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2008 Elantra SE vs 2008 Kia Spectra EX?

9K views 16 replies 7 participants last post by  BobMs_wht2k2 
#1 ·
Is the 2008 Kia Spectra EX up to the same build quality as the 2008 Elantra SE?

We are considering purchasing the new Spectra EX. I think it looks
so sharp in the Deep Ocean Blue with alloys!

Will the Spectra last as long as a Elantra?
 
#2 ·
its pretty much the same company with different badges... so if you like elantra, then you will like the kia... its a bit sportier in apperance to the elantra so i think you will like it
 
#3 ·
The Spectra is still the XD platform, mostly.
 
#4 ·
Yep. I think the tradeoff is a question of Hyundai quality being a little ahead of Kia's, a slightly older platform versus a newer one (I personally prefer the older, Kia platform in terms of styling), and I think you get a little higher level of content for the money with the Kia. I personally like the 16" alloys available on the Spectra.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Although of the same design, Hyundai quality is still a bit ahead of Kia. In the last report I could find (for MY2004), Hyundai was way up on Kia.

Brand/Problems per 100 vehicles:

Lexus 87
Cadillac 93
Jaguar 98
Honda 99
Buick 100
Mercury 100
Hyundai 102
Infiniti 104
Toyota 104
Mercedes-Benz 106
Audi 109
BMW 109
Oldsmobile 110
Volvo 113
Acura 117
Chevrolet 119
INDUSTRY AVERAGE 119
Chrysler 120
Dodge 121
Lincoln 121
Pontiac 122
Subaru 123
GMC 127
Ford 130
Mitsubishi 130
Saab 133
Jeep 136
MINI 142
Land Rover 148
Saturn 149
Suzuki 149
Kia 153
Nissan 154
Mazda 157
Scion 158
Porsche 159
Volkswagen 164
HUMMER 173




EDIT

Here is for MY 2006 (By consumer reports survey)

1. Toyota
2. Honda
3. Scion
4. Acura
5. Lexus
6. Subaru
7. Hyundai
8. Infiniti
9. Mitsubishi
10. Mercury
11. Mazda
12. Audi
13. Lincoln
14. GMC
15. Volvo
16. Ford
17. Kia
18. Buick
19. BMW
20. Pontiac
21. Chevrolet
22. Dodge
23. Chrysler
24. Nissan
25. Saab
26. Suzuki
27. Volkswagen
28. Mini
29. Porsche
30. Saturn
31. Cadillac
32. Jeep
33. Jaguar
34. Hummer
35. Land Rover
36. Mercedes-Benz
 
#7 ·
What year is that comparison for?? The best comparo between the two would be 2006, because iirc, everything about the engine setup was the same.
However, if you're comparing the HD with the Spectra, the Spectra is still using the XD2 setup, while there have been changes to the HD, even though it's still a Beta II engine, so the mileage differences may truly be real, even though real world mileages may vary.
 
#9 ·
In my experience, we typically exceed the EPA ratings with all of our cars.
 
#12 ·
Plus different tire sizes because of different final drive gearing. The Spectra still uses the XD size equivalent 205/50/16 tire while the HD uses the 205/55/16.
 
#15 · (Edited)
195/65/15 actually. The Spectra still uses the 195/60/15 on the base and the 205/50/16 on the SX.



It's wrong. We have an orange one on the back lot that is waiting for them to PDI. It has 205/50/16 Kumhos on it.
 
#17 · (Edited)
The difference between a 195/65/15 on the GLS and the 205/55/16 on the SE is -.1". That means that at 100mph the speedo reads 100.41. Seriously, not enough to matter. The speedo's aren't calibrated that closely anyway.

.4% at 100,000 miles means 400 miles. Not enough to warrant extra worry.
 
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