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Comments
thanks Geo.
thanks again
Geo.
Any thoughts would be great!
Incidentally, as far as I know, Ford is the only carmaker that Kia has entered into an agreement to make cars for. They worked with/used some Mazda designs, as doohickie already mentioned in the above post.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
We still have our 95 Escort Wagon. It runs great. It will be my daily driver after I sell my Aspire tomorrow. Once I get my new car, it will be driven by my sons again (the older one learned on it and drove it while in high school; the younger one will get his permit soon).
This vehicle is very spacious and extremely comfortable for a smaller car. The hatchback has plenty of room as well. Like many hatchbacks, you can lay the back seats down and put very large items in it. The headroom is incredible!
My problems with it have related to the front spoiler (falls off with the slighted tap) and the mileage. It has not even came close to the advertised mileage. The best I get is about 25 mpg, and I drive 90-95% of my miles on the highway.
The MPG have been an extreme disappointment! I haven't gotten anything better than 25mpg. I drive 90-95% of my mileage is on HIGHWAYS!
Overall, I wouldn't buy it again! I like it, but the mileage was a big plus, but sadly, it hasn't gotten any better over 1300 miles.
This could be an urban legend, though. :P
BTW, I bought it in Sioux Falls, SD for $15,000 after rebates. Sticker was 16,885. I also got 0% financing for 5 years. I don't think it was a bad deal. What else have people paid recently???
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I haven’t hit anything with the front spoiler yet, but from looking it over, it really is attached in a flimsy manner. Another thing I noticed is that when I close the hatchback, it sounds like something is loose and rattling somewhere. I don’t hear anything while driving though, so maybe it’s nothing to be too concerned about. I still think the Spectra5 is far and away the sharpest looking car for the money, and unmatched in features. This is the second Kia I have owned, and I still have my ’97 Sportage 4X4. If the Spectra5 stands up as well as my Sportage has, we will all be very very happy with our decisions to purchase this car.
This could be the license plate mounting. Try taking your plate off and see if you hear the noise. My wife's Taurus does the same thing, but I never hear anything on the road.
enjoy.
Geo.
As Ed McMahon once said: "You are correct SIR!"
The manual's 5th gear is a lower gear than the auto's 4th, so your car's turning higher R's at the same speed. This accounts for the lower MPG rating on the manual too.
-SM
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Secondly, as far as rebates are concerned, Kia offers that long list of trade-in competive model discount (Mine's a Mazda Protege' which "qualifies"). Hyundai has that loyalty thing going which drives me up a wall on principle. Not only have I never owned a Hyundai product, because of this discriminatory practice, I'm getting damn near close to not owning one in the future.
Back to the Spec5. That red one TALKS to me. It sure does. Can't deny it. Don't give a rat about the lack of cheap leather seats (Elantra) v. "sport" cloth covered seats in the Spec5. The Kia splits out the sunroof and ABS options unlike the Elantra which comes in a package. Personally, could care less about a sunroof but very much prefer the ABS. Glad to see the '06 Spec5's have cruise standard. Way to go Kia. You HAVE a clue!
Decisions...decisions...
Also, Kia seems to have done a very good job with these new Spectra's. I haven't heard much of anything about them having recalls or TSB's. The new Sportage has a recall (not a big deal either) and possibly a TSB or two out there but I haven't heard a thing about the new world order Spectra/Spectra5 models.
That red one is staying in my mind after that commercial-I have already mostly decided I'm gonna go with Kia for my next new car, too. It's been two in a row and I've loved 'em both, gentlemen!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
ILuv said:
"Also, Kia seems to have done a very good job with these new Spectra's. I haven't heard much of anything about them having recalls or TSB's. The new Sportage has a recall (not a big deal either) and possibly a TSB or two out there but I haven't heard a thing about the new world order Spectra/Spectra5 models."
I posted the following info today on the Spectra Sedan board after finding it while doing some research on an Optima complaint I found online. It's a fairly minor recall (IMHO) as far as the number of units affected.
NOTE: This recall is 5 months old, and only affected a small number of units
Spectra recall info posted on NHTSA website:
Model and Year: KIA/SPECTRA/2005
NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V-183
Component affected: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Number of units affected: 368
Recall Date: 4/12/2005
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STEERING TIE RODS MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT AFFECTS THE METALLURGY.
Consequence:
IF THE ROD CRACKS OR FAILS, LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH
Notes:
OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON APRIL 8, 2005. AN ADDITIONAL LETTER IS BEING SENT TO OWNERS WHO HAVE NOT TAKEN THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. THIS LETTER IS EXPECTED TO BE MAILED DURING MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
KIA RECALL NO. SC-047. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.
DATES OF MANUFACTURE: 02/22/2005 thru 03/28/2005
No injuries or litigation were reported as of May 2005 due to this defect.
The defect was found during a routine final vehicle inspection at the Hwasang manufacturing plant on March 23, 2005.
A total of 5,072 vehicles had suspect tie-rods. Only 368 were delivered to dealers and/or customers. 4,704 units were caught and corrected before being sent out to the dealers.
So..... if your car was built during the 2/22/05-3/28/2005 period, you may want to stop by your dealership to see if they can 100% verify that your vehicle was corrected.
-SM
thanks
Geo
MY FIRST VISIT TO THE MECHANIC WAS FOR VIBRATION/SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE AND A BLOWN SPEAKER.
SECOND VISIT TO THE SHOP CONSISTED OF THE FRONT GROUND EFFECTS FALLING OFF DUR TO FAULTY INSTALL AND I STILL HAVE NOT RESOLVED THE BAD VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE.
MY THIRD VISIT WAS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLES REAR GROUND EFFECTS FALLING OFF, AND ANOTHER BLOWN SPEAKER AND THE BAD VIBRATION STILL NOT RESOLVED MECHANICS HAVE NO IDEA.
WELL I HAVE NOT BEEN BACK FOR THE 4TH TIME BECAUSE NOW I AM GOING INTO ARBITRATION WITH THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE REAR GROUND EFFECTS FALLING OFF AGAIN AND I STILL HAVE A BAD VIBRATION AND SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHICH ALSO VIBRATES THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARDS AND ALL OF THIS HAPPENING WITHIN THE FIRST 700Mi.
I AM EAGERLY WAITING TO READ YOUR FOLLOW UP ON THE LONG TERM KIA SPECTRA5 ROAD TEST ! IF YOU HAVE HAD AS MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR I WOULD SURE LIKE TO KNOW.I DO OWN A 2005 KIA SODONA VAN AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS THUS FAR I REALLY LIKE IT, BUT KIA REALLY NEEDS TO WORK THE BUGS OUT OF THAT LEMON THEY CALL A SPECTRA5.
:lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:
Secondly, I tend to second the advice about turning your stereo down. If you want that much volume, put a system in that can handle it.
And third, you may or may not know that Kia is owned by Hyundai. You may be interested in seeing what Hyundai has to say about wheel vibration at this link. Once the site loads, click on NVH, then Tire/Wheel NVH, especially what they say about Radial Force Variation and the Hunter balancing machine. I suggest printing that out and taking it to your dealer. Good luck.
As for the ground effects, if I end up buying a Spec5 I plan on removing the front end spoiler and perhaps the rear. I like a cleaner look anyway and there have been a lot of complaints about the attachment of the spoiler, including in the Edmunds Long-Term Road Test.
http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/24hour/autos/story/2765925p-11367744c.html
WASHINGTON (AP) - Kia Motors America Inc. said Thursday it was recalling more than 70,000 LD Spectra sedans because the computer operating the air bag system could confuse a child seat for an adult in the front passenger seat.
The recall, which will begin in late October, involves vehicles from the 2004-2005 model years.
-SM
that is all.
Geo.
Has anybody heard from a dealer's service department or salesperson that Kia is going to improve that issue about the lower front end coming off too easy upon normal light collisions up there?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I just don't understand the way the manufacturers think. They go to all of the trouble and expense to design, prototype, de-bug, build and ship the cars and then when we, the consumers, want to go to an environment where we can quickly check out all of the cars on our list of "Maybes" without the hassles of salesmen, they decide to save a few bucks and only bring some of their fleet .
Oh well, I won't let this stop me from considering the Spectra5. It sounds like a pretty good choice, front spoiler and all. Hey, I'm a machinist and think that I can fix it .
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I went today, Sunday, to the "International Auto Show" in Anaheim and they had a Spectra SX in Silver at Kia's booth in which you could sit in and open all doors/trunk/etc.
Happy Motoring
I'm in the market for a new car and have been mainly considering the Mazda3 and Honda Civic. I have read some good reviews of the Spectra and like the looks of the car.
I'm thinking this weekend I may go the Kia dealer and take a look. I checked out the online inventory of a couple of dealers near me and it looks like the 5-speed is not very common. Hopefully I'll be able to track one down to test drive.
No, I'm not an aggressive driver. Yes, I drive mostly interstate and I keep it at 65 mph in an effort to get the best gas mileage. I don't brake hard and I don't floor it at on-ramps. I'm really tired of people telling me that my driving is causing the low mpg.
Now that fall is here, I haven't run the air conditioner. I don't let the car idle if at all possible.
The 5-speed records 3000rpm at 65 miles per hour. I think that's the problem.
I've been told (now) that the Spectra5 automatic gets better gas mileage than the 5-speed. The dealer didn't tell me that.
No, I will not buy another auto from that dealer.
Yes, I like the Spectra5 except for the mpg and that's a big deal to me. Currently I'm driving my older car with more than 190000 miles on it because IT gets 34 mpg on a regular basis, with air conditioning running.
Has anyone had trouble with their manual shifter? Sometimes our is hard to get into reverse, requiring several tries. Also, especially when going from 2 to 3rd, it will crunch. Have driven manuals for 30 years and have 3 other cars with manuals and none have this problem. It comes and goes and of course didn't do a thing for the dealer.
I can live with the shifter, but the vibration has got to go.
It seems like the vibration problems you are experiencing could, and should, have been taken care of by now. I have two Kia dealerships quite close to where I live, but for some reason both of their respective service departments seem to be lacking.
My car seemed to shift just fine on the test drive. The problem seems to come and go. Goodyear said they would take care of the tires! I was really surprised.
regards
Geo
hope this helps
Geo
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I’m glad to hear that Goodyear is taking care of your tire problem. I have had problems with being unable to properly balance tires in the past, and the manufacturer has usually stood behind their product and replaced the tires. I hope that takes care of the vibration issues you are having.