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 21 through 30 of 98.00

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  kat drives the Kia - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By kia kat - October 26 - 3:10 am

  I have had my Spectra for 28 months now and it has just turned 60,000 miles. I do a huge amount of driving. Have not put a lot of money in to it other than just regular maintenance (very good about getting oil changes at 3,000 miles). I think this vehicle is definitely underrated. I always go by that saying "you take care of it, and it will take care of you".

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  Good car for small budget - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Luthy - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I really like the way the engine accelorates. I have been having fun racing other people in much faster cars. People are so surprised when I keep at least a whole car length ahead of them for a quarter mile. The high red line sure helps out a lot.The fit and finish is just about par. You will see better in a Honda or Toyota. I think that this is a wonderful car for $13,000 loaded.We will see how it lasts.

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  Excellent value for the money - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Dawn B - July 26 - 7:56 am

  I must admit I was skeptical when my husband first brought this home to me. I have been greatly surprised and pleased with it. The equipment on it for the money was a very good value and the factory stereo has surprisingly good sound. It has a good amount of storage for things like sunglasses and cds. This baby will turn on a dime, and after 53,00 miles handles well, and drives and rides well compared to higher priced cars. 2 trips from Kansas City, MO to Fort Knox, KY and a trip to Akron Ohio and all Ive had to do is change oil and tires. No mechanical issues at all which surprised me. A great little car for the money.

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  Spectra GSX - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By AAS51506 - July 16 - 10:00 am

  I just brought a Kia Spectra GSX and I am so far satisfied with it. It didnt cost much and there are a lot of bells and whistles for its low price. Dont be fooled your getting into a cheap car if you buy one. The handleing is superb, very quiet cab, and an incredibly smooth ride.

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  fun new car experience - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By duane.p - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned one other new car A 1997 mazda protage and and was disapointed with the mazda before the new car smell was gone. the kia spectra is a better car as far as Im concerned I felt scared at 80 mph in the mazda but the kia Ive had to 105 mph and felt safe the mazda got poor mpg until 13,000 miles the kia has been very good on gas 28mpg to 33mpg from day one 87 miles on odometer and $7600 less.

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  The worse vehicle I have ever owned - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By silky99x - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I mistakenly gave this vehice a good rating back in June 2003. Now just 6 months later, Im about to take it in for a warranty repair for the 2nd time. The brake Master Cylinder went bad in NOV 2003. Now the Power Steering unit is leaking. So far, all is covered under the warranty. I gave the local service center a poor rating since it took them 4 days to get and replace the Master Cylinder. They told me to take my care somewhere else in the future to get warranty work. How bad can a major car dealer be. The worse. Never again, will I buy a Kia. I should have stuck with a Toyota.

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  I love this econbox that rides like air - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Michael Easton - April 16 - 10:00 am

  No complaints---steering wheel is too ruberry, but wheel cover (9.95) fixed that. Also too plain, but $175.00 wood kit fixed that. Rides like a luxury sedan. Rides nice at 78-90 mph unlike a small car--the gas milage is unbelievable, this car does not know how good it is, for such little money

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  Corolla VS. Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By vallet1 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I won a 2003 GSX on E-bay for only $5000. The car had only 13,000 miles on it. I thought that I would try to "turn a fast profit" by selling it locally for $8000. Well, I spent $200 in ads and brought it to a local car lot and after 3 months I could not sell it for even $7000. I had a 2003 Toyota Corolla and needed to get rid of ANY car I could. I wound-up selling the Corolla for $13,000 and used the profit to pay-off the Kia. I now own (free and clear) and have been driving the Kia for 3 weeks. I find the Kia to be a much better car than the Toyota. It rides better, looks better and is more comfortable.

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  I love my new Spectra! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Diskjokk - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Yup, I read Edmunds report before I purchased my new 2003 Kia Spectra. And for those of us who have read it, we know its not a favorable review. After spending a few days with the car, I will have to agree with the Edmunds report that the brakes seem a bit weak and the interior seems a bit "cheaper" when comparing it to a 2003 Focus or Neon. However, what my Spectra does provide me with is an awesome looking automobile with a 10 year warranty. The interior is very roomy and the seating is comfortable. The car does seem very responsive when driven. I think its a pretty neat car and it has grown on me a great deal.

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  Fell apart (& short of expectations) - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By pfft - February 11 - 6:40 pm

  I bought my Spectra used with about 100,000 miles on it and put 80,000 on it before the transmission completely blew (more expensive to fix than the KBB on the car). The seats were really uncomfortable and it wasnt good for long trips because the steering wheel couldnt be adjusted so it touched my knees the entire time. Little things started breaking (both sun visors fell off, the weather stripping completely dropped off two windows, all but one speaker blew out, heat/air conditioning issues, glove compartment latch broke, dome light switch got touchy, etc). The oil changes were nearly impossible to do at home due to inaccessible location of oil drain. The car only lived for 6 years total.