Im absolutely clueless about car stereos and I could use help hooking up my iPod...

[Rabid Yoshi]

Okay. I just got my license (im 16) and my dad's '99 Altima. Im looking for a decent, reasonably priced stereo system to put in the car, and the #1 priority with the whole thing is being able to hook-up my 3G 15gb iPod. I cant spent too much on the whole thing as I have to give my parents $150 a month to be able to drive the car.

I'm thinking of buying an iTrip to tide me over until I have enough money for a full-blown system (any suggestions as to what I should get for that would be much appreciated as well.) I need some suggestions as to hook up my iPod to the factory system (thats if I dont get the iTrip)

So you guys seem to be the experts on this kind of stuff, so...

What can I get to hook up my iPod that still sounds decent and isnt hundreds of dollars?

-and-

What kind of audio equipment should I buy somewhere down the road? (no pun intended)

Thanks in advance.

[Galley]

Most Blaupunkt decks with CD changer controls will allow you to plug in an adapter into the changer port. I have a Blaupunkt Honolulu and it works extremely well with a monster cable.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-fvuyj1l9Hrc/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&cc=01&i=023AUXIN1R&o=&a=0
Also, all Aiwa decks have aux inputs on the front of the deck, but personally I feel having one on the back is better, since you can hide the cable.

[bhb399mm]

Well, as far as FM transmitters go, i'm useless, i had an itrip for 2 days before i threw it out (i live in LA and it just wants working)

When you do decide to hardwire your ipod, youl'll need a few peices of hardware.

First, you'll either need a new head unit, or an aux input adapter. if your car has CD changer capabilities, chances are Blitzsafe (http://www.blitzsafe.com) makes one for your car (http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_aux/blitz_aux.html). If you wanted to buy a new head unit, i recomend the Blaupunkt Sacremento CD33 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-gseBHwxukAW/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=3&g=178850&I=023SACRAME&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=blaupunkt+cd+33). It has tons of features for its $99 price. Make sure you get a head unit with aux input capablities.

You'll then need a car cable which will offer charging and line out for your ipod. I recomend the Belkin Auto Kit (http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=201526&pcount=&Product_Id=149006) or the Sik Imp (http://www.sik.com/imp.php).

Then get a Y-adapter (mini->rca) plug to connect your head unit to your car charger/lineout cord. Try the Monster?? iCable (http://www.monstercable.com/computer/productPageComputer.asp?pin=1731); its well worth the money if you're looking into a high end system.

Another option, although alittle more expensive, is wait for the Alpine ipod intigration kit to come out (we hear the end of september). You'll need an Ai-Net compatable head unit like the Alpine CDA-9820XM (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-fnqyTJBeEuh/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500CDA9820&search=9820xm) as well as the Alpine iPod Interface, the KCA-420i (http://www.alpine-usa.com/products/leading_technology/leading_tech_kca-420i.htm).