Hey there lounge go-ers, hoping this is the right place for this, if there is indeed a place for this topic!

I'm interested in what you guys are using to listen to music with in your vehicles. What works? What doesn't? Is it user friendly?

My 6 CD stacker in my car recently broke (and trapped my favourite CDs, gah!)
and so i figure it's time to move into the 21st century.

I currently do not have any ipods/pads/etc but do have a ton of mp3s on my computer so I was looking at getting a headunit capable of USB in the car, and then buying portable HD drive that will use a chord to link to the head unit - and my hope is that this works. and also hoping said chord will charge the portable HD drive, or is that asking too much?

I'm a little bit worried about if this will be user friendly in terms of sorting through hundreds of gigs of music just using the arrows on the headunit, since the portable drive doesn't have an interface.

this would roughly cost 220 for head unit, 90 for installation, 120 for 1 terabit portable HD so basically 400 bucks (and this is absolute max I can afford to blow on this...maybe more than I should be actually)

Anyone gone with this setup and able to give any feedback? or should I go a different avenue with my budget?

This works well, but your concerns re: sorting through your music are real. If you can fit a double-din hu in your car, go for a touch-screen model. These new units have pretty good, easy-to-read folder navigation. If your car takes a single-din deck, I'd get one with a slide-out screen for the same reasons.

Get something with Bluetooth for internet radio streaming from your smartphone. Also the ability to play whatever is on your phone.

Why not get a cheaper head unit with just a radio but make sure it has an AUX in so you can get a portable mp3 player which will save you looking around for whatever album you want. Also save you a bunch of money too.

I use my phone plugged into the AUX of my 05 Acura TL. I had to have the AUX installed. things sound great. I use internet radio or listen to mp3s that I move onto my phone, or I stream from my computer at home to my phone with AudioGalaxy.

Truly, music options are ridiculous these days. I can't even remember using CDs or CD changers. I have no idea how Bluetooth from phone to car works, as my car doesn't have bluetooth.