Overview & Reviews

Kia introduces a completely redesigned and much improved Spectra as a midyear 2004 model. However, both the old and new versions are available this year.

• Long range warranty, redesigned version sports a spunky engine, well-finished interior and standard side-curtain airbags.

• Suspension a bit soft, weak performance on outgoing model, ABS optional only on most expensive models.

User Reviews:

Showing 81 through 90 of 112.00

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  Its a great little car - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By mark frye - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Its my wifes car for her work,but we took it for a little vac,& everything was fine.

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  No Brainer - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Mike - January 9 - 8:40 am

  We bought this car with a considerable rebate, and to date it is an excellent value. Outside of a couple of minor trim issues on the inside, and malfunctioning of an interior warning light which were promptly fixed, the car has been no problem whatsoever. The car looks nice, is comfortable, and does what it is supposed to do. With the warranty, it is a no brainer.

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  Kia my kind of Car - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Tim Monaghan - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Love this car, excellent price for all it offers

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  Kia Spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Dennis M. - December 7 - 10:00 am

  This model is a marked improvement over the earlier models. It has a sporty look, but still has the room necessary to transport four people comfortably. I had purchased a new model in 2002 and there is no comparison. The new model has plenty of trunk space for traveling. I also appreciate the feel of a heavier car in terms of safety and blocking out the road noise.

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  Parameters of KIA Spectra 2004.5 - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By kiasyracuse - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Purchased car in May, 2004, have had problems with slow/hesitation on acceleration, grinding left front wheel, engine hesitation, shaking steering wheel, steering column, brake pedal and gas pedal. Service manager thought transmission; factory rep replaced computer instead. The engine slows down when the air, heat or defrost is on. Told that engine parameters are when engine reaches 50 degrees, the steering wheel shakes/vibrate until engine warms up. Live in Central New York, started having problems this July. In the past week, night temps gone to 42 degrees. When drive to work, engine warms after 10 minutes, steering wheel still vibrates.

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  Worst car Ive owned - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By A. May - November 18 - 9:43 pm

  We have had nothing but problems with this car. We seem to be constantly going in for repairs and most recently have been told we need a new compressor for $1200. This car is only two years old and should not be having so many problems. The dealer will not cover this problem. I will never buy a Kia again. Our other car is a 99 Hyundai and while it needs some repairs we are spending more on repairs on this new Kia.

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  Good Car for the Price - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By lorijohnston - August 26 - 4:05 am

  I am surprised at some of the other reviews. I bought this car used with 16,000 in early 2005. At the time, I needed an inexpensive and reliable car to get me back and forth between work, home and school. Six years later, I still own the car and I still love it. The only major expense was a timing belt change at 102,000 miles. Over the years I have had only one mysterious problem. The transmission at times would stick in one gear. Every time I have encountered this issue, I simply pulled over, put the car in park for a second, returned the car to drive and the problem ended. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone who needed reliability & affordability. I own 2 Kias today!

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  2004 Spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Clay Stephenson - June 14 - 10:00 am

  Steering is very stiff and too tight. Interior could be up graded. Mileage is only fair for the size of the car. I get appx 24 city and 28 highway. Road noise on a scale of 1-10 would be rated at 6 for me. Problems within first five months of purchase. Frequently the speed will indicate as much as a 24 mph various higher than actual travel. Ok for a work car but not of the quality I expected. Previous Kia I owned was a 2000 Sophia and handling and mileage was much better. I will likely purchase a different make on my next purchase

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  Just a piece of my mind - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Omy - May 18 - 2:00 am

  While the car is beautiful in the outside and all I had to rate it low on performance because since I got the car, which by the way I bought it with only 21 miles on it, it has been giving me problems with the drivers side door window. The car has power everything and so the window opens by itself and many times while driving in the Highway, which scares me half to death.

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  I bought a Lemon - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Garcia - April 27 - 9:06 pm

  This would have been great, especially for the price. Unfortunately, I bought a lemon. The car needed an alignment when we test drove it. That should have been a sign. But we liked the car and what it had to offer compared to the other compact cars. So that was the first thing wrong with this car. The O-2 sensor has gone out twice in the car. The odometer messed up so the whole dash had to be replaced. Countless times the check engine light has come on supposedly because the gas cap was not closed right. When youd think wed learn the by the second time how to put on a gas cap. Now to top it off right now our car is in the shop because the transmission needs to be replaced. LEMON!