iPod Nano 6G is basically an expensive flash drive without iTunes?

I recently bought an iPod Nano 6G to upgrade the storage for playing mp3s in my car and doing some interface testing with different car audio systems. I was leery of buying Apple given their penchant for overpriced proprietary architecture dating back to the Apple II. However given the popularity of the iPod it's a key compatibility test for car audio systems. However, all I need for software is a system for porting a large library of mp3s (I have all my stuff on Vinyl and CD, do not buy online) into the iPod. I don't have any intent of using iTunes and do not have it on any of my machines. Even if I had ITunes I'd block it from accessing the Internet which from what I understand now makes it crash so it's useless even as a simple file manager.

I guess I'm pretty much stuck with an expensive 16GB memory stick for my car since apparently Apple has rigged the Nano 6G to be unusable for anything other than a flash drive without iTunes. This doesn't change how I use USB in the car but means it's useless for testing other features. My car USB slot is in the center console box so it's out of sight and I just leave the USB drive there unless I'm adding files to it. I can still load and organize my MP3s at will since if you never loaded iTunes the device is simply a 16GB USB flash drive with a fancy but useless front end. I've loaded a few folders on it and it works fine in that role. It is an upgrade from the 8GB stick I was using so isn't a total loss. I don't intend to take it back as there technically isn't anything wrong with it, only my failure to research how it's basically the hardware front end for iTunes, not an MP3 player.

I guess if you don't intend to use iTunes with a Nano 6G it's just an expensive flash drive? I've looked at what 3rd party managers are out there but it looks like none work with the Nano 6G. Any ideas?