Car buyers fall into two categories. Some choose a car on an emotional level - style is important for them, the history of the brand, in the end, prestige, if the position obliges. Others approach the choice of a four-wheeled friend solely from a utilitarian point of view, wanting to get the maximum benefit in exchange for a reasonable amount of banknotes. It was for them that Kia released the Spectra car at one time.
A cheap foreign car with an "automatic" is the first thing that comes to mind when you see the squat silhouette of a "Korean". Variant with manual transmission also exists, but more on that below.
Story
Speaking very, very briefly, then the car that we know under the name Spectra is the second Generation Kia Cerato, which has a motor co-designed by Mazda and has nothing to do with Hyundai models. And all because Hyundai bought Kia in 1998, and the second generation Cerato began to be produced in 1997.
The predecessor of our hero, the first generation of the Kia Spectra sedan, was released in South Korea in 1992. In the Korean original, the car was called Sephia, and in foreign markets the car received a second name - Mentor. Over 100,000 vehicles were sold in the first year domestic market. Believing in success, in 1993, Kia for the first time begins to conquer the North American market, and it is with this model. The car enters US car dealerships with a 1.8-liter engine manufactured under license Mazda. In 1995 Kia makes Spectra a facelift for the American consumer, changing the grille and head optics.
A year earlier (since 1994) Sephia acquires a hatchback modification. From the same year, the car was exported to Europe and began a competitive battle with the Ford Escort and Opel Astra.
Sales of the first generation continued until 1997, when the second generation of Spectra entered the conveyor. The second generation completely changed the look of the sedan and hatchback (Shuma). In addition, the engine was updated - 1.8 DOHC was already own development Kia (not without the help of Mazda).
The model successfully lived until the beginning of the new century and again changed its name in the United States. For marketing reasons, the liftback was named Spectra, "shedding light over all of North America" (from the English Spectrum, the second plural of Spectra).
The car sold quite successfully. Contributed to this rich equipment and affordable price. Kia made a bet on safety and did not lose. Spectra could already be bought with six airbags and disc brakes on all wheels. In total, three configurations were offered - basic under the S index, extended GS and top-end GSX.
In 2003, Kia launches the third generation under the Cerato / Forte nameplate, while in some foreign markets the second generation was still produced until 2004.
But what about in Russia? Traditionally, at that time, we got not the latest reincarnation. In 2005, "IzhAvto" takes on the industrial assembly of the second generation Spectra in the "sedan" body. In 2008, the car engine is brought to Euro-3 standards. 2011 was the year last year produced by Spektra in Russia.
Offers on the market
A potential buyer will be deprived of the pangs of choice, because the Russian version was produced only in the sedan body, and with only one gasoline engine.
The whole choice comes down to finding an option with the desired gearbox - manual or automatic. For the sake of fairness, it should be said that the American versions were brought to our market by the overseas wind different generations, but their account goes to pieces.
The price range for the Spectra will please you more: depending on the year of issue, from 175 to 350 thousand rubles, - for any wallet.
| Year | Price Max/Min, thousand rubles | average price, thousand roubles. | Mileage range, thousand km | Mileage average, thousand km |
| 2005 | 170 – 260 | 215 | 70 - 140 | 105 |
| 2006 | 168 – 270 | 215 | 41 - 280 | 160,5 |
| 2007 | 170 – 300 | 235 | 42 - 205 | 123,5 |
| 2008 | 165 – 350 | 232,5 | 28 - 216 | 122 |
| 2009 | 200 – 350 | 275 | 19 - 150 | 84,5 |
| 2010 | 260 – 305 | 280,5 | 38 - 82 | 60 |
| 2011 | 290 – 350 | 320 | 25 - 58 | 41,5 |
It should be understood that the declared price for a car is the one at which it is on the market; the real price at which it eventually leaves is always lower in practice, at least by 2-3%. In the case of reasonable bargaining, you can achieve a discount of up to 5%.
The table shows that for the first 4 years of production, the lower bar changes slightly, as well as the upper bar for the last 4 years. Why? In the first case, the technical condition of the car plays a role, in the second - a small number of offers of a certain year of manufacture. If there are few offers of 2011 on the market, then 2010 goes at the price of 2011, and so on. By the way, the volume of output since 2009 has been gradually decreasing by 2011, which is not surprising. Due to the crisis at that time, the IzhAvto plant was already in pre-bankruptcy convulsions.
It is easy to find a car with an "automatic", up to a quarter of the offers (24%) falls on it.
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Engine
The Russian version of Spectra was produced only with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 101.5 hp. and is designed for 95th gasoline. Only the American version is more powerful - 1.8 l, 126 hp, but only with an "automatic". According to the dealer’s regulations, maintenance is carried out at intervals of every 15 thousand km, with a mandatory change of engine oil and filter. Every 45 thousand km we change the timing belt, every 30 thousand km - spark plugs.
The engine is generally reliable - felt Japanese roots. Single incidents and breakdowns happened to the owners of new cars on runs up to 10 thousand km, but this is more a consequence of the assembly than a design flaw. One has only to pay attention to the condition of the timing belt and change it in advance. A broken belt leads to bending of the valves, and there are 16 of them, 4 per cylinder.
New engine can be found for 70 thousand rubles, but this information is more for reference, it is unlikely that you will ever have to deal with this.
According to the reviews of the owners, on 99 out of 100 cars, a tapping (rattling) is heard during a cold start, which disappears with the engine warming up and no longer manifests itself. In most cases it helps to use synthetic oil and periodic monitoring of its level, inspection of the engine for leakage of lubricant.
If the engine suddenly starts to work unevenly, “walk” in speed and then “recover”, then suddenly “troit”, do not rush to order a new one. Such cases are just not uncommon on runs closer to 90-100 thousand km. The spark on one of the cylinders, or rather, the ignition coil, is to blame for this. Here one coil goes to two cylinders.
But what this engine paired with a gearbox lacks is dynamics. And if a bunch with a manual transmission allows you to accelerate the car to 100 km / h in 12.6 s. (which is close to the level of most budget foreign cars), then with automatic transmission the car will reach this milestone in 16 seconds. It is already possible to compete here only with a bus.
Transmission
There are certain questions about the reliability of the automatic transmission (factory index F4AEL-K). On the one hand, the box also has Japanese roots, but is somewhat modified in the direction of simplification. On the other hand, evil tongues claim that the assembly is Chinese, although it was delivered to the factory from Korea. According to the Kia regulations, the automatic transmission on the Spectra is considered maintenance-free - the dealer only checks the oil level for maintenance. But we know that in our conditions it is better to monitor the quality of the oil in the "machine" and change it if necessary.
First of all, you need to pay attention to oil smudges. An insufficient level can cause overheating and noise in the box and, as a result, leads to the destruction of the clutch mechanisms and bearings. Overheating can be identified by the characteristic black color of the oil with a burning smell. It can be a honey spoon that dealers and workshops have already got their hands on repairing these boxes. The restored automatic transmission is estimated by sellers along with a replacement at 30-40 thousand rubles.
The smoothness of the automatic transmission corresponds to the technological age of its development. There are frequent jerks when switching from 1st to 2nd gear (solenoid valves stick) and regassing when switching from 3rd to 4th gear ("automatic" 4-speed). The latter is "treated" by replacing the firmware in electronic unit management.
A manual box (5 steps) is devoid of these shortcomings, but the owners have complaints about the clarity of gear shifting and the long strokes of the gearshift lever. By 50 thousand km, oil may begin to leak through the O-ring of the gear selection rod. The clutch disc "dies" (on average) to 70 thousand km.
Suspension
Classic scheme: front independent MacPherson strut, rear independent, multi-link, with shock absorber struts and transverse stabilizer. She does not cause any particular complaints. Ball bearings hold up to 130-150 thousand km and make themselves felt with a knock due to the presence of play. On the recommendation of the manufacturer, the ball joint changes in assembly with the lever, however, those who want to save money can order only the support itself in the store.
The suspension is soft and comfortable, some car owners prefer it harder and put non-original springs and shock absorbers. The "native" suspension is prone to breakdown, but if the ride is too soft and the car falls in corners, then this is a reason to evaluate the working condition of the shock absorbers. If the car starts to float on a straight course, look at the stabilizer bushings.
By 90-100 thousand km, wheel bearings begin to buzz in almost all cars of the model. They change in assembly with the hub. In the presence of a garage and free time, craftsmen knock out old bearings and hammer in new ones.
The front brakes are disc, the rear is more often drum, although versions with ABS also have discs at the rear. The pad resource is standard. 30-40 thousand km for disk and up to 100 thousand km for drum. To work brake system no complaints, it provides an adequate and predictable slowdown.
The disadvantages of the suspension include extremely low ground clearance - 154 cm, and even less with installed engine protection and a full load. Notice the long front overhang. The long hood of a sedan along with a small ground clearance sharply reduces the geometric cross-country ability of the car. It is necessary to park "face" to the curb, storm the railway tracks and ramps with a margin.
Body and interior
The factory anti-corrosion treatment of the Spectra body included a 4-fold cataphoresis bath (on both sides), colloquially "galvanized". The factory warranty against through "wormholes" was 100 thousand km. Therefore, you will not find frankly rusty specimens, of course, if the car has not been “attached” to an obstacle before. Body iron does not have excessive thickness, so it does not like it when any significant effort is applied to it. Softer, even softer...
Most of the complaints from car owners are the sound insulation of the cabin, the engine is especially annoying on high revs when communication becomes uncomfortable.
The basic configuration already has a central lock, all power windows, a full-size spare wheel, a folding rear sofa (in a 60/40 ratio), power steering, two frontal airbags. Spectra was supplied in 5 trim levels. All versions (except the base one) have air conditioning, and the automatic transmission was available only in the top two versions, Premium and Lux.
Trunk volume of 410 liters is quite good for a compact sedan, and it can be increased by folding the back of the rear sofa. There are cases when access to useful liters may not be possible due to a stuck trunk lock or a loose remote opening cable from the passenger compartment. This is more of an embarrassment than a malfunction, and after adjustment the problem disappears.
There are no complaints about the cabin. Simple and angry. Inexpensive plastic with a budget "rag". The layout of the seats allows you to comfortably accommodate a fairly large passenger in any row. True, not all drivers can find a good driving position for themselves, despite the vertical adjustment of the steering column. In the course are experiments with the inclination of the basic installation of the driver's seat through spacers.
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electrical equipment
Electrician does not cause serious claims. As we wrote above, over time, it may be necessary to replace the ignition coils. Sometimes owners complain about the insufficient luminous flux of the dipped headlights. In the first thousand runs, there were cases of horn failure.
Cost of service / maintenance
Initially, a 3-year warranty (or 100 thousand km) was provided for the car, so you will no longer find warranty options, and the dealer has no direct reason to service it.
The cost of some operations on specialized but unofficial services
At specialized automotive forums, the question is often asked - what budget car worth buying as a first after domestic car- Hyundai Accent or Kia Spectra? causes a significant number of answers, but most of them boil down to the statement that the cars are built on the same platform, so there is no significant difference between them. Is it really between Hyundai Accent and KIA Spectra you can put an equal sign?
Hyundai Accent and KIA Spectra - comparison of Korean state employees
a cursory glance
Honored Workers
If you put the cars side by side, their relationship will become clearly visible - indeed, the KIA and Hyundai brands are part of the same concern. However, among the two "brothers" it will not be difficult to find the older one - Spectra, as well as wheels of increased diameter compared to Accent. Otherwise, they are very similar - the same smooth lines, fashionable in automotive design of the 90s, narrow grilles and rounded headlights. But the KIA Spectra has a slightly more clearly defined trunk, while the Accent has it lowered down in the manner of liftbacks.
Kia Spectra appeared back in 1997. At that time, the sedan was called Kia Sephia and was built on a redesigned Mazda 323 platform. In addition to the South Korean market, the car was offered in Europe (Shuma), America, Asia, Australia (Mentor) and the Middle East (Spectra).
In 2000, the sedan underwent a restyling, and the Sephia emblem was replaced by the Spectra inscription. In Europe and Australia, the name remains the same. The production of the model was stopped in 2004, but in Russia its life was just beginning. Industrial assembly in Izhevsk started in 2004 and ended in 2010. In the summer of 2011, as part of the obligations to Kia Motors, a limited batch of 1,700 units rolled off the IzhAvto assembly line.
Let's look inside. Kia interior Spectra does not make a pleasant impression. The interior trim used cheap, rough and hard plastic in gray shades. The pluses include comfortable, wide chairs with a long pillow, which allows you to comfortably travel long distances. You can not blame the sedan for the rear sofa. A 440-liter trunk is enough for everyday needs.
Most copies have rather poor equipment. Airbag, immobilizer and audio preparation were included as standard. Hydraulic booster, central locking, power windows, ABS, front passenger airbag and air conditioning required an extra charge.
The car did not take part in crash tests on EuroNCAP versions, but the Americans from the IIHS National Security Institute took care of this in 1999. Of the four possible gradations, the sedan earned the lowest "Poor" - a poor level of safety. The driver received injuries to the neck and head incompatible with life.
Engines
The Korean was equipped with atmospheric gasoline engines with a capacity of 1.5, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 liters. Hinting at the time of the debut, the Spectra motors acquired the “Millenium Technology” (Millennium Technology), as eloquently indicated by the inscription on the cover “Mi-Tech”. All units are the result of the modernization of Mazda engines. They have a timing belt drive.
The most widely used 16-valve 1.6-liter S6D engine. This is nothing but a modified Mazda B6 engine. Korean engineers reduced its warm-up time and installed a highly efficient catalyst. The valves are equipped with hydraulic tappets, the block is cast iron, and the head is aluminum.
Among the shortcomings, one can single out the noisy operation of hydraulic lifters and a short service life. high voltage wires, candles and ignition coils - about 50-100 thousand km. After 150-200 thousand km, the starter and generator will require repair.
In addition, engine malfunctions can occur due to a failure of the mass air flow sensor. DMRV appeared in 2008. Before him, a more reliable MAP sensor (measures pressure) was used.
Many owners of the Izhevsk Spectra "got on the capital" of the engine, having traveled only 45,000 km. During assembly, a timing belt of too low quality was installed. It broke off, and the valves "met" with the pistons. Today, many mechanics in the old fashioned way recommend not to tempt fate and change the timing every 40,000 km.
After 100-150 thousand km, the valve cover gasket sometimes starts to poison the oil. Oil appears in the candle wells. If antifreeze was found there, or the head gasket leaked, then most likely the cylinder head burst and it will have to be replaced. The defect occurs as a result of overheating. The cost of a new head is about 30,000 rubles.
Transmission
Kia Spectra was equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. Both boxes have their drawbacks.
Mechanics often require a bulkhead to 150-200 thousand km. In addition to the leakage of the input shaft seal, a howl or rumble grows over time. However, the howl on the first and reverse gear- a common thing, and some owners drive 250-300 thousand km without repair. For a bulkhead, you will need about 20,000 rubles.
Several automatic transmissions have been used in Spectra's history. F-4EAT and F4A-EL are a joint development between Mazda and Jatco. It was installed only with a 1.8 liter engine. In addition, Mitsubishi A4AF3, F4A42 and A4CF2 boxes were used. The first two could be combined with engines of 1.5 and 1.8 liters. But the latter just went only to sedans of the Russian assembly.
It is generally accepted that the reliable Spektra machines ended in 2007. According to some sources, it was then that the boxes began to be assembled in China. They suffer from premature wear of the clutches and solenoids. Repairs should be prepared closer to 100,000 km, which will require at least 30,000 rubles.
Typical symptoms: jolts when switching from 1st to 2nd and peregazovka / slip when moving from 2nd to 3rd. If you pull with repairs, then after a while there is a crunch when starting and during a stop.
It is necessary to regularly monitor the condition of the CV joint anthers. They either fly off because of flimsy clamps, or are torn from old age already by 100,000 km. As a result, dust and dirt disable the CV joint, which changes as an assembly with the drive.
Chassis
Ball bearings run more than 60-100 thousand km. Silent blocks of levers delaminate after 100-150 thousand km. Shock absorbers serve the same amount. By this time, factory springs may sag or burst, especially for those who use interturn spacers.
After 100,000 km, it may leak or rattle steering rack. The cost of a new rail is from 16,000 rubles.
Closer to 100,000 km, the ABS unit often fails. It's all about the electric motor. Moisture gets inside, which leads to corrosion of the bearing and oxidation of the contacts of the rotor winding. The unit lends itself to a simple restorative repair. After 2009, they began to use a modernized unit with improved moisture protection.
Body and interior
The paintwork is not very wear resistant. The hood and bumper are quickly covered with chips. body iron not prone to corrosion. Rust spots, as a rule, occur in places of poor-quality body repair.
Water in the passenger compartment may appear due to clogged drains under the outer plastic lining at the bottom of the windshield. In addition, water can enter the cabin due to clogged drain holes in the sills. Water in the thresholds accelerates the corrosion process.
Of the minor malfunctions, one can note the failure of the fuel level sensor and problems with the stove motor (the motor itself or the mode switch fails). After 150-200 thousand km, you should be ready to replace the air conditioning compressor clutch or its bearings.
Market situation
A tired sedan on the go can be purchased for 130,000 rubles. For well-groomed cars they ask for almost 300,000 rubles. Among the offers, more than 90% are occupied by cars Russian assembly. It is generally accepted that younger copies released after 2008 are less reliable.
Conclusion
Kia Spectra - typical budget sedan not highly reliable. However, the cost of repairs against the backdrop of modern technologically sophisticated machines cannot but rejoice. All common ailments are well studied and easily eliminated. Any garage mechanic can handle the repair. There are no problems with the availability of spare parts. Kia Spectra is an offer for those who want to buy an inexpensive and easy-to-use sedan.
Foreign-made budget cars have always been and will be in demand among Russian consumer. In this regard, on the Web at autoforums, users often ask themselves the question: what is better - Kia or Hyundai? The reviews of the owners of these machines are not always unambiguous, but, nevertheless, there are a lot of them, which means that there is a demand.
Particularly noteworthy are the budget series "Spectra" from "Kia" and "Accent" from "Hyundai". They account for the majority of purchases. And at the same time, there are disputes about which is better - the Kia Spectra or the Hyundai Accent. Reviews, as mentioned above, do not always help, so there is something to deal with here. Moreover, both brands recently pleased their fans with updates to these series. But first things first.
Let's try to determine which car is better - Kia or Hyundai from the Spectra and Accent series, respectively. Let's consider both cars from all sides, find the pros and cons, and also listen to what the owners say about these models.
Exterior
To answer the question of which car is better - "Kia" or "Hyundai", first of all we will analyze appearance cars. If you put "Spectra" and the updated "Accent" side by side, then their relationship will be visible to the naked eye. Yes, both brands are part of the same concern, but, nevertheless, there is still a noticeable difference in the exterior.
"Spectra" is larger in size and, moreover, the diameter of its wheels is increased compared to the "Accent". Both cars have the same smooth lines, narrow grilles under the hood and noticeably rounded headlights.
A clear difference can be seen in the trunk. At the Spectra, it is clearly distinguished, while at the Accent it is understated in the manner of liftbacks. This solution was especially popular in the early 2000s. So if you choose which is better - Kia Spectra or Hyundai Accent in terms of design, then, judging by the reviews, motorists are divided into two equal parts.
Interior
If, in terms of the exterior, the Spectra has gone ahead a little, then things are a little different with the interior. Both cars seem to be left in the last century, even despite a decent list of modern equipment on board. And here it is rather difficult to determine which is better - Kia or Hyundai.
Reviews about the interior of both cars are very different. The massive deflectors of the Spectra (photo above) are very reminiscent of the Moskvich or European rarities of the 70s and 80s. The front panel is decorated in the old American style: narrow and barely noticeable scales, as well as a speedometer in miles, which clearly do not contribute to the normal perception of readings.
The airbag covers and radio look like hello from the future against this background, diluting the dull interior of the cabin and making it a little more presentable. But, judging by the reviews, the owners are ready to forgive the Spectra panel for its archaism for the incredible comfort of seating. The seats here are made really high quality and with an eye to advanced ergonomics: a soft cushion, anatomical profiles and fine adjustment of the position to the individual characteristics of the driver.
If we evaluate which is better - the Kia Spectra or the Hyundai Accent in terms of interior, then the latter is in a clearly advantageous position. And the difference is very noticeable. There are no questions about the Accent seats: soft, comfortable and a lot of adjustments. The front panel (see photo above), unlike the Spectra, is fresh and already reminds of the current century, not the past.
The deflectors of the Accent are strict, all the elements are at hand, and the instruments have convenient and easily perceived scales in kilometers. Despite the fact that the entire panel is made of medium-quality plastic, it looks, judging by the reviews, very attractive.
Test drive "Accent"
If we compare which is better - the Kia Spectra or the Hyundai Accent in terms of economy, then the latter will be the loser. The owners in their reviews complain about the decent fuel consumption of the Accent. In the city, the car “eats” 10 liters per hundred, but maybe all 12. Naturally, there are no such problems on the highway thanks to fifth gear.
In addition, the four-speed automatic transmission proved to be not the best way and is not very reliable. While there are only positive reviews about the five-step mechanics.
Both cars received engines for 105 Horse power, but the dynamics of the "Accent" is better due to its smaller dimensions. Due to this, the car does not start off as smoothly as the Spectra, so it can be called sports to some extent, where you need to competently work with gas and not spare speed.
Chassis
Chassis The Accent is pretty quiet. Even with the active use of the car on bumps and country roads, the parts do not creak and remain in place. Here we have a universal option, equally good for both the city and the countryside.
Test drive "Spectra"
The gearboxes of both cars are almost identical, as well as the problems voiced above. The five-speed mechanics of the Spectra proved to be excellent in different conditions and, judging by the reviews, does not cause any complaints. A four-speed automatic is much less reliable, and experienced motorists are advised not to consider this option.
There are no complaints about fuel consumption - a solid average. The car “eats” exactly one liter less than the “Accent”, that is, 9 liters in the city and 6-7 on the highway. The Spectra's speakers are noticeably smaller due to its large dimensions, and the car has a gentle start, and calm drivers will certainly appreciate the slightly muffled throttle response.
Chassis
The suspension is quite soft and does not allow serious rolls even if you turn the steering wheel properly. However, the car does not tolerate obvious bumps. Large bumps are felt in the cabin and do not affect the chassis in the best way. For frequent trips on rural roads or potholes, the Spectra is not very suitable. This is a calm and measured city car or a traveler on good roads.
So in this case, it is quite difficult to determine which is better - Kia Spectra or Hyundai Accent, and it all depends on the place where the car is used. Suitable as a universal last car with reliable chassis. Well, the Spectra path is megacities and routes with infrequent trips on dirt roads.
Finally
In general, both cars deserve to be bought and earn their money. As such, the machines have no serious complaints, especially given their low cost. Both Spectra and Accent were remembered by car service workers with a list of classic problems for these cars.
The owners in their reviews note the following nuances of the operation of both machines:
- It is necessary to change shock absorbers every 30-40 thousand km rear suspension.
- Be prepared for clutch failure automatic box transmission at any time.
- The radiator, together with pipes, leaks after about 60 thousand km of active operation.
- Wheel bearings will need to be bought every 50 thousand km.
Of the more specific problems, the owners note the quickly breaking front panel latches on the Spectrum. They begin to make noise even on a flat road. Some latest models"Accent" are equipped with mediocre backstage on mechanical box gears, which also serves as a source of noise and the appearance of problems with gear shifting.