Um.... I have used the search extensively. Reading all those awesome threads and learning from them encouraged me to join and ask those specific questions I posed here that weren't dealt with in those threads.
Just in case you missed them:
"Has anybody ever been able to integrate the existing CD player in such an installation?
Any recommendation on what to look at and what to avoid at all costs? "
I will add to the second question to remove any ambiguity. How about "Within the Pioneer range, is there any recommendation on what to look at and what to avoid at all costs?"
Something that has started to bother me with my double din install is how far I have to reach to use the touch screen. The newest units pop out from the dash several inches which helps with that problem, as well as having the angle of the screen adjustable to deal with glare. Sometimes I can barely see my head unit during the middle of the day with sunglasses on.
Something like this is probably in my future.
DMH-WT8600NEX - 10.1" - Amazon Alexa, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, Bluetooth® - Multimedia Digital Media Receiver
10.1" - Amazon Alexa, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, Bluetooth® - Multimedia Digital Media Receiver
www.pioneerelectronics.com
Kenwood has one coming too that looks even better in some ways due to adjustability.