I am torn.

In all my previous Volvos I have done up the audio with Alpine deck/amp and a Boston Acoustics sub for some low end. Never really excessive but just balanced and gave it some full range ability.

I have not done this yet in the 98XC. The Alpine deck I had is now with someone else and I am torn as to what to do. I am thinking about the IPD Ipod Interface (new ones also have RCA inputs to support a sat radio tuner) -or- do I throw down on a new deck from Crutchfield? They have a sale on the Alpine CD105 or 102 I believe. 50x4 watts, basically a newer version of what I had...all in all a capable and very clean sounding deck, built in ipod control, extra USB data input, blah blah blah...

My question is, has anyone used the IPD kit? Is it good, had any issues? Each of these scenarios will set me back the same amount of cash so I am just hemming and hawing about what to do. The OEM radio is decent for stock, and obviously easy as heck to do what you need to do. (not that Alpine is hard either...)

At this time I am really not interested in a sub for the XC. I use the trunk for hauling stuff around and can't deal with a 12inch box rolling around during some spirited driving ;-)

Totally off topic from the above... Massachusetts was warm yesterday. I got into my car after work around 545 and had a case of severe deja vu. I could not pinpoint what was causing it, but then shortly realized what it was. The interior of the car was obviously warm and the leather was soft. It must have been a combination of soft leather and clean interior emitting a pleasant smell that reminded me of my first Volvo (91 740) that I bought in 2001...had the same unique scent. I thought it was funny and I was going down memory lane for a few minutes thinking about that old brick I had...