Overview & Reviews

For 2003, all Spectras will come with a CD player and body-color side moldings. Kia has attempted to make the cabin environment more hospitable via additional sound insulation in the roof and floor, an illuminated ignition and revised climate controls. Also, all hatchbacks get a standard rear wiper with an intermittent feature. Finally, note that engine specs have been revised this year -- the Spectra is now rated at 124 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque compared with 126 hp and 108 lb-ft for 2002. The four-cylinder engine itself is unchanged.

• Low base price, nimble handling, available hatchback configuration, killer warranty.

• Lackluster engine performance, weak brakes and tires, mediocre build and materials, poor offset crash test score.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 98.00

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  harsh ride, otherwise ok - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Steven - December 9 - 6:20 am

  Just purchased this car two weeks ago, mostly based on ratings at this site coupled with the cheap price and good gas mileage. I did not notice on the test drive how noisy the ride is. Every pebble feels like a pothole and need to have radio on to drown out the engine noise. Am told by mechanics that this is how they sound and you get what you pay for. Would rather have an older Corolla.

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  Kia Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By maui - September 9 - 10:16 am

  I have owned my Kia for 2 years and have been very pleased with the handling and driving capabilities of it. I am satisfied with the service provided and would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a 4 door sedan, with all the toys, for an affordable, reasonable price. I am less pleased with the ride but feel that better tires than those initially provided would improve this. Overall, this car has been a wonderful addition to our family.

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  KIA Spectra GSX : A Pleasant Surprise - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By EarlA - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a 2003 for my daughter, who was moving to Arizona. She flew out, but I drove the KIA, hatch loaded to the gills and a fully-stuffed roof carrier, 2500 miles from NJ to AZ, averaging 31 MPG at speeds of 70-80 MPH. Had to downshift a few times going over the Continental Divide, but generally the power was adequate. I think the 2003 model has more torque than the 2002. The car was comfortable, too. Only request would be for a little more "grunt" from the AM side of the AM/FM/CD player; max volume was overwhelmed by road noise at 70 MPH! The hatchback design is very versatile. Car has performed flawlessly so far.

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  Good Car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By kiadriver21 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Kia Spectra a couple of months ago and I love it. It is comfortable for both me and my husband to drive and he is a foot taller than me. The review for this car states that it has poor brakes but I have not found this to be the case. Maybe it is made a little cheap, but you get what you pay for - I couldnt ask more paying only 11k for it after the 2k rebate. It has thoughtful features and an excellent warranty.

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  Solid so Far - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By deathsaid - December 11 - 8:08 am

  Our Spectra has 120, 000 miles on it and has been pretty reliable so far. I have it for the last 20K or so and before that my father-in-law owned it. It has gone through some brakes and needed some work to fix in the brake fluid system. Front brakes put off a lot of dirt, hubcaps are literally black at this point. All things considered this car has been great, not the sexiest car or most comfy (i am 66) but very dependable. Nothing fancy or flashy about it but it gets from point A to point B.

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  Kia Spectra a good car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By dkrosell - November 6 - 2:50 am

  Having previously owned several Toyota Camrys, we were surprised to find the Kia Spectra so reliable. We never had to have it repaired - only maintenance in the 5 years we owned.

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  new car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By bill m - May 17 - 10:00 am

  my girlfreind and i seen an ad for kia with 2500 rebate and decided to check it out and to my surprise came away impressed love the body style but most of all what really convinced me was the warranty

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  Bad credit but Im driving a new car. - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Silky99x - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I was skeptical at first about buying a Kia but its an OK Car. Using premium gasoline I got 205 miles to 1/4 tank. If you run the A/C it drinks gas like vrazy. My co-workers talk about how cheap Kias are but at least Im driving a new car. Although, one co-worker said, its good quality with low price. Its growing on me.

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  Great Around Town OR Highway Car! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By gmhummer03 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  If you are looking for Point A to B travel. This car will do it for you. The A/C will freeze you. The Radio / CD player will knock your socks off. Transmission shifts like a sports car. AND it looks sporty!

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  kat drives the Kia - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By kia kat - October 26 - 3:10 am

  I have had my Spectra for 28 months now and it has just turned 60,000 miles. I do a huge amount of driving. Have not put a lot of money in to it other than just regular maintenance (very good about getting oil changes at 3,000 miles). I think this vehicle is definitely underrated. I always go by that saying "you take care of it, and it will take care of you".