Kia Spectra 5

[wicked1981]

I guess everyone is trying out the cross over vehicles like the Vibe but according to the website it has more horses than a Focus and a Matrix (not the XRS/Vibe GT).. It has a 2.0-liter CVVT DOHC 16-valve 4 cylinder 138hp engine.You can read more info here.. http://motortrend.com/roadtest...t_kia/

[nismo]

I can honestly say that this car is not very photogenetic. I've seen em in person and they look damn good. I woulda bought one now if I didn't have my baby. Actually, what I am talkin bout, I would get a Vibe GT! Inder

[ragingfish]

Inside looks kinda boring...

[kostby]

The 5-door hatchback market segment is just bursting with choices!I'm not particularly fond of the Kia ripoff of the "Saaburu" front grille treatment (with a strip of chrome added for Buick Rendezvouz lovers!)Despite the 8 extra horsepower in the Kia, the advertised curb weight seems to be about 200 pounds more than the Vibe. Kia lists ranges of 2873-2952 for the 5-speed, and 2925-3005 for the 4-speed automatic. Vibe is listed at 2675, I believe.Standard Spectra5 equipment includes virtually everything on a Vibe with Power Package, 16" alloy wheels, and monotone appearance package. In addition to front airbags, seat-mounted side air-bags are standard.The only options are automatic transmission, cruise, moonroof and anti-lock brakes.EPA fuel economy estimates are 5-speed 25 city/33 highwayautomatic 24 city/34 highwayThe pricing is aggressive: MSRP begins at US $14,995.Adding automatic, ABS, Carpeted floor mats, cruise control, power moonroof, and destination charge brings the total to US$17,940!Of course, despite a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, it's STILL a Kia...

[bud_one]

You're looking at a Hyundai Elantra based Kia.Same drivetrains and all the underpinnings.Has stiffer springs. The engine has some low end grunt. But does not liketo rev like the 1ZZ-FE.It's not to shabby, but I still like my Vibe better.

[PhillyVibeGT]

are we really having a conversation about a Kia?!?!? (j/k)

[millster]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Inside looks kinda boring...Agreed, but to me it looks like a blank canvas for some creative tinkering. I see some people around here have taken the stereotypical attack on Kia but I disagree. If you look at recent reliability, they're a fine little car particularly for those who can't afford anything too fancy. To see them bringing something to market that has a little style and attitude is good in my mind. I know that by-and-large Kia's aren't fancy, but basic does not always equate to junk.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by millster »Agreed, but to me it looks like a blank canvas for some creative tinkering. I see some people around here have taken the stereotypical attack on Kia but I disagree. If you look at recent reliability, they're a fine little car particularly for those who can't afford anything too fancy. To see them bringing something to market that has a little style and attitude is good in my mind. I know that by-and-large Kia's aren't fancy, but basic does not always equate to junk.I agree 100%I by no means consider Kia's or Hyundais the Korean equivalents of Yugos anymore...they've made leaps in bounds in quality, reliability, and value...I've given them both some serious consideration in the past, and, if I weren't such a loyal Pontiac buyer, would likely be in a Spectra or Sephia now...

[ToolGuy]

Quote, originally posted by millster »Agreed, but to me it looks like a blank canvas for some creative tinkering. I see some people around here have taken the stereotypical attack on Kia but I disagree. If you look at recent reliability, they're a fine little car particularly for those who can't afford anything too fancy. To see them bringing something to market that has a little style and attitude is good in my mind. I know that by-and-large Kia's aren't fancy, but basic does not always equate to junk.Agree too!! The imports are coming and can build full sized pick ups like the good old US. Lots of people in Michigan turn their cheek to the imports dismissing them. I say keep doing that and you will lose even more market share. Understand the competition, learn from them, do not hate them...

[ShadowRuleZ]

The Kia and the Suzuki are probably supposed to compete against each other. The Vibe is a step up.The main problem with all of these cars is that they took something that was already a car and added a hatcharea to it. The vibe/matrix was designed as it was from the get go, so it has an advantage for not being a modification to something else.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »I agree 100%I by no means consider Kia's or Hyundais the Korean equivalents of Yugos anymore...they've made leaps in bounds in quality, reliability, and value...Absolutely! Even the lowly Rio is still a pretty solid little car. What's really interesting here, a buddy of mine owns two '04 Elantras - GT hatch and a sedan. He drives the GT on his commute from hell, (at least 60 miles one way for his main job, and his other job is 30 miles round trip from his home) and his fiancee drives the sedan quite a bit (but not as much.) While his GT is a year newer than my Vibe, he is rapidly closing in on me in terms of mileage. With both Hyundais combined, they *still* haven't spent as much time in the shop as my "Toyota." The Koreans are catching up, and fast... Many people are still laughing, but I certainly am not. Keep up the good work, Korea. It's going to be an interesting few years for Korean cars - we'll be flooded with a new Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Santa Fe, etc... And the comparable cars from Kia (new Optima, etc.)I gave Hyundai some very serious consideration in the past, and I plan on doing so in the future as well. Back on track, I guess... I do like the Spectra 5 as well, especially the white one. Not a bad looking car!

[glassman]

my mother inlaw has a kia magentis v6 sport it is a nice car to drive lots of poop handles good she has had a few minor problems but all in all it has been a good car looks good in and out.2001 ? 35000km

[soldierguy]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »The Koreans are catching up, and fast... Many people are still laughing, but I certainly am not. Keep up the good work, Korea. It's going to be an interesting few years for Korean cars - we'll be flooded with a new Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Santa Fe, etc... And the comparable cars from Kia (new Optima, etc.)I gave Hyundai some very serious consideration in the past, and I plan on doing so in the future as well. Back on track, I guess... I do like the Spectra 5 as well, especially the white one. Not a bad looking car!Agreed...I like the Spectra5 also.And agreed...Korean cars are catching up fast. I kinda view them as I did Japanese cars of the late 70's / early 80's...reliable, inexpensive, and improving all the time. But the styling is very hit & miss...the new Sonata is a total home run in that department, but there's also quite a few hideous cars on the road here. Example: the Ssangyong Rodius, which should have been called the Ssangyong Hideous. http://www.smotor.com/kr/showroom/ds/ds_main.jspThat one gives me nightmares! The page is mostly in Korean, but there's enough English to navigate around.