Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I figured that was the answer but I still can't help but think that there must be some way with some type of hardware hack to re-route some internal wires. But you know that'd be a fantastic mod/hack to figure out.
I know I'll probably end up just getting an external drive like the one you referred to and keep it in my glove box which is pretty convenient.
/start rant
I'm very anti-iPod and will never own one so that route isn't an option. And no, I dont hate iPods b/c everyone loves them. The interface is garbage, iTunes is arguably the worst mass-ado