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Kia Spectra5

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Comments

  • geomaticsgeomatics Member Posts: 60
    please excuse my ignorance on this topic but Kia made a car for ford?. could you please point me in a direction for more details on this?

    thanks Geo.
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    Kia made a car for Ford from the late 80s to mid 90s. It was originally called the Ford Festiva and was a replacement for the Ford Fiesta (a Euro Ford) sold in the U.S. in the 80s. It was based on the Kia Pride which, I've heard, was based on the Mazda 121. Beginning in 1994, the boxy Festiva was replaced by the more aerodynamic Ford Aspire (which was sold in Korea as the Avella) which was sold until 1997 I believe. Even though the Festiva and Aspire looked very different, their running gear was nearly identical.
  • geomaticsgeomatics Member Posts: 60
    Hey thanks! has Kia made cars or parts for any other company?.

    thanks again
    Geo.
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    Don't know. They are owned by Hyundai now, but I don't know if they are making parts or cars for each other.
  • carquerycarquery Member Posts: 35
    I'm looking for a versatile mini-wagon/hatch that I would use to drive my kids around town (4 months & 4 years) 80% of the time. I'm curious if anyone has put car seats in the back seat and how much room there is. I've found a few cars druing some test drives, that the infant seat (when behind the driver) doesn't allow me to put the driver's seat as far back as I would like. Is the trunk big enough for a stroller and some groceries? Finally, what kind of mileage do people get with their Specta5?

    Any thoughts would be great!
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    Kia made for Ford, doohickie! That's a short but well-written history of the cute little Festiva and the Aspire that followed it. I remember in 1987-1988 starting to research buying the Ford Festiva and the Chevy Sprint. I liked both of their body styles and eventually bought neither. My first new car purchase ended up being a 1994 Ford Escort station wagon.

    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

  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    My first new car purchase ended up being a 1994 Ford Escort station wagon.

    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).
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    Ford and Mazda have collaborated for a long time as well, as Ford owns a portion of Mazda. The old Ford Courier pickup of the '70s, was a rebadged Mazda B1600. And, the Ford Probe and Mazda 626 were built on the same production line at Flat Rock, MI.
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    Yep, I know. I've been to that plant.
  • ronhomoronhomo Member Posts: 4
    To carquery-

    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.
  • ronhomoronhomo Member Posts: 4
    I too have just purchased a Spec5. I like everything but the FRONT SPOILER! It has drooped and it isn't covered under warrenty if there is one scrape on the underside. I am thinking about bolting it in. I don't want to take it off because it add so much to the car. The design of it is so bad though, it is only bolted on the underside and glued in on the top. It doesn't take much to pull the glue off. The dealer would not even re-glue it.

    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.
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    I have heard that mileage on several of the cars in this class that have things like Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and adaptive logic on the AT (which tailors itself to the particular driver) take as much as 5,000 miles for the breakin period, at which point the mileage improves.

    This could be an urban legend, though. :P
  • ronhomoronhomo Member Posts: 4
    If the mileage got better overtime, I would really be happy. Anyone here have one with over 5,000 miles?

    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???
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The mpg on this engine does improve with time, but 25 mpg on the highway seems low--unless you are flogging it. If so, try driving moderately, staying within posted speeds, anticipating stops (keep your foot off the accelerator) whenever possible) etc. and see if it makes a difference. I get mid to upper 30s on this engine with an automatic on an Elantra on the highway, so I know much better than 25 is possible. Also check tire inflation--make sure it is at least at the recommended pressure, and try 5 psi over to see what effect it has.
  • ronhomoronhomo Member Posts: 4
    I got 28 mpg this last round. I have driven it under optimum conditions (keeping it around 2500-2800 rpms). I hope it gets better, it seems to.
  • dekandekan Member Posts: 7
    I have over 23,000 miles on my Spectra 5 (yes, I know that seems high) and the mileage definetely improves the more you drive. I am averaging about 33 highway and 30 city, but I do alot of combined driving in a day. The car has performed awesome and still is alot of fun to drive. Other than a few minor things that the dealer has fixed the car is perfect. This is the first Kia I have ever bought but I am already planning on trading in my wifes car for a Kia. I looked into Kia at first strictly because of the warranty but I bought because I loved the cars. I commute 5 days a week to work in the next state over from me so I needed to get a car that had a good warranty.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    IMO the new Kia Spectra5 is one of the best looking, sporty new cars on the market. I'm on my 2nd Kia in a row and absolutely love the Kia brand of cars. That's encouraging that your gas mileage numbers are where they're at. That's acceptable to me...actually my current Kia, a 2001 Sportage 4x4 only gets 25 mpg but that is acceptable to me. It's only when my rig's mileage dips below 20mpg that I get concerned.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • crowbarcrowbar Member Posts: 7
    I just rolled over 600 miles on my new Specta5, and the first real mileage check turned up 24 mpg. I thought that wasn’t too bad considering the newness and mostly city driving with the A/C on. I bought one with an automatic transmission since I was really impressed with how smooth it shifted. I also might be mistaken, but when I test drove a manual transmission model, the engine seemed to turn over at a little higher rpm for a given speed. Is that correct? I never really checked into this while researching the car.

    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.
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    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.

    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.
  • geomaticsgeomatics Member Posts: 60
    it is definatly the licenceplate/frame.. i have the same issue. Remove the licence plate, affix some 1/2" rigid weatherstripping to the back and reaffix... problem solved.

    enjoy.
    Geo.
  • spectramanspectraman Member Posts: 255
    I also might be mistaken, but when I test drove a manual transmission model, the engine seemed to turn over at a little higher rpm for a given speed. Is that correct?

    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
  • crowbarcrowbar Member Posts: 7
    Well I just checked the license plate holder, and that is indeed the culprit. You and Geo both came to a quick diagnosis of that one, and thank you both for the input.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    the new Kia commercial selling the new Spectra5 (they show a cool red one) and Spectra SX (they show a cool blue one) on it? The Spectra5 in red looks downright righteous in that commercial! I will keep it up with the new world order Sportage on my personal futures list as I continue to fully enjoy my '01 Kia Sportage 4x4. ;)

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • zoomzoomitiszoomzoomitis Member Posts: 45
    iluv, you're right about that red Spec5 lookin' "righteous". I've been going back and forth of late between Hyundai's Elantra GT hatch and the Kia Spec5. I so very much prefer the looks of the Kia but my gut is saying the Elantra will be more durable longterm. Figuring Elantra's in it's 5th year of the product cycle as opposed to the Spec5's second...now 3rd with the '06's showing up. Various complaints about that low spoiler being a problem have me slightly concerned...but it does LOOK cool.

    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...
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    Wow, zoomzoomitis, you sound like you're inside my head. I've decided on an Elantra hatch if I can get the one I want, but will buy the Spec5 if I can't. The Spec5 is in much better supply here locally than the Elantra.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    both of you will not be taking any kind of step backwards if you select the Spectra5. I'd go after a red one. I happen to be in the camp of car freaks that loves red cars. I saw a 2005 Scion xA RS 1.0 in that Absolutely Red color of Toyota/Scion's and it just rocked the house. I thought about trading in the Sportage 4x4 for it for a few minutes...well, maybe more than just a few minutes.

    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

  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    I may very well end up with a Spec5, but it will be anything but red. I just got rid of a red car I had for ten years and it's time for something different. I'm leaning toward blue.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    our currrent rig, the '01 Kia Sportage, is a color Kia calls Pepper Red. It is a cinnamon-ish black red shade. We told our salesman we both liked the classic red Sportage's but he pulled the old "we would have to prepare that one for you and it's getting late" routine on us. As it went my wife and I decided we liked the Pepper Red one we were gonna go with more anyway, and we have both really enjoyed it since. I would venture to say that I'm ready for a true red shade on my next rig, though. Kind of like that little hatchback from Kia they're naming Spectra5. :D

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • spectramanspectraman Member Posts: 255

    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
  • geomaticsgeomatics Member Posts: 60
    is there a seachable database where we can compare our VIN to manufacturer date?

    thanks
    Geo
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    Isn't there a sticker in the door jam that included date of manufacture? Even if you're in the date window, it states that most of the cars were corrected prior to delivery. I used to work for an auto supplier, and something like this that could result in loss of steering, well let's just say they would go to extraordinary lengths to track down every single vehicle; the risk of losing many millions in a lawsuit is just too high not to.
  • spectra5spectra5 Member Posts: 1
    I HAVE A NEW SPECTRA5 2005 AND I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.
    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:
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    The attachment of the air dam is a know problem. Re. the blown speakers . . . I suggest turning the volume down. And, on the vibration, take your car into a good tire store and check the wheel balancing, plus the possibility of a bent wheel - it can happen with any car!
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    First of all, turn off your CAPS LOCK. It gives the effect of shouting at us. If you are frustrated with the car, fine, but don't yell at us about it.

    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.
  • spectramanspectraman Member Posts: 255
    Kia recalling more than 70,000 LD Spectras

    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
  • geomaticsgeomatics Member Posts: 60
    lol.

    that is all.
    Geo.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    the Spectra5 front spoiler issue. I would think that Kia would be working on a better way to attach those front valance/spoiler low-hangers for future-built Kia Spectra5's.

    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

  • tigger32tigger32 Member Posts: 7
    I went to the "International Auto Show" in Anaheim California on Friday and there were no Spectras at the Kia display. :( Well, there was one but it was a rally racer that was roped off and a "Do Not Touch" display.
    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 :cry: .
    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 ;) .
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    I would also do something myself to fix the Spectra5 spoiler issue up front. It would't be hard to figure something out that would affix it more permanently. Or just remove it if you want. I would put a weatherproofing on the area where you remove the bolts/nuts/screws for the valance, though, after it comes off. Maybe it wouldn't matter that much if it's just that fiberglass material, anyway.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • spmrebelspmrebel Member Posts: 130
    Tigger32,

    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
  • redspec5redspec5 Member Posts: 1
    I think I may have had the same problems. Mine made a POP noise and some vibration occasionally when I turned the car. The mechanics found that the nuts to the struts were loose. As for the speakers there made of paper and I didnt expect much of them anyways. They were replaced with Sony.
  • allfiredupallfiredup Member Posts: 736
    Hey everyone,

    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.
  • loveredcarsloveredcars Member Posts: 14
    I have a Spectra5 w/5speed transmission. It has plenty of pep and looks good. My only complaint is that the gas mileage is not what I expected. I have over 7500 miles on mine and my average is 26 mpg highway. Once, on a trip, I managed 30 but I now think that was a fluke.

    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.
  • fiatfanfiatfan Member Posts: 9
    Thanks for the link. I have a vibration in my Spectra5 that has been there since new. The dealer said the tires were flatspotted and it would go away. It didn't and they rotated the tires. That didn't help, so they aligned it and balanced the tires. That made it a little worse. They said they would get new tires for me, but today said I had to go to Goodyear and they would warranty them. I'm not expecting much help from the Goodyear dealer, so I will probably be back to Kia again. Nice car, but the vibration problem should not involve so much of my time.

    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.
  • crowbarcrowbar Member Posts: 7
    I test drove both the manual and automatic Spectra5 models, and the sloppy shifter was the biggest reason I chose the automatic. I actually prefer a manual transmission, but Kia needs to tighten the shifter up on this one. It was also a pleasant surprise to note that the engine revs a lot less on the highway with the auto too. I’m sure that makes for better gas mileage, and so far the best I have gotten is 27 mpg.

    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.
  • fiatfanfiatfan Member Posts: 9
    Crowbar,

    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.
  • geomaticsgeomatics Member Posts: 60
    I have had my S5 for 21000 km now, and the shifting is quite tight and positive with a reassuring snick throughout all the gears. Once again, i would like to reinterate that I have not had a single problem with my Kia, I have not evperienced any of the vibration problems that have be reported on here, and to solidify my overwhelming support of the new car I am buying another one for my wife. We are soon to be a 2 Kia family.

    :)
    regards
    Geo
  • geomaticsgeomatics Member Posts: 60
    Tehre is a lock out on the reverse gear, esentially if you are having toruble getting into reverse. apply the brake, apply the clutch, take it out of gear, release the clutch, depress the clutch and there you go, an effortless shift into reverse.

    hope this helps
    Geo
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    yep, that is the best compliment a person can give a car, buying another one! It's also very informative that you are not experiencing any of the problems that some individuals are having with their Spec5's. Keep the comments flowing freely! :D

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • crowbarcrowbar Member Posts: 7
    I have owned a Kia Sportage since 1997, and it has always had a rather sloppy shifter as well. I took it back to the dealer a couple times, but there were no changes so I just got used to it. That is the only problem I ever had with the vehicle, so I’m not complaining. In fact the absolute reliability of the Sportage with 145,000 miles on it is the primary reason I purchased the Spectra5. I did not like the feel of the manual transmission on the car I test drove, and thus I went with the automatic. I have had no trouble whatsoever with the Spec5, and I am liking it more every day. All in all, I think Kia makes very economical and reliable vehicles, and I am a definite fan.

    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.
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