On specialized automotive forums, they often ask the question - which budget car should be purchased as the first after the domestic car - Hyundai Accent or Kia Spectra? causes a significant number of answers, but most of them boil down to the statement - the cars are built on the same platform, so there is no significant difference between them. Is it really possible to put an equal sign between Hyundai Accent and KIA Spectra?

Hyundai Accent and KIA Spectra - comparison of Korean state employees

A quick glance

Honored workers

If you put the cars next to each other, their relationship becomes clearly visible - indeed, the KIA and Hyundai brands are part of the same concern. However, it will not be difficult to find the older one among the two "brothers" - the Spectra, as well as wheels with an increased diameter compared to the Accent. Otherwise, they are very similar - the same flowing lines, fashionable in the automotive design of the 90s, narrow radiator grilles and rounded headlights. But the KIA Spectra has a slightly more distinct trunk, while the Accent has it lowered down in the manner of liftbacks.

The Kia Spectra appeared back in 1997. At that time, the sedan was called the 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 restyling, and the Sephia emblem was replaced by the Spectra lettering. In Europe and Australia, the name remained 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, within the framework of obligations to Kia Motors, a limited batch of 1,700 pieces rolled off the IzhAvto assembly line.

Let's take a look inside. The interior of the Kia Spectra does not make a pleasant impression. The interior trim uses cheap, rough and hard plastic in gray shades. The pluses include comfortable, wide chairs with a long cushion, allowing you to comfortably travel long distances. You can't blame the sedan for the back sofa either. And the 440-liter trunk is enough for everyday needs.

Most of them are rather poorly equipped. Airbag, immobilizer and audio preparation were included as standard. Power steering, central locking, power windows, ABS, front passenger airbag and air conditioning required a surcharge.

The car did not take part in the EuroNCAP crash tests, but the Americans from the IIHS National Institute of Safety took care of this in 1999. Of the four possible grades, the sedan earned the lowest "Poor" - poor safety level. The driver received injuries to his neck and head that were 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 their debut, the Spectra motors have acquired the "Millennium Technology", which is 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 more than a modified Mazda B6 engine. Korean engineers shortened its warm-up time and installed a highly efficient catalyst. The valves are equipped with hydraulic pushers, the block is cast iron, and the head is made of aluminum.

Among the disadvantages are the noisy operation of hydraulic lifters 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, malfunctioning of the engine can occur due to failure of the MAF sensor. DMRV appeared in 2008. Before him, a more reliable MAP sensor was used (measures pressure).

Many owners of Izhevsk Spectra got to the capital of the engine, having driven only 45,000 km. During assembly, the timing belt was installed too low quality. It broke off, and the valves "met" 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 begins to poison the oil. Oil also appears in 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 is caused by 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 bulkheads up to 150-200 thousand km. In addition to the leakage of the input shaft seal, a howl or hum builds up over time. However, howling in first and reverse gears is a common thing, and some owners drive 250-300 thousand km without repair. For the bulkhead, you will need about 20,000 rubles.

In the history of the Spectra, several automatic transmissions have been used. F-4EAT and F4A-EL is a joint development of Mazda and Jatco. It was installed only with a 1.8 liter engine. In addition, the A4AF3, F4A42 and A4CF2 boxes developed by Mitsubishi were used. The first two could be combined with 1.5 and 1.8 liter engines. But the last one just went to sedans of the Russian assembly.

It is generally accepted that the 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 on clutches and solenoids. The repair 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 over-throttle / slipping when changing from 2nd to 3rd. If you pull with the repair, then after a while there is a crunch when starting off 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 together with the drive.

Chassis

Ball joints run more than 60-100 thousand km. The silent blocks of the levers are stratified after 100-150 thousand km. Shock absorbers also serve the same amount. By this time, the factory springs may have subsided or burst, especially for those who use turn-to-turn spacers.

After 100,000 km, the steering rack may leak or rattle. 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 lends itself to simple refurbishment. After 2009, they began to use a modernized unit with improved moisture protection.

Body and interior

The paintwork is not highly wear-resistant. The bonnet and bumper are quickly chipped. Body iron is not prone to corrosion. Rust pockets usually occur in places of poor-quality body repair.

Water in the cabin can appear due to clogged drains under the outer plastic trim at the bottom of the windshield. In addition, water can seep into the passenger compartment due to clogged drain holes in the sills. Water in thresholds accelerates the corrosion process.

Of the minor faults, 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 move can be purchased for 130,000 rubles. For well-groomed cars, they ask for almost 300,000 rubles. More than 90% of the offers are Russian-assembled vehicles. It is generally accepted that younger copies released after 2008 are less reliable.

Conclusion

The Kia Spectra is a typical budget sedan that is not very reliable. However, the cost of repairs against the background of modern technologically sophisticated machines is good news. All common ailments are well understood and easily remedied. 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.

Foreign-made budget cars have always been and will be in demand among Russian consumers. In this regard, on the Web at autoforums, users often ask themselves the question: which is better - "Kia" or "Hyundai"? Reviews of the owners of these cars are not always unambiguous, but, nevertheless, there are a lot of them, which means there is demand.

Special attention should be paid to the budget series "Spectra" from "Kia" and "Accent" from "Hyundai". They account for the bulk of purchases. And at the same time, and disputes about which is better - "Kia-Spectra" or "Hyundai-Accent". Reviews, as mentioned above, do not always help, so there is something to deal with here. Moreover, both brands not so long ago delighted 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 series "Spectra" and "Accent", respectively. Let's take a look at both cars from all sides, find the pros and cons, and listen to what the owners have to say about these models.

Exterior

To answer the question, which car is better - "Kia" or "Hyundai", first of all, let's analyze the appearance of the cars. If you put the "Spectra" and the updated "Accent" side by side, then the naked eye will see their relationship. 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, its wheel diameter is increased in comparison with the "Accent". Both cars have the same flowing lines, narrow radiator grilles under the hood and noticeably rounded headlights.

A clear difference can be seen in the trunk. At "Spectra" it is clearly highlighted, and at "Accent" it is underestimated 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, "Spectra" has gone a little ahead, then with the interior things are a little different. Both cars seem to have remained in the last century, even with 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. Massive deflectors "Spectra" (photo above) are very reminiscent of "Moskvich" or of European rarities of the 70-80s. The front panel is decorated in the old American style: narrow and barely noticeable scales, as well as a speedometer in miles, which clearly does not contribute to the normal perception of readings.

The airbag caps and the radio tape recorder 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 ease of seating. The seats here are made of really high quality and with an eye on 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 - "Kia-Spectra" or "Hyundai-Accent" in terms of the interior, then the latter is in a clearly advantageous position. And the difference is quite tangible. There are no questions about the Accent seats: soft, comfortable and a lot of adjustments. The front panel (see photo above), unlike Spectra, is fresh and already reminiscent of the present century, not the past.

Deflectors at "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 plastic of average quality, it looks, judging by the reviews, very attractive.

Test drive "Accent"

If we compare which is better - "Kia-Spectra" or "Hyundai-Accent" in terms of efficiency, then the latter will lose. 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. On the highway, of course, there are no such problems thanks to the fifth gear.

In addition, the four-speed automatic transmission has not proven itself in the best way and is not highly reliable. While there are only positive reviews about the mechanics of five steps.

Both cars received 105 horsepower engines, but the Accent's dynamics are better due to the smaller dimensions. Due to this, the car does not move as smoothly as the Spectra, so it can be called to some extent sporty, where you need to correctly work with gas and not spare rpm.

Chassis

The Accent's chassis is pretty quiet. Even with 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, which is equally good for both urban and rural areas.

Test drive "Spectra"

The gearboxes of both cars are almost identical, as are 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 machine is much less reliable, and experienced motorists advise against considering this option.

There are no complaints about fuel consumption - a solid average. The car "eats" exactly one liter less than "Accent", that is, 9 liters in the city and 6-7 - on the highway. Spektra's dynamics are noticeably smaller due to its large dimensions, and the car has a gentle start, and calm drivers will surely appreciate the slightly muffled gas response.

Chassis

The suspension is quite soft and does not allow serious rolls even if the steering wheel is turned out properly. Nevertheless, the car does not tolerate obvious irregularities. Large bumps are felt in the cabin and do not have the best effect on the chassis. For frequent trips on rural roads or potholes, "Spectra" is not very suitable. This is a calm and measured city car or a traveler on good tracks.

So in this case it is rather difficult to determine which is better - "Kia-Spectra" or "Hyundai-Accent", and it all depends on the place of operation of the machine. The last car with a reliable chassis is suitable as a universal option. Well, the path of "Spectra" is megalopolises and highways with infrequent trips on dirt roads.

Finally

All in all, both cars deserve to be bought and earn their money. As such, the cars have no serious complaints, especially given their low cost. Both "Spectra" and "Accent" were remembered by car service workers for 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 the rear suspension shock absorbers every 30-40 thousand km.
• Be prepared for automatic transmission clutches to fail at any time.
• The radiator, together with the pipes, gives a leak after about 60 thousand km of active operation.
• Wheel bearings will need to be purchased every 50 thousand km.

Of the more specific problems, the owners note the quickly breaking front panel clamps on the Spectra. They start to make noise even on a flat road. Some of the latest Accent models are equipped with mediocre manual transmission backstage, which also serves as a source of noise and shifting problems.

Foreign-made budget cars have always been and will be in demand among Russian consumers. In this regard, on the Web at autoforums, users often ask the question: which is better - "Kia" or "Hyundai"? Reviews of the owners of these cars are not always unambiguous, but, nevertheless, there are a lot of them, which means there is demand.

Special attention should be paid to the budget series "Spectra" from "Kia" and "Accent" from "Hyundai". They account for the bulk of purchases. And at the same time, and disputes about which is better - "Kia-Spectra" or "Hyundai-Accent". Reviews, as mentioned above, do not always help, so there is something to deal with here. Moreover, both brands not so long ago delighted 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 series "Spectra" and "Accent", respectively. Let's take a look at both cars from all sides, find the pros and cons, and listen to what the owners have to say about these models.

Exterior

To answer the question which car is better - "Kia" or "Hyundai", first of all we will analyze the appearance of the cars. If you put the "Spectra" and the updated "Accent" side by side, then the naked eye will see their relationship. 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, its wheel diameter is increased in comparison with the "Accent". Both cars have the same flowing lines, narrow radiator grilles under the hood and noticeably rounded headlights.

A clear difference can be seen in the trunk. At "Spectra" it is clearly highlighted, and at "Accent" it is underestimated 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, "Spectra" has gone a little ahead, then with the interior things are a little different. Both cars seem to have remained in the last century, even with 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. Massive deflectors "Spectra" (photo above) are very reminiscent of "Moskvich" or of European rarities of the 70-80s. The front panel is decorated in the old American style: narrow and barely noticeable scales, as well as a speedometer in miles, which clearly does not contribute to the normal perception of readings.

The airbag caps and the radio tape recorder 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 ease of seating. The seats here are made of really high quality and with an eye on 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 - "Kia-Spectra" or "Hyundai-Accent" in terms of the interior, then the latter is in a clearly advantageous position. And the difference is quite tangible. There are no questions about the Accent seats: soft, comfortable and a lot of adjustments. The front panel (see photo above), unlike Spectra, is fresh and already reminiscent of the present century, not the past.

Deflectors at "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 plastic of average quality, it looks, judging by the reviews, very attractive.

Test drive "Accent"

If we compare which is better - "Kia-Spectra" or "Hyundai-Accent" in terms of efficiency, 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. On the highway, of course, there are no such problems thanks to the fifth gear.

In addition, the four-speed automatic transmission has not proven itself in the best way and is not highly reliable. While there are only positive reviews about the mechanics of five steps.

Both cars received 105 horsepower engines, but the Accent's dynamics are better due to the smaller dimensions. Due to this, the car does not move as smoothly as the Spectra, so it can be called to some extent sporty, where you need to correctly work with gas and not spare rpm.

Chassis

The Accent's chassis is pretty quiet. Even with 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, which is equally good for both urban and rural areas.

Test drive "Spectra"

The gearboxes of both cars are almost identical, as are 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 machine is much less reliable, and experienced motorists advise against considering this option.

There are no complaints about fuel consumption - a solid average. The car "eats" exactly one liter less than "Accent", that is, 9 liters in the city and 6-7 - on the highway. Spektra's dynamics are noticeably smaller due to its large dimensions, and the car has a gentle start, and calm drivers will surely appreciate the slightly muffled gas response.

Chassis

The suspension is quite soft and does not allow serious rolls even if the steering wheel is turned out properly. Nevertheless, the car does not tolerate obvious irregularities. Large bumps are felt in the cabin and do not have the best effect on the chassis. For frequent trips on rural roads or potholes, "Spectra" is not very suitable. This is a calm and measured city car or a traveler on good tracks.

So in this case it is rather difficult to determine which is better - "Kia-Spectra" or "Hyundai-Accent", and it all depends on the place of operation of the machine. The last car with a reliable chassis is suitable as a universal option. Well, the path of "Spectra" is megalopolises and highways with infrequent trips on dirt roads.

Finally

All in all, both cars deserve to be bought and earn their money. As such, the cars have no serious complaints, especially given their low cost. Both "Spectra" and "Accent" were remembered by car service workers for 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 the rear suspension shock absorbers every 30-40 thousand km.
• Be prepared for automatic transmission clutches to fail at any time.
• The radiator, together with the pipes, gives a leak after about 60 thousand km of active operation.
• Wheel bearings will need to be purchased every 50 thousand km.

Of the more specific problems, the owners note the quickly breaking front panel clamps on the Spectra. They start to make noise even on a flat road. Some of the latest Accent models are equipped with mediocre manual transmission backstage, which also serves as a source of noise and shifting problems.

Car buyers fall into two categories. Some people 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 exclusively from a utilitarian point of view, wanting to get the most out of it 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 at the sight of the squat silhouette of a “Korean”. There is also a manual transmission option, but more on that below.

History

In a very, very short way, the car that we know as the Spectra is the second generation Kia Cerato, which has a motor co-authored with Mazda and has nothing to do with Hyundai models. This is because Hyundai bought Kia in 1998, and the second generation Cerato was launched in 1997.

The predecessor of our hero, the first generation of the Kia Spectra in the "sedan" body, was released in South Korea in 1992. In the Korean source, the car was named Sephia, and in foreign markets the car received a second name - Mentor. In the first year, more than 100,000 vehicles were sold in the domestic market. Believing in success, in 1993 the Kia company first began to conquer the North American market and it was with this model. The car arrives at US car dealerships with a 1.8-liter engine manufactured under license from Mazda. In 1995, Kia makes the Spectre facelift for the American consumer, changing the radiator grille and head optics.

A year earlier (since 1994), the Sephia gets a hatchback modification. Since the same year, the car is exported to Europe and begins a competitive battle with the Ford Escort and Opel Astra.

Sales of the first generation continued until 1997, when the second generation of the Spectra hit 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 Kia's own development (not without the help of Mazda).

The model happily survived until the turn of the century and again changed its name in the United States. For marketing reasons, the liftback was named Spectra, "shining light over the whole of North America" \u200b\u200b(from the English. Spectrum, the second plural from Spectra).

The car was selling quite successfully. The rich equipment and affordable price contributed to this. Kia relied on safety and did not lose. The Spectrum could already be bought with six airbags and disc brakes on all wheels. In total, three trim levels were offered - basic under the S index, extended GS and 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 produced until 2004.

And what about Russia? Traditionally, at that time, we did not get the very last reincarnation. In 2005 "IzhAvto" undertakes 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 last year of Spectra production in Russia.

Market offers

The potential buyer will be deprived of the torment 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 American variants of different generations were brought to our market by the overseas wind, but they are counted in pieces.

The price range for the Spectrum will delight you more: depending on the year of manufacture, from 175 to 350 thousand rubles, - for any wallet.

It should be understood that the declared price of a car is the one at which it costs on the market; the real price at which it eventually leaves is always lower in practice, by at least 2-3%. In case of reasonable bargaining, discounts of up to 5% can be achieved.

The table shows that for the first 4 years of production, the lower bar changes slightly, as well as the upper one over 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 on the market in 2011, then 2010 goes at the price of 2011, etc. By the way, the volume of output since 2009 has been gradually decreasing by 2011, which is not surprising. The IzhAvto plant was already struggling in pre-bankruptcy convulsions because of the crisis.

It is not difficult to find a car with an automatic transmission, up to a quarter of the proposals (24%) fall on it.

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Engine

The Russian version of the 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 liters, 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 the obligatory replacement of the engine oil and filter. We change the timing belt every 45 thousand km, spark plugs every 30 thousand km.
The engine is generally reliable - Japanese roots are felt. Single incidents and breakdowns occurred among 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 break in the 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 likely for reference, you will hardly ever have to face it.

According to the owners, on 99 out of 100 cars, during a cold start, a tapping (rattling) is heard, which disappears when the engine warms up and does not manifest itself in any way. In most cases, the use of synthetic oil and periodic control of its level, and inspection of the engine for grease leaks, helps.

If the engine suddenly starts to work unevenly, "walk" in revolutions and then "recover", then suddenly "troit", do not rush to order a new one. Such cases are just frequent 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 lacks when paired with a gearbox is the dynamics. And if a bundle 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. You can only compete here 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 slightly modified in the direction of simplification. On the other hand, evil tongues claim that the assembly is Chinese, although it was supplied to the factory from Korea. According to the Kia regulations, the automatic transmission on the Spectrum 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 oil in the "automatic machine" and change it if necessary.

First of all, you need to pay attention to oil leaks. An insufficient level can cause overheating and noise in the box and, as a result, leads to the destruction of clutch and bearing mechanisms. Overheating can be identified by the characteristic black color of the oil with a burning smell. A spoonful of honey can be the fact that dealers and workshops have already gotten their hands on the repair of these boxes. The restored automatic transmission is estimated by the sellers together with the 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 (solenoid valves are sticking) and re-gasification when switching from 3rd to 4th gear (4-speed "automatic"). The latter is "treated" by replacing the firmware in the electronic control unit.

The manual transmission (5 steps) is devoid of these drawbacks, but the owners have complaints about the clarity of the gears and the long travels of the gearshift lever. By 50 thousand km, oil may begin to leak through the O-ring of the gear selector shaft. 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 a transverse stabilizer. It does not cause any special complaints. Ball joints hold up to 130-150 thousand km and make themselves felt with a knock due to the presence of backlash. On the recommendation of the manufacturer, the ball is changed in 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 a harder one and use non-original springs and shock absorbers. "Native" suspension is prone to breakdown, but if the travel is too soft and the car falls in corners, then this is a reason to assess the working condition of the shock absorbers. If the car starts to float on a straight course, see stabilizer bushings.

By 90-100 thousand km, almost all model cars begin to buzz wheel bearings. They change assembled with the hub. If there is a garage and free time, craftsmen knock out old bearings and hammer in new ones.

The front brakes are disc brakes, the rear ones are often drum brakes, although the versions with ABS also have disc brakes at the rear. The life of the pads is standard. 30-40 thousand km for disc and up to 100 thousand km for drum. There are no complaints about the operation of the brake system, it provides adequate and predictable deceleration.

The disadvantages of the suspension include the extremely low ground clearance - 154 cm, and even less with the installed engine protection and full load. Note the long front overhang. The long hood of the sedan, together with the low ground clearance, sharply reduces the geometric cross-country ability of the car. It is necessary to park "muzzle" to the curb, storm the railroad tracks and ramps with a margin.

Body and interior

Factory anti-corrosion treatment of the Spectra body included a 4-fold cataphoresis bath (on both sides), in common parlance "galvanized". The factory guarantee against end-to-end "wormholes" was 100,000 km. Therefore, you will not find frankly rusty copies, of course, if the car has not been "attached" to the obstacle before. The iron of the body does not have excess thickness, therefore it does not like when any significant effort is made to it. Tender, even more tender ...

Most of the complaints from car owners are caused by the sound insulation of the cabin, the engine is especially annoying at high speeds, when it becomes uncomfortable to communicate.

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 front airbags. The spectrum was supplied in 5 trim levels. In all versions (except for the basic one), an air conditioner was installed, and an automatic transmission was available only in two top-end versions, Premium and Lux.

Trunk volume of 410 liters is not bad for a compact sedan, and it can be increased by the folding back of the rear sofa. There are cases when access to useful liters may be impossible due to a jammed trunk lock or a weakened cable for remote opening 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 arrangement of the seats allows a rather 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 tilting the basic setting of the driver's seat through spacers are being used.

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Electrical equipment

The electrician does not cause serious complaints. As we wrote above, over time, replacement of the ignition coils may be required. Sometimes the owners complain about the insufficient luminous flux of the dipped headlights. In the first thousand of the run, there were cases of failure of the horn.

Service / maintenance cost

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 be serviced by the dealer.

The cost of some operations on specialized but unofficial services