Welcome John.
You can quite easily change the dash for a Type-R one.
Replace the fascia with the Type R glare and scratch free one
The standard dash is also easy to scratch, although it is now being said that Honda recognize this and have a new version of the standard dash that is more resistant to scratching. It is said that in Spain and the UK at least, these are being exchanged under warranty.
http://www.civinfo.com/forum/general...-warrenty.html
See the Wiki and How-To section for ideas on how to connect the ipod and wire in the Garmin.
http://www.civinfo.com/wiki and
http://www.civinfo.com/forum/how/