Thoughts on a 2003 Kia Spectra?

[Gunnerheadboy]

I'm looking for a car that can take me from A to B, nothing less or more. Not looking for speed or power, maybe gas mileage and that's it. Was do you guys think of a 2003 Kia Spectra for 3200? With only 81KKM and one owner. Money saving is important. Talked to the seller, and he said tires got replaced recently and so did the brakes.

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2003-Kia-Spectra-ONE-OWNER-3200-E-TESTED-SAFETY-only-81000km-W0QQAdIdZ388391105

[ottofly]

I'm looking for a car that can take me from A to B, nothing less or more. Not looking for speed or power, maybe gas mileage and that's it. Was do you guys think of a 2003 Kia Spectra for 3200? With only 81KKM and one owner. Money saving is important. Talked to the seller, and he said tires got replaced recently and so did the brakes.

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2003-Kia-Spectra-ONE-OWNER-3200-E-TESTED-SAFETY-only-81000km-W0QQAdIdZ388391105

I can pretty much guarantee that era KIA will be problematic. We have a 2003 Rio wagon in the family and the amount of money required for maintenance is astronomical. Parts just do not last and we are talking OEM parts. Rapid break wear, wheel bearings that need changing every 15 months, O2 sensors every 3 years, CEL lights up almost monthly, seized locks and repairs are not that cheap. In a nutshell car has been a nightmare and we keep getting it repaired because resale is practically zero.

Don.t get attracted to the low price of a KIA. Take your 3K and try and find a solid 96-00 Civic and call it a day. Bullet proof car, cheap to operate, plenty of cheap parts available and a blast to drive. My second choice would be a Corolla/Vibe/Matrix pre 2006 if you want a basic A-B car.

[VICTOR KWAN]

Get what you pay for,Kia's are garbage.

[Gunnerheadboy]

Alright guys, thanks for the replies. Looks like I'm not buying it.

[2004acura]

an 03 kia is definitely a NO NO

[BluePhirePB]

You'd be better off buying a used Corolla.

[MP3_SKY]

New KIA are nice, but I would stay away from the old early 00s Kia....You have other choices for $3200....even over 100k km is not an issue, just do a proper inspection prior purchase.

[coriolis]

Pretty bad...

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/kia/spectra/2003/single-page/