Originally posted by HoldenRT
No offense intended, but sounds like you should be buying a playstation. All of the things you don't want are the relative strengths of a pc simulation compared to a console game. I know how that sounds when it comes across, but I think it's fair to say.
It just seems like alot of unneeded effort to get something like rfactor all setup and then not go the whole hog. The console games are already perfect for a casual user.
No offense taken. You may be right, as I was quite impressed with F1 2005 when I tried it (other than the issue I had with getting used to the controller). It seemed to have decent attention to details (nice carshapes for example) and not noticeably unrealistic in its driving. However, I have a considerable collection of PC games, with quite some games unplayed as of yet, and I lack the space and time to install and use a PS2 or PS3 on top of that, which I would only use for one game anyway (or perhaps 2 with a soccer game). I don't intend to buy Rfactor right away (first finish or start playing some other games, and I've also no credit card as of yet), but I'm thinking about downloading the mod already just in case it becomes a paying download later (as seems to happen to some mods lately in the FPS scene). And I have to say that the screenshots posted look very inviting...
In general I prefer the PC over any console, partly due because some of my favorite games (like turn based strategies or other "big" strategy games like Europa Universalis) simply aren't for consoles, due to control issues (require a mouse) and lack of interest among most console owners. Also because I play an FPS from time to time, and there too the PC's control scheme is the better one.
I also like mods, if they are relatively streamlined and easy to install (as I suppose this mod for rFactor is, rfactor having been designed as platform for mods from the start). Driving, say, the 1985, 1986 or 1987 F1 season would be cool (on condition that unrealistic aids like TC are available as an option), and that is or will be possible on some PC F1 games (and a loooong way off on PS3, I think). Moreover, a game like GP4 has the advantage of being saveable at any point - I dislike "checkpoint" save systems which are everywhere on consoles (and sadly also on more and more PC games).
Originally posted by HoldenRT
As for your question, I've raced online a guy from Italy called Mirko who used keyboard and was competitive in CTDP2005 with only TC and ABS and stability control. But I think he is what you'd class as an insanely hardcore keyboard user. 
I've since stopped racing with those guys, once I found an Aussie league that uses realistic aids. But when you'd watch him drive you'd never know he was using a keyboard. I guess if your really cheap (to not buy a wheel) the skills can be honed to extraordinary levels. Yes there are sliders for AI but AI is said to be not very good (havent tried it myself). Rfactor is unbeliveable for the highest level of racing with other people, but not so great for keyboard and AI. That's why maybe consoles are the best bet. Because there is no controller settings, video cards and performance, or car or track downloads to worry about. You can just sit down, pick it up and play. Or GP4 which you seem already happy with but is maybe becoming outdated.
This info helps a lot; looks like ISI hasn't dropped its systems of aids (F2002 is also excellent on keyboard, like its chief competitor GP4). A pity about the AI, though. Are they bad in the sense that they just smack into you at the slightest provocation (as the AI in Ubisofts ill-born F1RC did), or in the sense that their times are inconsistent/too slow/too fast?
AI is one of the reasons that I consider GP4 to be somewhat sold short by most simmers. Usually, comparison with F2002 and the like focuses on the better physics engine of the latter, but that is but one aspect of the game. As GP4's predecessor GP2 was considered the standard in its day, it's not like GP4's physics are horrible by itself, even if better is now available. Corner speeds aren't ridiculousl, like there were in truly arcade games of old where the brakes were hardly used at all. GP4 has excellent AI, that is both racy against the player and among themselves yet not very prone to rammings, while making the occasional error like a human player would. Moreover, they seem to offer a quite consistent performance level, relative to the player, from circuit to circuit. At the second lowest difficulty setting, I feel right at home for a season in a top car (all cars have the same driving model in GP4, but it doesn't feel right to tool about in the back with a McLaren of Ferrari): I can often win quite easily (if I take the time to learn the circuit properly and sometimes change the setup slightly), but seldom with a large gap and at times the AI drivers push me hard. Just the right mix
between challenge and success, for my feeling.
GP4 also had nice graphics which hold up well for their age and a decent replay system. But there are also problems: the game still crashes occasionally even with GPxpatch installed, and has been pretty much abandoned by publisher (while the developper Microprose sadly is no more) and most of the modding community. Apparently a 2005 mod exists, but the install procedure (from what I heard first registring on some Italian site, trying to grap the right downloads, and then install cars, tracks and other things apart, after making sure the right version of GPxpatch is installed already) seems pretty rough. I also don't know if this mod takes changes in the rules (first 8 get points, no tyre changes, single lap qually,...) into account.
Originally posted by HoldenRT
But I do realise that many have different wants and needs.. and limited time for things like pc games. 
Actually if you liked GTR, Rfactor isn't much different. Best thing would be to download the demo and try the 2006 BMW Sauber that comes with the demo. And have a fiddle with the controller rates (these become like car setup for a kb user) and settings. You can save and load different controller settings, like car setup for specific tracks or different types of cars. The potential is there, when there is a will there is a way.
Thanks for the advice and the info on rFactor. I'm pretty confident it will work from what you wrote, but before I'm going to buy I will try the demo. rFactor is sold only online, is that correct?
But I do realise that many have different wants and needs.. and limited time for things like pc games. 
