When I started driving I avoided the 8 track tape player… which was past its peak… for an under dash mount cassette player with built-in FM radio. I added 4 speakers to the car. The car came with only an AM radio.
I added an in-dash cassette and 4 speakers to my next car. I think it had the factory AM/FM radio with a single speaker.
The cars after those two had factory radios. With a cassette player, then CD player AND cassette, then CD only and finally NO CD but with audio inputs and finally Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
I find that I really like Android Auto. I use Waze on my phone through the car’s screen. I can play music, books, podcasts off my phone. Overall more seamless and useful than the built in Nav system.
For years I would put a better radio and speakers in my cars which was of much better quality than the OEM head unit and would also add to the value of the car when selling.
The last system I installed was in a Mazda CX-9 which was pretty involved because I also added a rear view camera along with an interface to make the MPG calculater etc on the dash to work and another one for the steering wheel controls.
But on newer cars, the systems make it very difficult to change much of anything.
At least on the Toyota trucks and SUVs, changing out the head unit is not all that difficult, and mostly plug and play (with the correct kit), but you do have to make sure it is compatible and they are also a lot more costly ($$$$) than the head units of days past… I can have the head unit in my truck out in just a mater of a few minutes, just pop the Lego bezel off and 4 10mm (head) screws and it’s loose, lots of wiring back there though… lol
Also with the right kit, you can buy 100% plug-n-play speaker kits with or without amp/sub as a add on or complete kit, just be ready to shell out some $$$$…
There are company’s that specialize in custom audio kits for the more popular manufactures anyway, that sell 100% plug-n-play upgrades that make it sooooo much easier than we had it many years ago… And most of the newer vehicles are mostly Lego interiors which makes upgrades even easier than in the past… Trail Grid Pro is the go to place for Toyota truck/SUV enthusiasts for audio install kits as an example…
Are you open to the ideas that TwinTurbo or texases suggested? I have aquaintances who are more comfortable accessing music via CDs. so I can understand your motivation. I find having music saved as digital files more convenient and portable. I either convert discs to digital files like texases does, or stream music from a service.
Otherwise, checking with car audio resources either online via Crutchfield as davesmopar suggested, or locally at a car audio shop, would be a good way to go.
Also, just wondering what is the year, make, and model of the newer car to which you want to add CD cabability?