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 71 through 80 of 98.00

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  Good Disposable Car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By vader716 - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I was putting a $100 here and a $100 there fixing my old 92 escort. Kia ran a special buy one get one free or one for 50% off. I decided to pick one up for a daily commuter. I paid $8200 +taxes and tags and have been very happy so far. It is a great little car for commuting. Nothing special nothing terrible. Id buy it again. Heck $130 a month for a brand new car? Cant beat it. Ill run it into the ground and then get rid of it.

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  GREAT LITTLE CAR - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By COREY - June 11 - 8:43 pm

  This is my third KIA. They are terribly underrated. Between the three I have logged over 150,000 miles without any trouble whatsoever. The Spectra I just recently purchased is fully loaded, awesome 6 speaker CD player, puts my brothers Mazda 3 to shame. To anyone thinking of buying one, they are a good vehicle, could use a little more power though.

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  Good and Bad - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By susiebelle - June 5 - 11:00 pm

  Car is cute, gets great gas mileage. I bought my car new. Had to change the tires by 30K Replaced brake pads and rotors twice. Replace battery. Driver side locks broken & sometimes wont unlock and I have to crawl through the passenger side. Driver side window roller broke, Alternator going out. Problem with steering system. Hatchback cover broke within a week. Rear window brake light is falling apart from sun damage (I live in Indiana & typically dont have this problem). Brake lights are a pain to change..have to remove whole back panel of car. Very lightweight car and blows around on windy day

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  Good and cheap to fix if you Know - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Antonio Colon - May 22 - 2:00 am

  We have it since new and i am a drummer and have to travel a lot in PR the only problem that i had with it was the window that broke the power window cable and a small damage on the material of the seats that is weak.but for the rest is ok.

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  Mountain man - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Matt - January 27 - 11:51 pm

  I had a 2003 Kia spectra and I drove up Tennessees tallest mountain with it. There were no other cars on the road and I think it took me an hour to get up the mountain. I almost thought I was going to to have to turn back. I had my foot full th royal on the gas and she was doing 30 but she made it up the mountain. I was scared. And one time I lost the front bumper and she ran like a kitten. The Japanese make a really good car and they dont screw me by trying to put sythetic oil in my car. I hate my 2003 Volkswagen all Ive done since I had it is repair it.

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  Good Buy! Lots of Pep! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Karsushi - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car for my son. Front seats are pretty roomy and the interior is nicer than I expected. Good commuter car for zipping around town. I drive a Durango and dont like small cars. However! Was surprised at the smoothness and excelleration on this vehicle. Been driving it for a week and must say Ive enjoyed it. Purchased the Spectra LS for $13,000. out the door. Purrs like a little kitten. Ill let you know if there are problems down the road. So far its great.

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  Great Car - Love driving it - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Puddgomez2 - December 6 - 10:00 am

  I saw an ad online for an 03 spectra for $8995, went just to check it out. This car is great. The sales people at Schaumburg Kia were really great, no pressure at all. I had a 01 Focus, this thing blows the doors off that car. It has pretty nice pick-up, its really not even that bad with the A/C on. I do alot of heavy driving and it keeps up on the Chicago express ways pretty well. Im think after a few years I might just get another kia...

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  its a decent car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Malik - August 6 - 10:00 am

  ride it to believe it .. its a nice car .. interior should be made better

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  very nice are for the price - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By darkdrone - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my first new car a month ago and it was the 03 kia. I have really enjoyed driving it and not to mention what i am paying for it was also very nice of the wallet.

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  I LOVE MY Kia Spectra GSX - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Donna Gorham - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Since Ive had this wonderful gift from my hubby to drive, Ive had *freedom* again. I can get out to do my shopping, errands, and other necessary tasks which involved driving around the city. I do not have to worry about it breaking down 2-3 times a week. The fuel use is so negligible, Im using less than 1 full tank per month. And the back seats let down so I can haul as much as I need to. It my little beauty and I am quite please with her.