“KIA-Spectra” is a successful brainchild of the Korean automobile concern Kia Motors, which was produced specifically for the American disciplined and calm, respectable family driver. The Koreans stopped producing this brand of car in 2002, and three years later it appeared on the assembly line Izhevsk Automobile Plant.
At first, in Russia only imported components and parts were assembled into a single whole. Then most of the work on the production of components was transferred to Russian manufacturers.
Configurations of the KIA-Spectra, Izhevsk assembly
This solid golf-class sedan, which is four and a half meters long, was assembled in four trim levels.
Even basic equipment, equipped with a manual transmission, has power steering, power windows, central locking, two airbags and audio preparation.
The next configuration already includes air conditioning, fog lights, heated side mirrors and wheel covers.
A little later, a package appeared, additionally equipped with an ABS passive safety system.
The automatic transmission is installed in only one configuration. This is the top version in which owners can enjoy an electric antenna and heated seats.
Izhevsk plant began to produce alloy wheels, which for an additional fee could be installed on a car in any configuration.
Exterior and interior of the car
By the time it left the assembly line in Izhevsk, the KIA-Spectra had already become obsolete twice. Therefore, it is not surprising that by 2006 it no longer stood out in terms of design.
Although the owners' reviews of the cherry and blue KIA-Spectra are positive in terms of external data. Drivers especially like the front view of freshly washed, shiny cars with a “smiling” radiator grille and slightly slanted headlights.
All owners liked the interior equipment, even in the budget configuration, especially when domestic models the majority were on the roads.
Electrified glass, lampshades, a drawer for glasses, cup holders, three headrests in the back and a folding seat back in separate parts could not but evoke positive emotions. But the gray inexpressive velor, hard shiny plastic, artless execution of small details cause despondency.
However, on the KIA-Spectra 2006, owner reviews regarding interior trim are mostly friendly.
More negative reviews concerns the interior layout. On the rear sofa, the backrest is strongly tilted back, the seat is low, and the cabin height is insufficient, at least for tall passengers. But three people can sit in the back, especially since there is no tunnel in the middle, and there is enough space for the legs.
Feelings behind the wheel
The driver's seat cushion rolled back is one of the disadvantages of the KIA Spectra car. Reviews from owners of cars with a manual transmission mention the high front edge of the seat, which makes it difficult to depress the clutch pedal. In addition, getting up from such a chair is not very comfortable, especially for older people. Although domestic drivers, accustomed to extraordinary solutions, found a way out of the situation by installing pads under the rear supports of the seat.
The double speedometer scale in kilometers and miles also causes criticism. The longitudinal movement of the driver's seat is also not suitable for everyone. If the range is quite sufficient, then the adjustment is no different in accuracy.
The steering wheel is also not for everyone, although everyone notes the ease of movement and the ability to adjust its tilt.
Secondary controls are simple and do not cause any complaints. You need to adapt to the heating system and its settings, although the stove itself works quite well.
Many drivers lack rear visibility, although in this regard the KIA Spectra is more convenient than many other sedans.
Security equipment
The KIA Spectra car has not been subjected to crash tests using the EvroNCAP method, so nothing can be said about the level of passive safety of the car. But safety features already in the base model are significant, including rear head restraints and a passenger airbag. Since Spectra was developed as family car, all trim levels are equipped with child seat mounts. In addition, two trim levels have ABS, although drivers are advised not to wait for this safety system to activate on ice.
Trunk of a KIA Spectra car
Reviews from owners call the trunk volume quite acceptable and consider its size to be one of the advantages of the car. But tail lights and crescent hinges significantly narrow the space under the lid.
Drivers do not consider the fact that the trunk can only be opened from the outside using a key to be a disadvantage. Lack of protection on it inside and unpainted areas, which have already become obvious in the KIA-Spectra 2007, reviews from owners note in passing, practically without giving these shortcomings ratings. The folding third of the backrest of the rear sofa makes it possible to transport fairly large loads, which pleases some drivers.
KIA Spectra on the roads
The first and main drawback in the KIA-Spectra car is considered by owners to be very noisy engine. Some drivers notice, not without malice, that only deaf people can drive this car at high speeds. The engine becomes so active when the tachometer needle approaches the middle of the scale.
Drivers of the KIA-Spectra automatic are even more indignant. Reviews from owners, and if you also consider that the automatic transmission is installed at the most expensive versions, extremely harsh in relation to noise, and indeed, to the operation of the automatic transmission with its unexpected jumps in gears, jerks when switching and delays during acceleration.
Drivers generally consider the soft suspension an advantage, although it knocks on bumps, especially large ones.
All drivers praise the brakes, both in the first and in the KIA-Spectra 2008 cars. Reviews from owners talk about repeated replacements of brake pads, but at the same time they claim that the reaction to pressing the pedal in cars is immediate. Many even fear that the car behind them may crash into the trunk when braking.
KIA Spectra is not intended for off-road driving. The ground clearance is quite high for a sedan, it is 150 mm, but the overhangs are so long and low that you can tear off the bumper, which, judging by the reviews, has happened more than once.
The car reliably goes in a straight line and makes clear turns - these advantages are noted by all KIA Spectra drivers. Reviews from owners are somewhat contradictory in assessing the car's driving performance, but this car is designed for a quiet, careful ride. Active and aggressive drivers should drive other models.
Vehicle operation
Today, the warranty is no longer valid either for individual components or for KIA-Spectra vehicles as a whole. All models released in the first decade of the new century already have a solid mileage and more than one maintenance record.
Owners are pleased with the availability of spare parts for free sale and the possibility of replacing them with analogues from other manufacturers. For example, sound signal from the Volga it installs quite well, and it sounds louder.
According to the reviews of most owners, even a seven-year-old Spectra, with proper and gentle operation, is a quite competitive car. There are even drivers who do not want to part with reliable car. They plan to replace the upholstery, not because it's worn out, but to revitalize the interior.
Depending on your luck, of course, but the main repair is replacement Supplies, sensors and electrical wiring. Brake pads can last a long time; they are changed more often for safety reasons if the car travels long distances.
There are drivers who travel long distances with this car with a trailer. They note that the Spectra can pull up to a ton of cargo, however, this increases fuel consumption.
And in general, it is precisely for hard work and reliability that reviews of owners often praise the KIA-Spectra car.
Cons of the car
Despite its age, the Spectra has enough advantages that there are people who want to ride it.
The disadvantages of the car begin not with age, but with the fact that the model was outdated even before production began in Udmurtia. Today, drivers are already spoiled by a large selection of new, more prestigious and presentable cars.
Low noise insulation is a defect of many budget brands, and both specialists and drivers themselves have learned to deal with it quite effectively.
With a small engine capacity, the Spectra has a fairly high fuel consumption, especially compared to newer ones. economical brands cars. Yes, myself low power engine at present, especially at quite big sedan- a big minus.
Some drivers call the ground clearance low, but this usually happens when additional crankcase protection is installed.
"KIA-Spectra" is morally outdated and has an inexpressive design, but its technical part does not pose any particular hassle even when operating in difficult conditions.
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 was restyled, and the Sephia emblem was replaced by the Spectra inscription. In Europe and Australia the name remains the same. 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 its obligations to Kia Motors, a limited batch of 1,700 units rolled off the IzhAvto assembly line.
Let's take a look inside. Kia interior Spectrum does not make a pleasant impression. The interior is decorated with cheap, rough and hard plastic in gray shades. The advantages include convenient, wide chairs with a long pillow that allows you to travel long distances comfortably. You can’t blame the sedan for the rear sofa either. And the 440-liter trunk is quite enough for everyday needs.
Most copies have rather poor equipment. IN standard equipment included an airbag, immobilizer and audio preparation. hydraulic booster, central locking, electric windows, ABS, airbag front passenger and air conditioning required additional payment.
The car did not take part in crash tests according to EuroNCAP, but the Americans from the National Institute took care of this in 1999 IIHS Safety. Of the four possible gradations, the sedan earned the lowest “Poor” - a poor level of safety. The driver received injuries to his neck and head that were incompatible with life.
Engines
The Korean was equipped with naturally aspirated gasoline engines with a capacity of 1.5, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 liters. Hinting at the time of debut, the Spectra engines have acquired “Millennium Technology”, as eloquently indicated by the inscription on the cover “Mi-Tech”. All units are the result of modernization of Mazda engines. They have a timing belt drive.
The most widespread is the 16-valve 1.6-liter S6D engine. This is nothing more than modified Mazda engine B6. Korean engineers reduced its warm-up time and installed a highly efficient catalyst. The valves are equipped with hydraulic pushers, the block is cast from cast iron, and the head is made from aluminum.
Among the disadvantages are the noisy operation of hydraulic compensators and the low service life of high-voltage wires, spark plugs and ignition coils - about 50-100 thousand km. After 150-200 thousand km, the starter and generator will require repair.
In addition, engine malfunctions may occur due to sensor failure mass flow air. Mass air flow sensor appeared in 2008. Before it, a more reliable MAP sensor was used (measures pressure).
Many owners of Izhevsk Spectra “fell into the capital” of the engine, having driven only 45,000 km. During assembly, a timing belt of too poor 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 belt every 40,000 km.
After 100-150 thousand km, sometimes the valve cover gasket begins to poison the oil. Oil also appears in spark plug wells. If antifreeze is found there, or the head gasket is leaking, then most likely the cylinder head has burst and 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
The Kia Spectra was equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. Both boxes have their drawbacks.
Mechanics often require a rebuild at 150-200 thousand km. In addition to the oil seal leak input shaft, over time the howl or hum increases. However, the howl is on the first and reverse gears- a common thing, and some owners drive 250-300 thousand km without repairs. For the bulkhead you will need about 20,000 rubles.
Spectra has been used several times in its history. automatic boxes transmission F-4EAT and F4A-EL – joint development Mazda and Jatco. It was installed only with a 1.8 liter engine. In addition, A4AF3, F4A42 and A4CF2 gearboxes developed by Mitsubishi were used. The first two could be combined with engines with a capacity of 1.5 and 1.8 liters. But the latter only went to Russian-assembled sedans.
It is generally accepted that reliable Spectra 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 clutches and solenoids. You should prepare for repairs closer to 100,000 km, which will require at least 30,000 rubles.
Characteristic symptoms: shocks when switching from 1st to 2nd and over-throttle/slippage when switching from 2nd to 3rd. If you delay repairs, then after a while a crunching sound appears when starting and when stopping.
It is necessary to regularly monitor the condition of the CV joint boots. They either fall off due to flimsy clamps, or break from old age already at 100,000 km. As a result, dust and dirt damage the CV joint, which is replaced as an assembly with the drive.
Chassis
Ball joints run more than 60-100 thousand km. The silent blocks of the levers delaminate after 100-150 thousand km. Shock absorbers last the same amount of time. By this time, factory springs may sag or burst, especially for those who use intercoil 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 bearing corrosion and oxidation of the rotor winding contacts. The unit can be easily repaired. After 2009, they began to use a modernized block with improved protection against moisture.
Body and interior
The paintwork is not highly wear-resistant. The hood and bumper quickly become chipped. Body iron is not prone to corrosion. Pockets of rust, as a rule, appear in areas of poor-quality body repair.
Water in the cabin may be caused by clogged drains under the outer plastic trim at the bottom of the windshield. In addition, water can penetrate into the interior due to clogged drain holes in the rapids. Water in thresholds accelerates the corrosion process.
From minor faults You can note a 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 move can be purchased for 130,000 rubles. Behind well maintained cars they are asking for almost 300,000 rubles. Among the offers, more than 90% are Russian-assembled cars. It is generally accepted that younger copies released after 2008 are less reliable.
Conclusion
Kia Spectra – typical budget sedan, no different high reliability. However, the cost of repairs against the background of modern technologically complex machines cannot but rejoice. All common ailments are well studied and can be 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 purchase an inexpensive and easy-to-use sedan.
The very fact of exchanging a domestic car for a foreign car is important - albeit a little-known, but affordable one. And there are more and more such people.
I remember we studied basic sedan from the pilot batch, and its equipment was not minimal, even scanty: steering column height adjustment, clock, immobilizer, anti-reflective mirror coating, audio preparation with antenna and package for bad roads. With a price of almost $13,000, the car was not adorned with such modesty. But by the time the large series was launched, the situation had changed. The engine option is still the only one - the gasoline Mi-Tech 1.6 DOHC (101 hp), but the price/equipment ratio is now more attractive.
Price basic version with a 5-speed manual transmission dropped to $11,500, and a c/c was added to it. The production share of these “empty” cars this year will be only... 1% (!), so SOKIA managers are not focusing their attention on them. In fact, the price list starts with an option for $12,220, which adds: power steering, electric windows, driver and passenger airbags. The package with air conditioning and a 4-speed automatic transmission costs $14,320.
The manufacturer's main bet is on the “mechanical” version for $13,220, equipped in addition to the above with fog lights, decorative caps, heating and electric mirrors. Well, the most “provided” Spectra is with an automatic transmission, and for $14,700 it offers everything mentioned plus heated seats, an electric antenna and ABS.
...The brand new silver car that we took to continue our acquaintance is just one of the “basic” ones - for $13,220. Inexpressive, it blends into the background of the winter Russian landscape and, by the way, strives to disguise itself as a domestic car. You look and think: this is exactly what a domestic golf-class sedan could be like the Spectra - some kind of IZh Spectr...
Against the background of Russian developments, the ingenuous, essentially Korean car of the 2002 model looks advantageous. It is neatly painted and assembled. One of the main advantages of a sedan, valuable for the broad Russian soul, is very spacious salon. More precisely, spacious for four, and not cramped for five. What about cargo capacity? Backrest folds down piece by piece to provide access to the 410-liter trunk. Its lid is unlocked either by a key or a lever from inside the compartment; under the floor of the compartment there is a full-size spare wheel. The lid has no upholstery, but there are highly developed arches of the holders that do not allow filling the compartment to the top - they rest against things.
Let's fast forward. In general, there are no complaints about the ergonomics of the driver's seat. But the driver's seat cushion is too soft, and its front part is very raised. You sit as if across a hammock, and there are no adjustments for the tilt of the pillow or the reach of the column (the large steering wheel with a thin rim only adjusts in height). Therefore, the landing has to be adjusted along the way.
And in general, you don’t get used to the car right away. For example, the Spectra has a very sensitive brake pedal, and at first you make mistakes with the dosage of force, and the sedan bites on the soft independent suspension. Almost all versions lack ABS, but this is unlikely to bother those who switched from our brand.
Norma (with manual transmission) - $11,500
Anti-reflective mirror, adjustable steering column, audio preparation, immobilizer, central locking, package for bad roads
Standard (with manual transmission) - $12,220
Power steering, power windows, driver and passenger airbags
Premium (with automatic transmission) - $14,320
Air conditioner
Optimum (with manual transmission) - $13,220
Fog lights, decorative caps, electric drive and heated mirrors
Luxury (with automatic transmission) - $14,700
Electric antenna, heated front seats, ABS
The car is provided by the official distributor of SOKIA
Car buyers fall into two categories. Some choose a car on an emotional level - style, the history of the brand, and, ultimately, prestige are important to them, if the position requires it. 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 money. Just for them Kia company released the Spectra car at one time.
A cheap foreign car with an automatic transmission is the first thing that comes to mind when you see the squat silhouette of a “Korean”. There is also an option with a manual transmission, but more on that below.
Story
To put it very, very briefly, the car that we know under the name Spectra is the second generation of Kia Cerato, which has an engine created in collaboration with Mazda and has nothing in common with Hyundai models. And all because Hyundai bought Kia in 1998, and the second Cerato generation began production in 1997.
The predecessor of our hero, the first generation Kia Spectra sedan, was released in South Korea in 1992. In the Korean source, the car was called Sephia, and foreign markets the car received a second name - Mentor. In the first year, more than 100,000 cars were sold domestic market. Believing in success, in 1993 Kia began conquering the North American market for the first time and precisely with this model. The car arrives at US car dealerships with a 1.8 liter engine produced under license from Mazda. In 1995, Kia gave the Specter a facelift for the American consumer, changing the radiator grille and head optics.
A year earlier (since 1994), Sephia received 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 Spectra entered the assembly line. The second generation completely changed the appearance of the sedan and hatchback (Shuma). In addition, the engine was updated - 1.8 DOHC was already own development Kia (with the help of Mazda).
The model lived happily until the beginning of the new century and again changed her name in the United States. For marketing reasons, the liftback was named after Spectra, “shedding light over the entire North America"(from the English Spectrum, the second plural meaning of Spectra).
The car sold quite successfully. Contributed to this rich equipment And reasonable price. Kia bet on safety and did not lose. The Spectra could already be bought back then with six airbags and disc brakes on all wheels. A total of three trim levels were offered - the basic one under the symbol S, the extended GS and the top-end GSX.
In 2003, Kia launched the third generation under the Cerato/Forte nameplate, while in some foreign markets the second generation was still in production until 2004.
What about in Russia? Traditionally, at that time, we did not get the most recent reincarnation. In 2005, IzhAvto began industrial assembly of the second generation Spectra sedan. In 2008, the car engine was brought to Euro-3 standards. The year 2011 became last year produced by Spectra in Russia.
Offers on the market
The potential buyer will be deprived of the agony of choice, because the Russian version was produced only in a sedan body, and with only one gasoline engine.
The whole choice comes down to finding an option with the desired gearbox - manual or automatic. To be fair, it should be said that the overseas wind brought American variants of different generations to our market, but they count only in pieces.
The price range for the Spectra will please you more: depending on the year of manufacture, from 175 to 350 thousand rubles, - for any wallet.
| Year | Price Max/Min, thousand rubles. | average price, thousand roubles. | Mileage range, thousand km | Average mileage, 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 is worth understanding that the declared price for a car is the one at which it costs on the market; the real price at which it ultimately goes is in practice always lower, at least by 2-3%. In case of reasonable bargaining, you can get a discount of up to 5%.
The table shows that over the first 4 years of production, the lower bar changes slightly, as does the upper bar over the last 4 years. Why? In the first case, it plays a role technical condition car, in the second - a small number of offers of a certain year of manufacture. If there are few offers on the market for 2011, then 2010 is at the price of 2011, etc. By the way, the volume of output from 2009 gradually decreased by 2011, which is not surprising. The IzhAvto plant was already in pre-bankruptcy convulsions at that time due to the crisis.
It is not difficult to find a car with an automatic transmission; up to a quarter of offers (24%) are for this type.
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Engine
The Russian version of the Spectra was produced only with a 1.6 liter gasoline engine with a power of 101.5 hp. and is designed for 95 gasoline. Only the American version is more powerful - 1.8 l, 126 hp, but only with an automatic transmission. According to the dealer's regulations, maintenance is carried out at intervals of every 15 thousand km, with mandatory replacement engine oil and filter. Every 45 thousand km we change the timing belt, every 30 thousand km we change the spark plugs.
The engine is generally reliable - Japanese roots are felt. Isolated incidents and breakdowns have occurred among owners of new cars with mileages of up to 10 thousand km, but this is more a consequence of the assembly than a design flaw. You just have 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.
A new engine can be found for 70 thousand rubles, but this information is more for reference, you are unlikely to ever have to deal with this.
According to owner reviews, on 99 out of 100 cars, during a cold start, a knocking sound (rattling) is heard, which disappears when the engine warms up and does not manifest itself in any way. In most cases it helps to use synthetic oil and periodic monitoring of its level, inspection of the engine for lubricant leakage.
If the engine suddenly starts running unevenly, the revs fluctuate, and then suddenly starts to fluctuate, do not rush to order a new one. Such cases are 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 and gearbox lacks is dynamics. And if the combination with a manual transmission allows you to accelerate the car to 100 km/h in 12.6 seconds. (which is close to the level of the majority budget foreign cars), then with an automatic transmission the car will reach this milestone in 16 seconds. Here you can only compete with the bus.
Transmission
There are certain questions regarding the reliability of the automatic transmission (factory index F4AEL-K). On the one hand, the box also has Japanese roots, but is somewhat modified towards simplification. On the other hand, evil tongues claim that the assembly is Chinese, although it was supplied to the plant from Korea. By Kia regulations, the automatic transmission on the Spectra is considered maintenance-free - during maintenance the dealer only checks the oil level. But we know that in our conditions it is better to monitor the quality of the oil in the automatic transmission and change it if necessary.
First of all, you need to pay attention to oil leaks. Insufficient level can cause overheating and noise in the box and, as a result, leads to the destruction of friction mechanisms and bearings. Overheating can be identified by the characteristic black color of the oil with a burning smell. The silver lining is that dealers and workshops have already gotten their hands on repairing these boxes. A restored automatic transmission is estimated by sellers, including a replacement, at 30-40 thousand rubles.
The smooth operation of the automatic transmission corresponds to the technological age of its development. There are frequent jerks when switching from 1st to 2nd gear (stick solenoid valves) and throttle shifting when switching from 3rd to 4th gear (4-speed automatic). The latter can be “treated” by replacing the firmware in electronic unit management.
Mechanical box(5 steps) is devoid of these shortcomings, but the owners have complaints about the clarity of gear engagement and the long strokes of the gearshift lever. By 50 thousand km oil may begin to leak through sealing ring gear selector rod. The clutch disc “dies” (on average) at 70 thousand km.
Suspension
Classic design: independent MacPherson strut at the front, independent multi-link at the rear, with shock absorber struts And transverse stabilizer. Some no special complaints she doesn't call. Ball joints last up to 130-150 thousand km and make themselves known by knocking due to the presence of play. According to the manufacturer's recommendation, the ball joint is replaced as an assembly with the lever, but 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 install non-original springs and shock absorbers. The “original” suspension is prone to breakdown, but if the ride is too soft and the car falls in turns, then this is a reason to evaluate working condition shock absorbers. If the car begins to float on a straight course, look at the stabilizer bushings.
By 90-100 thousand km, almost all car models begin to buzz wheel bearings. They are replaced together with the hub. If they have a garage and free time, craftsmen knock out old bearings and hammer in new ones.
The front brakes are disc, the rear are often drum, although versions with ABS also have disc brakes at the rear. The life of the pads is standard. 30-40 thousand km for disk ones and up to 100 thousand km for drum ones. There are no complaints about the operation of the braking system; it provides adequate and predictable deceleration.
The disadvantages of the suspension include the extremely low ground clearance - 154 cm, and with installed engine protection and fully loaded and even less. Note the long front overhang. The long hood of a sedan along with a small ground clearance sharply reduces geometric cross-country ability car. Park facing the curb, storm railways and ramps need to be spared.
Body and interior
Factory anti-corrosion treatment The Spectra body included a 4-fold cataphoresis bath (on both sides), colloquially “galvanized.” The factory warranty against end-to-end wormholes was 100 thousand km. Therefore, you will not find outright rusty examples, of course, if the car has not previously been “slammed” against an obstacle. The body iron is not overly thick, so it does not like it when any significant effort is applied to it. More tenderly, even more tenderly...
The biggest complaint from car owners is the sound insulation of the cabin; the engine is especially annoying at high speeds, when communication becomes uncomfortable.
The basic configuration already includes central locking, all electric windows, a full-size spare wheel, a folding rear sofa (in a 60/40 ratio), power steering, and two front airbags. The Spectra was supplied in 5 trim levels. All versions (except the basic one) have air conditioning, and the automatic transmission was available only in the two top versions, “Premium” and “Lux”.
Trunk volume of 410 liters is quite good for compact sedan, and it can be increased due to the folding backrest of the rear sofa. There are cases when access to useful liters may be impossible due to a jammed trunk lock or a weakened 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 interior. Simple and angry. Inexpensive plastic with a budget "rag". The layout of the seats allows a fairly large passenger to sit comfortably in any row. True, not all drivers can find a good driving position for themselves, despite the vertical adjustment of the steering column. Experiments with tilt are underway basic installation driver's seat through spacers.
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Electrical equipment
The electrics do not cause any serious complaints. As we wrote above, over time the ignition coils may need to be replaced. Sometimes owners complain about the insufficient luminous flux of low beam headlights. During the first thousand kilometers there were cases of horn failure.
Cost of service/maintenance
Initially, the car was provided with a 3-year warranty (or 100 thousand km), so you will no longer find warranty options, and there is no direct reason to service it at the dealer.
The cost of some operations on specialized but unofficial services
NEW LEVEL IN IZHEVSK?
A Russian-assembled foreign car - what is it like? What are the differences between such a car and one assembled in another country? What kind of operations are performed by the hands of our workers? What is the quality of such cars? These questions interest many buyers. For answers to them, we went to Izhevsk, to the IZH-Auto plant, where KIA cars are assembled.
Auto industry:
abroad will help us.
Why do they need this?
The domestic auto industry, unfortunately, has never been ahead of the rest. All our cars were developed with an eye to their Western counterparts. They were produced for decades and eventually became hopelessly outdated. However, foreign cars are still an unaffordable luxury for many. What should a poor Russian car enthusiast drive?
At the junction of these contradictions, the class of cars that are cheap by European standards, the price of which does not exceed 9-12 thousand dollars, began to increase in Russia. Therefore, European and Asian manufacturers began to offer such cars.
Retail price matters a lot in this class. Therefore, automakers are looking for any ways to reduce it. Take, for example, import duties on ready car- this is a significant part of its cost. And the duty on a car kit - a set of parts from which a car can be assembled - is significantly less. This became the main motivation for the deployment of enterprises for assembling foreign cars in Russia.
Of course, this also means new jobs, economic development, and much more, but main reason the emergence of such enterprises - prices must be kept at an affordable level for most buyers.
Wheel of History 
As you know, in order to confidently move forward, we must not forget about the past. Therefore, let’s remember what the Izh-Avto plant did in the old days.
The first car to roll off the assembly line of the Izhevsk Automobile Plant was Moskvich-408. This took place in December 1966. At that time, all the parts and components of the car were brought from the Moscow Automobile Plant named after the Lenin Komsomol (AZLK), which is very symbolic. The history of the plant began with the assembly of cars from vehicle kits. Production began in December 1967 next model- "Moskvich-412". These cars were assembled at the “small” car plant, around which the walls of the “big” one were erected. By 1971, all the main workshops of the “large” one were put into operation, and production at the “small” was discontinued.
Soon the plant presented to motorists two new car models, completely developed by its own design bureau. These were the IZH-2125 “Combi” with a five-seater, five-door body and an IZH-2715 cargo van. It’s fair to say that for that time the cars were really very successful.
Izhevsk vans and pickups - IZH-2715
and IZH-27151 - quickly established themselves as workhorses. “Heel” - as the people called IZH-2715, it was the only cargo truck in the USSR at that time small car. This car is still often found on the roads of provincial cities in Russia.
In 1972, Izhevsk designers for the first time in the Soviet Union developed a variant four-wheel drive vehicle IZH-14. Unfortunately, in mass production the model did not work, primarily due to poor unification with the Moskvich base for the plant. Also, the designers of the car plant developed front wheel drive cars IZH-13 and IZH-19, which did not go into production for the same reason.
Passed state tests in 1984 new model IZH-2126. In 1991, production of the IZH-2126 “Orbita” car (later the car was named “Oda”) was put on the assembly line. Based on the model, IZH-2717, IZH-212612, IZH-212614 vans and IZH-27171, IZH-212615 pickups were produced. Unfortunately, the family of these cars entered the market too late, and they could not fully satisfy consumers, and the 1998 crisis only worsened the situation.
In 2000, the situation began to improve: after solving a number of problems, the plant significantly increased production volumes, and 24,691 a car(in 1999 - 9370). Preparation of facilities has begun for the transfer of production of the VAZ-2106 model from the assembly line of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant to Izhevsk.
In 2001, IZH-Avto celebrated the 35th anniversary of the production of its first car. Systematic work was carried out to improve the quality of assembly and components. That year, 47,762 vehicles were assembled.
In 2002, the plant continued to increase production volumes; 78,000 cars rolled off the assembly line.
In total, more than 2.3 million cars under this brand have rolled off the assembly line of the Izhevsk Automobile Plant in its entire history.
Over time, the models became less in demand by buyers, and in 2004 the last copies of the Oda model were released. Although thousands of its various modifications roam the roads of our country, for the plant they have already become history.
What is the past for Koreans, is the future for us?
In 2005, the plant began to cooperate with the Korean company KIA Motors. It would be more correct to say that it was in 2005 that the result of this cooperation saw the light of day: the first cars KIA Spectra, assembled in Izhevsk, left the gates of the automobile plant.
It was the Spectra that was destined to become a pioneer in the alliance of Izh-Avto and KIA Motors. Why her? This model successfully combines accessibility, practicality and reliability. The price-quality ratio, so beloved by practical buyers, showed the model in a favorable light.
Calling to "go to new level"The advertising slogan is partly very accurate. For most buyers, Spectra is the first car after, so to speak, original Russian cars. And if we compare, the phrase “new level” really very accurately characterizes the purchase. At the same time, it’s no secret that this car is not new and has already been discontinued in Korea (moreover, production was discontinued even before production began in Izhevsk).
The joint production of cars with Korean partners for the Izhevsk Automobile Plant was also a transition to a new level: the quality of cars coming off the assembly line was confirmed by both representatives from Korea and their own independent experts. Therefore, the approach to production today is fundamentally different from the situation ten years ago, when cars were completed to working condition by the owner...
During the assembly of the car, its components are repeatedly checked. Firstly, in Izhevsk there is incoming control of supplied parts and assemblies. At different stages of manufacturing, the necessary measurements are taken. Walking along the conveyor, one cannot help but notice that at each section there are places where rejected parts are placed. In cases where this is possible, they are restored (and such cases are the majority). Fully assembled cars pass exit control. Based on its results, the car is sent either to the finished product lot or to refine the identified deficiencies. For this purpose, the plant has specially trained teams of craftsmen. One of the stages of final control is passing through a rain chamber: each car stays in it for two minutes, after which the seals are assessed.
Today Spectra assembly in Izhevsk is full cycle assembly, including body welding, anti-corrosion treatment and coloring. The vast majority of parts come from Korea. The engines are supplied fully assembled.
As for the localization of production, today it is limited to seats, tires and batteries. Currently, tests of shock absorbers from the Skopinsky plant are almost completed. The plans for the very near future include their delivery to mass production.
Not the only Spectra...
In December 2006, assembly of another Korean model was organized - Rio JB. Its fate is not as cloudless as that of Spectra, and this is not the fault of the factory workers - a miscalculation was made by Korean marketers. The price of this car turned out to be inhumane, so many were forced to refuse to buy it. The high price was due high cost vehicle kit, which was assigned Korean side. So, during our visit to the plant in the fall, there were about a dozen RIO cars JB, who were waiting for the necessary components from Korea. Izhevsk residents do not strive to supply what they have and rather roll out the car for sale.
It is quite possible that the ten Rio JBs we saw will be the last ones produced in Izhevsk. Whether production of the model will be resumed depends on the Koreans. But the unprofitability of Rio JB production does not mean that the market does not need new models.
In April 2007, Izh-Avto began assembling SUVs KIA Sorento. Today it is a large-unit assembly: all parts come from Korea assembled into units, the bodies are painted, the interior is partially assembled. In Izhevsk, the “wedding” of the frame and body and the final assembly of the car are held. The plant plans to establish a full assembly cycle and localize the production of components.
Since all the estimated car production figures announced in 2005 have been confirmed by time, we must assume that in the near future the Sorento will join the same assembly line as the Spectra.
Give me a test drive! 
KIA car owners, that is, direct consumers of KIA Motors products in Russia, were invited to the plant. Some of the guests drive Izhevsk-assembled cars, so the conversation turned out to be substantive and mutually interesting.
Car enthusiasts asked questions that interested them and that arose during the trip, and plant representatives delved into the essence of the problem with genuine interest. It must be said that the plant simply did not know about some issues. This omission can be addressed to the managers and technical team of car dealerships selling KIA, because it is to them that customers turn first when problems arise.
The factory's workshops pleased us with their cleanliness and order. Workers competently perform assembly operations. Of course, many operations are performed manually, but given the current production volumes, this approach is financially more profitable. Considering that the average salary at the plant is the second highest in Izhevsk, working for IZH-Auto is considered profitable.
Immediately I noticed the fact that the enterprise was not fully loaded. The design capacity allows for the assembly of up to 220 thousand cars per year, but only 40 thousand are actually assembled. What can you do, the market today cannot accept more. KIA Motors plans for 2008 to sell up to 100 thousand cars in Russia, 80% of which will be produced in Izhevsk.
A test drive was also included in the action plan. Enthusiasts were given the opportunity to test SAAZ shock absorbers and compare them with Korean ones. This is where a surprise awaited car enthusiasts, because domestic shock absorbers significantly surpassed imported ones!
On a winding dirt road, where the Spectra with Korean shock absorbers yawed and swayed at 60 km/h, SAAZ products made it possible to drive at a speed of 80-85 km/h, and the car’s handling was better. We hope that the durability of Skopino products will be no worse than Korean ones, because then car enthusiasts will only benefit.
Kia Spectra
Specifications.
All Spectras are equipped with a 16-valve 1.6-liter engine producing 101 hp. With. (at 5500 rpm; torque - 145 N*m at 4500 rpm).
The transmission is either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Maximum speed which can be reached by car is 180 km/h (170 km/h for cars with automatic transmission). Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 12.6 seconds (16 seconds for cars with automatic transmission). Passport expense fuel is 10.2 liters (11.2 liters) in the city, 5.9 liters (6.2 liters) on the highway.
Safety.
KIA Spectra is equipped with two front airbags. Their presence even in the most available configuration is a credit to the Korean automaker. In terms of the level of passive safety, KIA cars can, with a slight stretch, be called “good”: KIA has not had any outright failures in crash tests recently, but it has not achieved leading positions either.
If you look through the archives of KIA crash tests, it becomes obvious that with each new generation of models, safety improves significantly. The first Korean car to receive five stars (the highest rating) for passive safety according to the EuroNCAP method, - KIA Ceed. This fact suggests that KIA pays due attention to the safety of its cars.
But we cannot discount the fact that Spectra was developed a long time ago (by automotive standards) and modern innovations simply cannot be present in it.
Prices and equipment.
To become KIA owner Spectra without resorting to credit programs, you must have at least 333 thousand rubles at your disposal. This is exactly how much the basic equipment of the car costs, which bears the symbol NA (“standard”). It must be said that basic in the case of Spectra does not mean poor. Judge for yourself: power steering, driver and passenger front airbags, central locking, immobilizer, four electric windows, audio equipment (speakers and antenna) - all this is included as standard.
In addition, two more configurations are offered with manual transmission and two with automatic transmission. The presence of air conditioning, fog lights, heating and electric rear-view mirrors will increase the cost by 36 thousand rubles. This configuration has the index HB (“optimum”). Add to this ABS and rear disc brakes, and you'll get the best-equipped manual Spectra available. This is the NOT (“optimum plus”) package. The price of such a car is 376 thousand rubles.
The most affordable version with automatic transmission will cost 380 thousand rubles - this is Spectra NS (“premium”). It is similar to the “standard” configuration, but, in addition to differences in gearboxes, the “premium” is equipped with air conditioning.
The most “stuffed” and, for obvious reasons, the most dear KIA Spectra offers the buyer such options as electric and heated rear-view mirrors, fog lights, heated front seats, body-colored door handles and automatic transmission. In addition, only in top trim levels
