![]() In addition to the mandatory two frontal airbags, front-seat occupants are protected by seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and full-coverage side curtain airbags protect front- and rear-seat occupants. No other car in this price range or size class, nor many costing thousands of dollars more and in larger classes, offer the same, full complement of standard airbag supplemental restraints. The trunk is larger.Īll these advances and improvements pale, however, alongside the new 2004 Spectra's occupant safety features. There's more headroom, more hip room and more rear legroom. Four-wheel disc brakes are now standard, where the previous model had rear drum brakes. The track is wider, which improves handling. The wheelbase is longer, which improves the ride. The engine is more powerful, more fuel efficient and cleaner. Mechanically, the new 2004 Spectra is all-new. It's also priced only a couple of hundred dollars more. The new one is all-new, with sharper styling. The old one is a carryover from the 2003 model year. That the company's dealers have two 2004 Spectra models for sale is the consequence of federal fuel economy regulations, not the car maker's choice.įortunately, it's easy to distinguish the new 2004 Spectra from the old 2004 Spectra. I do most of the maintenance myself since this is a simple car, and I will be taking it to mechanics other than the dealer for any future repairs I can't do.Kia really isn't trying to confuse us. However, when I took it in for maintenance that one time, I was not impressed with the staff's knowledge or service. The only problem I have had with this car is the dealer. So long as the cap is secure so that no oxygen can get in and set off the sensor, you will not have this problem. ![]() Clicked the cap, and have never had the problem again. I had the light come on once in the first month. The dealer told me when I bought it, there was a tag hanging off the gas cap that said it, and the manual says: Click the cap at least three times when shutting it to avoid the check engine light coming on. ![]() The people who have had the problem with the check engine light obviously did not read their owner's manual. I could not ask for more in a $9000 economy car. It gets 35mi/gal, is comfortable, fun to drive, good looking, and reliable. Every time I take it to get inspected at the tire store, they tell me the brakes and tires are still good. I was beginning to think that KIA built their windshields out of Kryptonite. The only maintenance I have had done to it was a tune up and timing belt replacement at 60,000 miles.Īfter having at least 20 rocks hit the windshield over its lifetime, I finally had one chip it. I don't even change the oil as often as I should (I do use synthetic though). I drive this car over 100 miles/day back and forth to work, and will be hitting 100,000 miles soon. One of the few 2004 models sold before they changed the body style, and engine that year. It is a base model manual,1.8L, 4-door sedan. I bought this car brand new for $9000 in 02/2004. That thing broke off right after I bought the car. There are little "wings" that are suppose to swing over and hold smaller diameter cups from moving around. The only problem I have had is with the drink holder.
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