Overview & Reviews

The Kia Sephia has officially been renamed the Spectra sedan. Got that? So now, there's the Spectra hatchback and the sedan; they've always shared mechanicals, so no big change there. The sedan will now sport some exterior styling cues borrowed from the five-door version.

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

User Reviews:

Showing 81 through 90 of 92.00

• 

  KIA - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By LANCEYOUNG - July 24 - 2:00 am

  WE WERE DRAWN IN TO THE DEALER BY THE LOW PRICED RIO, AND AFTER HEM AND HAWING AROUND WE TEST DROVE THE SPECTRA, AND THERE WAS NO QUESTION. THE VALUE WAS THERE

• 

  Not good enough - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By No Please - May 17 - 2:00 am

  10 yr warranty? NOT!! I WAS CHARGED $1,000 FOR IT!! Want more? When I start it in the mornings, it makes weird sounds and TURNS OFF. I have to start it again! In the dealership they told me that Kia Motors knew about the failure and would fix all the cars...they never did. Headlights offer incredibly poor illumination...thanks to that, my husband crashed one night. Car design is ugly...it looks old. Too little features for the price. While accelerating, it jumps and feels weird. But the car build is very strong. One day, I crashed...nothing happened! Same thing with my husband. Cool storage spaces and interior lights. However, it’s not good enough.

• 

  I am alive - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Charles_wr - March 30 - 10:00 am

  On May 1, 2003 I lost control of my car (my fault) traveled 30 feet off the road through a barbed wire fence, two tree and slammed into a utility pole head on at 70 mph and came to rest 150 on the other side of the pole. Three hours after the wreck I was at home resting with only a scratch on my elbow. Amazingly, NOTHING on the inside of the car moved from the impact. This car did save my life.

• 

  Electrical problems of the 2002 Kia Spectra - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By charlesg56 - February 19 - 10:45 am

  It has low beam head lights that do not work often. Power windows that blow fuses or fail for some other reason and a check engine light that never goes out.

• 

  Im Very Happy - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By SPIKE - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy my spectra. The warranty is great. Kia (The Company) is very nice to deal with. However, plan to keep your spectra. The trade in value on mine with 21,000 miles and clean was only $6000.00

• 

  This is really a good car! - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By lv2run - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I just drove it about 600 miles. I had no aches or pains when done- a major achievement on a 9 hour drive. The 5 speed is so responsive and I had no trouble at all with hills- even gained acceleration easily when needed. This is truely a lot of car for very little money.

• 

  Good enuff - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By mountainman3 - September 10 - 10:00 am

  So far I have found my Spectra to be "good enuff"; transalation: good enuff that I dont mind a bit making that monthly payment. Its a blast to drive, gets 35 MPG in mixed driving, and in the Silver color I got, turns heads everywhere I go.

• 

  Surprised Me!!! - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By baby_c_1989 - September 7 - 10:59 pm

  I bought my Kia with 80k (or something like that) a year ago it now has 108k miles on it and is still going strong. I was really worried about buying a kia but I needed a cheap car right away! I was surprised when I bought it, she told me it was still under warranty until 100k (WOW!) She had all her maintenance records and it seemed she had some issues with the car the first year or two she bought it. Since Ive had it the only out of pocket expenses have been oil changes and tires. I have had NO mechanical difficulty with this car it has been extremely reliable as our only means of transportation. I am no considering buying a new kia when its time to buy a NEW car.

• 

  Got 166,000 miles but with problems - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By julia17 - May 23 - 10:00 am

  My 2002 Kia Spectra just threw a head gasket at 166,000 miles. Previous problems: the a/c went out in 2007 and was repaired for $1400. It went out again about 9 months later and the mechanic wanted another $750. Shortly afterwards, the heat went out. I replaced the clutch 3 times. Also replaced a valve in the braking system for $250. Lots of the cheap plastic interior broke and/or fell off including the drivers side sun visor. The driverside seatbelt also broke and had to be replaced. I did a lot of driving for work and both knees and hips were hurting me due to driving this car. If youre only going to put maybe 10-12,000 miles/year on a 2002 Spectra, it may be worthwhile.

• 

  eh... its good for the price - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Jamie - May 22 - 8:53 pm

  It gets me where I need to go. No major problems. The only bad part is the standard interior is not fun. No automatic door locks, windows etc. Other than that, its not too bad for the low price.