1 question - is the stock cd player able to skip between folders, or do you have to cycle through each track in an album to get to the next album?

the answer is yes. You can scroll from folder to folder, and then from file to file in each folder.
I am not sure what radio you have but the new 06' verison, (non ipod) the left side up/down arrows change folders. The right up/down changes file in the folder.

hope this helps

and for the record this is a double post.
Check the tech section for more info then what I provided above.
Avoid double posting
:no:

05 version skips folders too. Screw Ipods :p

Nothing like have an entire discography on a single cd.