The Kia Spectra Leaves Drivers Wanting More

The Kia Spectra was produced from 2000-2009 when it finally faded from the consciousness of the automotive world, and there is good reason why it faded so quickly from memory: it simply was unremarkable in a very competitive field of compact economy cars.

Let us first talk about all the good points of the Kia Spectra. If you want a reliable, cheap used car then check out the earlier years of the Spectra. You can still pick up a 2000 or 2001 for close to $1500 and considering the well-earned reputation for Kia to make reliable and long-lasting vehicles, that’s a great deal. Used parts are inexpensive and even a 2000 model has quite a few years left in it. Used car parts and reliability are important considerations when thinking about buying a secondhand car so don’t poo-poo this factor. If you have a sixteen year old who just got their license this might be the perfect starter car for them.

Having said that, we now turn our attention to all that was wrong with the Spectra. First, the Kia Spectra was unremarkable, and in a crowded field of competitors this is not a good thing. To coin an old phrase, compact economy cars are a dime a dozen. They are supposed to be fuel-efficient, they are supposed to be small, and they are expected to be low-maintenance. With the Spectra all of those expectations were met. Unfortunately, in a crowded field a prospective buyer should be looking for a standout, a car model that makes you stand up and take notice, and there is nothing about the Spectra that makes you want to turn cartwheels and come back for more. In fact, the first two years of the Spectra produced a rather cheap looking and mundane-performing car. In a highly-competitive market the last thing you want a customer to do is yawn after a test spin, but the early Spectras made customers want to take a nap and then move on to the next model they wanted to see. That’s not a good thing if you are Kia Motors.

Subsequent years produced a higher quality car but the Spectra has always been lackluster in its performance. Lazy handling, rather poor fuel economy, and a lack of get-up-and-go left drivers with a need and/or desire to have some sort of alternative stimulation immediately. Compact economy cars should be fun to drive and there was and is nothing fun about the Spectra.

So here are the facts. A 2009 Kia Spectra can still be purchased for around $9000 and considering the fact that the Spectra is a reliable car with inexpensive replacement parts that is like buying a new car with many years of useful life remaining. Be forewarned, though, that if you want more from your car than just a reliable ride then look elsewhere because the Spectra is going to leave you wanting so much more.