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 1 through 10 of 112.00

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  2004 KIA SPECTRA EX - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Agram - April 19 - 2:30 am

  2004 KIA SPECTRA EX Automatic. Bought May 2004 in Lodi, CA – good buying experience. Good gas saver. Comfortable. Lazy automatic transmission. After just 10.000 miles my speedometer is dead. I ordered part; they say 7 to 10 days.

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  kia spectra 03 - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By robert9018 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  good family car for the low budjet

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  my screamin spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By jimwags - February 26 - 8:10 pm

  so far at 3000 miles my spectra is on par with the 91 corolla i bought new then traded for the 05 kia. it has more power than i expected and highway manners are better than the 05 corolla i almost paid 2500.00 more for with less features than spectra. mpg hiway is now up to 36.8 i am looking for 38.5 @70 mph. great warranty on this car worth looking at seriously............

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  Commute, its off to work we go - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By wildbill - December 9 - 10:33 pm

  Have to drive 60 miles each way. Got a Spectra and it is satisfactory. No extra power, but I keep a steady 2900 rpm going 70 mph on the Garden State Parkway. That is when I am not in Bloomfield and Orange, NJ where the speed drops to 15 mph often. One queer characteristic has popped up once in awhile. The car forgets how to automatically shift. It usually occurs when I pass through the toll booth using EZ-pay. There I dont come to a complete stop, but go from 70 to 15 to 70 mph within a mile. The car comes up to speed, but the rpms go up too, up to 4500 rpm, then I take action. Well, the action is to go to the shoulder and stop the car. Restarting seems to reprogram the car fine.

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  My Second KIA - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Owlteacher - October 29 - 10:00 am

  This is a wonderful commuter car! Ive been impressed with everything about it, except that the drivers side seatbelt latch is too close to the seat. This causes some discomfort on long trips. I have the 5-door model, and the cargo room with the back seats flipped forward is awesome. Im sold.

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  Nice Ride - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Silverado - July 3 - 8:33 pm

  Bought this 2004 in April of 05. They were trying to get rid of the last of their 04s, so we got $4500 off MSRP. Got the car fully loaded, sunroof and all out the door for $12,600. What a great deal. Car drives very nicely, and is very quiet. Good power, smooth shifting manual.

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  Kia Spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Jdowns37 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Slow Take off Speed Tire poor traction Lacks sporty look need two door version arm console weak needs beefed up

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  KIA - So far so good... - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Atrac - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I originally wanted a Daewoo, but was horrified to learn that they had filed for Bankruptcy a few years ago and the cars were "apparently" no longer available as new in the United States. I then set my sights on the KIA Spectra. I did have to take it in already to get it aligned, but other than that I like it! NOTE: I have since learned that Daewoo is really selling cars in the U.S., even today. Check out the Chevy Aveo, the Suzuki Forenza and Suzuki Verona -- they are all Daewoos!

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  Best deal we ever made - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By ry-guy - August 21 - 10:00 am

  We used to have a 2000 Corolla without any extras. For some reason the check engine light kept coming on and we had to keep paying $80.00 to get it checked out. We finally decided to trade it in for the Kia with an awesome warranty and so far we have loved it. It has been the best deal we ever made. We got everything on it including sunroof, foglights, keyless entry, 6 airbags . . . the works! And we lowered our payments by 20.00 a month. It is a tad louder than the Corolla and the gas mileage is not quite as good but it definitely was worth the trade. Intererior quality is superb. Attention to detail is outstanding. Good job Kia!

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  High gas use - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Martha - May 28 - 10:26 am

  I love this car but it uses a lot of gas. I take very good care of the car and go every 3 months for oil change and maintenance. When I drive long distance I get 32 miles a gallon and that is nice but most of the time I drive it in town not more that 8 miles each time and I get only 18 miles a gallon.