that ripping ON the unit sounds miserable!

Actually, it could be quite excellent if it's done properly. There's a home-stereo device with software made by the same team (the Rio Central HSX-109) which does ripping as well as playback, and it really neat how it goes about its job. If something like that were implemented in an in-dash car stereo, it would be rather cool.

how much was a 20 gig empeg for the lucky few who got them from RIO?

Before they were discontinued, they were over $1000.00. A bunch of people got them for just a few hundred dollars after the EOL when Rio decided to clear out the stock.

You should probably read through these pages before asking any more questions. You'll probably begin bidding on ebay after reading through that stuff.