Overview & Reviews

A five-door hatchback model dubbed the Spectra5 joins the lineup, along with a sporty SX sedan. Both models come with a front spoiler, black mesh grille, black headlight bezels, upgraded tires, 16-inch alloys, side sills, rear valance panel and rear spoiler. Inside, there is leather wrapping for the steering wheel and shift knob, gray sport cloth upholstery, metallic trim pieces and metal pedals. A sport-tuned suspension is also included, and models with a manual transmission get a front strut tower bar as well.

• Low price, spunky engine, well-finished interior, standard side-curtain airbags, excellent warranty.

• Obtrusive engine noise at high speeds, ABS not available on LX model.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 132.00

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  GREAT VALUE - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By jack germain - December 27 - 7:46 am

  The cost $9450. almost $2700 below invoice. Took a test drive and immediately bought it. People are saying it gets bad gas mileage. I put mobil 1 oil in it after having driven 600 miles. I get 40 mpg on the road and 32 mpg overall town. I happy with it except the high speed of the engine during shift changes.

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  review - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By justen - December 19 - 6:20 am

  All around good commuter; youre not going to win any car shows but you know youll get to work on time and might even have some fun doing so.

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  2005 Kia Spectra - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By finngirl - November 30 - 5:23 am

  I bought the car with 44,000 in 2007, and at 85,000 the engine became completely clogged with oil despite regular oil changes every 3,000-5,000 miles. The manual recommends changing the oil every 7,500. A Kia dealership just said to change the oil every 1,000 miles, to clear the clog but that didnt work, and I had to replace the engine. After the replacement, Ive since learned this has been a problem with this particular engine, and Kia has stopped making it.

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  Nice lil car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By silver bullet - November 13 - 3:16 pm

  At 65, 300 lbs I wondered at first if I could even fit in it, to my surprise I did. Now at about 45000 miles I cant complain much. It has good power and with the stick in it I really go if I need to, but I think it needs to have a sixth gear in it. I put an after market sound system in but left the factory deck in it and it sounds quite good. I had no problems other than the front spoiler is gone due to rubbing on parking ties and drive entries.

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  Nice car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By KIA Dude - October 26 - 2:33 am

  KIA is just out-doing themselves. They totally re-designed this car and in a huge way. Sporty style, interior comfort, power and ride for an unbeatable price. Lookout carmakers!

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  Not worth it - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Jesse - October 19 - 3:50 am

  This vehicle depreciates so fast the only reason to buy one new is if you plan on driving it until it needs to be junked (which probably wont be more than a few years)! You will NOT be able to trade this vehicle in at ANY point in its life. Ask ANY other dealership than a Kia dealer. I was guaranteed that I could trade this car in after a year, went back to the dealership and they wouldn’t do it, depreciated almost $10,000 in 1 year! More than half the cost of the car! If I could do it over again I would buy a Toyota or a Honda; better gas mileage (dont expect over 25 highway on this car) and better reliability. My car has gone back to the shop 3 times for the same problem in a year.

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  Kia lover - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Tony - September 14 - 11:33 pm

  Fun to drive, great gas mileage getting 38 on the highway. lowered my insurance by almost half. good car for first time buyer.

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  Luv my Kia! - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Kia Lover - August 24 - 4:03 am

  This is my second Kia (my first being a Sephia), and I absolutely love the Spectra! Its easy to maneuver, has a tight turn radius, and is extremely economical. The exterior has a sassy look. While there could be a bit more pep in the 4-speed auto transmission, overall I would definitely recommend this car - an excellent car for the money!

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  satisfied customer - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By terry - August 21 - 2:10 am

  this is a very well designed auto . great pick up . the inside is as nice as the outside in design and comfort . the exterior even looks like a luxury car.

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  2 months of ownership - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Norm Sheldrake - August 17 - 11:23 pm

  The over all car has been great however the seat ratchet device has been a problem since purchase, The company has a new seat ordered and have to set up a time to replace it. All the tires are mounted on Aluminum alloy wheels; they are awesome however both the right tires have been losing air and have had to be reinflated on a daily basis. there is what appears to be a brake caliper noise in the left front wheel are since first purchasing the vehicle in June up to the present of july , 19th 2005. I started off with getting 23 MPG. it went up to 40 MPG. after having it in the garage for check up the mileage has deteriorated to 28 MPG. Overall, I truly love the vehicle.