I have noticed that as the graphics got better in the GT series, the game play tended to get worse. I used to own GT1, but still own 2, 3, and 4. Haven't played any of the PS3 versions, but it seems the actual driving physics peaked with the second game, (can't remember what playin the first was like), and steadily got worse. I still enjoyed the later games for the reasons you listed, cause let's face it, it's car pr0n, but for actual racing, I do not consider the GT series of late to be the benchmark. (edit- that was a quote, not sure what happened there)
Yeah, 2 was the best. The sound seemed better too (not sure how that held to the test of time though) They focused less on making the sound dynamics sound real, and more on making them sound like 1- the actuall car and 2- awesome.
later on, things got buzzy... ick.
That and I muss buying a Taurus and dressing it up like a NASCAR car
