up. My Spectra 5 has 76xxx miles and still going stong, only problem I had in nearly 10yrs of ownership was the air condition fan going out and I replaced my self for 80 bucks...thats it no other problem just breaks , oil, tires and 75,xxx miles I replaced the timing belt and fan belts , water pump, thermostat .it didnt need the water pump replaced anyways cause it would be some that would be need at a later date.save money on labor now.
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7 years & 90k miles- still feels like new!
I drive about 12k miles/year with a good mix of city and highway. I have had no maintenance issues with this car whatsoever. I just do the regularly scheduled preventative maintenance and that's it. I sometimes forget I bought this car way back in 2006. It still feels brand-new after all this time. American car companies could learn a thing or two about quality from Kia. I will be a Kia customer for life, for sure.
Better then those expensive cars
I was very very skeptical about getting this car at first. I mean, come on. a KIA! But in the end I fell in love with it. The car is very good looking, but is obviously a carbon copy of the Civic, just park your next to one you WILL see it. Very well built, doors feel sturdy, everything feels well built and tight. There is no rattling at all even when going over hard bumps and potholes. The car feels very powerful, though not so much in 1st gear. I drive with a lot of friends in the car to classes and it still feel very strong with 4 grown men in the car. It is very very very quiet on the highway even when hitting speeds of 80 mph, where most cars get the windy noise.
Economy Does Have To Be Uncomfortable
I was used to a 6 cylinder and expected the car to be a lot less peppy. I was pleasantly surprised. I drove the 2 smallest cars from every Japanese and Korean automaker before I settled on this car. I found the interior of the Kia to be very comfortable.
Second time around!
Had to buy this car (my second car ever, hence the review title) after the previous Pontiac G6 I owned ran into transmission issues and worsening EVAP issues. This Kia Spectra is a slightly smaller, yet way more maneuverable car than the previous one. Way more affordable on gas, capable of cruising the highway and the pothole filled streets of Philly alike. Given it's a used car, there are slight issues (driver inside door handle needs replacing, and I need to possibly check the timing belt). Having said that, I've owned this for a week and a half as of this review and i can tell you there are significantly less issues. Oh and it had relatively low mileage at time of purchase (100,693)! Solid 4 banger car and proof that Kia makes good cars!
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Longevity
A car with longevity. You are going to drive this car for years with any major mechanical problems. Affordable, last long, and overall a great car longetivity
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1 week = My Life
Had my 2006 Spectra for about 1 week and owned it for 2 days. Lot of fun and will be buying a 2nd one. The first was rear ended at a full stop by a full size Cadillac at about 25 mph. May be totaled but the cabin interior withstood the impact. No gas leakage. The seat belts worked perfectly and the headrest really helped my neck and head. I really believe that if I had been in many other cars, I may not have been as lucky. The Caddy sustained major front end damage (radiator leak, engine damage, front quarter, etc.) so the impact was major. For a car its size and price, it is well constructed with safety in mind.
Great little car
Bought this for my daughter as a first car and she loves it. Runs great, very nice interior for the price....nicer than I expected. I’m very impressed.
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I love my new car :-)
I needed a safe, reliable, fuel efficient car, and needless to say I got it. I get about 33 mpg, great space for a small looking car. I have a black '06 spectra sx 5 speed stick shift, w/tinted windows, rims, and a spoiler. It looks very sporty. I love my car and would highly recommend it to all
Excellent
I bought my kia in 2006, new. I loved the way it drove, and with the manual transmission, I managed to get 40 miles per gallon with it. I loved the way it handled and the horse power I got from it. I had no problems getting up to speed with it, and I had no service issues with it. When I was rear ended in February, it was totaled by a Toyota Tundra, going 70 mph, and even the passenger compartment was protected. I didn't have any rear passengers, but after the way the car looked, if it had been another brand, I'm sure someone would have been hurt worse or even killed. I bought another spectra to replace it, and would gladly do it again.
Fun to Drive!
Good PEP for a 4 cylinder. Exceptional handling around curves. Gas mileage isn't the greatest (31 MPG combined City/Hwy).
What a car
This car has a lot of pep and driving a 5 speed is great. Front has plenty of room and everything is easy to get to. Drove 110 miles before the gas gauge moved off full.
surprising comfort and value
Bought this for my job in sales as my Range Rover and F-150 were gas guzzlers. I own or have owned many nice vehicles including an 04 Range Rover, 04 Mercedes E-320 and 00 Corvette convertible. I expected to "tolerate" this for the sake of efficiency. How wrong I was. My initial drive left me speechless at the refinement,velvety switchgear, and quiet cabin at cruise. Engine thrashes a bit at 4K rpm but not excessively for a 4 cylinder. Once at highway speed, noise is nicely quelled and a pleasure to drive. Ergonomics are excellent and visibility is great. Peppy engine, great brakes, and agile handling make this a sleeper. You will not find more bang for the buck than this car.
Not what it is cracked up to be.
The car has good gas mileage and average reliability for a car of this class. The quality is average to mid-low, except in the safety department where the car is excellent.
Happy Kia Owner
I traded in my Ford Ranger for a smaller sedan-type car and was so surprised by the quality offered in my Spectra. I have owned it now for 2 years and never had one bit of trouble. It is beautiful and I laugh at how many people mistake it for a BMW when I first drive up! Side by side, they are very similar in looks! Dealership is awesome and I feel like I have joined the Kia family for life!!
love the car
I love this car. I was looking to get a car and trade in the car i was driving and kia was the only one that was willing to work around my budget. I fell in love with how nice and smooth it drives, i also love how easy the cruise is to use and the air conditioning really works i mean i get cold almost instantly when i turn it on.
safety issues
I've had my Kia Spectra for 2 1/2 years and was very happy with it until recently. While avoiding an accident on the highway, my Kia lost complete control. My car spun out of control, and did 360's across 3 lanes of traffic narrowly missing hitting a guardrail and several cars. It was very scary, and I was very lucky. There was no way to control my car, I was totally helpless. I'm a very good driver who has been driving a very long time and was never in an accident before. I'm actually considering getting rid of the car due to this, and look for a car with ABS brakes and electronic stability control which I now know from experience is very important. Not a very safe car in desperate measures.
Price and warranty
Have had it for 3 weeks. It's solidly built, feels planted on the road. Gas mileage just o.k., 34 once and 29 once. Only have 1400 miles on it. I like it. People need to realize it's an economy car. If you want all those gadgets so they can cause trouble for you, go pay 3-4 thousand more for a more upscale ride!
Radiator
I truly love my Kia but I had a Radiator that went bad at 56,000 miles, lucky this was still under the Warranty. Since I put the car I kept on hearing water moving couldn't understand this. Ever since they replaced the radiator the noise went away. So the problem must have been there since I bought the Car new.
wont get burned again
I bought my spectra used with about 20,000 miles on it, so this reduced my warranty to 60,000. as soon as I hit about 70,000 it started to happen. My airbag light came on, check engine light, catalytic converter went out, and that is 800 dollars before installation, knocking on the front end, the motor has a bad knock, alternator, and a rear brake light that goes out once a week, and the cam shaft sensor, and crank sensor. This was the worst mistake of my life. First I would say do not buy a kia, and if you do, get rid of it before the warranty runs out. They sell it to you cheap and then stick it to you when it breaks down, what ever you get fixed will cost about a quarter of the car cost.
Nice Car!
I just bought my Kia during Labor Day weekend, and I am very happy so far with it. I get way better mileage than I did with my F-150, and am spending only half of what I used to on gas. I use this car as a commuter, and plan on turning it over to my son when he turns 16 in 5 years. Best part about that is, the powertrain will still be under warranty, which is the key reason we bought this car! I compared the Kia with Toyota, Hyundai, and Chevy cars and they just don't compare with options and price.
Kia Spectra LX 2006
The Kia Spectra is a nice car at an excellent price. I chose this car over a Civic because of the price difference and I have no regrets. The car is fun to drive and the transmission shifts smoothly. The engine has plenty of power and is remarkably quiet when idling.
Safety questionable
I recently was in a bad accident with my Kia Spectra 2006 has no more than 9,000 miles. I hit an oncoming vehicle with my left front into their left front at 60 miles per hour. My front end is pushed in and ripped most of it off and none of the air bags deployed. The auto body shop along with the Deputy on the scene stated there is no reason that the air bags should have not went off. This incident is currently under investigation with Kia. I have three young children and I bought the car because it was supposed to be a safe car, and then this happens. I have a friend that also just got into an accident, rolled his Kia and the air bags in that vehicle did not deploy either.
Still love the car, not a fan of customer service
Reviewed the vehicle 3 1/2 years after buying, has now been 5 1/2 years. 2 issues since the last review for the vehicle. Started to experience a stiff pinging noise in the front driver side sometime last summer when the vehicle was cold and taking hard left turns slowly. Contributed it to a failing shock, my service manager misdiagnosed twice as brake pad backing plate that needed adjusting. They finally tightened down the shock's cap nut, which stopped the noise. The other issue started two months ago, my passenger mirror and driver side door handle are both peeling the clear coat. Falls out of the 3yr/36 month warranty, but I wrote to express my concerns to corporate, with no results.
Love it, but it's not perfect
I love the almost every inch of this car. It has treated me very well over the past 2-1/2 years. I have about 21k on it. As far as gas mileage is concerned I'm not sure where I'm lacking because I only drive 50 miles per week and I use 1/2 a tank (about 19 stoplights though). It's all city, but that's horrible. For highway in moderate traffic I use a quarter of a tank over 60 miles. It's a great modest car, very reliable, low maintenance and very affordable. There are some features I would like to see standard on the EX, though. It's a great car for those who have young children due to it's safety features and it's got a killer warranty.
Sweet car for the money
This car was a joy to own. I purchased this vehicle used with 8,000 miles on it. It never gave us any trouble. For a little over 2 years it was a great vehicle, never had it in the shop except for oil changes. There is a difference between the "drive" of an EX and a SX, spring for the SX if you can. With the Standard Transmission there is plenty enough horsepower to have some fun. Acceptable highway passing power as well. Seems like I got about 27 MPG usually.
So overwhelmingly bland.
This car is absolutely perfect for someone who does not want to stand out from the crowd, and revels in mediocrity. Though I'd imagine, with it's fuel economy, it would also be fantastic for college students, single mothers, environmentalists and those who are interested in saving money regardless of what the cost to style and performance is.
WATCH OUT TOYOTA!
I got mine in 2004. So far I have convinced a neighbor and a friend to buy this car after they drove mine in a test drive. Minor problems with closing the trunk (it had to be slammed really hard). Gas door got stuck and front wheels were misaligned; all fixed by dealer under the 12000 miles adjustment period. So far all O.K. after a year of use.The ride is very quiet at freeway speeds but the engine is noisy under hard acceleration. A/C OK but should be more powerful for sunny Florida blazing and suffocating summers. If this car lasts me at least 5 years without major problems I think I will become a Kia loyal!
Surprising
I bought the Kia Spectra after owning a Hyundai Elantra for several years. I wanted something sportier and the Spectra certainly provides that. The EX is zippy for a 4 cylinder and still maintains good fuel economy. Much better gas mileage then my Elantra. Handling is very nice and tight. Stops on a dime due to 4 wheel disk brakes. Also, it's the only car in the price range with 5 front air bags so I feel safer driving it. Kia is now coming out with performance after market parts for the Spectra and Rio as well. I got the body kit and wing installed and my car gets a lot of attention with them on. Overall you get a lot of features and a lot of bang for your buck. Surprisingly good value.
HEADACHES!!
I had this car approx. 2 years, and put 25,000 miles on it. The car was a replacement for the other 2006 Spectra that dropped its transmission after just 150 miles! After 10000 miles, the car died in the middle of a very busy intersection. The fuel valve gave way, and it was in the shop for a week. Kia does not provide loaner cars. After 20,000 miles, the transmission began shifting hard. I took the car in, and the service manager advised the car would need a new transmission, however the head service manager would have to review the findings. Another week, and Kia called back to say that the transmission only need a quart of fluid. From a new transmission to a quart of fluid?!? YEAH RIGHT!
Great buy!
I recently purchased a Kia Spectra after reading good reviews on the car and I have not been disappointed. I commute over 100 miles per day for work and (over 90%) hwy driving) and this car gives exceptional mileage. I have a large Dodge truck so I needed something fuel efficient and comfortable and this car does not disappoint. The build quality is really high and the materials feel as high quality as a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civit (and a step above a Mazda 3) I would recommend anyone to purchase this car. You will not be disappointed.
Kia Spectra 2006
This car is a huge step from the Geo we had to buy in the 90s for a cheap car. This car comes standard with all the options a person needs; power windows, door locks, air conditioning. keyless entry, cd player. All the air bags you need. Four wheel disc brakes, 15 inch wheels. I can go on and on. You give me one American car under $15,500 with all those options. YOU WILL NOT FIND ONE. Oh I forgot to mention the 10 year, 100000 mile warranty on this thing. And the room in the back seat; it has the largest back seat of any small car I've owned. The motor is a 2.0 liter 16 valve four cylinder. That's more motor than a standard Toyota Camry. This is by far the best deal I have ever had on a new car.
Wow
This is my 3rd Kia. The 2006 was a quantum leap over my 2003. The first thing that impressed me was that the controls were all in one place on the driver's console with easy to use buttons. Second the acceleration was a significant upgrade-you can run the air without decreasing performance, a problem with most 4 cylinder cars. Thirdly was the size; it's larger than my 2003 and the overall design is exceptional. The tires (Goodyear) are a significant upgrade on the quality tire that Kia used to use as OEM tires. Overall, an impressive job and the car is fun to drive. Oh yes, the trunk space is very good. My 2001 Sephia was ok, the 2003 Spectra was much better and now this. Kia keep up the good work.
Everything better than expected
For a first new car purchase, I researched thoroughly through Edmunds and Consumer Reports. After 3 years, this car has surpassed my expectations, no complaints whatsoever. Excellent gas mileage, plenty of head and leg room, car has been consistently dependable in all driving situations. Have had it on 1000+ mile trip @ continuous speeds of 80mph, and have needed peppiness in interstate traffic as of late, the car keeps meeting expectations. The only complaint was one tire with a separated belt somewhere in it, didn't figure this out until after warranty was out on tires, no fault of car manufacturer. Car still runs fine, just low noise from the tire, faint wobble when rotated to front.
Dang
I never thought in a million years that I'd be buying a Kia. After years of general motors cars I wanted to try something different. The Spectra was not very big when I looked at it but when I sat in it it had more than enough room. I was amazed at the smooth ride and gas mileage of the car. I drove all of the way from Darien Georgia to Nashville TN on one tank of gas! I rode around for another day and a half after that. This is over 600 miles. The price is great as well. Kia just got a customer for life if they keep making cars like this.
Ya gotta love it!
My wife drives 25000 miles per year. We are about to head back to our KIA dealer and trade the 06 we bought new for a new 09 We have 75000 miles on our Spectra EX. It has been the most reliable, trouble free vehicle we have ever operated. We replaced brakes one time, tires one time, and of course, oil changes at every 3000 miles. Ya gotta love it!
A great little car
Bought my Spectra about one year ago, currently has about 18,000 miles on it. I have had absolutely no problems with it. I had cruise control added at the time of purchase, other than that it's stock. This is my daily driver, it's comfortable, reliable and gets decent mileage. The Spectra happens to be my second Kia, I have a Sedona van that has been to the dealer several times (however everything was covered by the warranty) it currently has 58,000 miles on it. The Spectra's a great handling car.
A Great Car
The vehicle is quiet, roomy and comfortable. People cannot believe that it is a Kia. It drives like a much more expensive vehicle and is economical on fuel. Highly recommended!
Great Deal
What a car for the money. If you are looking for a quality car at a affordable price this is it. Very comfortable ride and the interior design is great; ample leg and head room front and back. With the standard safety features and options this vehicle comes with for the price it is the best on the market and that's not even mentioning the standard warranty you get at no charge. If this vehicle is a consideration I do suggest going with the SX model. Many more options for not a lot more money. The '06 has a much improved sound system and power is plenty, cruises like a dream on the highway.
Spectra is fun
Very quiet, good acceleration, even with the automatic. Gas mileage has been improving as we put more miles on, now over 30 mpg. It now has about 7700 miles, with absolutely no problems thus far. One of the selling points was the excellent warranty, but have not had to use it. Passengers have commented it rides better than some larger mid-size vehicles.
Love them both (My SX and EX)
I actually own two of these cars ... one '06 SX 5 speed and an '05 EX auto. I gave it 10's based on what you get for the money. I'm a big guy (6'3" 270) and I fit with room to move thanks to the seats. My wife and I do a lot of traveling in it without feeling cramped. The engine is rev happy and fun to drive. I drive my SX pretty hard and it always handles well for me. The older EX had a few minor issues (fuel door, speedometer) that were fixed very quickly and we havent had any problems since. It's a very solid build overall and wont give you with that cheap car feeling. It's way more car than what you pay for. This is great driver and really has what you need in the real world.
Great Second Car
I bought this car used for my daughter who will be licensed in a year (2010). I can already tell it is going to be hard to give it up. Good pep and acceleration, low engine/road noise. GREAT fuel mileage and easy to handle on the highway and on snow. Bad blind spot on the right side mirror so be careful. Otherwise it is comfortable inside. Takes bumps pretty well and has just enough amenities for the price to make it a good buy.
Look out Toyota and Honda
My wife bought this car just before we got married. I have owned a few Hondas and Toyotas in my lifetime. After researching Kia, I felt it would be an OK car. Now 77,000 miles later, we have had no mechanical problems and the car still gets better than 30 MPG. It easily made 4 trips from Columbus, GA to El Paso, TX. The wife uses to go to work every day(12 miles one way) and for all of her shopping needs. We occasionally make weekend trips of about 400 mile. Overall this car has impressed me. It's not the fun driving car my Audi is, but it doesn't have that price tag either. Only normal maintenance and a set of brakes and tires at this point.
great car for a great price!
If you're looking for a great car with excellent fuel economy, this is the one for you. I recently purchased my Spectra and so far I'm very satisfied with it. The only thing that caught my attention so far with it would be that it has a high rev in 1st gear before it shifts. Other than that it has been fun to drive, and for the price it's hard to pass up!
2nd one
The 1st was hit in the rear by a Caddy in November and totaled. Bought Amanti, gave to wife and then bought 2nd. Great car and will hold its own against others in same class costing thousands more. Best is the warranty, 100K. Looks, features, economy (looking at $3 gallon gas), interior room. Fun to drive and not tired after driving 100s miles on highway for business. Should definitely consider in today's market.