Mr Crudley
Glock in your sock
This 100%. Unfortunately my favourite console racing game is still Gran Turismo 2. Yep - GT3, GT4, GT Sport all look great, but IMO (very limited experience) all are a PITA to play with a stardard PS controller. Gran Turismo 2 was still fun and the controller vibration was really good at communicating wheelspin, slides, ripple strips, etc...
Yes, they all look super graphically and sound realistic, but, well, it is hard to translate to being a good game. Colin McRae Rally was good at it time and I still have a soft spot for belting across Baja in Motocross Madness 2. It is pretty short list unfortunately. GT2 was well done though.
Next year (assuming a return to normality), I might look at build a car racing sim so the more sim-focused games are more fun (I love tweaking all the car settings, just find the modern games finnicky to play to a high level with the standard controller) - it definitely won't be Xbox based though as the game options are too limited. Probably PC based to allow most flexibility.
Have to agree that the controller is a weak point. A cabin with a steering wheel has to be a good thing. I do have a Thrustmaster steering wheel here somewhere too and it did make a big difference. Go for it is you can find a worthy game to make the most of it. Has to be cheaper than the real thing.