2006 Kia Spectra EX from North America - Comments

Nothing has gone wrong... car perfectly satisfactory @ 2000 miles.

Bought the car as an economical daily commuter and use it for all longer distance driving. It's more comfortable than our Monte Carlo and MUCH better fuel economy than my Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

The car performs well for it's smallish engine, peppy enough around town and cruises comfotably at beyond Interstate regulated speeds. Handling is very good, comfort/ low noise levels surprisingly good.

I actually hadn't expected as much value from a KIA as we have received. Can't find realistic negatives so far, except for styling and social acceptance.

Plenty of headroom and legroom, and usable rear passenger seats.

How much did you pay for it? It looks really nice.

I went to California for a week and rented the 2006 Kia Spectra. I was impressed by the car's handling and overall appearance though when I was on the toll roads to Laguna (slightly sloping upwards) the car felt like it was really trying hard to maintain speed, I was practically depressing the accelerator to the bottom. But it was great on gas and really felt roomy inside. The trunk was huge as well. If Kia had put more power on this one, I would buy it. Recommended for city driving, not so much for the interstate.

I recently purchased a 2006 Spectra LX and I love it. The engine has plenty of power, for normal driving, and its appearance is pretty nice as well. The car's acceleration and deceleration could be a little smoother, but all things considered, I feel like I got a very good deal.

I've had mine for several months now. It gets great gas mileage, looks nice, is very comfortable and handles great. It's a fun car to drive, but the only problem I've had with mine is when I top it off, the car stalls out when I'm sitting at a red light or a stop sign. It only does it when I top it off completely. Other than that one problem it's a great car with a wonderful warranty. I paid 13,900 for mine with ttl and everything no down payment. Payments were only 300 a month so it makes it an affordable family car as well as a good work car. Im up to 15k on the mileage and it still is great!

This car is so great because its based on the Hyundai Elantra the original Spectra was rated as one of the worst cars ever.. in fact one magazine stated "you will have to look far and wide to find a worse new car"

I have looked and test drove the 2007's Chevy Cobalt, the Nissan Versa and the Toyota Yaris among a few others. The last one was the KIA Rio and Spectra.

All in all, for what you get, the Spectra wins out in my opinion. The Versa had a fair warranty, but the car was too pricey for what it was. But it's a Nissan I guess.

The Cobalt was bare bones all the way, except it was automatic, which is what I was considering. It had the big 4 in it though, and would not be too good on gas anyway.

The Yaris was almost fully equipped, but it was small, cramped and rear end heavy. Road noise was terrible and it was pricey too!

The ION 2 with Saturn was nice, but rode a little sluggish.

All of these cars had little or not all of the goodies except when I got into the KIA. It was quick, responsive and looked OK for a compact that was rather big in my opinion for a compact. But it had everything, and I mean everything. Except when it came down to the automatic. I had to decide between breaking my promise to stay in budget, or have that luxury of an automatic. I decided for what the car had I was willing to stay with a stick.

I not only liked the car, but they sold it to me for 0 down, no trade in. Payments I could afford. The others were insane and totally out of their minds for what they wanted for the other cars at what little came with them.

My EX hauls butt. Handles well and I think it's looks can grow on you. Give me another few months and I will let you know then. But so far so good.

This has been a great car. I was looking for slightly better handling. The addition of springs, sway-bars and a turbo from www.kfxperformance.com has greatly enhanced the lowly econo car.

As a stock car this is a great starting point, but the addition of the after market pieces puts it leaps and bounds above the rest.

I have a 2006 KIA Spectra, bought when it had only been on the market a month or two, which currently has about 23,000 miles. I love the car... it's just the right size for what I need - small enough that I'm comfortable (I'm about 5 feet) but just large enough that my husband can drive it if need be (he's over 6 feet) and the backseats are large enough that adults can be comfortably seated for a short to moderate length ride. There's definitely more space (seating and storage) than it looks like it would have from the outside.

I take it in for it's maintenance, oil changes, etc. to the dealership so that they also have records of all my servicing (which is only minimally more expensive that other local service centers and just as conveniently located), who have been professional and never tried to push anything on me, even being a young female.

Really, the only problem I'm having with my car is the shaking. I've read that other people with small KIAs have the issue too and it sounds like they mostly begin the same way: barely shaking at a traffic light (and for me it was usually just on hills) to the point now that it vibrates constantly when I'm on the highway and other high speed areas (it still lightly shakes at traffic lights). The shaking is so bad now that I hate holding the steering wheel (I still do of course; I try to be a safe driver!). It's only been a significant issue recently and I was planning on calling the dealership this week to ask about it, but I've heard that others ask and nothing can be fixed to make it stop. Early on, my husband and I both figured it was part of paying for a bare minimum car, but lately it's just too much. Anyone else have this issue with the '06 and what (if anything) can be done?

That aside, I really do love my car and I'm not interested in giving it up because of its rattling (I haven't heard anywhere that it poses a safety hazard, just that it is obnoxious). I have no problem getting up to speed on the highway and it responds very nicely to me. The brakes have served me very well, essentially stopping on a dime at one point avoiding a wreck. It's not ugly by any means and has more than enough storage, especially considering I can park it even in the smallest small car parking.

I bought a 2007 Kia Spectra EX new. It has been a super car a lot more than I expected. Looking at the prices online I have discovered I paid more than I should have. However, the car now has 23,000 miles and not a bit trouble. Would I buy another Kia? yes.

I am 6'3 and considered a BIG GUY. I test drove the Nissan Versa, Toyota Corolla, Cobalt, Aveo, Focus and several other small cars, and I have to say that this car is, by far, the most comfortable! I have plenty of leg room where my right leg is not jammed against the middle console. Whereas the Cobalt and Aveo were the worst. The Versa was way too expensive for that size of car and the others weren't as roomy! The power is fine so far and the MPG is awesome!