What kind of cd player should i get for my car?

I'm having a problem with my car CD player. Could it be an easy fix?

• About a month ago my car battery began to die. If I pumped the gas pedal when I turned the key, I could eventually get the engine to turn over. This bought me some time until payday when I could buy a new battery. In the midst of this battery fiasco, during one battle I had with starting my car, my stereo reset itself. For example, The clock reset to 12:00 AM and the oil life (my car stereo tracks oil life) went from 86% to 0%. As well, the CD player made a noise like it was switching CD's, then it beeped at me and the screen read "CD PLAYER ERROR". Since I changed my battery, the rest of the stereo functions work (the radio, the time display, all of the other displays) but the CD player still reads CD PLAYER ERROR and the CD's will not play. Sometimes when I first turn the car on, it will make that noise as though it is switching between CD's, but inevitably it will read error and not work. I drive a 2005 Pontiac G6 that came stock with a 6 CD changer. I know very little about cars and even less about car electronics. I'm wondering if someone with some car/tech knowledge could give me some insight into this issue. If you know anything about this area, riddle me these: 1) As previously stated, I know very little about cars and electronics, but is this something I could potentially diagnose/fix myself by looking at a car fuse box or something? If so, could someone give me some insight on where to look or point me towards a YouTube video that will show me? 2) If this is something I can't do myself, does someone have an idea of what the problem would be so I can better describe it to someone that could potentially fix it? 3) If I have to take it to someone who could fix it, where do I go? I know I could take it to the dealership where I bought it, but that's so expensive? (PS - It's out of warranty) Do most body-shops know how to fix these kind of electronics or no? 4) If someone knows enough about this kind of issue to tell me bluntly that my stereo is effed, can you recommend a brand of a new CD player that is in the 2 - 3 hundred dollar range that is reliable? (If I had to purchase something new, I'm not looking for a multi-disc changer, but I would like a CD player with an audio input for my iPod. I would also like a stereo that includes many of the features of my current stereo: one that gets good radio reception, shows me oil life, tracks mileage on trips, tells me how many miles I have left in my gas tank, etc.) Sorry this is long. I'm daft when it comes to these things. Any input would be helpful. Thanks!

• Answer:

  I didn't see the answer to the question I'm about to ask you, so excuse me if I'm pointing out the obvious, but have you tried to eject any of the CD's? If "yes", do they come out? If "yes", did you try putting them in with the same results (error message)? If "yes", did you try different CDs? Once you get to that point and you still get an error message, talk to your insurance company. Getting something like that fixed or replaced should fall under comprehensive based on the way it was damaged. If it does fall under comprehensive, it should be covered with no deductible required. Even if it isn't, the cost to have it replaced or repaired could easily exceed the deductible anyway.