im trying to talk my friend out of buying a 20gig ipod

Why? The iPod is a great product.

The Pearl is going to fly circles around it, but for now, it's great.

Edit: Oh, I see that he wants it as a car stereo. Well, for some people, it's still the right choice. If showing him the cool features of the empeg still doesn't convince him, then let him get the iPod. Some people just can't be convinced.