Which is the better mp3 player (from personal experience)

I am looking into it as we speak. I think I narrowed it down to Sony or Ipod…But from ya’ll that got’em or used them which is the better of the 2? Please let me know why. My wife is hooking me up with one for Christmas but I gotta let her know which one to get. I heard the Ipod can be used in the car is this true?

Please no flames…I am just curious who is using which and why.