Customer Reviews

Metra 99-7503 Single DIN Specialty Installation Kit for 2003-2005 Mazda 6 (Black)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Perfect fit, awesome look, very easy to install. Except the hazard button is a little hard to push, but works good none the less. Would have like to have more explanation to keep the factory clock and temperature display lit by using the oem connector from the factory radio.

I must say this is the WORST dash installation kit I have every seen/used.

It's overpriced, made with cheap material, and doesn't fit properly.

For example, the 3 AC/Circulation/Defrost buttons in the middle feel like buttons you would push on an MP3 player or cell phone. That itself isn't a big deal. But if you press even even the slightest off the center of the button (for example, just a few milimeters off the edge of the button), it gets stuck and will not reset unless you tap it or pry it back into place. Not good if the defrost is stuck in the on position and cannot be turned off.

The hazzard button is even worse. You have to put about 10-15 lbs of force on it before it even moves. When the lights begin to flash and you let up on the button, it gets stuck.

For those that think I was in a big hurry to get it installed, i was not. I took about 6 hours putting it together (going as slow as I could, as gently as possible, since I read other reviews that the paint on the unit scratches very easily... which is probably true, since it feels like it was painted with model paint you would use on a plastic model car).

Once completely installed, the unit did not sit flush with the dash (even with the radio removed). It may be because the tabs that hold it in place are too long.

It's sad that there are no other companies that make a replacement similar to Metra's. Because not, Metra can price it as high as they want, and design it as low grade as possible. If there was, Metra would sell hardly any of this product. Take this as a lesson in capitalism and competition. So in the end I reinstalled the old Bose unit and attached an external USB device instead.

I would not recommend buying this (unless you have spare cash and want to take the risk). I got mine half price, and they would not accept a refund, so I decided to just take it apart (simple) and look inside. I laughed and concluded that it must have been intern-week at the company, just letting the students from a local junior high school do the design and then just went with the results. After seeing the insides, it was no wonder why the product behaved as it did.

If you happen to have a 2004 Mazda 6 and looking to replace with aftermarket radio, seems like you gotta get one of these kits. I just gave a valiant attempt today and was very close to install until I did a validation check on the AC controls. Well, first I had a beef with the hazard button. It pretty much is a piece of crap, as well as the other push buttons on this thing. The actuating part of the hazard button did not work smoothly at all, and I had to adjust until I got it to a barely passable point (I really wanted to put in my new stereo!). When I mocked it up with all the harnesses in it, I found the rear defrost, AC, dash display, and hazards all did not work. In fact, when the hazard button was pushed in and the the AC button held down the hazards actually started working. Bugs anyone? The dash display did not display any AC controls - temp, fan speed, vent direction. I did receive the kit from a 2nd party vendor, and the 2 missing screws on the hazard button may point to them reselling me a bad kit. I talked to the original manufacturer's Tech Support, and they were actually there and supportive, but could not help me with my cause.

I'm contacting dealer now to get it replaced and will have one more go. Even though the buttons suck donkey cajones I really want the aftermarket stereo's ability to use an aux input.

all right...I returned my original and received a new one. Although the tactile-ness of the buttons will never be as good as the original OEM faceplate, this one does function perfectly - AC, hazards, defrost, recirculation - perfect. Therefore I bumped up my rating. Just inspect the faceplate when you receive it. The first one I received was already missing screws in the back.

Considering this was the cheapest price for this item, it still was overpriced. One of the lights on the back was broke when it arrived. I didn't feel like soldering it back on. All the edges were rough. Taking the original heater parts out and snapping them in place required some effort and I don't think they fit in quite right. The color was slightly off so the heater controls didn't match. The heater buttons were not solid. When you push the AC button, the button next to it would also be pressed changing the recirc mode. It worked the same when you pushed the defrost button, recirc mode changed. Pressing the left side on recirc button would turn on/off the AC and pressing the right side of recirc button would turn on/off defrost. I would have returned this item if there was other options and I wasn't desperate to get a working stereo to trade the car.

The product page is accurate. It does what it is supposed to, we even painted it to add some color to our interior. Great product at a great price!

This metra piece was exactly what I was looking for. The color matched my car interior and seamlessly was installed to look like the car's original piece.

this is the only product that allows you to have an aftermarket stereo in your mazda 6. quick easy instillation with detailed instructions.works as it should but the buttons are hard and hardly move. when trying to turn on the hazard light or the ac you have to mush and mash to get them to work.i have also found that i cant get a corner to sti flush but i can't see light around the edges at nightso its not the worst situation but i expected better for the money.

oh ive hav this for 3 years now and it still looks and works the same as when it was first installed

First off, this Item is GREY, like it should be for this Metra Model number. It is decent quality as long as your only doing a normal deck. Im putting in a kenwood, KVT-614 which is a pop-out DVD/screen. It is alot heavier then a normal deck and this plastic simple started to bend with the weight.

I had to custom make some brackets to reinforce it so it would hold.

But with basic knowledge and a single din radio, this is a perfect kit for a Mazda.

I needed this to install an aftermarket radio to my girl's mazda6.
But very xpensive at the stores, around 200$, 210$ in some.
Then i came to Amazon and saw for this fabulous price( and free shipping)
Figures is the very same item they sell you at the store!!!
Installation was a breeze, my guy knows his thing, tooke around 20 to 30 minutes total time, and now she can listen to her ipod in her car!!!

This product works perfectly without any problem. The only thing I saw is the console has a different color than the original console.