... LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING

Welcome. It's gratifying to know Putt-Putt got you interested to want and have a further peek at her. She was purchased new without the full bodykit, the latter representing the more popular version by a large margin but I specifically wanted a sleeker rather than sportier look. A "cleaner" look was eventually accentuated when the suspension system was reduced by a good 4cm. The car now squats cat-like in an eveready position wanting  to pounce. The KIA Spectra is available in a few colours but somehow, its aggressive lines looks just right in black or any strong hue. Black also happens to be the most popular choice among KIA Spectra owners by a ratio of 5:1 so I was told by my salesman. On the road, black also is a popular choice among other car owners so I beg to be slightly different and the end result is as in this photograph. Much emphasis of customization was firstly to improve handling and secondly performance while at the same time, make it pleasurable to drive and safer plus more responsive to handle emergencies. Money doesn't grow on trees  for me so cosmetic beautification was given a back seat. Cars generally perform worse over time, not this car! Through the gradual  modifications, the car, today, is noticeably peppy, performs better than when first bought and I now enjoy the fruits of my labour daily for this is my only car. As it is not from the expensive and exotic bracket, it does not invite unwanted attraction making it easy to mingle with the crowd. It weights slightly over a ton or 1,110kg and just like Goldilocks, it's not too heavy neither too light making it a nice urban car. I have driven better cars but for all its minor short comings, this car, I like very much. Call it love!

INTRODUCTION

Make: KIA
Model: Spectra LS
Engine: GA6D
Type: 16V MI-tech DOHC
Displacement: 1594cc
Stock Torque: 108ps/7000rpm as in official sale brochure.
Stock Power: 14.6kg.m/4500rpm as in official sale brochure.
Torque & Power after customization: Sorry, never dyno-ed .
Status: CKD
Manufactured:2003

NOTE

* My ride was registered as first owner on 22 September 2003.
* My Cardomain garage was created on 16 July 2008.
* Cardomain's email on 10 October 2009 stated " Your 2003 Kia Spectra is ranked  8 out of 394 and has been viewed 28695 times . "

PAGE / VIEW

01. Looks can be deceiving
02. Evolution of looks  
03. Photographic essay
04. Other snapshots
05.

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