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 11 through 20 of 98.00

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  Good car for small budget - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Luthy - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I really like the way the engine accelorates. I have been having fun racing other people in much faster cars. People are so surprised when I keep at least a whole car length ahead of them for a quarter mile. The high red line sure helps out a lot.The fit and finish is just about par. You will see better in a Honda or Toyota. I think that this is a wonderful car for $13,000 loaded.We will see how it lasts.

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  Excellent value for the money - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Dawn B - July 26 - 7:56 am

  I must admit I was skeptical when my husband first brought this home to me. I have been greatly surprised and pleased with it. The equipment on it for the money was a very good value and the factory stereo has surprisingly good sound. It has a good amount of storage for things like sunglasses and cds. This baby will turn on a dime, and after 53,00 miles handles well, and drives and rides well compared to higher priced cars. 2 trips from Kansas City, MO to Fort Knox, KY and a trip to Akron Ohio and all Ive had to do is change oil and tires. No mechanical issues at all which surprised me. A great little car for the money.

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  Corolla VS. Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By vallet1 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I won a 2003 GSX on E-bay for only $5000. The car had only 13,000 miles on it. I thought that I would try to "turn a fast profit" by selling it locally for $8000. Well, I spent $200 in ads and brought it to a local car lot and after 3 months I could not sell it for even $7000. I had a 2003 Toyota Corolla and needed to get rid of ANY car I could. I wound-up selling the Corolla for $13,000 and used the profit to pay-off the Kia. I now own (free and clear) and have been driving the Kia for 3 weeks. I find the Kia to be a much better car than the Toyota. It rides better, looks better and is more comfortable.

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  I love my new Spectra! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Diskjokk - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Yup, I read Edmunds report before I purchased my new 2003 Kia Spectra. And for those of us who have read it, we know its not a favorable review. After spending a few days with the car, I will have to agree with the Edmunds report that the brakes seem a bit weak and the interior seems a bit "cheaper" when comparing it to a 2003 Focus or Neon. However, what my Spectra does provide me with is an awesome looking automobile with a 10 year warranty. The interior is very roomy and the seating is comfortable. The car does seem very responsive when driven. I think its a pretty neat car and it has grown on me a great deal.

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  Depends on how you treat it - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By travisp11 - October 16 - 1:46 am

  We have had our Spectra for almost four years now and the only major problem we had it in for was the throttle position sensor. Yeah, it took four return trips to the dealership (175 miles away, ouch!) but eventually the throttle body was replaced under warranty. Honestly, if you follow routine service and dont treat it like a red-neck stepchild, you should get many years of good use out of it, just like any other car.

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  More than youd think - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By mlerlie - June 21 - 5:33 pm

  This was my first Kia. Bought it solely because it was the newest car with the best warranty I could afford. I drive a lot so a new car with warranty was critical. In the past 3 years Ive put on over 75000 miles and have had to do very little maintenance. But I dont feel safe in it at all - the littlest gust of wind tosses it around - not fun on highways during blustery blizzards! I actually had a panic attack while driving it through the W.V. mountains (Talk about a very long trip!) I get about 31 mpg most of the time and with the miles I put on, thats a definite bonus.

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  my hatchback - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By debmck - April 11 - 12:03 am

  Dependable, good gas mileage. Window seal on driver side bad, wind noise. All weather strips on hatchback fell off. Had to replace tires at 30,000 miles. Air conditioning weak. Regret not getting power windows and door locks.

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  4 OC/7yrs - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Gen - September 3 - 12:30 pm

  I have had this car for almost 7 years now and have actually only changed the oil 4 times. (Yes I know very stupid.) But here is the cool thing, it still runs great. I just hit 100,000 miles and no major problems. Have to change the headlights about every 6 months and the AC has a mind of its own but other then that really dependable.

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  Good deal. - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By braedyn - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Dont pay attention to the editors. They think everyone can afford a BMW. I have a 2002 Spectra GS, with air, auto and a nice sounding cd player. With incentives, I paid less than $13000 for the car out the door. Ive put over 18000 miles on the car and have not had a single problem. The car is comfortable to drive, handles quite well, and looks very nice inside and out. If you dont have alot of money to spend, but need a new car, I highly recommend looking into a Kia.

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  Kia Spectra - So far so good - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By padrig - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car as an inexpensive alternative to other models in its class. The car lacks power in acceleration when using the airconditioner. The engine runs well and gets somewhere in the high 20s to low 30s on the highway and mid 20s in the city. I am satisfied with the overall performance of my car, but I have only owned it for about a month. So far so good!