I'm getting ready to put my old Kenwood in my Cobalt ('09 LS XFE). In the past, Metra kits have always been crap compared to Scosche. I found that Best Buy has the Scosche kit, but it's only available online, not in the stores. The guy came back from the install bay with the Metra kit, and I bought it because I wanted it right away. It ended up being a couple bucks more than the Scosche, which I can get for another few dollars cheaper from other online sources.

Before opening the bag, the Metra actually looked pretty good. I just used a Scosche (included by Crutchfield) in my girlfriend's Mazda, and this Metra looks as good as that, or maybe even a little bit better.

While typing this post, I decided to go ahead with the Metra. Upon opening the bag, I was greeted by the Metra quality I remember. The trim ring (part C on the front page of the instructions) doesn't even fit into the main adapter piece properly. The ring doesn't sit flush in the opening, it bows in at the middle of the long sides, the clips don't properly catch, and the edges are poorly finished (uneven).





This Metra has a painted on finish which looks pretty OEM. However, it's scratched off in a couple places, including the edges of the trim ring where it doesn't fit well. The girl's Scosche seems to have the texture formed right into the surface. I do prefer the pocket style on the Metra over the Scosche - it has less edge around it and the corners are rounded more like OEM. Overall, the Scosche seems a little more generic, but with better quality.

Anyone have experience with both the Metra 99-3302 and the Scosche GM1587B? The Scosche is $6 cheaper, but I have to wait for it to be shipped here. Should I wait for the Scosche, or will I be just as disappointed with that one?

 

Dude I'm sorry to say that Scosche kits suck. I hate dealing with those kits and I honestly wish we didn't stock any of them. IMO Metra kits are of a much better quality and they hold up better. I can't even tell you the number of scosche kits I've had broken in the bag, or break while installing because they were flimsy. Just my opinion

 

x2 metra is better quality IMO. **** even the american international kit is better then the scosche one IMO

you cant compare 2 different kits for quality some cars kits just suck more then others.... also have u tried putting the radio in then snapping the trim in afterwards? just throwing it out there it might fit better when all said and done u know

 

American International make the some of the nicest kits I've ever used.

 

Meh I can do without AI too. Whenever I don't have a kit here we have a local shop close by the sells AI and I hate using those things too. But like emp said, it also can depend on the vehicle as to which company has the better kit.

 

Some of the AI multi kits are terrible. Like your GM multi kits, Metra makes the best, hands down. But for like your Ford and Toyota kits, AI is the best I've used.

 

Wow yeah, AIs GM kit is like crap in a bag. I have actually refused to use them before they are so terrible. I've never had a Ford or Toyota kit from AI so until I do I'll take your word for it

 

ai's gm kit... because there is only 1 kit for all gms or what

 

The AI kit that is equal to the Metra 99-2003 GM multi kit. That's what I meant.

 

Sry to thread jack, but Is there an install kit for Double din Cd players?? i cant find one for the life of me, and id really like to get a double din instead of my flip out.

 

well... my schosch dash kit fall apart after about a year... theres some hands on research...

 

95-3302



your probably right i've never tried that one.... ill admit some AI kits suck **** some metra kits suck but for the cobalt kit i would rate Metra then AI then scosche. And i may have had them all in my car at diffrent points i forget thou

 

Yeah, today I got stuck using the AI kit for a 07 Silverado 2500 new body, cause we didn't have any in stock. God what a turd that thing was. I'll admit I work for the big box store so I'm partial to Metra but I know each company has their flaws just like with anything. But for our car the Metra kits blow away the competition.

 

Thank you!!!!!

 

Emperor, what are those digits right in the middle where the passenger airbag light would be?

 

Well, the consensus here seems to be that for the Cobalt, the Metra is best. I guess I'll exchange this one at BB and hope I just got one that slipped by QC or something.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

volt meter

 

Metra>Scosche, I used a metra in my old cobalt and it was perfect, I used a Scosche in my Escape and it broke in 5 months.

 

Just as an update, I exchanged my Metra at Best Buy. The car audio employee was a bit confused when I explained that the kit pieces didn't fit together well. She found another one and we went up to Customer Service. She took a look at the one I returned and was quite surprised by how off the parts were. The replacement that I got does fit together much better though. Now I just have to get around to pulling the old Kenwood out of the other car and getting everything hooked up in the Cobalt.

FYI, I was able to get the Metra GMOS-LAN-03 OnStar adapter for $65 from Crutchfield, which is about $40 cheaper than I saw it elsewhere online. If you buy a $129+ head unit, you get the OnStar adapter for half off the regular $130 price. I bought my girlfriend a $130 CD/iPod deck for her birthday. I found it online for $100, but paying the extra $30 to Crutchfield got me the OnStar adapter for my car for $40 cheaper, plus I got the install kit and wiring adapters for her car, and their MasterSheet install docs for both cars. I also don't have to worry about any possible gray market issues if I need the warranty.

 

I currently have the Metra kit, and have the same complaints as the OP. The most annoying thing is the saging on the piece below the deck. I thought it may have been because of the weight of the headunit or something. Same with the trim ring not fitting, I thought it was tied into the sag (which it probably is). Either way I have just been dealing with it, but now its getting on my nerves. I guess Ill just have to buy another one and hope for the best.

Sean

 

I've used Scosche kit on my truck and never failed me once but then again it was one big piece and it was bolted up differently than the cobalt so I dont know. I had no complaints with the scosche kit.