I'm sad to say that I couldn't get this model to do anything reliably. It successfully connected and allowed me to use CarPlay just 2 or 3 times while testing it out since my last post.

When it showed up on my phone's Bluetooth devices - and it regularly didn't - I either got a "failed to connect" popup on my phone OR an error on the head unit telling me to un/replug the dongle and try again. I got this sass when I moved it from one dash USB port to another, when I restarted the car, when I changed anything (related or not) anywhere on either my phone or the head unit, when I breathed...

I'm going to try the CarlinKit 3.0 that u/tekonus recommended next. It's a similar price point and others have mentioned it as well. It'll be here on Thursday! I'll keep the CPLAY2air in mind too just in case, u/zimbu1234.

I used to frown at people who spent excessive time sitting in their car in the parking lot outside our apartment building. I shall judge no more; they were just trying to get their accessories to work. The struggle is real, y'all.

Thanks everybody for your help and advice!! I'll keep you updated!