A great add-on to the Gran Turismo series after the long 5 year wait (GT5P wasn't the next official game in the series.
Going back to the topic, GT5 offers a lot to its players from:
-1000+ cars
-Realistic Gameplay
-Excellent Graphics
-Tuning
-Parts (Performance and Aero)
-Racing Modifications
-RePaint (Body and Wheels)
-Drift
-Online Play w. Lobbies (Private and Public)
-Cars Old and New
-Production Cars, Race Cars, Rally Cars, Drift Cars, Stock Cars, Formula Cars, Trucks and SUVs, and any missing class of car
-X2010
-NASCAR
-Off-Road Rally
-Go Kart
-Wide Selection of Tracks
-etc.
But this game does have a few letdowns that I experienced first hand. These are (with explanation of why I feel they're letdowns):
-The huge amount of Standard Cars
The amount of Standard Cars are ridiculous. Not only do they not have aero kits (except for spoilers [if they give any}), rims or RMs, but they have no in-dash view and have slightly worser physics. I've noticed that two cars of the same generation, performance, and make, but are classed separately into Standard and Premium are different in physics (turning, braking, etc.) where Premium is always better. I always tune Premium Cars as a result (if I run out then I'll tune Standard Cars).
-Prize Cars & B-spec
For some odd reason, B-spec events hand out better cars than A-spec cars. B-spec is already, in my opinion, a waste of time, but there's the catch that B-spec drivers won't really drive the way you want to, because you can only tell them PACE UP, PACE DOWN, MAINTAIN PACE, OVERTAKE, and PIT. Now because it's not like you can tell them LATE BRAKE, SLIPSTREAM, CHANGE DRIVING LINE or anything related, so they can drive JUST as you want them to, B-spec can really be a waste of time, a pain, and nearly or totally impossible. Like for me, I can't do t and he B-spec Gallardo event (even with a fully tuned Gallardo with Racing tires) and Classic Race Car event (even with a Toyota 7 Race Car and a Jaguar XJ13 Race Car) because my B-spec drivers don't drive just as you want them to. As a result, that one car you wanted from B-spec that you thought will be easy, may actually never happen.
-Few RMs (Racing Modifications)
So few Premium Cars actually have RMs, so finding one that does have it is rare. I'd say that around 20 cars (maybe less) actually have RMs waiting for them. This not only keeps other cars from potentially reaching their full potential of a race car, but some cars should have them period.Some cars like the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, Nissan 350Z, Honda NSX Type-R, Ferrari F430, Ford GT, etc. So many of the Premium cars in the game have been turned into race cars in real life, so having so few RMs kind of kills the point of having any. It's also cheaper than buying the official race car for much, much more (even though it may perform slightly better, look better, and have kick-ass racing liveries and decals, which still gives them purpose.
-Cars that should have been Premium, but aren't.
I remember opening this game for Christmas (thanks Dad) and going straight into the dealerships to see what cars awaited me, but was let down to find some cars not included, some of those missing had race cars, but not the real thing. These include the Toyota Supra, Lexus SC300, Chevrolet Chevelle SS, Dodge Charger R/T, etc., either because they're race cars are Premium, they have a wide variety of aftermarket, or their they're makes lack decent cars under the dealerships. In fact, all of the cars in the game should be Premium, because it lets gamers experience all of the cars in the game first hand, realistically, as far as interior, performance parts, and aftermarket.
So, despite those 4 things, the game is great. I would give this game an 8, maybe even a 7, but I give this game a 9. Why? Because the other 500 cars added to the game were rushed (which may explain pushed back release date and huge amount of standard cars), and they wanted to make GT5 something to marvel for the PS3, with added features in.
Even though with updates they could change some of this.
Either way, GT5 is a racing hit for PS3, and arguably the best racing game ever. I can't wait for GT6 in a few years.