I was in the same boat as you about 3 weeks ago so i treated myself to one of these Graham - finally found a use for my ipod
http://www.alpine-electronics.co.uk/...cde-112ri.html
You control the ipod from the head unit
It has USB input on the front too if you have mp3`s on a flash drive you want to listen to.
Im chuffed with it and it wasnt too dear compared to days of old.