However, because I used it so frequently since I have no other means of listening to my iPod in the car (I don't have a tape deck), the casing began falling apart and I often had to wrap tape around the sides to keep the plug from coming off

I only bought this one because I finally cracked the case of the old device and it falls off, (doesn't stop playing though), hence the purchase of number two

I understand that my having used it so much must have torn it apart, but it had only been six months since I bought it... so that tips me off as to how cheap the casing might be