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Kia Spectra GS, GSX (hatchbacks)
OK, I know there was a Kia Spectra thread in the sedan section but it always bugged me that it was in the wrong place, the Spectra is a hatch after all. Besides, it's now archived and no one's posted since April.
I'm about to buy an Elantra GT, but will probably wait until after the Focus ZX5 hits. I drove a Spectra and it seemed crude to me, but since I'm actively looking at five door hatches, I would like to get some experience from owners.
The last threads had several posters who glowed expectedly about the new Spectra Wing, but to me it looked like a mild mid-course restyle. Am I missing something here?
I'm about to buy an Elantra GT, but will probably wait until after the Focus ZX5 hits. I drove a Spectra and it seemed crude to me, but since I'm actively looking at five door hatches, I would like to get some experience from owners.
The last threads had several posters who glowed expectedly about the new Spectra Wing, but to me it looked like a mild mid-course restyle. Am I missing something here?
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Please note: I have linked the Kia new car information to the Additional Resources on the left side of this page. Look out for other related articles and discussion in that area. Happy Motoring!
Pocahontas
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Pocahontas
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Pocahontas
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Btw, you're correct: it is hard to tell that the Spectra is a hatchback, judging by the lines. Probably the reason, this discussion was previously on our Sedan's board. Also, I'm curious, how did you come to choose the Spectra over other makes/models....? Were there other models you also considered in your shopping process? I'm sure other shoppers, stopping by here, may also be interested in this....
In addition, we look forward to hearing more about your Spectra ownership experience. Happy Motoring! ;-)
Pocahontas
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Wondering what anyone thinks of these hatch backs. New, used, or what have you. To tell you the truth I have been researching vehicles now for... probably the better half of 3 months and keep changing my mind about what I want. (for instance I was just looking at a 1998 Pontiac Sunfire last weekend) but I started out "lusting" for a Kia Lanos Sport. I've ranged from Jeep Wrangler to Kia Rio to Mitsub. Eclipse to Saturn and I just can't seem to settle.
Now I'm steering back toward a Spectra or a Lanos. Who knows what I'll end up choosing. I keep telling myself to ditch my 1990 pick up before Winter hits...but money is tight. So while I keep searching, I must find more insight and answers.
sorry for the long post. I'm just a frustrated pick up owner wanting to pick a winner next.
I, too, had the Spectra on my list but then I looked at the Elantra GT hatchback. The Spectra was okay, but it seemed crude by comparison to the Elantra. I picked up my GT for $14,500 with an automatic and the car is pretty loaded. The Accent is even less expensive. I am still considering the Spectra as a possible second car.
Another small durable car with plenty of room is the Toyota Echo (also on my second car list). If you are judicious with the options sheet, the Echo can be a great buy.
Check the other vehicle forums and see what owners are saying about the cars. Good luck with your purchase.
Any idea how it handles in the snowy environment? How is the weight in the snow. I know my pick up is very light and though it is rear wheel drive, it is still all over the road and I worry about the weight.
I know any car can be an asset or danger in the snow depending on conditions and speed, but I was just wondering your thoughts on snow.
Thanks!
No idea how the GT will perform in the snow. I live in NJ so I guess I'll find out in about four months. The car has pretty good tires (Michelin MVX4) so that's a plus. Our other car is a RWD Mustang, so I'm guessing the Elantra will see most of the duty this winter.
I saw a sea-green Spectra GSX yesterday which was kind of cool. But I don't know why Kia insists on slapping the ugly pinstripe on the side of the GSX model. The down-market GS looks cleaner.
If you are set on buying a Kia, I believe a 5-door version of the Rio will be available soon. I had forgotten about the wagon but I saw one at the NYC auto show last April and was fairly impressed with it. You might want to investigate that model as an alternative to the Spectra.
I test drove the regualar version of the Rio and there was something about that model I didn't like, but when they come out with the new one I will have to take that one out for a spin.
Good luck in the snow. Hope all goes well for you and your family
http://www.kia.co.kr/cybermall/car/spectrawing/main.htm
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I recently saw a review in Consumer Reports. Their article is so negative that it is absolutely ludicrous. Kia Motors should haul them into court for slander. At to top it off, they base their criticisms on a '99 model they tested. Kia owners should flood their offices with mail and tell them off.
Revka
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Revka
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2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Don't get me wrong, I think Kia is a cool little company. You get a car just as good as most of the Japanese econs but at a fraction of the price. Kia's gonna have to put a lot more into those cars though before they are taken seriously. If you can't afford the over-priced Civic or have too much pride for a Saturn (I feel dirty just saying Saturn) Kia is a great option. Or, blow your savings and get a turbo charged, AWD, fun mobile!!
Marc
Btw, you'll also find 2002 Spectra information in Edmunds' New Vehicle Guide. For your convenience, you'll find a direct link in the Additional Resources box on the left side of the page. ;-)
Revka
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that didn't last very long. You see one night coming from out of tow I was driving my
two-week old Spectra downa curvy-winding-twisted dark road. I soon as I saw the
regulation sign I slowed the vehicle from 60 mph, it was fine when I went into the curve,
but when i came out of it i accelarated and the next thing I knew was, the rear of the Spec
felt Floaty almost like a Cadillac. The car started to go side to side, and since I didn’t
have ABS (Anti-loc braking system) so I pumped the brakes but it was to late. I hit a
ditch and the seat belt tighten, there was a flash of light when air-bag came out and a
burning igniting smell, but had know knowledge of the air-bag deploying. When I hit the
second time I so the passenger air-bag deployed, and what happed next was my-self
comming to or waking up and turning the ignition off. I couldn’t open the door, then I
thought why not the window it went down, I grab my cell and keys (which came right out
of the ignition), and climbed out of the car. I couldn’t breath, I was triying to get air and
fell to my knees when a young guy near my age helped me. You should of seen the car it
was a total loss, the real of the car held up, but wheel and the were both in the back bent
and broke. but the weird thing out about my accident was I woke up to the car in park and
already off, the front was in no harm condition, and the rear of the car was intact except
for the rear left tail-light. The backglass did not shatter or crack. Luckly when I struck the
ditch from the side on the second hit the roll bar protected the car, (yes a roll bar). Well
anyway im trying to get another 02’ Kia Spectra GSX but with only ABS, and plan to
treat this one with dignaty. Oh don’t worry minor injuries, but I still want my next kia to
be an import winner, because I think its time that we as a club should enter Kia in Import
tours and tornorments (besides honda, acura, toyota, mitsubitshi, nissan, and focus’s etc).
Revka
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2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
For what it is worth, I think it all right that Consumer Reports is printing a review of a 1999 vehicle. It is not like they have singled out the Kia for that. There are a number of other reviews for 1999 models and they don't hide this fact.
Where I disagree with them is their taking the review of the 1999 Sephia and "updating" it to be a review of the Spectra by substituting the word Spectra for Sephia.
This is all they did and I find it to be wrong.
And regarding Consumer Reports, you should have chosen some other cars to make the claim that they are not very judgemental. Of the three you mention by name, only the Celica is recommended by Consumer Reports. And I have never seen a review of the Dodge Viper by Consumer Reports for that matter.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Revka
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V-6, the works.........Oh yah by the way my second one dosen't have abs either, i looked all over but for the first few production run of the new spectra redisign, but abs could be special orded, and i didn't have time to order it because of my insuran, and kia's special promotions, got it late november.....But had one problem the second week before i got out for the holidays, my transmission started slipping, and man was i mad! It stayed in the shop for a week and few days, and i didn't even get a Loner, like Hyundai, and Daewoo, but im not nokin that, as long as i can keep it out of the shop, But im waiting on the dealer to get back with me to tell me about how/why it slipped up. And if it was like that from the manufacture or bug, im trading it again and im trying to go back with another kia sportage EX with leather abs, 4x4. but plan to also hold out until the new one....but any way i do miss my first Spectra GSX, becase i didn't have so many probs. with it, and a few minor probs i didn't mention like the rear hatch dosen't open when its cold, the back lit beige lights are hard to see at night i wish they were blue/purpple/or red, like a true sports car, and for today my right front hub cap cover is loose, and spins when i accel and deccel. but i do give the 2002 kia spectra its props, it does got excelent breaks, which on dry surfaces slow the car down fast like abs wihtout lock of a single whel, and its easy to manage the pumping action because you can feel the wheel or wheels, which slip all because of kia's merge with lotus to tune the suspension and other componets, mixed with the new lotus elise........That is all for now be sure to reply for more up dates as ill be your betta tester for the new and improve 2002 kia spectra gsx, oh ya the radio/cd has execellent bass, and tune/surround sound like.
Thanks for reading and keeping me updated in the know.....koren_car_performance@yahoo.com
Revka
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2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
As for Consumer Reports. Geez - the magazine isn't perfect, but now you're saying it's corrupt? What magazine would you suggest people read for info (other than Edmunds online of course).... Car & Driver? Road & Track? I doubt either of those mags would touch the Spectra. And just FYI, where do those mags get the cars that they test? They're loaned out by the manufacturer - who makes sure they don't get a lemon. Where does Consumer Reports get their cars? They buy them straight from a dealer without revealing that they're from CR. Now if you're saying that's not the case, you're talking about a major conspiracy theory here... CR prides themselves on unbias (or maybe very low bias) testing. To say that they violate the very foundation on which the magazine exists is a pretty big accusation that needs some type of proof to back that up. Now I'm not saying that I always agree with their findings (the boring Civic is the top ranked economy car? come on...) but I don't doubt their intent.
Finally, I have to ask about the desire for performance parts. Why spend $500 - $1500 on something that MIGHT improve your HP by 5% when you could have bought an Elantra GT or Protege5 (which have a lot more HP in their stock form) for only a little more? Not only would you get more HP, but you would get a generally more reliable car with more features and IMO better styling?
I don't mean to trash the Spectra. I think its a decent car for the price that has its market segment. I just get baffled when people claim that certain cars are something they aren't. I hear some people claim that their Protege5 (what I own) beat a Corvette off a stoplight and other stupid stuff like that. Get real.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
But telling me that the Spectra's styling is better than the Protege....well that's your opinion. I'm not sure anyone outside of this board would agree, but to each his own. But you don't see me claiming that my Pro5 is a better (or more attractive) car than a BMW 323, cause it isn't.
Kia's sales will likely soar - I expect that. Nissan, Mazda, and even Chrysler and Ford have taken their "low-end" models and moved them up into a higher price bracket. The world needs a few companies who can fill the "low cost" segment again. Not everyone is willing (or has the money) to buy a $18K Neon.
As for the quote in capital letters....where did that come from? Did I say something like that? Hmm....nope, don't think I did.
In other words, let's hear what you think about the Kia Spectra as opposed to what you think about participants that have a different point of view. Thanks for your participation. ;-)
Revka
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Happy motoring!
Jacksonracing.com
streetkiaz.com
kiatuner.com
and if your recall that when kia first introduded the spectra hatch back here in the states they asked jackson racing to modify it, so it could give kia owners some ideas about how they can create and have a differnt personailty with there cars. The Spectra Type-K's were in 3 Different colors, with 17 wheels and performance upgrades all around.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick