2004 Kia Spectra - Great starter car.
This is the first Kia that anyone in my family has ever owned, and based on what I had heard about Kias in the past, I was a little apprehensive about buying one at first. But in more recent years, the brand has increased its image as a car company, and for the price, it was the newest car with the lowest amount of miles on it that I was going to find, so I decided to go for it. One thing that about this car is that is fairly small for a four-door sedan. As a woman, I have plenty of room, but I know that men need more space, so this car is suitable for a woman. When I first got the car, it was misfiring and kept dying, so I took it in to be repaired. I got new spark plugs and a couple other minor things corrected too. The clutch, however, was bad, and I had to replace it within the fir... (more)
This is the first Kia that anyone in my family has ever owned, and based on what I had heard about Kias in the past, I was a little apprehensive about buying one at first. But in more recent years, the brand has increased its image as a car company, and for the price, it was the newest car with the lowest amount of miles on it that I was going to find, so I decided to go for it. One thing that about this car is that is fairly small for a four-door sedan. As a woman, I have plenty of room, but I know that men need more space, so this car is suitable for a woman. When I first got the car, it was misfiring and kept dying, so I took it in to be repaired. I got new spark plugs and a couple other minor things corrected too. The clutch, however, was bad, and I had to replace it within the first three months of owing it. I was upset about this, because the young kid I bought it from told me it had a new clutch, and that was obviously a lie, because I can drive a stick, so there's no way I burned up a new clutch in two months. But this wasn't a problem with the car per say. This was an issue with the seller being dishonest. A new clutch in a car that is over 13 years old isn't out of the ordinary.
I have only had this car for about six months now, so I haven't had time to make many memories in it yet. I did take it on a road trip to the beach at the spur of the moment a couple months ago, and I somehow turned a three-hour drive into six. I had a tire that I knew was on its last leg, but I didn't have the money to replace it yet, so I risked it, and about an hour away from our destinatio... (more)
I have only had this car for about six months now, so I haven't had time to make many memories in it yet. I did take it on a road trip to the beach at the spur of the moment a couple months ago, and I somehow turned a three-hour drive into six. I had a tire that I knew was on its last leg, but I didn't have the money to replace it yet, so I risked it, and about an hour away from our destination, the tire went flat. So a few friends and myself were stuck on the side of the road. I didn't know until then that I didn't have a jack or a tire iron, and I couldn't find the key to remove my rims. Luckily, a nice local man came to our rescue and even gave me a jack and tire iron! I was also able to locate the key to my rims once I was off the shoulder of a busy road with very poor visibility and could focus on looking for it and not trying to avoid getting hit by oncoming traffic. Even though it wasn't the best situation, we met a nice, new person and got to laugh and spend some extra time together and getting away from the city was something we all really needed then so it was very memorable.
The top positive thing about the 2004 Kia Spectra (base model) is that it gets excellent gas mileage. It costs me about $25 to fill up the tank, and I can drive around for days. Also, it is easy and inexpensive to keep up with maintenance, and repairing it is also fairly cheap and easy. It also has been very dependable. I know any time I go out to my car that it will start up, and I can be on my way (unless I left my headlights on and killed the battery which I have done more times than I would like to admit). I like that it doesn't have automatic windows or locks or anything like that, be... (more)
The top positive thing about the 2004 Kia Spectra (base model) is that it gets excellent gas mileage. It costs me about $25 to fill up the tank, and I can drive around for days. Also, it is easy and inexpensive to keep up with maintenance, and repairing it is also fairly cheap and easy. It also has been very dependable. I know any time I go out to my car that it will start up, and I can be on my way (unless I left my headlights on and killed the battery which I have done more times than I would like to admit). I like that it doesn't have automatic windows or locks or anything like that, because it's just one more thing that will break so to me. That is definitely a positive.
The most negative thing about this car, I think, is the lack of space. Going along with that, the gas and the brake pedals are very close together, and men with big feet have a problem with pushing both of them at the same time sometimes. Also, there is no air conditioning, because I have the base model. So in the summer, it can be very uncomfortable.
The most negative thing about this car, I think, is the lack of space. Going along with that, the gas and the brake pedals are very close together, and men with big feet have a problem with pushing both of them at the same time sometimes. Also, there is no air conditioning, because I have the base model. So in the summer, it can be very uncomfortable.
2004 Kia Spectra - Reliable.
I used this vehicle for at least 7 years to get back and forth to work. In that time, I have not have to replace anything more than the oil, filters, and tires, which has been a Godsend for someone on a budget like me. The engine does make clicking noises like the valves are worn, but it still keeps ticking! The transmission has had zero problems, even during the winter. There's 180,000 miles on it and I think it could run for that many more. The only problem I've had is the occasional hiccup when accelerating, not a total stall, and the radio and overhead lights stopped working after I required a jumpstart. Another thing to note, the headlights on this car go out after shutting it off, which is really good if you tend to forget. This would be a good commuter car if you're not worried ... (more)
I used this vehicle for at least 7 years to get back and forth to work. In that time, I have not have to replace anything more than the oil, filters, and tires, which has been a Godsend for someone on a budget like me. The engine does make clicking noises like the valves are worn, but it still keeps ticking! The transmission has had zero problems, even during the winter. There's 180,000 miles on it and I think it could run for that many more. The only problem I've had is the occasional hiccup when accelerating, not a total stall, and the radio and overhead lights stopped working after I required a jumpstart. Another thing to note, the headlights on this car go out after shutting it off, which is really good if you tend to forget. This would be a good commuter car if you're not worried about the aesthetics of a short and stubby car. It's very cheap to own and maintain, parts are readily available, though, like most cars now, unless you have small hands or can pull the engine, it can be a pain to change things like the accessory belt or anything on it. Overall, I couldn't have expected more from it, the car was well worth the paltry sum I paid for it.
My best memory in this car was when I was able to avoid hitting a dog the ran into the street, it's fairly nimble.
My best memory in this car was when I was able to avoid hitting a dog the ran into the street, it's fairly nimble.
Reliable, tires are a standard size, brakes are standard configuration, back seats fold down, no leaks around the doors, trunk, or glass, parts are interchangeable with many kea models, headlights automatically go out.
Reliable, tires are a standard size, brakes are standard configuration, back seats fold down, no leaks around the doors, trunk, or glass, parts are interchangeable with many kea models, headlights automatically go out.
Short and stubby, radio and overhead lights fried on a jumpstart, small working space in hood, air conditioner weak even after recharge. Barely enough leg room for someone 6'2".
Short and stubby, radio and overhead lights fried on a jumpstart, small working space in hood, air conditioner weak even after recharge. Barely enough leg room for someone 6'2".
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