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 51 through 60 of 98.00

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  Corolla VS. Spectra--2 months later - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By vallet1 - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Ok, I have to admit--I was wrong. I have had nothing but problems with this car. It has been in the shop 3 times (the closest dealer is 60 miles away). Luckily it has all been covered under the warranty. But, it is a hassel to be without a car and to beg for rides to pick-up the car from friends. I think that I can claim this car as a lemon soon.

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  I have owned two - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Graham Johnson - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned Two, a 2001 as a lease and never had a minutes problems. Idecided at 98,000 kilometers, that a lease was not for me, so I bought a new spectra in August 2003 I love my car, I bought a Dodge Minivan new fully loaded and it fell apart as I drove it and so I decided to go to a foreign car I had good things about Kia and I have not had a complaint. These cars are terribly under rated!I have enjoyed my two, and I live in the country in southern Alberta, adn30miles to work and it is extremely good on winter roads

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  A very good car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Clark A. Nichols - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Last year I bought a new 2002 Rio and I found that I loved the car, only I wanted something that had a automatic shift. I turned in the Rio and bought a 2003 Spectra. I have been very pleased with the cars ability to keep up with other cars twice the price. My Spectra is fully loaded with just about everything a person could ask for. I like the fast response I get from a four cylender, as good as any car on the road. I have driven the car to Tucson, Arizona which is only a six hundred mile trip each way, but the car didnt disappoint me in its preformance. I love the car as well if not more than The Rio that I first had.

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  Cheap and reliable - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Andrew Dietz - October 16 - 8:00 pm

  I put almost 120,000 miles on this car before I traded it in for my new car (not a Kia). The price was cheap and for the cost, the car ran pretty reliably. I never had any major repairs needed - just normal maintenance stuff like the timing belt. The brake systems needed a LOT of repairs over the years though. I had to replace rotors with every set of brakes and I had the brake calipers replaced once as well. I was told it was due to Kias "small parts". The car was fun to drive, and I felt like I could drive rough with it when I needed to and it would hold up well. It blows around a little too much in the wind though. I did find the seats very uncomfortable, though.

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  Built on Monday after beer blitz? - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By BBBBombshell - October 11 - 11:53 pm

  This car is my 2nd Kia. The car is fun to drive and has actually held up pretty well for a car of its price range. However, this baby was in the shop 8 times for a throttle problem. The first 7 times they said the problem was the throttle positioning sensor and it was replaced, reset etc. We were fairly irate because they would reset the sensor and it would be fine for about 3 weeks then it would have no power at all and I was getting 14 mpg - yep I said 14! Finally, they changed the whole throttle body and components. We also lost a bolt out of the flywheel, and they had to remove a chunk of foam from the back door so we could roll down the window.Tomorrow I am buying a Ford! Seriously!

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  First purchases - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Jilly O - September 25 - 2:20 am

  My first car. About $7500 at a Ford dealership. To work, to school, to play, it gets you there comfortably and in style. It isnt just a tool of transportation, its a great ride. Im 18 and as a first car, I am impressed. Only one blind spot (on every car) and great handling. I honestly love my little Kia and get compliments on it. For a small car, there is a ton of room (unlike Honda Civic coupe). Havent had an engine problem at 60,000 miles. Kia isnt "established" so my insurance was a pain to get. Recommended for teens or first purchase.

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  great car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Kia fan - September 19 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 2001 Honda Civic for a 2003 Spectra and Im so glad I did. The Spectra handles better than my old honda and it comes with a cd player and more ammenities such as vanity mirrors. I owed quite a bit on old car and my payments are $10 a month less!!! Obviously the "professional reviewer" is name brand guy. I wish I looked at Kia before I bought the civic!!

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  bad car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By furball - August 6 - 10:00 am

  We bought our spectra in january 2003.we have had nothing but problems with it this is the list of problems we have had.(the tires were bad, the sterio didnt work,paint is peeling,front seat broke,glovebox was broke,mirrors broke,gas tank recall,check engine light the car shakes when we get to a certain speed) There is No room in the car for any thing i would not buy another spectra.

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  Cheap used car, wouldnt buy new - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Kia Driver - July 4 - 7:23 pm

  I find this to be a decent used car for someone just learning to drive or looking for nothing more than point A to point B transportation. Its been pretty reliable although when things do break, they are expensive to repair. Many parts have to be ordered from Korea and its hard to find a mechanic that will work on them. Very difficult to work on yourself as well. The "little things" like interior trim and such start falling apart around 50k miles though. By 87K the dash was warped, interior trim always falling off, drivers seat no longer went back, and power windows only worked sometimes. The drive train itself is fairly reliable though.

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  pretty cool car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Ignacio - July 1 - 10:00 am

  this car is basic transportation. accelerates slowly but is good for teenagers with cautious parents that dont want them to drag race. it has nice taillights. its comfortable and looks nice on the inside. fits five adults comfortably.