1. How long have you owned your Spectra?
I have had my Spectra for a little over 3 years now.
2. What cars did you own before?
Before the Spectra I had a 2003 Rio, 1987 Mazda B2000 pickup and a 1979 Chevy Custom Delux pickup.
3. Honestly, what was your intention when you bought your Spectra?
I needed a bigger car than the Rio. I went to the dealership to look at new cars and the dealer showed me the only 2004.5 Spectra they had available. He knew I like to drive fast and would not be leaving the car stock so when we left the lot he said “Open her up!” So I did, and fell in love! I traded in my Rio, getting more for it in trade value than I paid for it, and drove home my new Spectra.
4. In a few words, describe the style of your Spectra?
Me. I am making the car to fit me and my personallity and not for anyone else. Though my wife did admit to me she likes being seen in it.
5. What do you like the most about Spectra?
Just about everything. I really like how there is actually an extensive aftermarket for them. I like the way it looks even tho I am not finished with it. I like how fast it is. I like the room I have inside.
6. Is there anything you don’t like about it?
No a/c or moonroof. I want both, however i am looking into installing a moonroof in the near future.
7. What is it that makes your Spectra look unique?
All the custom work that I have done. I got used to making custom parts and mods with my Rio do to the lack of parts available at the time and that habbit continued over the the Spectra when I got it.
8. What accessories have you installed so far?
Accessories, well a nice stereo system, pillar gauges, LEDs and neons inside to name a few things. As far as mods: CAI, header, short throw shifter, rear anti sway bar, front strut tower bar are a few, all from KFXPerformance. I also have aftermarket driving lights and HID headlights. The list is rather extensive.
9. What’s next?
I want to do a full exhaust. Right now I have a header and high flow muffler but the rest is factory. It has a nice tone but I would rather have the performance from a 2.25 inch exhaust. I also have some paint work, inside and out, on the way.
10. Who helped modify your Spectra?
KFXPerformance.com was very insturmental with their sponsorship. My old buddy Steve also helped a lot. Every now and then my 4 year old son “helps” but for the most part I have done everything myself.
11. Products of which tuning company did you use?
KFXPerformance.com. A good portion of what I have done has come from them with some other items from random companies and as stated before, a lot of custom work.
12. How would you rate your car; on a scale from 1 to 10?
Around a 7 or 8 right now as I am not finished.
13. How would you pimp your ride if you had no limits?
Performance! My Spectra is fast but I want faster. I would also do an adjustable air ride suspention so I could raise my car to get into parking lots but still keep it low for crusing.
14. What do people say about your Spectra?
“Nice Lexus. What? Thats a Kia? Wow!” – A guy I work with.
“Daddy, lets go ride in your SUPER FAST car” – My son.
15. What would you advise to Kia owners who might be looking to customize their cars in future?
Think about where you want to go with it before you start. Don’t just go to the local auto store and buy garbage and slap on the car. Put some effort into it and you will be pleased with the results.
16. Do you see yourself as a future Kia owner?
Yes, my wife and i plan on trading in her Rio to get a Sorrento. The kids are getting bigger and we need more room for them.
Thank you Matt!
Interested to see more cool looking Kias? Follow this link.
June 29th, 2008 at 11:54 am
hey nice car! do you have or plan to get any performance mods???
June 30th, 2008 at 6:36 am
I actually have many performance mods. I have a reprogramed ECU, header, cold air intake, high flow muffler adjustable lowering springs, front strut tower bar and oversized rear anti sway bar to name a few. I have a magnaflow muffler sitting here next to me. I will be replacing my current exhaust setup with that and a 2.25″ pipe here soon. Here is a mostly complete lost of mods:
Hyper White Blinker Bulbs
Custom Mesh Grill
Driving Lights
LEDs & Neons inside
KFX Performance White Face Gauges
Cleared & Painted Headlights
Otto Racing Straight Through Dual Tip Muffler
KFX Performance Short Shifter
KFX 4-2-1 Header
KFX Performance Front Strut Tower Bar
KFX Performance Rear Anti-Sway Bar
KFX Performance Adjustable Lowering Springs
Custom Oil Catch Seperators
Custom LED Converted HVAC Lights
Custom LED Converted Gauge Lights
Vinyl Over Chrome Trim (hood)
Audiobahn 12″ Subwoofer
Amped Front Speakers
Earthquake 6.5 Front Speakers
Tinted Tail Lights
Pioneer Premier H/U
Custom Ground Kit
Leather Seat Covers
“Brainsperm” TB Spring Mod
KFX Performance Reprogramed ECU
Touring Spoiler
120 Volt AC Power Source
Custom Grill
Custom Dyed Floor Mats
Aftermarket Tach
Alarm w/ Aftermarket Keyless Entery
20% VLT Tint On Side Windows
Clock Color Changed To Blue
HID Headlights 6k
KFX Performance Lip Kit
KFX Performance Cold Air Intake
Soon To Come:
- Graphics
- Custom Paint
- Hood
- Wheels
- Full Exhaust
Matt
September 19th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
HEY,
JUST WANNED TO KNOW WHERE YOU GOT THE FRONT LIP AT BEEN TRYING TO GET ONE BUT COULD NOT FIND IF YOU PLEASE HELP ME
THANK YOU, OSCAR
September 28th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
okay..some help please..just got a 2008 spectra 5….what is the best cold air intake system to put on the car for the money and what about stereo upgrades..thanks guys!
September 28th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
for a 2008 kia spectra 5…….. what other upgrades should i consider for better mileage and performance in that order! thanks again..
October 11th, 2008 at 12:54 am
im also have specra
we can see the subwoofer
on ur can
i want to see the disen
November 12th, 2008 at 3:03 am
Oscar, You can get the intakes and body kits at http://www.kfxperformance.com
December 10th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
i like yur spectra alot and the custom gauges
February 9th, 2009 at 10:07 am
hey for rims for the kia spectra 5 07 i just got in xxr sportmax 006 black with blue anodized after i lowerd it made the care like 20x better, i also did cold air and magna flow. havent found a good body kit that i like yet any other places besides kfx? but i did get my turbo and installing it when i get back from afghan will post pics asap
March 16th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
how did you get blue gauges i have a blue spec. 5 and hate the yellow lights inside lets me no please
March 18th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
? ????? ?? ???, ???????? ?????((
April 13th, 2009 at 7:15 am
i have a 2004.5 kia specta lx it has a short throw shifter, aem cold air intake, 3IN exaust, 18in rims, a kicker l7, 1000 watt ppi class D amp, and im planning on gettin a 12psi torbo, 20% tint
September 9th, 2009 at 4:35 am
I’m picking up an 05 Spectra shortly. Can’t wait to get into that 2.0 engine. Is anyone else interested in the KDM look? It interests me.. It’s almost like a Korean V-dub look.. well at least that’s what I think of for my project anyhow.
There are KDM tails for sale on streetkiaz too.
November 14th, 2009 at 4:09 am
We at magnaflow/carsound thank you for your support of our exhaust muffler products. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust.
November 14th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
i have 2008 cerato but i my country you cant find anything about a tuning sorry!
December 31st, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Like what you did. Here’s wishing you and yours a very happy and prosperous new year !
January 20th, 2010 at 6:43 am
I own a 2009 KIA SPECTRA I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE KNEW WHERE I COULD GO TO GET COILOVERS CHEAPER THEN THAT OF KFXPERFORMANCE. CONTACT ME AT 1-360-359-8349.
March 12th, 2010 at 6:36 am
hi i have a kia spectra i want to do a few things to it like headlights. does anny one know any good websites for parts
February 3rd, 2011 at 11:25 pm
yo 17 in spectra whats the model number of the AEM system you put on? im trying to get one for my 09 spectra
February 17th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Beautiful job on the car bud. I’ve been wanting to mod mine up a bit. Just waiting for some cashflow.
April 11th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
How does the short throw shifter perform
January 26th, 2012 at 5:45 am
coopcustoms.com sells the Rio 2006 and newer headers less than KFX and offers free shipping.