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 81 through 90 of 98.00

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  Review on 2003 KIA Spectra - After 6 Yrs - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By David S - July 18 - 2:06 am

  I am writing a quick review on my 2003 KIA Spectra. I purchased this car brand new, only 4 miles on it, in March of 2003. 6 Years and 110K miles later, the car is in great shape! No mechanical issues, no leaks. Paint is in excellent condition and it still drives great! I have only had to replace the battery and get new tires. Otherwise, followng the maintenance list, this car has held up wonderfully!

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  Very nice car/ tremendous deal! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Kevinthelucky - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I was shopping for the cheapest car that would hold 4 decent sized adults. It had to have 4 doors/auto/air and a decent warrantee. I bought the car without checking road tests in magazines etc. . What a nice car! Good balance of fuel economy and speed. It looks nice. The GSX in black looks really nice! Rides pretty good. Doesnt handle like a sports car-more like a smaller Taurus. Feels solid, doors shut with a solid sound. Good controls and really nice standard drivers seat with some worthwhile adjustments. In short a smallish car that work well and doesnt fell cheap.

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  Good Car For The Price - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Navydad54 - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I think its a good car with a killer warranty.

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  Reliable Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Sean Watters - April 23 - 9:50 am

  I have had this car for the past two years and the only complaint that I have is the fact that it is a smaller car. It is obvious that a car that performs this well on and offroad, (from my experience) that size does not matter. I am extremely satisfied with this vehicle and believe that this car is perfect for college students or the everyday on the go person. It never crossed my mind when I got the car that I would be this satisfied with it. Since I have had this car, I have put 39,000 miles on it and it runs just as well as it did when I first purchased the car. In short, this car is a very reliable car as long as it is well maintained.

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  great cars - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Theo Hughes - March 25 - 10:00 am

  this is a great car

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  Poor review on my 03 Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Myers712924 - February 21 - 7:56 pm

  My Spectra is on the verge of being a lemon. I have had the transmission replaced twice. The rotors have been chewed up by the brake pads and they werent even 60% used up and the dealership didnt want to cover that one. They say more than 50% and its not covered. After haggling with them, they FINALLY agreed to replace the rotors, which Im not sure they did, because 10 months later, I am needing new ones again. They put that they wouldnt cover rotors any longer in the computer last time there was a problem, so now Im hung out to dry. The pads are AGAIN about 60% used. The driver seat replaced due to springs popping out of it, the seat belts replaced for not working properly, and much more.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Hayes - December 29 - 10:00 am

  When I moved to the US from Canada I did not bring my 99 Honda Civic SE with me. I immediately went car shopping at auto dealers in my new area. While I was looking over a variety of models at a huge automall I came accross the Kia Spectra GS/GSX models and was immediately struck with its appearance especially from the back. I had actually planned on buying another Honda Civic/Accord or Toyota Camry but I decided to take a closer look at the Spectra GS. I took one for a test drive and was impressed with the ride and performance. I purchased a Spectra GS and have not regretted it for one minute.

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  great value!!! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By jin1028 - December 1 - 2:53 am

  I purchased spectra as commute car which I drive more then 80miles a day. It has been great! never had a problem and very affordable then any other competitor vehicles.It is not roomy or stong performance as what I expected but I cant complain about value.I have been shopping over least 5 different vehicles but Spectra had great value overall and has best warranty... It was least $4000 cheaper then honda civic or toyota corolla...I owned for almost 2 years and never had any problems and only maintenance I do just change engine oil...I have about 59000miles already and I am gonna go for least 200k miles.

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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By lissal - June 18 - 6:26 am

  I purchased this car new, and owned it for 5 years. In that time, I replaced the serpentine belt 3 times, the alternator once, the radiator twice (the replacement from the Kia garage had a hole in it, though it was supposedly a new part), and the alternator belt 4 times. The electrical system started acting wonky after three years, and after spending 2 months in the Kia garage, I got it back but the internal lights never worked after that. I cut my losses and gave the car to a friend, who told me that the engine died at 78,000 miles. I would never again buy a Kia.

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  Second owner, purchased with 50,000 miles on it - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By kimllopez - June 15 - 11:43 am

  Purchased this car in 2009 with 50,000 miles on the engine. With the bald tires on the car, it road like a roller coaster ride on the freeway. Purchased new tires and it drove almost 100% better. Replaced the entire radiator about 2 years later. Replaced the ball joint 6 months before that. Replaced the right passenger side head light about 5 times since we purchased the car, at some point it completely stopped working and my husband switched around the light from the brights to the regular headlight to salvage it. Parts are extremely hard to find for this car, weve usually have to purchase online and when we do find the part in store it is usually more expensive than say a honday or acura.