Is the Kia Spectra a nice vehicle then? The basic line is that for the money, this is a respectable commuter car. The car’s lack of anti-lock brakes, though, makes some people doubt its safety, and its moderate fuel economy might not help it stand out from the competition. A similar sporty compact car with superior gas mileage and safety will cost you a bit more money.
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How many miles can you get out of a 2006 Kia Spectra?
Although purchasing the newest, shiniest car models a company has to offer has its attraction, purchasing older cars also offers some significant advantages. The price you pay for an older, used car is often a small portion of what the original owner paid, so you skip out on that annoying thing called depreciation.
The Kia Spectra
There aren’t any recently released versions because Kia stopped making them in 2009. Production of the Kia Spectra began in 2000. Regardless, for a more vintage vehicle, the Spectra is really cool. A Kia Spectra costs less than $10,000, which is a reasonable price for a dependable vehicle. Many of the contemporary amenities that you want in an automobile are missing from them.
The Kia Spectra lacks the cool modern safety features seen in the current Kia cars, such as a backup camera, touch screen infotainment system, and others. It’s a straightforward automobile whose design prioritizes simplicity.
A good commuter car
The Spectra is a decent option for a commuter car because buying a used Kia means you generally aren’t concerned about the mileage. They are renowned for their dependability and, with only routine maintenance, are said to be able to travel beyond 200,000 miles.
The Kia Spectra requires less maintenance, and because it is less complicated than more modern vehicles and some luxury models, practically any mechanic can repair it. Owners boast about how inexpensive it is to maintain their Spectras, and the majority of them assert that as long as routine maintenance schedules are followed, they haven’t needed to make any significant, expensive repairs.
The Kia Spectra’s reasonable gas mileage further supports the notion of utilizing it as a commuter vehicle. The Spectra can achieve up to 32 mpg on the interstate and up to 24 mpg in the city.
The Spectra is a competent automobile, but it’s not particularly attractive, and that’s a fantastic attribute in a commuter vehicle. In addition to swiftly piling up miles on the odometer, daily car use can cause significant wear and tear. You can purchase a car that you aren’t afraid to park near the front of the parking lot and risk getting dings and door dents for less than $10,000. You don’t have to be concerned about dodging potholes, finding a parking spot, or a minor collision.
The car’s interior is undoubtedly not as luxurious as the majority of Audi or BMW interiors, but this could really be very advantageous. The amount of time you spend each day in your automobile appears to increase the modest collection of stuff that many commuters keep in their vehicles. You won’t feel guilty leaving the empty McDonald’s bag on the floor for a few days, and you can just throw your briefcase or purse over the seat without worrying that you’ll damage the leather because the interior of the Spectra isn’t the best.
The Kia Spectra is an excellent used car overall for the correct reasons. Even while it may not be a great used automobile and may not have any equipment you could ever want, for some reason this only serves to enhance the car’s appeal and utility.
Are Kia Spectra vehicles secure?
The Spectra received a four-star rating for front and front-side impact protection in government crash tests. Only three stars are given for rear side-impact protection. The IIHS gave the Spectra a “Poor” rating for side-impact safety and a “Acceptable” rating (second best) for frontal-offset safety.
When did the Kia Spectra stop being produced?
Between 2000 and 2009, Kia Motors developed the Kia Spectra, a small automobile. It supplanted the Kia Sephia and the Kia Forte took its place (also known as Kia Cerato in some markets).
Are Kias as durable as Toyotas?
Maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance plan and taking care of problems as soon as they appear are the best ways to maintain your Kia in good working order. Any material or workmanship flaws should be covered by the Kia guarantee that comes with new and certified pre-owned cars, but these protections ultimately run out.
If your car needs repairs after the first warranty period has passed, an extended warranty might assist cover the cost of such unforeseen expenses. Kia has an extended warranty that may be purchased directly from the company, but you can also acquire coverage from third parties.
Independent extended warranty providers frequently provide more options for coverage, older vehicle coverage, a larger network of repair facilities, and more comprehensive benefits. Endurance and CarShield are two companies that we suggest.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles of additional warranty coverage are possible with Endurance. Additionally, Endurance offers some of the market’s most comprehensive contracts. There are five different coverage options available, ranging from straightforward powertrain coverage to complete bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
CarShield: Best Value
Additionally, CarShield provides extended warranty protection for cars with up to 300,000 miles on the odometer, potentially doubling the Kia factory warranty’s scope of coverage. CarShield offers a solid reputation in the market, a wide range of coverage options, and some of the most affordable contracts available.
For more information, see our comprehensive CarShield review. To get a free, no-risk CarShield quote, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kia is a dependable automaker. Overall, Kia receives a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it third overall (out of 32 brands).
Both Kia and Toyota are well-known for their dependability, and both have a 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. Kias may be marginally more reliable, while RepairPal puts Toyota seventh overall and Kia third.
Kias require an average of 0.2 unforeseen repair shop visits year, according to RepairPal. This is half of the 0.4 visits per year average for all brands. You have a one in five risk of needing an unforeseen repair each year, according to this statistic.
Previously, the Kia name was associated with low-cost, subpar vehicles. This is partly because the brand’s automobiles had a lot of issues when it first appeared in the United States. Since then, Kia has made fleet improvements and has earned a reputation for having great reliability.
Yes, Kias have a reputation for lasting just as long as other trustworthy cars like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Although the powertrain is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 100,000 miles, many owners keep their Kias for much longer.
Are Kia engines trustworthy?
To obtain their overall reliability ratings, the RepairPal team considers a number of different variables. Simply put, your out-of-pocket ownership expenditures will be cheaper the more dependable your car is. The cost, frequency, and severity of repairs are some of these variables. In order to calculate an individual brand’s total RepairPal reliability rating, these categories are averaged.
In the RepairPal reliability rankings, Kia came in at number three, including second place when only non-luxury brands were included. The Kia Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it third among all car brands out of 32. This evaluation is based on the average of 345 different models.
“Kia had three well-liked models, including the Soul, Rio, and Forte, in the top 30 with Excellent ratings. The Optima and Sorento, two of its most well-liked cars, kept their Excellent rankings within the top 100.
Has the 2007 Kia Spectra been equipped with cruise control?
Although Spectra is not a small-car star, it is competitive in its class. This may be one of the least expensive small cars available that offers the safety benefit of front side airbags and curtain side airbags because used car prices tend to be cheaper than for many competitors. That makes Spectra interesting to consider, especially if money is scarce.
Overview
In the spring of 2004, Kia unveiled a revised Spectra sedan with fresh look, increased power, and more safety features. Oddly, the business continued to refer to the new vehicle as a 2004 model (the final year for the outgoing model was also a 2004) “2004.5 model. To avoid confusion with the previous generation, we nonetheless, begin this one in 2005. If a 2004 Kia Spectra is marketed, the trim level will reveal if it is the old or new model. Both the early 2004 and the 2004.5 were offered in Base, GS, LS, and GSX trim.
The Elantra platform of corporate parent Hyundai served as the foundation for the Spectra in 2004.5. The 138-hp 2.0-liter 4-cyl Elantra was the sole available engine. A 4-speed automatic was an option, while a 5-speed manual transmission was the standard. Front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and four-wheel disc brakes were standard equipment for both the entry-level LX and higher-level EX sedans. ABS was not available on LX and was an option on EX. Both vehicles had a CD music system, height-adjustable driver’s seat, and tilt steering wheels. The EX model came with heated mirrors, remote keyless entry, and air conditioning. The 5-year/50,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties from Hyundai were shared by Kia, although only the basic warranty is transferable to a subsequent owner.
While the “A Spectra5 hatchback and an SX-trim sedan both entered the lineup for the actual 2005 model year. Both had EX equipment but also had sporty additions including a steering wheel covered in leather, a stiffer suspension, and 16-inch wheels.
Yearly Updates
While the SX and Spectra5 now come standard with cruise control, the entry-level LX sedan was eliminated.
Kia’s tiny car receives a modest update for 2007. A standard plug-in for digital audio players, updated inside trim, a changed dashboard, and center console are all part of the Spectra’s 2007 upgrade in addition to a minor outward facelift.
Road Test
Although the smooth, responsive automatic transmission drains enough power to hinder progress up steep slopes, acceleration is sufficient for the majority of needs. With the smooth manual transmission, the Spectra feels more energized. For this automobile class, the average fuel economy of a test LX sedan with an automatic transmission was only 22.8 mpg. We were unable to do manual transmission measurements. Due to its sturdy construction and comfort-focused tires, the Spectra effectively smothers the majority of bumps; nonetheless, huge moguls cause little “float.” Close-quarter maneuverability is made easier by the car’s practical size and quick, responsive steering, although the Spectra has just average cornering grip. Only offered on the EX, ABS offers powerful, precise stopping. The wind and traffic noise are nicely muted on the highway. Around 4000 rpm, the smooth engine starts to become a little rougher, but it is still acceptable for the class.
An excellent fundamental driving posture is enhanced up front by a standard tilt wheel and lever-action seat-height adjuster. Although seat comfort is average, long-legged drivers might prefer greater rearward seat travel. Only 6-footers have enough head room, and even then they could feel constrained by the optional sunroof. Rear-seat passengers experience similar conditions: On a seat that isn’t unpleasant, but won’t win any prizes, two 6-footers have good underseat foot room, acceptable knee and shoulder space, but only enough head room. For a tiny sedan, entry and egress are simple enough. The gauges are easy to read, and all functions are within reach thanks to a well-designed dashboard. All controls on the high-set audio unit and three-dial climate system are easy to use and precise. Although the design lacks flair, the cabin’s materials and quality are on par with most other accommodations in this class. The trunk of the car, which has a practical shape and a somewhat small opening but appropriate volume, may be expanded thanks to a standard 60/40 folding rear seat. There is adequate cargo room in the Spectra5 hatchback. With several slots, bins, and nooks, the cabin has adequate storage as well. Front-door bottle holders are added on the EX, SX, and Spectra5.
Ratings are given on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these figures show how the car stacks up against all other cars, not simply those in its class.
Trouble Spots
A faulty triple-switch or thermister under the dash could cause the air conditioning to stop working. (2006)
Engine misfiring, hesitation, and/or stalling may be caused by issues with the evaporate control system, specifically the canister shut valve. (2005-06)
The transmission-key interlock cable may need to be adjusted improperly, or the parking brake cable and the cable may interfere, causing the key to become stuck in the ignition. (2004-05)
It is possible to identify the source of clicking and popping sounds coming from the speakers as pinging transmitters from mobile phones. (2004-06)
A slipping timing belt can cause hesitation, misfire, no-start, and poor idle. (2004-05)
Transmissions may slip or flare between second and third gear, necessitating powertrain control module reprogramming. (2004-06)
Replacement of the 15 amp fuse with a 20 amp fuse is advised because the windshield wiper fuse may blow if there is a buildup of snow on the windshield. (2004-05)
Due to faulty connections in a wiring connector, the check engine light may turn on and establish a trouble code for an issue with the front oxygen sensor. (2004-06)
Recall History
When a child seat is buckled into the front passenger seat during a collision, the front and/or side airbags may activate improperly. The electrical control unit of the car will be reprogrammed by the dealer.
For automobiles produced between November 7, 2003 and March 6, 2007, and sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The fuel tank straps that hold the tank may corrode if they are exposed to road salt for an extended period of time. The corrosion may cause one or both straps to detach, allowing the fuel tank to come into touch with the ground and potentially compromising the tank’s integrity. A fuel leak could occur if the fuel tank were to drop to the ground from the car. Fuel leaks might pose a fire risk. Dealers will install new zinc-coated components to replace the gasoline tank straps and connecting hardware.
A broken tie rod from a defective tie rod could cause loss of steering and even a collision. The steering rack and tie rods will be replaced by the dealer.
To view the equipment lists for all models available during that model year, click the year.