So really whats the best option for an in dash system with LCD on a model like this, I'm pretty new to owning the car. Would it be something like a small unit with a 3.5 LCD or a motorized unit with a 7" that flips out and up?

Do I have a get a custom kit to have it installed, is it maybe a waste of my time. I've got a non bose model system and it sounds pretty good but I'd really like to add some options like using my iPod or MP3's cd's or something to that effect if it's going to be relatively easy. I dont care much about flash or watching tv I guess, but if it can be done easy I'll do it.

And yes I'm sure there are other threads like this already so feel free to point me to them if thats easier. I think installing the iPod in the glovebox would be ideal if I can do it though, now if I could hook a video ipod up to a unit with an lcd that might be hot.

Its simple man go with an Alpine IVA-W200......its a double din 6.5" touchscreen lcd..............U can go onto ebay and purchase an ipod adapter kit, and control the ipod from the deck. Plus the screen is CLEAN, let me repeat that CLEAN. Go to a stereo installation spot and u can get it installed for around $900.

dbl din will be hard on your car due to the curviture of the factory hu. they dont make dbl din fit kit, but you could make the kit into a dbl din maybe, i cant b/c my fix kit is what holds my a/c controls...

you know it seems like the auto shift on the column would be right on top of the screen that comes out and up barely giving it any room or being in front of it half the time. thats another reason i was thinking of one of the ones with the 3.5 lcd in it, but i dont really know.

nope, back when i bought a jensen 7 inch screen hu for tests (returned it shortly after cuz it sucked ahaha) i put it in my moms 96 Deville... had no problems with it at all fitting..
just be aware of a few things, if you have bose you must either buy a $100 adapter to keep the bose, or replace all the speakers and rewire the entire car.

yeah its not bose, but do i need a custom harness and if i dont use the onstar system is there anything to worry about with it, and wiring the controls on the steering wheel is easy too right?

unless you buy the harness to retain onstar ive herd theres a constant system drain that kills your cars battery tho idk for sure never had onstar

what about just sticking with the system thats in it, is there an easy way to wire an ipod in through the glove box or something and just use it instead of messing with a new system?

of course!!!!
you have a factory disc changer right?
you remove that and with an adapter you plug it into there and you can even control it with your hu and wheel controls!

i dont have a disk changer in this one, but i'm sure the plug would still be there for it somewhere right? what do i need to get to make it work with the best quality sound, not an fm transmitter, i already have one

yup you should it should be in the glove box on that model i believe look behind it i think there is a plastic panel you can remove to look behind. and no its not fm modulated its full cd quality!

So is it the USA Spec piece that seems to be the one to get, when I was searching that seemed like the one to use.

yuh or perhperial makes one too that i plan on buying

The factory plug is behind your glovebox. I just installed the USA-Spec PA11-GM45 in my 2001 DeVille DTS. You also need to order the CAS-GCAD7i adapter. I was able to remove my factory 6CD changer, plug in the adapter, connect the PA11 and I was playing my iPod 10 minutes later. The PA11 also has a 2nd auxiliary input. I used this to connect my XM radio.

To play the iPod I select CD Disc 1, to play XM I select CD Disc 6. It works great! The steering wheel controls work and no need for a friggin' FM adapter.

Also, I can highly recommend the ProClip iPod holder. It allows you to mount the iPod to the right of the factory radio. Check out their website (http://www.proclipusa.com).