Used 2008 Kia Spectra Consumer Reviews
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My next car will be a Kia
Derrick, 10/06/2008
2008 Kia Spectra SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love it. It looks great in a parking lot and sexy on the road! My friends and family all want to drive it and wish their car was a kia. I love my spectra sx!
WOW! What a fun car!
Pacific NW Customer, 12/24/2007
2008 Kia Spectra Spectra5 SX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Spec5 from the dealership as soon as it was available. I do a LOT of business driving, and love the roominess of the hatchback when I have to carry my supplies with me. The peppy 2.0 liter engine with the 5- speed makes this car a blast to drive. I'm getting almost 30 mpg in town, and closer to 35 on the open road. I haven't run out of power when passing or accelerating, and it climbs in the mountains great too! Never a problem in the first 8000 miles! Love the 7500 mile oil changes, and of course the great warranty!
What a fun surprise!
Kia Mia, 11/26/2008
2008 Kia Spectra Spectra5 SX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I wasn't looking for a Kia when I went to this dealership. A salesman talked me into test driving a Spectra 5. I was totally surprised at how quiet and smooth this vehicle was. Road noise was absolutely minimal! The great looking interior is very comfortable. All instruments and accessories are easy to use while driving. I drove this car cross country twice and it was very comfortable the whole way. The car is very stylish. I've had numerous people inquiring about it with great interest. My wife liked the car so much that I gave it to her and bought another one, identical to it! The one thing I would change would be to have head rests that pivot from front to back. What a treat!
unexpected... an inexpensive, great car
midwest customer, 12/23/2008
2008 Kia Spectra SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Perfect for my purposes. Lots of city driving with the occasional cross country drive. I was blown away when I drove almost 500 miles at about 75mph before needing gas. The roomy interior is perfect as I often have a full car. Safety is a huge issue for me and I always feel good in this car. ABS served me well while driving through N.E. snowstorms. The cruise control is great too. Drives very smoothly, and the CD changer and iPod hookup are great for long drives. I love being able to have my GPS, cell phone charger, and iPod all plugged in at the same time. I have had this car for 4 months and have received tons of compliments.
Crushed Spectra replaced with a Spectra
BJM, 01/11/2009
2008 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I originally bought a Spectra in 2004 and really like it. I never had a problem with it until the day an SUV coming at me in the opposite lane was hit by a car that ran a stop sign, lost control, came into my lane and wiped me out. My Spectra was totaled. Although I was happy with my Spectra, I went to CarMax to see what else was out there. I drove a half a dozen cars or so, and nothing was better than what I had. I purchased another Spectra and have been very happy with it. I must have gotten a good one because I routinely get just over 40 miles to the gal. The comment I get most when people get in my car is "This is a KIA?" in an unbelieving tone.
Great car and a great value
qcspectra, 01/11/2009
2008 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought new last summer. Great build quality and materials, especially at this price. Have previously owned 8 Hondas and 2 Mazdas, and this Spectra easily compares to them. My EX w/manual transmission has averaged 31 in mixed driving (65/35 city/hwy), well over the 23/30 EPA rating. Shopped the '08 Civic, Mazda3, Corolla, Elantra, and Cobalt.
Awesome value, can't go wrong.
scott, 01/26/2009
2008 Kia Spectra Spectra5 SX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love driving this car. I laugh at matrix owners knowing they paid thousands more and I have a safer ride. I was worried if Kia's quality was where it should be but after owning it I can say it's better than most. Far better than the american car I own.
Super Spectra 5
Julie, 02/22/2009
2008 Kia Spectra Spectra5 SX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car because the combination of reviews, price and fuel economy were hard to beat and it has exceeded my expectations! Great fun to drive and I rarely get less than 30-32 MPG. Have gotten as much as 35 pretty regularly. My only complaint is that it could use a few more little storage compartments and I miss having the temperature and compass feature that I had in my last car.
Nice little car
Bob, 01/03/2008
2008 Kia Spectra Spectra5 SX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Have put about 1500 miles on in two weeks. Mixed driving (city and 75 mph interstate) with AC on about 25% of the time. Mileage 30-32 mpg. May get better as it breaks in. Reasonable power for an econo car. Engine noisey when pushing beyond 3500 rpm, but under normal driving a very quiet, pleasant ride. Good fit and finish. No wind noise in the interior unless wind is really blowing outside (30+ mph). Suspension a little soft. Sounds like it is bottoming out when I hit a pothole. I intend to keep this car a long time. If it is reliable, this car is an excellent buy.
Great Car
hdwestmont, 07/06/2009
2008 Kia Spectra Spectra5 SX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in February and since then have already put over 7,000 miles on it. I drive a lot! I've never gotten worse than 27 mpg and have gotten as good as 38, and trust me, I don't drive like an old woman and that's usually with the AC on too. Was planning on buying an American car, but after endless test drives, this car had more get up and go (compared to Pontiac Vibe, Dodge Caliber). I also liked it better than the Nissan Versa (way over priced) and the Toyota Matrix (also way over priced). All in all, It's been a great car, got more options for less money and it doesn't look like a pregnant roller skate! =)
Wanted a Wagon
Greg, 09/13/2010
2008 Kia Spectra Spectra5 SX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Overall i like the car it's got good power and a lot of features for the money. It has a quit cabin and handles bumps in the road like a more expensive car. I have been on a few camping trips with this car and it was a joy to drive.
Great and fun commuter
ARConcepts, 12/10/2007
2008 Kia Spectra Spectra5 SX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
With now 2000 miles under its belt, I would like to say this was a great purchase. There are some slight noises through the cabin, but overall fit and finish is very good. The manual transmission is the way to go to get the most from the engine, though the clutch takes a little getting used to and rpms tend to hang a little per shift. Long strokes between gears, but a $90 aftermarket short shifter should allievate this problem. Great gas mileage thus far ,worst MPG so far 28.79 mpg on the first tank (best 33.06 mpg last tank 1806 miles). Roomier than my old 98 Explorer storage wise and lots of great features make it a welcome little car. Was really fun in the mountains, just needs more HP.
The Kias are Alright
Sam/Hain, 05/11/2008
2008 Kia Spectra LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
As of this writing, the Kia is a good little car. A smooth ride, and cheaper than the competitors. (Learn to love that word folks, its great.) As a commuter, I give a thumbs up.
great little car for the money
wilburn mchone, 03/08/2010
2008 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have put a custom cold air k. N intake system and a greedy exhaust on the car and have e. 3 iridium spark plugs and it is a straight drive and has an adjustable ait controller by surge performance it is fully adjustable and they say up to 50 or more horse power that is what they say 30 to 40 is what you are going to get but with intake exhaust and ait controller that 60 horse power over stock and it still runs in a safe zone where there is no worries about engine damage just break the engine in first before being aggressive with your driving style until broken in and you will have no problem break in is everything, no break in you end up with a broken down car so just be gentle until broken in
Hardy Recommendation
Danielle Prevette, 05/15/2008
2008 Kia Spectra Spectra5 SX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
I am very pleased with this car. It has so far been one of the best cars I have owed over my 40+ years of ownership, which has included Honda, Toyota, Subaru and VW. I have had absolutely no problems in the ss 1st 5 months of ownership.