My last car had a CD player that had stopped working several years ago. Was going to try to fix it with a cleaning kit but never did. When cleaning out the car late last year found several CDs friends had "burned" for me, so I've been enjoying listening to these again.
My new car has a CD player as well as streaming with Pandora app, etc. But I mostly only listen to a CD or the radio, can be a hassle trying to set up the Pandora and Bluetooth if I don't do it as soon as get in the car.
I do love the Pandora app on my phone - use it a lot to listen to in bed with headphones.
Never had a component stereo system - my only CD players are a Lennox Sound CD/Cassette boombox and a GE Spacemaker CD player. Really like the Spacemaker because of its remote control, and with its auxiliary cord can play Pandora app from my phone on it.
Did see at Walmart recently one of the old fashioned cassette recorders, as well as a Sony CD/Cassette boom box. Surprised to still see both for sale.
Am too young to remember when records and 8 tracks were first around, but the CD sure is easier to find tracks on than those cassette tapes. I used to really like playing with cassette recorders as a kid, had the toy ones then.