Overview & Reviews
A five-door hatchback model dubbed the Spectra5 joins the lineup, along with a sporty SX sedan. Both models come with a front spoiler, black mesh grille, black headlight bezels, upgraded tires, 16-inch alloys, side sills, rear valance panel and rear spoiler. Inside, there is leather wrapping for the steering wheel and shift knob, gray sport cloth upholstery, metallic trim pieces and metal pedals. A sport-tuned suspension is also included, and models with a manual transmission get a front strut tower bar as well.
- Low price, spunky engine, well-finished interior, standard side-curtain airbags, excellent warranty.
- Obtrusive engine noise at high speeds, ABS not available on LX model.
User Reviews:
Showing 41 through 50 of 132.00-
outstanding - 2005 Kia Spectra
By james b - May 23 - 5:16 amQuality, warranty, performance and comfort; totally awesome for low priced vehicle. So good my wife and I purchased another one a week later.
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Dismal fuel economy - 2005 Kia Spectra
By Reg Rothwell - May 16 - 10:23 pmGenerally, nice car. Ranked higher than others in the same price range and body style (Sport suspension and 4- wheel disc brakes led me to choose it over the others). However, gas mileage is terrible (26 mpg with 1 person; 21 mpg with 2 people - consistently so for 42,000 miles). Of course, Kia is unwilling to address the problem. Totally defeated the purpose for buying the car. Adding to the problem, it requires 91 octane.
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a decent car for a decent price - 2005 Kia Spectra
By b wirsing - April 20 - 3:50 pmThis vehicle drives better than a Corolla, Honda, and any other import car. It is as spacious as a van or SUV yet gets killer gas mileage and fits in those hard to get places. I am 6 foot and 230 pounds and took this thing camping; folded the seats back and was able to sleep comfortably in the back. I couldnt believe it. I also got 160 miles on an 1/8 of a tank.
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Soldier of a car. - 2005 Kia Spectra
By Jsp9890 - April 18 - 7:12 pmI bought this car with no choice. Mine was stolen, left with little time I bought a 2005 Spectra EX for $3800. It had 98k miles. That was in 2011. I still own it, with 180k+ and shes magnificent. The little 2.0 has power on the highway, without having to go up high in the powerband. The tall gears in the automatic gearing kill performance, manuals are quicker by far. Mine hits 60 in 8.8 seconds with a 4 speed auto, and shes topped out at 126mph. I guess thats about average. The stereo is surprisingly good with a 120 watt 6 speaker setup, as well as interior materials. I previously owned a Honda and Kia is quite close with their quality. I dont care what ANYONE says, Kias are damn good vehicles.
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100,000 miles - 2005 Kia Spectra
By not_a_yob - March 19 - 11:50 pmIve read through plenty of reviews, and the one thing I am noticing is that people are putting automatics in with the manual transmission, dont be daft please. The 2.0 DOHC 5spd standard transmission is great. I have over 100,000 miles on my car as it sits now still with the original clutch, and trust me when I say I havent been overly kind to my car. I have beat on it, driven long distances and over all drvien this car as if it were a rally car or enduro car, including some slight off roading and it still starts up with out arguement and gets up and goes like a propper little sprinter. I unexpectedly fell in love with the little bugger, and I expect the romance to continue on for awhile.
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great car - 2005 Kia Spectra
By nathan gerlt - March 12 - 5:53 pmThis is a great family car it has a sporty look and the speed , yet it has all the protection you would need for your family. I love the way this drives and handles!!!!
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Great quality - 2005 Kia Spectra
By trick1 - December 15 - 10:04 pmI bought this car new in 2005 for my wife and outside of general maintenance issues it hasnt missed a beat. Its rolling up on 80k. This car has been so good that Im considering buying another one for a commuter car since Im having a hard time justifying driving the SUV with the current fuel prices. The car seems to average about 30 on mostly highway miles so its right up there with similar sized cars for mileage.
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New Spectra - 2005 Kia Spectra
By usaf207cwf - September 8 - 4:33 pmThe car is great. The performance is superb for a 4 cylinder. Quick off the line and if you learn quickly how to get it into its best power range of 4000-4500 RPM and keep it there, acceleration at 50+ is spirited and quick. Comfort is good, the seats fit you and keep you in place. Fuel economy is what you would expect, again, from a 4 cylinder. The car is extremely fun to drive. The stiff setup really lets you feel the car through the turns. The car is very responsive to steering input, and therefore drives where you want it to go instead of going where it wants, while you try to correct. The interior design, exterior design, build quality, and reliability are first rate.
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spectra - 2005 Kia Spectra
By Ivan Kirilov - July 31 - 12:13 amGood words only. Great design, quality materials, usefull features, low price and safe feeling while driving. My engine is Diesel one with high torque and better fuel economy. I know this is not so popular in USA, but it is of great importance in Europe.
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Total airbag failure - 2005 Kia Spectra
By sciguy - July 9 - 4:00 amThis was a great car for price until another car ran stop sign and hit it head on. I was traveling on open road at 40-45 mph. Other driver turned into my lane and hit me going maybe 15 mph in dead center front. Total failure of all airbags. 2 other family members in car at time. 6 airbags and not one popped. Damage in excesss $6000. If you want a safe car do not buy. Had been happy with all but spoiler falling off repeatedly and very lousy gas mileage. Do not put your family in this car.
